La Voz

Issue date: 6/4/07 Section: Athletics

After last season's comparatively successful 5-5 year, the De Anza College football team now has its sights set on the league championship and a bowl victory. "We're off to a good start," said Head Coach Dan Atencio. "We are further along then we were last year at this time." Atencio and his assistant coaches, including new Offensive Coordinator Tony Santos, are working to create a program in which the Dons will be able to meet their goals. This is the first year there has been an off-season conditioning program.

Being a two-year school, De Anza's sports program suffers from a high turn over rate, but recognizes that "the best way to keep continuity is to have a comprehensive year-round weight training program," said Santos. With the new season starting in the fall, the athletes will attend mandatory workouts throughout the summer. In addition to the training programs, many recruited freshmen will be joining the team.

"I feel like we worked hard in filling the gaps," said Santos. Many of the incoming freshman also run track and haveave boosted the team's overall speed.

"I'm looking forward to a lot of these High School guys coming in," said Atencio. "We have a lot of returning linemen and skill guys, but we've also got a lot of young talent coming in, so the sophomores better be ready to go."

According to the coaches, the team is doing well, especially without having had any meetings or install time, during which coaches can focus on individual players. "We have a solid nucleus and a core group of athletes who are as good as any of the athletes around," said Santos. "This year we are more athletic," said Atencio. "We run a lot better - with speed you either have it or you're chasing it."

The team is continually working to improve physically and academically. Atencio wants the players to stay on track with classes and ideally transfer within in two years. There are two new academic programs that will start in the fall: FAST and End Zone.

FAST, The Football Academics Success Team, focuses on improving athletes academia and retention. It stresses the importance of academic performance and eventually transferring.

End Zone will be a EWRT 100 B class for the football team and will be a part of the practice schedule. "It will be a good class because they can be with their friends and at the same time I can keep an eye on them," said Atencio.

Though the team is headed in the right direction, there is still work to be done. "We need to develop the sophomore leaders," said Atencio. "They were freshmen last year and now it's their turn to lead. They are doing excellent so far and they are getting better."

Atencio's plans also include adding a game against Foothill College in 2008. "They're good, and a natural rival for us. We would rotate home games, and have a trophy for the winner. It will be a lot of fun," said Atencio.

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