Football: Keppel coach Bobby Madrid wants Aztecs to be competitive, fired up about the sense of optimism.

"I think he's going to be the surprise of our (Almont) league," said Madrid, in his third season at the helm.

"He's improved a lot as a player and has really committed to becoming that better player."

Jimenez doesn't possess the kind of speed a tailback wants, much less what it takes to be elusive, but he said he doesn't shy away from contact, and that's what will separate him from the rest.

"I don't have any juke moves," said Jimenez, who will letter in varsity for the second time this season, "but I love hitting people."

"Like he said, he doesn't have those juke moves," Madrid said, "but he's going to get those tough yards. He doesn't want to run around you. He wants to hit you.

"I think he's going to have a big year. The kid only knows one way to play, and that's full speed and head on."

And as far as Jimenez is concerned, he wants others to begin showing interest in Keppel football, which has gone 1-29 over the last three seasons.

"People look at us and think it's going to be an easy win," Jimenez said, "but we want to change that. I want the community to come out and see us, and even the teachers. They don't really follow us in football, but you see them everywhere at basketball games. We want to change that."

New coaching staff

Madrid added four new faces to his coaching staff. Kirk Olescynsky is the new offensive coordinator and comes from Cantwell Sacred Heart. He's stepfather to former Schurr standout quarterback Aaron Cantu (ELAC).

"He's grounded," Madrid said of his new offensive coordinator. "He doesn't take a lot of credit for the work and progress Cantu had at Schurr."

Art Noriega is the new defensive coordinator, and comes from Franklin High in Los Angeles. Mike Galvan is the new wide receivers/defensive backs coach, and rounding out the staff is Eric Parga, who coached cross country and track at Keppel last year but is now the running backs/safeties coach.

Long hours

Madrid probably deserves a raise for the long hours he spends at Keppel, especially during fall camp. He arrives at Keppel at 7 a.m. and starts practice at 8. Two-a-days end at 4p.m. By then, the Aztecs softball team has gone an hour into practice before Madrid, the head softball coach, joins the team for the last hour of practice.

This routine occurs Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Making strides

Quarterback Tyler Takeshira has settled into the position and isn't rushing passes like he used to at the start of spring camp. It's an improvement that Madrid's seen, and it will only help the offense.

First-year player Michael Higgins, a junior, will add depth in the secondary. His speed will be valuable at free safety. He's also a tall wide receiver for Takeshira, and the two have already started to build a relationship on the field.

"Michael comes in a half- hour early to play catch with Tyler," Madrid said.

"He's trying to get better, and he will."

miguel.melendez@sgvn.com