Pasadena's Brandon Cox is putting up numbers that are hard to ignore
It’s hard to minimize the importance of El Monte’s win over Rosemead Friday night. To rally in the fourth quarter to beat a team that was expected to finish either one or two in the Mission Valley League is more than huge. It’s a turning point… an epiphany… a season changer.
With the victory the Lions showed that they can play with anybody. It also showed that they can overcome adversity. Down late in the fourth quarter against a team like Rosemead is definitely adverse.
The victory also put the Lions in great position for the post season. If they can take care of business against their next three opponents they are assured of at least a 7-3 record. Even if they fall to Arroyo in the final game of the season, they would be post season secure with a second place finish and a 7-3 record.
Of course don’t say that to Coach Joel Sanchez. They aren’t thinking about second place. A league title is what El Monte wants. Sanchez told his team after the game that every game from here on out the Lions are playing for a league title. That’s a good line of thinking since we have seen the Lions come up with big victories before only to get caught by a Gabrielino or a Mt. View somewhere along the line.
Brandon Martinez is showing us all why Sanchez named him the starting quarterback in the summer.
Did you know that it was El Monte’s homecoming Friday night? With Rosemead as the opponent? Now that’s confidence.
Los Altos showed it was for real with a 27-14 win over Diamond Ranch Friday night. If you haven’t seen Justin Fa’aola run the ball for the Conquerors this season do so. For those of you that are old enough, think Larry Csonka. For you younger folk, think LenDale White at USC.
Diamond Ranch Coach Roddy Layton is never one to make excuses, and he gave all the props to Los Altos after the loss, but he was without his best player in Andrew Fischer, who was out of the game with a broken collarbone. The timetable for his return is uncertain.
Suddenly West Covina’s biggest obstacle in the Hacienda is the Conquerors. The Bulldogs, who have outscored their first three league opponents 121-41, travel to Los Altos this week before finishing up at home against Rowland and Diamond Ranch.
Who am I picking? I’ll leave that Villanueva in “Game Night – Southeast Division.”
I’ll say this for Mt. View. They have some loyal and avid followers. A Viking story still draws some of our biggest hits on the website and definitely the most comments. A fan this week commented that he can’t believe the Vikings aren’t in the Mid-Valley Division Top 20 this week. This coming after View was routed by Arroyo 42-3 last Friday night.
Yes Schurr is alive and breathing and ready to make a run in the Almont. The Spartans matchup Thursday night with Alhambra at home is a monster game.
Bradley Powell!
Pasadena’s numbers are too big to ignore. Brandon Cox and company have scored 134 points in three Pacific League games. The Bulldogs scored 34 points against Burroughs in their only league loss and Burroughs, right now, is the best team in the league. Is it too early to say Pasadena beats Muir in the Turkey Tussle November 10 at the Rose Bowl?
The Montview continues to be Azusa’s playground. The Aztecs, 0-3 when league play began, are now 3-3 and have outscored their opponents 137-26. Azusa has won 21 straight league games dating back to November 9, 2007 when the Aztecs lost to La Puente 24-13. The Warriors will get another shot November 10 at Citrus College.
Question for coaches: Have you ever gotten upset because the opposing coach shook your hand “too hard” after a game?
That’s my principle.
Tim can be reached at tim@midvalleysports.com.
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