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| ATHLETE OF THE WEEK (click here for past winners) Joe Branch of the Mt. Carmel Sundevils varsity football team is this week's Athlete of the Week. Joe had a super game last Friday against Serra, rushing for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns, helping the Sundevils win their opening game of the season, 27-14. The senior fullback, who also plays halfback, is back playing after not playing as a junior. Joe says that he "thinks this going to be a great year. I think we have a real shot at making the playoffs. We are working hard at practice, and it showed last Friday night!" Head varsity coach Darren Spence says that "Joe is a great kid. I am very pleased to have him back on the team this year." After finishing 1-9 the past 2 years, coach Spence was "very pleased with the total team effort. To come out and compete like we did shows that we are turning the corner. The entire defense played great, giving our offense great field position on which we capitalized in the first half." The heart that this team possesses was evident when senior middle linebacker Keaton Hveem, a 3 year varsity starter who had 10 solo tackles, ran down Serra's best running back when he was off and running. Coach Spence noted that "on tape from the week before, that guy was gone every time he broke loose, and Keaton ran him down." Coach Spence knows the importance of practice, "We need a good week of practice to keep it going, to continue on our upward path." With a much more favorable schedule than in years past, Joe's goal of reaching the playoffs may become a reality. Be sure to stop by our message boards and let Joe and the team know what a great job they did last Friday! Great job Sundevils, let's keep it going! If you know of an athlete in the PQ community deserving of athlete of the week honors, please email your nomination to chris@pqsports.com. Your athlete can be a senior pitcher or a 5 year-old soccer player that scored his/her first goal...we want to hear about them all! |
