December 10, 2004

Earning their place in the sun

West Valley Falcons Jr. Midgets advance to Pop Warner Championship rounds

By Candy Richter
Staff Writer

It took countless hours of grueling practice, a talented and devoted coaching staff, unwavering parent support and that intangible mix of player talent, team spirit and effort galore. And now, finally, after 20 years, the West Valley Pop Warner organization has achieved the dream of dreams – sending a team all the way to the National Champion-ships in Orlando, Fla.

On Dec. 7, the Falcons shut out the Detroit Hurricanes in the first round of the Orlando Championship. Now guaranteed either first or second place in the Division 2, Junior Midget category, the Falcons face off against Connecticut on Dec. 10. Over 800 teams nationally compete for a playoff position in the Pop Warner Football Superbowl. This is the first time in its 20-year history that a team from West Valley Pop Warner has competed in the National Championships. “These last two years have finally given us a coaching staff that has taken full advantage of the attributes of the boys [on the team]” said Falcon parent Robb Kundtz. Photos by Marchelle Johansen.

After a stellar regular season, the Falcons emerged undefeated into the playoff rounds first trouncing Morgan Hill at Woodside for the league title, then Novato at Tensar Stadium to qualify for the Regional Championships in Reno, Nev. Last year, the Falcons lost the league title round to rival Morgan Hill.

“We’re a whole different team this year,” said quarterback Kyle Miller. “Last year we were so close, but this year we know we can really go all the way.”

According to Head Coach Kim Johansen, the planets began to align for this team two years ago with the addition of Co-Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Pat McGrady, who began his coaching career at 17 and has one National Championship and many Florida competitions under his belt.

“I can say honestly, that if it wasn’t for Pat, we wouldn’t be here right now. The fact that our kids have learned the skills [that they are using] is a testament to his talents. Looking at this team, Pat and I both agreed that we had the opportunity to compete and win.

“There was been a big jump in this team’s focus and development [over last year],” said McGrady. “Everyone contributes to success, the players, parents and coaches. A team is only as good as its support system. As coaches, we demand a lot, but you need parent buy in too, and we definitely have that with this team.”

Although some of the players have been together at West Valley for four years or more, players and parents alike credit the team’s amazing progress to the coaching staff’s dedication.

“These are some of the greatest coaches I’ve had in any sport,” said running back Will Sparks, who will share this year’s MVP award with teammate Miller. “They encourage us; they inspire us and pump us up before each game. I think we want to win this. It took time for us to realize where we could go, but now, we’re there and we’re ready.”

Sparks’ father, Tim, who also has team coaching experience, is impressed by the Falcon leadership. “I thought I knew football, but I really didn’t,” said Tim Sparks. “This is a tremendous team sport. It demands that all teammates contribute. The ultimate goal is to succeed, as a team, not as an individual. These kids have learned to correlate work and effort with success.”

This year’s team is a mix of long-time WVPW players like Ross Kundtz and Will Sparks, two-year members like quarterback Kyle Miller and talented new recruits like lineman John Batinitch, himself a five-year veteran of Pop Warner football. Rounding out the roster are a collection of first time players – the common thread among them all being that each individual brings a commitment to hard work and team effort – essential ingredients for any team to succeed in a competitive sport.

Though new to the Falcons, John Batinich is one of the more “seasoned” players on the team. A talented tackle, Batinich was recruited from Sunnyvale proball style by the Falcon coaches. “Batinich plays with a lot of intensity - on both sides of the ball,” says Defensive Coordinator Gil Bizzusi. “He brings out the ‘fire’ in the team.”

“I’m lucky the coach was able to move me over from Sunnyvale,” says Batinich, who counts Carolina Panther Julius Peppers as his football role model. “You have to have the passion to play but you also need the emotional control.”

“Every player on the team has the capacity to be a good player,” said Batinich senior. “Every last kid has the talent to play. Our past [team] experiences were more like boot camp. Running and drills. This team is more about football philosophy. They get down to the x’s and o’s – the execution of offense and defense.”

Once the season is over and the victory secured, the real treasure of this experience will be the memories of working toward a common goal, being a member of a team effort and learning the value of cooperation.

“You do this and you enjoy it,” summed up Miller. “You know you probably won’t go pro, but you’ve met people you’ll know for the rest of your life and when you’re older and sitting around with your friends, you’ll look back and remember what you were - a quarterback for your Pop Warner team.” Spoken like a true winner.

West Valley Falcons — Junior Midgets

Player Name, Jersey #
Daniel Ajlouni 51
Joshua Ajlouni 23
Alexander Asturias 41
John Batinich 79
Jacom Boettcher 34
William Boring 43
Colin Chapman 15
Michael Combs 52
Ryan Donovan 63
Brandon Farley 88
Jeremy Greenberg 31
Chase Hayhurst 21
Myles Johansen 2
Matthew Kirwan 32
Robert Kundtz 5
Matthew Marcus 8
Kyle Miller 7
Chauncey O’Brien 18
Adam Oreglia 60
Ricardo Ramiriz 67
Max Richter 78
George Shannon 85
Tommy Silvas 30
Sukhrah Sohal 75
Holden Sparacino 74
William Sparks 24
Michael Sporck 44
Grant Thomas 36
Joseph Vizzusi 55
Branden Webster 81
Robert Wright 61
Craig Zeiter 45

Coach, Title
Skip Miller Boys Athletic Director
Kim Johansen Head Coach Football
Bill Boettcher Assistant Coach Football
Don Boring Assistant Coach Football
Pat McGrady Assistant Coach Football
Gil Vizzusi Assistant Coach Football
Kelly Edwards Equipment Manager Football
Ronald Edwards Trainer Football
Anne Ajlouni Team Parent Football