"I'm so proud of these guys for the commitment they've shown during the summer and in the pre-season," praised Walczak, who is in his fourth season at the helm of the Fremont program. "Many went to a football team camp this summer, and we've had three great weeks of practice."

Walczak believes that the Firebirds' dedication, combined with their overall speed and athleticism, can only lead to success on the playing field. "If we can stay healthy, we have so much speed we should be competitive in every game," the coach said.

And that's saying something, considering that the Firebirds already have lost their most productive running back of 2004 to what likely is a season-ending arm injury. Senior fullback Joe Maes (5-foot-10, 215 pounds), who ran for more than 700 yards and earned first team all-El Camino honors last season, broke his left arm during the July summer camp at San José City College.

Fortunately for the Firebirds, Maes is not the only all-league running back coming back. Nathan Cathcart (5-foot-10, 200), a two-way starter the previous two seasons, returns for his senior season. However, instead of lining up as tailback behind Maes in the backfield, Cathcart will play fullback. Senior Cookie Mills (5-foot-9, 150), last season's starting quarterback who was ticketed for wide receiver this year, has moved into the tailback position.

Like Cathcart, senior Juan Arce (5-foot-10, 180) starts his third varsity season. An all-league utility player in football and an all-league soccer player as well, Arce will join sophomore Kenny Pope (5-foot-8, 145) at wide receiver and will handle the punting and kick-off chores for the Firebirds.

Arce will double as the strong safety, joining cornerbacks Cathcart and Mills (first team all-league) and senior free safety Kevin Lincoln in what "probably is the best group of DBs in the league," Walczak said.

Jason Custer (5-foot-8, 175), the place-kicker and back-up quarterback as a junior, moves into a starting role this fall. "Jason has a strong arm, and is throwing very well," Walczak noted.

Senior center Mark Pariaszevski (6-foot, 220), a second-team all-league choice, again will anchor the offensive line. He is the only returning starter on a "real young offensive line," Walczak said.

The only other senior will be left tackle Tim Ireland (5-foot-9, 250), a back-up last year. Sophomore Donny Mena (5-foot-10, 220) and junior Michael Lolling (5-foot-10, 230) will be the guards and either junior Gene Davis (6-foot, 250) or junior Juan Escamilla (6-foot-1, 240) will line up at right tackle.

Senior Harold Su (6-foot, 200), the starting tight end as a junior, has been moved to defensive end this season. Moving into his spot will be junior Jon Karabats (6-foot-1, 185), up from the frosh-soph.

Pariaszevski also will anchor the defense, manning the middle linebacker post. Juniors Ben Vernon (5-foot-11, 180) and R.J. Rivera (5-foot-9, 170) will be the outside linebackers, while Escamilla and Su are ends on the defensive line. Senior Tommy Staats (5-foot-11, 200), back after being injured most of his junior season, and juniors George Tran (5-11, 250) and Patrick Murphy (5-10, 220) are competing for playing time in the middle of the line.

After non-league games at Willow Glen and at home against Del Mar and Homestead, Fremont opens league play against Gunn, which has moved down from the De Anza Division.

"We should know a lot about ourselves after that," Walczak says. "The last two seasons the team that has dropped down (Saratoga in 2003, Mountain View last year) has won the championship."

Key Returners

Cookie Mills (5-9, 150), Sr., DB/RB, all-leaguer

Kevin Lincoln (5-8, 170), Sr., RB/DB

Juan Arce (5-10, 180), Sr., WR/DB, all-leaguer, three-year starter

Jason Custer (5-8, 175), Sr., QB

Nathan Cathcart (5-10, 200), Sr., RB/DB, all-leaguer, three-year starter

Joe Maes (5-10, 215), Sr., FB, all-leaguer

Tim Ireland (5-9, 250), Sr., OL/DL

Mark Pariaszevski (6-0, 220), Sr., C/LB,

Harold Su, (6-0, 200), Sr., DE/TE

Fremont 2005
Football Schedule

Sept. 10, at Willow Glen, 7 p.m.

Sept 16, Del Mar, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 23, Homestead, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 30, at Gunn, 7:30 p.m.*

Oct. 7, Cupertino, 7:30 p.m.*

Oct. 13, Monta Vista at Cupertino,
7 p.m.*

Oct 21, Los Altos, 7:30 p.m.*

Oct. 28, at Saratoga, 3:15 p.m.

Nov. 4, Lynbrook at Cupertino,
7:30 p.m.*

Nov. 11, Santa Clara, 7:30 p.m.*

*Denotes Santa Clara Valley Athletic League
El Camino Division