MidValleySports.Com

Giovanni Rivera should have another big year in Coach Don LeGro's offense

By Jehu Cantu

Yes, the “Markham” offense is back in full effect in the SGV. With, a few wrinkles. Don LeGro’s “Blast” offense is a Markham hybrid, ran out of the “I” formation. The fullback lines up directly behind the quarterback, nearly nudging his backside with his helmet.

Last season, LeGro served as the Offensive Coordinator, returning to the sidelines after a ten year hiatus (the 99 season being his last as HC). I asked him why he decided to return. After all he had been at Sierra Vista all these years as a Special Education teacher, so why now? He explained that the passing of his wife Jody to illness left him empty. So, when the previous Head Coach Keith Locklear approached him about bringing back his vaunted running game, he decided to get back in the game. The result? Sierra Vista went 7-3 and produced All CIF Running back Giovanni Rivera who rushed for 2,304 yards. This year Rivera is back, and so is LeGro’s Blast Offense.

LeGro received his first head coaching position in the fall of 1988 at Sierra Vista after serving as the O-Line coach at San Gabriel High School.

At the time, the SVHS football program had won a total of three games in the previous three years (1985-1987). I was a returning varsity starter who endured a painful 0-10 1987 season as a junior.

During that 1988 season, we had virtually no depth with less then thirty players on the team. It was tough to get a good look in practice. One on ones were the diet we were fed. Yet, LeGro had a confidence that was contagious. He never gave an impression of “hope we can”, rather it was always “we will”. I’ll never forget that.

The ‘88 season had it all. From the season opening kickoff for a touchdown by Cory Bieniemy (sparking us to a 21-0 win over Norwalk), to the one point win at San Dimas to open league play. (Ruben Clark replacing Bieniemy, rushed for 227 yards, 2 TDs). Then there was the one point loss to Bassett and Marshawn Thompson (Thompson had just 82 yards on 32 carries,1 TD), to the chance of making the playoffs, falling just short losing a close game to an inferior but feisty Gladstone team at Citrus College (we had key injuries, and oh yeah, ineligible players).

Bieniemy eventually left the team after having a gun pulled on him on the way to the locker room (resulting from an earlier confrontation at school during lunch time) after the Whittier Christian game played at Sierra Vista the week before starting league.  Regardless of the obstacles, that Dons team produced an almost unbelievable 11 First Team All Montview League players including four out of five of our Offensive Linemen. The foundation had been laid.

The 1989 season started a run (’89-‘95) in which LeGro’s teams went 55-15 in the regular season. From ‘93 to ’95 the Dons went 28-1-1 (10-0 in ‘93) in the regular season and 5-3 in the playoffs. The run included two CIF Semi Final appearances in ‘94 and ‘95.

The tenacity LeGro had in my day has not left him one bit. He repeatedly screamed at the O-Line to “get out of my hole”! He’s an O-Line coach by trade and makes no bones about the need for the “trenchmen” to be tough as nails. LeGro has assembled an all SV Alumni coaching staff that shares his vision, having previously played for him.

The O-Line and D-Line will be anchored by a legit “Bubba” in Carlos Gutierrez (6′-1″ 255). I saw at least two pancake blocks from him. He will be the right tackle leading the way for Giovanni Rivera. Other players to watch are QB Jonathan Mora, LB Mike Mora, and WR David Gonzalez.

The 2011 Dons easily pass the eyeball test. The Dons have size on the lines and good speed at the skill positions. They however are very young, and judging from the Salesian game they have plenty of growing up to do. If the Dons can manage to play “fast” as LeGro demands, they may surprise a few teams.