When we select our all Mid Valley high school football teams we want it to be special. We want it to be something that the player selected will remember for the rest of his life. We want him to cherish the memory and know that it is something that he earned.
Is it really that special being to be named third team, honorable mention at a position that you didn’t even play the entire year? On a recent All- League team one player was named as an honorable mention at defensive end. The problem was the player was a defensive back and never played a down on the line. He was just thrown in there so another name could be added. It makes no sense.
We name 11 players on offense and 11 on defense in the Mid-Valley and Southeast Divisions- just like you see on the field. And no, we’re not going to put a lineman in the secondary just to get another name in the paper. We also name a punter, kicker, and a Coach of the Year. And lastly we have a Most Valuable Player and a Player of the Year.
The MVP is traditionally the player that a team absolutely could not live without- like Nick Bueno at Monrovia. The Player of the Year is a guy that puts up incredible numbers that are hard to ignore or a versatile player that does everything except drive the team bus home after the game. Tre Evans of San Dimas this year was that guy.
In the old days we didn’t even name a Player of the Year but eventually we came around when performances dictated it.
There’s only one problem with our selection process. Somebody is going to get left out. It’s just the way it is. There are a ton of talented players and only so many spots. It happens every year and after posting our selections on Sunday the e mails and comments have already started.
There are probably 25 or 30 players that feel they got snubbed but we whittled it down. When it came down to the final cuts these guys were in the discussion.
Here are eight players in the Mid-Valley Division we could make a case for.
Garrett Fulbright RB – Whittier Christian: Fulbright rushed for over 1600 yards and 25 touchdowns. The running back position was so deep in the Mid-Valley that we went with three and Fulbright was another one that had the credentials. WC’s offense revolved around Fulbright.
Max Ruckle RB – Temple City: The senior continued the 1000 yard tradition at TC rushing for over 1100 yards and 21 touchdowns. A hard nosed runner that leaves defenses bruised and battered.
Matt Fregoso RB – Rosemead: Fregoso stepped up when Joey Diaz went down with an injury. Fregoso, only a junior, rushed for 1200 yards and scored 12 touchdowns.
Steven Rivera QB – Arroyo: Rivera, only a sophomore had a year most quarterbacks dream about throwing for 1941 yards and 25 touchdowns. Rivera will only get better.
Kevin Running QB – Running had numbers that were almost unheard of. He threw for 2446 yards and 22 touchdowns while rushing for seven more scores. If not for Bueno…
Benny Hung RB – San Marino: Did a little bit of everything for the Titans but was a major factor running the ball with 1200 plus yards.
Trent Converse LB– San Marino: Had 125 tackles and assists combined. Converse always seemed to come up with an interception, fumble recovery or a big hit when needed.
Derrick Johnson LB – Monrovia: Was a solid running back but also a leader on the Wildcats’ defense. Johnson had 61 tackles and assisted on 33 others. DJ also had an interception and 3 fumble recoveries.
Look for the case for eight players from the Southeast Division coming soon. But don’t look for a second team, third team or an honorable mention. We don’t play that.
That’s my principle.
I welcome all e mails and comments regarding our all Mid-Valley Team selections.
I can be reached at tspeterson32@yahoo.com.
Leave a Reply