Covina could surprise in the Valle Vista League
Mea Culpa Covina
I love it when I’m right but when I’m wrong, I need to acknowledge that also. And in the case of Covina it looks like I was wrong. After seeing how many players the Colts lost to graduation/transfer I thought they were in trouble.
After seeing them shut out by West Covina in Zero Week well…I thought they were in BIG trouble. I looked at their schedule and thought they might win three games. Well after the Colts dismantled La Puente 41-16 Thursday night, the picture has changed. If they can beat La Puente by 25 points then why can’t they beat El Monte this week who gave up 45 points to Ontario Christian. Then they get Walnut before opening Valle Vista League play with Northview on September 21. Walnut was shut out 34-0 by Troy so that’s a winnable game. The Colts could be 3-1 heading into league.
Frankie Ramierz and Pernall Smalley are legitimate offensive threats and Emilio Zertuche seems to have settled the question at quarterback. Darren Torres, who shared time at quarterback in the opening game had an interception against LP and could be a force on defense. Covina might see the post season after all…stay tuned.
The La Mirada Monster
We may have been ripped early on for ranking La Mirada number one in the Southeast on August 1, but the Matadores aren’t moving out of that spot anytime soon. After taking care of St. Paul and La Habra in consecutive weeks, they definitely look like the team to beat in the Southeast. They left La Habra staggering in the opening minutes Thursday night by scoring on consecutive plays. Dallas Shipp and Johnny Hills both made big plays and before the last ticket was sold it was 14-0 Mats. La Mirada has as many as six players that have Division 1 offers and they were all on display against La Habra. To answer a question I kept hearing Friday, yes Kevin Dillman did play against the Highlanders. It’s just that he didn’t make an impact in that game. Yet they still dominated…scary. Speaking of scary, have you seen Spencer Ueli-Faatoalia? Next up? Bishop Amat.
What? Monrovia Worry?
For some reason I don’t think Ryan Maddox is too worried about the loss to Ayala. Yes it’s a tough loss – one that he knows they should have won. But Ayala is a legitimate team and the Wildcats lost three games on the non league schedule last year before rolling to the Mid-Valley title. I get the feeling this loss will only make Monrovia mad.
Knight Time in Mid-Valley Classic
Arroyo has now beat Temple City four straight years in the Mid-Valley Classic including a 21-0 victory Friday night. The Rams have been shut out in two games this year while being outscored 48-0. It’s not exactly the way Temple City wanted to get started after going 1-9 last season. The Rams will travel to Alhambra (0-2) this week before facing Hoover and Rosemead.
“There’s got to be a win in there somewhere,” said one local coach.
If the Rams don’t get one this week, they will when league starts. They face Blair in the Rio Hondo opener October 5.
Ziola Playing Possum?
In the summer Los Altos HC Dale Ziola told me “Oh we lost everybody. All those guys are gone. We only have one starter back. I don’t know how we’re going to do.” Well Ziola may have been telling the truth but the guys he does have back are pretty darn good. The Conquerors are 2-0 after beating respectable teams Arroyo and Salesian. Suddenly Los Altos looks like a contender in the Hacienda. Who are the guys for LA? Christian Hacegaba has thrown for close to 300 yards, Matt Hayashi and Marcos Estuardo have combined for 371 rushing yards and linebacker Justin O’Neill has been in on 12 tackles. Just like last year, Ziola and the Conqs are raising eyebrows.
That’s my principle.
Tim can be reached at tim@midvalleysports.com.
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