Subscribe
Aviano's Donavin Robinson could have the ball in his hands a lot on offense this season.

Aviano's Donavin Robinson could have the ball in his hands a lot on offense this season. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Aviano's Donavin Robinson could have the ball in his hands a lot on offense this season.

Aviano's Donavin Robinson could have the ball in his hands a lot on offense this season. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Aviano junior Ben Broome will be counted on to anchor the line for the Saints this season.

Aviano junior Ben Broome will be counted on to anchor the line for the Saints this season. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Aviano senior Giacomo Fabbro follows through on a kick in practice under the eyes of assistant coach Ken McNeely.

Aviano senior Giacomo Fabbro follows through on a kick in practice under the eyes of assistant coach Ken McNeely. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

First in a series of looks at high school football camps around Europe.

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy – Rick Dahlstrom is used to making adjustments at this time of year.

This year, the veteran coach – entering his 13th season leading the Aviano Saints football program – might have a bit more to make than normal.

Only a handful of players return from last year’s squad that went 6-0 in the regular season before losing to Rota 26-21 in the Division II semifinals. Gone are three players who made the All-Europe team and shouldered much of the scoring.

So, there are plenty of opportunities available for the 34 who have showed up for practice before school started Monday. That includes the key position of quarterback.

“That’s what we’re looking for,” Dahlstrom said, while surveying some of the candidates. “We don’t even know what kind of offense we’re going to have.”

He said he designs both offensive and defensive schemes that he thinks suit his personnel the most each season. And he’s not sure yet what his team’s strengths are.

“Overall, they’re an athletic group,” he said. “I know that much. Young and inexperienced. But athletic.”

There are a few knowns. Ben Broome and Alex King are back on the lines. Giacomo Fabbro and Jason Villardes will again share kicking duties. Tony Perales and Donavin Robinson will spend time at receiver or elsewhere on offense.

Several of those players will have to play both offense and defense. That has Dahlstrom concerned about his team wearing down when it comes to playing schools with larger enrollment sizes.

Just who the opponents are is a bit in flux right now as DODEA-Europe is still tinkering with the D-II schedule. The first games are scheduled for Sept. 8, with the division championship game set for Nov. 3.

Harris.kent@stripes.com

author picture
Kent has filled numerous roles at Stars and Stripes including: copy editor, news editor, desk editor, reporter/photographer, web editor and overseas sports editor. Based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, he’s been TDY to countries such as Afghanistan Iraq, Kosovo and Bosnia. Born in California, he’s a 1988 graduate of Humboldt State University and has been a journalist for 40 years.

Sign Up for Daily Headlines

Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets from around the world.

Sign Up Now