DR Coach Roddy Layton
By Tim Peterson
(Dead Zone) –
Our football preview will be out in a couple of weeks so none of these picks are etched in stone. In fact they might change five times in that time. But from what I know so far, here in the late days of the dead period, this is who I see winning the league titles.
CO Still the Favorite in Miramonte
Mid Valley Division: Rio Hondo – Monrovia, Mission Valley – Arroyo, Montview – Gladstone, Olympic- Paraclete, Valle Vista – Baldwin Park.
Southeast Division: Almont- Alhambra, San Antonio- South Hills, Miramonte – Charter Oak, Del Rio – Santa Fe, Pacific – Muir.
Again, it’s early so don’t hold me to this- especially in the Pacific. I kind of like Burroughs.
The Indians have five offensive players returning and seven on defense and the JV team went 8-1-1. The linebacking corp should be special with seniors Charlie Hosea and Dalton Williams coming back. Keith Knoop is a solid coach who seems to get the best out of what he has. Of course Burroughs will take the field without one very important running back – Dominique Barnes who graduated in June.
Former Crescenta Valley Coach Alan Eberhart has taken over in Glendale. Will Glendale win the Pacific? No, but the Nitros showed signs of improvement last year and now with Eberhart in place it should be interesting.
Muir lost a lot but the Mustangs do have key players returning at the skill positions. Quarterback Jarron Williams, wide receiver Jonathan Gray and running back Eddie Tripp are all back in the fold. Their biggest strength could be their offensive line.
Did you know that Northview Coach Jim Arellanes was named the World Bowl MVP with the Rhein Fire in 1999? Did you also know that he didn’t take a snap all year until the starter got hurt the week before?
How do the Vikes look? Fine according to Arellanes and I’m sure they will be but I’m still leaning towards James Heggins and the Baldwin Park Braves to win the V-Vista. They have a ton of starters returning including quarterback Manny Salcedo and receiver Christian Lazaro. Every league looks wide open in August but none maybe more so than the Valle Vista. Daryl Thomas’ Covina Colts are in the mix as well.
Oh and by the way Bill Zernickow says his Saints will be okay.
In case you were wondering Arellanes reiterated it again Tuesday night on the Mid Valley Sports Show. Yes, Paraclete was that good last year. He picked them as the best team in the Mid Valley before the playoffs started.
Schurr always seems to get overlooked in early season predictions and maybe I’ve done it again. The Spartans coming off a league title and a perfect 5-0 league record have Aaron Cantu stepping in for Ricky Mendez at quarterback and running back Nick Castillo to carry the ball. Schurr opens the season at Burroughs on September 11 and also has California in week four.
We’ve heard a lot about Charter Oak in the Miramonte but what’s up with Roddy Layton’s Diamond Ranch Panthers? Well Gus Viramontes returns at quarterback to run the offense and Amari Staten, who spelled Brian Spirlin last year at running back is back to carry the rock full time now that Spirlin has graduated. The Ranch opens at Muir in zero week. The Panthers will also face Glendora and Bishop Amat in non league play before hosting Charter Oak at Ganesha on October 23.
Monrovia Coach Ryan Maddox will be on the Mid Valley Sports Show this Tuesday August 18. He’ll let us know what’s up in M-Town. Who’s the QB at Temple City? Does Matt Malczynski have any eligibility left?
Football Rush Week is coming August 24-28. Keep clicking on for more details.
Tim can be reached at tspeterson32@yahoo.com.
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