Freshman Justin Fung started the 2023-2024 football season as the starting quarterback for the JV team. Fung led the team to an 8-3 record, totaling 11 touchdowns and 1183 yards over the course of the season. The JV season culminated in a 33-yard game-winning touchdown pass from Fung to freshman Adam Maldonado to win the league title.
“That was definitely a challenging game,” Fung said. “When Adam caught the ball, we all just went crazy.”
After being pulled up to varsity for CCS playoffs, Fung helped prepare the team for three playoff weeks as the backup quarterback. At the end of the CCS title game against Mountain View, senior starting quarterback Declan Packer took a big hit and got a concussion. This meant that Fung would be the starting quarterback in the state semifinal against St. Vincent De Paul.
“When Coach told me I was going to be the starting quarterback, it was definitely nerve wracking,” Fung said. “I was a little scared at first, but when we got there and the game started all the nerves went away and I was just having fun.”
While down 14-0 in the first quarter, Fung threw a 27-yard touchdown to his older brother, Jeremiah Fung.
“I’ve played on teams with my brother before, and we have really good chemistry and the connection is always there,” Fung said. “Throwing my first varsity touchdown to him was really cool and special.”
Although Paly ended up losing, Fung’s performance in this game was unforgettable.
“I helped coach him and watch film on the sideline with him during the game,” senior Declan Packer said. “I know Paly football is in good hands for the next three years.”
Fung will be the starting quarterback for varsity football as a sophomore, and hopes to maximize his development and progression.
“I definitely want to win CCS and maybe eventually get to state, and overall just improve the program and myself,” Fung said.
I definitely want to win CCS and maybe eventually get to state, and overall just improve the program and myself”
— Justin Fung
For the winter season, Fung made the JV basketball team. The JV team ended up only losing one league game and ultimately winning SCVAL. Fung finished sixth in points on the team, with 102 points and finished third team all-league.
“I knew a bunch of the sophomores so we already had really good chemistry as a team,” Fung said. “The best part was just playing with all my friends and having a good time.”
Right now, Fung is in the middle of his JV baseball season. While the team started out 0-4, they bounced back and hold a 11-8-1 record and are 9-2-1 in league.
“It’s kind of the same situation as basketball because I know a bunch of the older kids,” Fung said. “It’s been a really cool experience, especially with the new coach.”
Fung is currently is hitting at .298, has 9 runs, 14 hits and 6 runs batted in.
In all, Fung was awarded the underclassmen of the year not solely because of his performance in one specific sport. His excellence in three different sports makes him the standout candidate, and his future as a Viking tri-sport athlete is bright.