Commonwealth Parkville School - Comet Yearbook (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

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Defensive Zine GARY MONTILLA 0 3 ii, z if fsffl Q to 1e e s , ,. k i ,,kkV BRUCE BRESLOW Savage fierceness, lightning re- flexes and total disregard of personal welfare are characteristics necessary for defensive linemen. Creating pressure on the opposing quarterback, stopping runners from breaking open and deflecting short passes are all jobs of these rugged athletes. This is where the bruises and cuts are incurred: this is where the strength is. Defensive ends have to turn plays inside and have to prevent a runner from seeing daylight on the outside. Mike Floyd, Chris Fernandez, Ronnie Hirsch, lindsey Prince and Mike Ara- bal played this position for the Comets. Mike Floyd and Chris Fer- nandez,'starting ends, were endurable linemen who stopped many long gains by opposing runners. Interior linemen have ahard job, which is the responsibility of stopping any ball-carrier up the middle. All- Star Gary Montilla, Froilan Martin, Mike Floyd, Mathew Toth and Rick Fels, all played in the middle of the line. Gary Montilla was a ferocious tackler, providing an im- penetrable wall for oncoming runners. A linebacker has a tough job, having to stop runners and being re- sponsible for covering backs who are going out for passes. All-Stars Mau- ricio Behar and Bruce Breslow, Chuck Shaffield and Lyle Gray played this position for Commonwealth this year. All four of these athletes exhibited flashing reflexes and reacted to any situation that came up. Probably Commonwealth's strongest position, our linebackers won recognition throughout the league. MAURICE BEHAR I 54 I

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Probably the most responsibility-laden job on the football field is that of a defensive back. It's the safety that has to break up the touchdown-making passes, who is the last man to stop arunner from breaking away, who has to keep one eye on the ball and the other on any receiver coming into his zone. The two starting safeties for the Comets were Norby Fleisig and Dan Janet. Norby, who was also defensive captain, became one of the best pass defenders in the league, and time and again Norby intercepted passes and exhibited flashing speed in returning them. Dan was an extremely able defender, one of the teams best tacklers and fiercest competitors. Always coming through when it was needed, he saved,a win for Commonwealth in the last few minutes when he broke up an important Robinson play by picking off a pass. Bucky Nachman was an alternate safety. He saved the tie at St. Croix by stopping a runner from scoring with a few minutes left in the game. Mike Gilbert, John Zito, and Bobby Pulliam all filled in in the defensive backfield when they were needed.

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Q 'iii - CHUCK SHAFFIELD MATHEW TOTH RICK FEI-S . 'Z f CHRIS FERNANDEZ. - 1 A FROILAN MARTIN Q MIKE FLOYD