Monrovia's Nick Bueno is the MVP
Staff-
We don’t choose a second team, third team or honorable mention. There is one team and one team only. So if you’re on it, you’re special. Because of that somebody will get left out. Some of our decisions were extremely difficult but after putting our heads together, contacting coaches and compiling stats and stories here is our all Mid-Valley Division Team.
Offense:
QB: Nick Bueno- Monrovia: Who else? He could beat with you his legs and his arm if necessary. Led his team to an undefeated season and into the Finals before a rain soaked loss to San Dimas.
RB: Ryan Kohler- San Dimas: The numbers of 1500 yards and 24 touchdowns speak for themselves. Kohler’s presence in the CIF Final made a huge difference. He was injured and not a factor the first time San Dimas and Monrovia met but he came up big in the Championship game.
Tre Evans of San Dimas is Player of the Year
RB: Kendrec McDade – Azusa: Rushed for close to 1400 yards in a break out season. The Aztecs’ offense revolved around McDade.
RB: Mikey Vasquez – Arroyo: Vasquez ran for over 1300 yards and had 14 touchdowns. A tough player that wasn’t afraid to throw a block.
WR: Chris Rodriguez- Arroyo: Rodriguez was maybe the fastest player in the Mid-Valley. He was a constant home run threat and he averaged over 18 yards a catch.
WR: Christian Lazaro – Baldwin Park: The go to guy for the Braves. Lazaro always made the big play when needed and racked up over 800 yards in receptions.
OL: Javier Sanchez – Rosemead: Sanchez is a two time All-League player. After playing center last year Sanchez made the transition to guard in ’09. He’s as versatile and as smart as they come.
Bill Zernickow is the Coach of the Year
OL: Javier Lozano – Arroyo: Has the size and agility to make a difference. He was the plow horse for Vasquez, Steven Rivera and company.
OL: Justin Sutton – Temple City: Sutton continued the tradition of great Temple City lineman. Sutton opened the holes that Max Ruckle ran through.
OL: Chris Miller – San Dimas: With all the great running backs the Saints had it was easy to overlook the hogs up front. Miller was the mainstay – consistent and a load for opposing defenses.
OL: Kizz Prusia – Monrovia: A defensive standout as well, Prusia made a huge impact on offense. Cleared the way for Bueno, Derrick Johnson and De’Shawn Ramirez.
Kicker: Dillon Corona – San Dimas: We won’t say automatic but Mr. Corona was pretty close. The field goal he drilled in a driving rain in the first quarter against Monrovia was huge. It gave the Saints a lead they never relinquished.
Defense:
DL: Justin Winrow – San Dimas: We debated whether to put Winrow on offense as a tight end or on the D-line. Ultimately his defensive presence and the impact he had on opposing quarterbacks was the difference.
DL: Jeff Worthy – Whittier Christian: Worthy was in on 131 tackles and averaged over 10 a game. He was the guy offensive coordinators always worried about.
DL: Tre Evans – San Dimas: Evans was another guy that could have been named for his offensive prowess as well- a two way starter who had a nose for the football.
DL: Grant Haggard – Monrovia: Haggard anchored the Wildcats front line- never took a play off.
LB: Josh Lowden- Monrovia: Led Monrovia in tackles and assists with 117 combined. Lowden will probably run for office someday.
LB: Christian Morgan- San Dimas: Another big numbers guy with 124 total tackles and assists. Morgan was the sack master with 24.
LB: Wardell Crutchfield III – Baldwin Park: Crutchfield was a running back late in the season but his biggest impact was at linebacker. He led a solid BP defense with 77 tackles and he assisted on 61 others.
LB: Jose Nunez – Azusa: The Aztecs’ leading tackler with over 100 tackles and assists combined. Nunez was the leader of a hard hitting unit.
DB: DuJawn Jones –Monrovia: Jones brought two interceptions back to the house. He had 7 picks overall totaling nearly 250 total yards.
DB: Stevie Yortsos – San Marino: Opposing quarterbacks hated throwing Yortsos’ way. He was instant game changer. He had 9 interceptions- almost one per game.
DB: Mike Chavez – Arroyo: Chavez was a hybrid who could play linebacker or drop back into the secondary. Chavez was a leader on defense and one of the toughest kids to ever play for Arroyo Coach Jim Singiser.
Punter: Dillon Corona- San Dimas: No we’re not being redundant. Corona is our kicker and punter. He constantly got the Saints out of jams with his boots. The one he dropped on the four yard line in the CIF Final was a classic.
MVP: Nick Bueno- Monrovia: Just ask yourself one question. Take Bueno away from Monrovia and where would the Wildcats be? Whether he was scrambling, running or throwing, nobody was more valuable than Bueno.
Player of the Year: Tre Evans – San Dimas: We had arguments over Evans. We didn’t know where to put him. Is he a defensive lineman? Running back? Linebacker? Receiver? The truth is he was all these things and more. He is listed in nearly all of the Saints’ statistical categories. He had 920 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. He caught 9 passes for 102 yards. He had close to 50 tackles, and 4 sacks. He intercepted a pass and for good measure he even completed one. Tre Evans did it all for the CIF Champs and for that he is our Player of the Year.
Coach of the Year: Bill Zernickow- San Dimas: There were no discussions here. It was a slam dunk. After losing numerous standout players to graduation Zerncikow declared “We’re going to be okay,” back in May. Yeah, I guess they were okay. Zernickow molded the Saints into a championship team losing only one game all year. After losing to Monrovia big in September he made the adjustments needed and beat the Cats when he had to. Zernickow seemed to push all the right buttons. He is our Coach of the Year for 2009.
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