By Tim Peterson
What’s going on in the Palomares? Four teams are undefeated and all appear to be legitimate Central Division contenders. Is there a tougher division in the area?
I was surprised by all the talk on the boards that Bonita didn’t come to play this week. The Bearcats beat Santa Fe 32-6. Would 45-6 have made a difference? Santa Fe isn’t a world beater but it was a 26 point win for Bonita! The Bearcats, now 3-0, continue to roll having scored 121 points in three games. They’ll get another W this week when they rout South El Monte. They won’t be tested until the Smudgepot September 25.
Claremont is also 3-0. The Wolfpack needed a 42 yard field goal from Jacob Olesniewicz as the clock hit zeroes to knock off Covina. The offense revolves around Duy Tran-Sampson and the running attack. Ball control and good defense is going to keep them in every game. It’s been good enough to take care of El Rancho, West Hills and the Colts so far. Is it good enough to win the Palomares? Probably not, but a playoff spot is a great possibility.
Glendora (2-0) is the favorite of many to win the league. With USC commit Matt Fink behind center the Tartans have a shot not only at league but the Central Division title as well. They beat a couple of rugged opponents in Alta Loma and San Gorgonio. We’ll know more this week when they line up against last year’s Division runner up Los Altos.
Then there’s Diamond Bar. I somewhat dismissed the first two victories. I mean, the Brahmas were supposed to beat Duarte and Walnut. But if you look closer they didn’t just beat them, they destroyed them. Then last Friday night they knocked off a San Dimas team that put 41 on Maranatha the week before. Apparently Marcus Hughes needed that second year to get things rolling and he’s done just that. D-Bar has allowed just 27 points in three games and the offense, led by senior Dimaggio Rico (401 yards in two games) is doing what it needs to do. With a name like Dimaggio Rico he has to be good. Again, another legit contender.
Who are the two teams that aren’t undefeated in the Palomares? That would be South Hills and Ayala. Yeah…there’s no easy outs here.
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Yes, Darreon Lockett is playing quarterback for Pomona. But he’s also playing slot receiver, running back and defensive back. Dude does everything except drive the team bus. That will be next week. If you look up Lockett on Max Preps he’s simply listed as “athlete.” Yeah, that would be him.
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Everybody that liked Monrovia in the Rio Hondo when the season started (myself included) has now jumped to San Marino correct? The Titans have scored 196 points in three games. No, that’s not a typo. Looking at their remaining schedule and it’s easy to see them running the table. Circle October 10 on your calendar. Monrovia at San Marino. And Monrovia just gave up 45 points to Arcadia. Yikes!
That’s my principle.
Tim can be reached at tim@midvalleysports.com or on Twitter @tspeterson40.
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