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VALHALLA, N.Y. Valhalla's second-year football coach Kevin Martins expects to build a solid program over the next couple of years, so with each practice and game his goal is to instill his players with a football mentality.
"Football is the toughest sport to play at the high school level because it takes so much commitment," Martins said in the first days of summer practice. "You have to build from the younger players because graduation always takes some of the best. We want the kids to develop confidence as we go through the season."
The young and inexperienced Vikings began its season on the road with a 40-8 loss to Dover and won't get a breather when they host Dobbs Ferry Friday at 7 p.m. in their home opener. The Eagles led Class state champion Bronxville until the final minutes in their home opener last week before losing 15-14, so the Vikings can expect a grumpy opponent.
Paul Viviano, who scored the only touchdown in the loss to Dover, is the Vikings' most consistent offensive weapon. Valhalla's defense struggled against both the pass and the run last week, but should improve week to week as it gains experience.
Eagles quarterback Spencer Avalos rushed for 83 yards, including a 47-yeard touchdown run, and completed 6 of 11 passes for 120 yards. Avalos, Tim Soave, Eddie Ritch and John Yozzo-Scaperrotta rushed for a combined 203 yards.
Will you be at Friday's Valhalla-Dobbs Ferry football game?
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