Football: Valencia looks to new faces for offensive punch

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Gone are quarterback Alex Bishop and running back Steven Manfro, which means that Foothill League champion Valencia will open its season Friday at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame looking for a new identity.

Junior qurterback Sean Murphy moves up from junior varsity to take over for Bishop, and senior Cody Anciano takes over for Manfro after serving as his backup.

The key for the Vikings to beat Notre Dame (1-0) is to put pressure on quarterback Kelly Hilinski and make sure running back Khalfani Muhammad doesn’t break loose to the outside. Muhammad was continually trying to go outside last week against Gardena Serra.

Valencia has a veteran linebacker to lead the defense in Ryan Gorman.

-- Eric Sondheimer