For the second straight year, Central Valley High School's Ernesto Plancarte will compete in two varsity sports during the same season.
"This year, I have more confidence," said Plancarte, who booted kickoffs and extra points in football and started at sweeper on defense in soccer as a junior. "I know where to go and what to do. I feel pretty organized."
Ernesto, a 6-foot-2-inch, 185-pound senior, attended former All-Pac 10 and NFL placekicker Steven Jordan's camp in Pleasanton this past weekend.
"I want to be the best player in the area at my position," he said.
Plancarte dedicated three hours a day to his craft at Amador High School. The clinic started at 10 a.m. and ended at 1 p.m.
"I kicked from angles," he said. "I practiced PATs and game situation drills. "I think it's going to give me more accuracy. I also got to meet a lot of guys from different schools. Central Catholic's kicker was there."
Added Central Valley head coach Tim Garcia: "I heard he did good."
Plancarte made his debut with the football team during the third week of the season. He converted one-of-two point-after kicks as the Hawks fell 62-13 to the Escalon Cougars at Ceres High School.
Ernesto even made a tackle.
"My first reaction was to take him down," he said. "My coaches were shocked."
An experienced Plancarte will been a valuable asset for the 2007 Hawks.
"He's a big part of our special teams," Garcia said. "It makes it a little easier on your offense when you have someone that's consistent and can put it through the uprights."
Added Ernesto: "I know kicking isn't as big a position as quarterback but it's important."
Central Valley finished in last place in the Valley Oak League (0-7) and amassed a 1-9 record during its first varsity season in 2006.
"Hopefully, we'll represent our school better this year," Plancarte said. "I think we will. We have a lot more stronger players. We're confident. We have our minds straight. We're going to set the bar (for future Central Valley teams)."
Ernesto helped lead Central Valley's first-ever varsity boys soccer team to a third-place tie with Manteca in the VOL standings last year. The Hawks just missed securing a postseason berth, losing out on a tiebreaker to the Buffaloes.
Central Valley should contend for a league title and spot in the playoffs this year.
"I think we can because we have a lot of good players," Plancarte said. "We know each other well. Plus, we're confident."
Faced with the taxing task of juggling two sports along with academics in the same season, Ernesto embraces the challenge.
"It shows me how to become more responsible in maintaining my time," he said.
Plancarte survived a season ago. Soccer and football practices on Mondays and Wednesdays. Games on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
"My schedule was pretty challenging," he said. "It was stressing because I had to worry about soccer, then rush over and change for football. There was a lot of pressure. But I didn't let it stop me from doing what I wanted to do. I didn't let it defeat me."
"I don't really mind if he plays two sports as long as he performs," said Omar Leon, first year head coach of the Central Valley boys soccer program.
Ernesto wants to make a name for himself in football and soccer.
"I'm planning on going to a four-year college," he said. "I want to play soccer, but if football helps me get a scholarship, I'll take that."
Plancarte has a cumulative GPA of 3.4. He's considering majoring in business administration.
"This year, I have more confidence," said Plancarte, who booted kickoffs and extra points in football and started at sweeper on defense in soccer as a junior. "I know where to go and what to do. I feel pretty organized."
Ernesto, a 6-foot-2-inch, 185-pound senior, attended former All-Pac 10 and NFL placekicker Steven Jordan's camp in Pleasanton this past weekend.
"I want to be the best player in the area at my position," he said.
Plancarte dedicated three hours a day to his craft at Amador High School. The clinic started at 10 a.m. and ended at 1 p.m.
"I kicked from angles," he said. "I practiced PATs and game situation drills. "I think it's going to give me more accuracy. I also got to meet a lot of guys from different schools. Central Catholic's kicker was there."
Added Central Valley head coach Tim Garcia: "I heard he did good."
Plancarte made his debut with the football team during the third week of the season. He converted one-of-two point-after kicks as the Hawks fell 62-13 to the Escalon Cougars at Ceres High School.
Ernesto even made a tackle.
"My first reaction was to take him down," he said. "My coaches were shocked."
An experienced Plancarte will been a valuable asset for the 2007 Hawks.
"He's a big part of our special teams," Garcia said. "It makes it a little easier on your offense when you have someone that's consistent and can put it through the uprights."
Added Ernesto: "I know kicking isn't as big a position as quarterback but it's important."
Central Valley finished in last place in the Valley Oak League (0-7) and amassed a 1-9 record during its first varsity season in 2006.
"Hopefully, we'll represent our school better this year," Plancarte said. "I think we will. We have a lot more stronger players. We're confident. We have our minds straight. We're going to set the bar (for future Central Valley teams)."
Ernesto helped lead Central Valley's first-ever varsity boys soccer team to a third-place tie with Manteca in the VOL standings last year. The Hawks just missed securing a postseason berth, losing out on a tiebreaker to the Buffaloes.
Central Valley should contend for a league title and spot in the playoffs this year.
"I think we can because we have a lot of good players," Plancarte said. "We know each other well. Plus, we're confident."
Faced with the taxing task of juggling two sports along with academics in the same season, Ernesto embraces the challenge.
"It shows me how to become more responsible in maintaining my time," he said.
Plancarte survived a season ago. Soccer and football practices on Mondays and Wednesdays. Games on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
"My schedule was pretty challenging," he said. "It was stressing because I had to worry about soccer, then rush over and change for football. There was a lot of pressure. But I didn't let it stop me from doing what I wanted to do. I didn't let it defeat me."
"I don't really mind if he plays two sports as long as he performs," said Omar Leon, first year head coach of the Central Valley boys soccer program.
Ernesto wants to make a name for himself in football and soccer.
"I'm planning on going to a four-year college," he said. "I want to play soccer, but if football helps me get a scholarship, I'll take that."
Plancarte has a cumulative GPA of 3.4. He's considering majoring in business administration.
