Name: Lane Cardoza
Position: Head Coach
Years in TYF: 5 yrs
Football Experience: I played football since age 12. I played at Carthage College in Kenosha Wisconsin where I was a letterman as a quarterback
Goal for Players: I wish for every player the ability to take life's challenges, as a student, an athlete and a citizen, and confront them head on. To make good decisions and to learn from every outcome of those decisions.
Key to players success: What every player can do in our program to succeed is come to play every day. To be able to look in their teammates eyes at the end of every practice or game and say to themselves that I did everything that I could today to make my team better.
How parents can help:
The most important thing that a parent can do for their child to help them succeed in the Viking program is to support the child, the coaches and TYF. By urging good diet, good rest and a good attitude, they can be the greatest asset to our team.
.Favorite TYF Memory: 
The 2007 conference championship game. Down 6-0 after Buhach returned a fumble for a TD in the first half, we returned the 2nd half kickoff for a TD to tie the score at 6-6. After a Buhach TD (blocked PAT) and a Viking turnover near the Buhach goalline with under 3 minutes to go in the game the Viking D stuffed Buhach on 4 stratight plays to get the ball back with less than 2 minutes. After a 20 yard pass from Peters to Martin, Mendes bowled over to tie the score with 11 second to go. After dominating the OT, we were off to a Super Bowl victory.


 

JV VIKINGS UPDATE JULY 2008.
 
With just a month to go we are gearing up for another run at what I see to be a great opportunity to win a championship. Throughout your football careers you will have very few chances to be champions, so you need to take advantage of every one of those opportunities. The right to call yourself a champion is what all should strive for. It is truly what this is all about. All that will be J.V. Vikings should be honored to be a part of a wonderful tradition. RIGHT NOW is when we start to show our teammates our dedication to the '08 Vikings. 30 + days to get your bodies and minds into a condition that will allow us to concentrate on football instead of conditioning. If you come to camp in shape we can proceed to learning what will be an offense and defense that most will be unfamiliar with. The jump from Pee-Wee to J.V. is significant. This year's J.V. Vikings will be very different from last year's team in terms of personnel. The coaches are already preparing a playbook that will play into our strength. We have some incredible raw talent. By coming to camp with an open mind and a will to be physical you will have a HUGE jump on the competition. Whether you see your self as a running back, a lineman, linebacker etc. you MUST be willing to block, tackle and be PHYSICAL. The 4th week of the season is not the time to decide you are ready to hit. By that time someone else will have taken YOUR position. Come to camp EXPECTING to be a starter.

Being that this is now my 2nd year as head coach, I know that I am more prepared. I have been working since March to ensure that this team will be managed better than last year. Last year was a real learning experience for me and I pledge to every player, parent and coach that I will work my tail off to guarantee that your '2008 Vikings will be prepared for every battle that comes our way. As my coaches know I pride my self on preparation and game planning. Last year we were prepared extensively for EVERY game. This year will be no different. I have some exciting ideas that will make every day challenging and fun. Come ready to work and be physical and you will succeed. Those of you that are above our 135 lb. weight limit must make sacrifices for the benefit of the team. Food intake is not the problem. Its the what your intake consists of that will determine your ability to drop the pounds. You can expect to lose 5-10 lbs.prior to our first game due to conditioning, however you need to make a commitment starting NOW. Replace your sodas and processed foods with water and fresh fruits and vegetables. Replace fried with fresh and you will be OK. Ride your bike, walk, run or whatever it takes to get in shape.

On the coaching front we now have 6 on the staff. I am calling out to any former THS or Pittman ex-linemen who are looking for an opportunity to coach. You must have a solid knowledge of technique and practice regimen. You must be able to commit a good amount of time. We practice 5 days a week from 5-7pm. Any interested can call me at 480-5263 to express interest. Returning coaches are Roberts, Baker, Avila and Webb. Coach Cook will join us from the Pee-Wees. Coach Roberts will be the assistant head coach. Tim and I are basically interchangeable. Tim's 13 (?) years of experience are invaluable and I am unsure whether we would have been able to compete for the Super Bowl without him last year. His contributions, especially in the playoffs, were the difference maker. I am unsure at this point how many coaches we will have, however, I am allowed 10. If anyone has a desire to help please contact me ASAP to express interest (480-5263). Any interested party must be able to make a time commitment that is significant. I am honored to be a Viking coach and I expect the same from all my coaches.

I am looking for a couple of parents that are willing to video record for us this year. Last year Pedro Mendes and the Perez' were as crucial to our success as anyone. The ability to watch upcoming opponents film is an unbelievable advantage. I will be willing to finance some of the costs ( travel, admission) for a parent that is willing to travel to our opponents games. All of this can be done without missing one minute of our games. This will also include our games. There is no substitute for being able to watch our games on film to assess and evaluate. My wife can attest as to how much video I watched last year. This is a large task but crucially important.

Finally a note to the parents. I will be straight forward and honest when it comes to issues that arise during the season. In my 5 years coaching TYF I have had incredible relationships with my players. For 5 months these are my kids as well and I will treat them that way. I have a very open door policy when it comes to communication with all of you. Please choose an appropriate time to address your concerns and they will be dealt with properly. Directly after games is not that time. My cell number will be available to all of you and you may use it whenever you need. I am looking forward to an incredible year and I look forward to seeing/meeting all of you.