The Peterson Principle: 10/20/14

Tim Peterson

Tim Peterson

By Tim Peterson

Didn’t you just know Muir would pick it up in the Pacific? When the Mustangs were 0-3 there was the talk that they had lost it, that they weren’t the same team, that they were now a bottom tier team in league. So much for that huh?

Since Pacific League started Muir has outscored its opponents by an average of over 32 points per game. The Mustangs dropped 56 last week on Arcadia and 42 two weeks ago on Burroughs. They beat Burbank, previously considered a league title contender, 31-0. Injuries have taken their toll on the Bulldogs but is was still surprising to see Muir simply brush them aside.

Chase Keough threw for over 300 yards and five touchdowns last week and Taeon Mason can score in a heartbeat with a catch or a run. Since league started the Muir defense has pitched two shutouts and allowed just 30 points. The demise of Muir has been greatly exaggerated.

But the Stangs still have one more hurdle to clear and it is more like a mountain. Coming into town this Friday night is the Crescenta Valley Falcons- the undefeated Crescenta Valley Falcons. Unlike Muir there hasn’t been any doubts about this team. They finished 8-2 last year but somehow missed the playoffs. Now they have nearly everybody back including the Great Gadsby – aka Brian Gadsby who has thrown for 1915 yards and 20 touchdowns. No that’s not a typo. Connor Van Ginkle (759 yards) and Chase Walker have racked up over 1200 of those yards and 15 touchdowns between them.

You need a rushing game. How about Jonathan Jun who has ran for 698 yards and nine touchdowns.

There has been a perception in previous years that CV doesn’t play defense. Forget that notion in 2014. The Falcons have been locking down opponents all year. They have one shutout and have held opponents to 14 points or less five times.

So who wins? Can CV’s D hold down Muir? Can Muir do enough defensively to contain Gadsby and company? My guess is no either way. When the clock hits zeroes there will be a ton of points on the scoreboard. I’ll give my pick later this week but I will make one prediction. I’ll be on the sidelines to see it.

After starting the season 0-4 did I expect Rosemead to be 3-0 and alone in first place in the Mission Valley League? No, but when you see the way the Panthers are doing it its the Rosemead way. Former Rosemead HC Matt Koffler used to say if you can run the ball, play defense and are good on special teams you’ll win. The Panthers are running the ball, (250 yards last week), playing defense (shut out E Monte, allowed 14 points last week) and have been playing well on special teams. With the best of the MVL already out of the way, Mead should run the ball all they way to an undefeated league season.

That’s my principle.

Tim can be reached at tim@midvalleysports.com or on Twitter @tspeterson40

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