The Peterson Principle 7/5/11

Tim Peterson

While Hall of Fame Coaches Ryan Maddox and Darryl Thomas continue take the slings and arrows after last week’s All-Star contest I’ve been thinking about more important things.

Based on the comments that have surfaced since the game was played one would think that the Super Bowl was on the line. Anyway yeah it would be nice to get everybody in the game. But it’s an All-Star Game and there are a lot of players on the roster.

Also we don’t know all of the details. Who was at practice? Who wasn’t? Who was comfortable playing another position? Who wasn’t? All of theses things come into play when a coach has to make a decision as to who gets on the field.

But the bottom line is this: It’s an All-Star game in June. It really doesn’t matter. Sure it’s nice to have but all it really does is take away two weeks of the coaches practice time for the upcoming season. I’m telling you – move it to the last week in January and everybody is happy.

Now speaking of the upcoming season, the question coming out of Monrovia is will the Wildcats lose a game? Our poll says 18 percent of our readers think they will run the table. Arcadia is the most popular choice to knock them off at 26 percent. Glendora was right behind with l one less vote than the Apaches. San Dimas was next at 25 percent. 

What do I think? I think you’re right on. Although I think Monrovia is the clear favorite in the Mid-Valley Division to win the CIF title, I don’t think the Cats will escape the regular season without a loss. With non league games against Glendora, Arcadia, San Dimas, and South Hills they’ll slip somewhere. However if they get through those games, they will go 10-0. Nobody in the Rio Hondo will touch them.

Did you know the Desean Ramirez saga still isn’t settled? Don’t ask. If he’s in the lineup on opening night then we’ll call it settled.  

We know about Josh Mendoza at Alhambra (see Mid Spotlight) but we confirmed the receiver’s name is Essien Frank and he’s Mitchell Crockom’s cousin. He kind of resembles Crockom – tall thin build, and long arms. Moor fans are hoping he can do the same things Crockom did on the field.

Other names I’m hearing out of Alhambra – Demetrius Russell and Ezra Broadus.

San Gabriel has its quarterback(s) returning and Bell Gardens is always a team that can bite somebody. And we know Alhambra will be improved. Schurr, losing such stand out players as Aaron Cantu, Abraham Gonzalez and Albert “Rhino” Perez, is the one team that would seem to be coming back to the Almont pack. But if you think I’m going to count Schurr out you’re sadly mistaken. I learned my Spartan lesson when Elvin Dick was the coach.

Who do the Spartans have? Eric Magos and Bradley Powell should provide an effective ground game. Powell had nearly 300 yards rushing last year in a reserve role. Who is replacing Cantu? Edgar Jimenez? Jose Cornejo? Help please?

Ok maybe Tanner Diebold isn’t the guy at Bonita. Aaron Burgett has been pushing him in the summer and performed well at the Bonita Air Assault.

Interesting note: of the 23 teams competing in the SGV Shootout July 9 at Arroyo, only 10 have returning quarterbacks. That includes Covina’s Billy Livingston but he won’t be there because he will be participating in the Manning Passing academy that weekend.

Also I didn’t consider Kamiak because I don’t know who Kamiak is. Does anybody know who Kamiak is? Anybody? 

That’s my principle.

Tim can be reached at tim@midvalleysports.com.

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