Gladstone Returns Quarterback Kevin Amezquita
(El Monte) – Five teams gathered late Thursday afternoon at Arroyo to fire the ball around. Azusa, Gladstone, Schurr and Northview all joined the the host Knights to get in some June work.
Brandon Jauregui, who was projected to be Arroyo’s quarterback for the last year wasn’t on hand and isn’t expected to play this season. “He’s pursuing other opportunities,” said Arroyo Coach Jim Singiser.
Junior Nathan Coto and sophomore Chaz Miller are now the guys Singiser and OC Chris MacMillan will be looking at to lead the team behind center.
“Coto throws the heck out of the ball but Miller has been playing well too,” MacMillan said. “I couldn’t tell you who’s the guy right now.”
Schurr likes quarterback Sal Chavez, who has the DNA for the job. He is the cousin of former Spartan QB Aaron Cantu. Chavez has the size and was throwing a strong ball.
“Sal has been working really hard. We all have been,” said first year Schurr Coach Marco Ramirez. “That’s all you can ask for in June.”
Cantu and his favorite target Carlos Arredondo were both on hand helping out the old alma mater. Arredondo leaves in three weeks for Henderson State in Arkansas where he will be continuing his football career. Cantu will return to East LA College where he is expected to have another big year.
Northview returns quarterback Victor Garcia who has only gotten better since a solid 2011 campaign. The Vikings are also expecting big things from two way player Javon Taylor.
“We have a lot of guys coming back and we’ve been working hard for five or six weeks already,” said Northview assistant Dominic Angelo. “Victor has a backup quarterback that has been pushing him and it’s really helped him to keep improving. I really like our team this year.”
Azusa was hit hard by graduation especially at the skill positions. Jose Ledesma was running the show as the signal caller replacing the graduated Jake Martinez. Cameron Blackburn, who was running behind Desmond Reed last season should be an impact player for the Aztecs.
“This is the first year that I haven’t had a senior returning at quarterback since I’ve been the head coach and I think Jake (Martinez) was the best,” said Azusa HC Joe Scherf. “We always had a big senior class. This year I think we have six. But Jose (Ledesma) has been improving every week and I know Cameron Blackburn is going to have a big year. He didn’t play enough last year because we had Desmond. It’s going to be a challenge this year but we’re tough. We’ll be all right.”
If the quarterback is the first thing you look at than Gladstone will be fine. Kevin Amezquita is back for his third year as the starter. G-Stone also returns RB/LB Aaron Sanchez and receive Sebastian Kirchfeld.
“Everybody lost a lot in Montview except Gladstone. I think they’re going to be really good this year,” Scherf added.
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