Tim Peterson
By Tim Peterson
We’re going to miss Joe Scherf at Azusa. The Azusa football team is going to miss Joe Scherf at Azusa.
Scherf was always extremely humble as he continually gave credit to his players instead of taking it himself.
Scherf didn’t say a whole lot making what he did say that much more more important. He was a great interview giving you the basics on how or why his team performed as they did. He would cut through a lot of the bull and simply you give you the meat and potatoes. Scherf was always a class act and was willing to talk regardless of whether the Aztecs won or lost. And during Scherf’s run as head coach there was a whole lot of winning.
Did you know that when Scherf first took over at Azusa the Aztecs won 20 straight Montview League games from 2008 until September 28, 2012? That’s four years! Duarte beat Azusa that night 40-14 in what was Scherf’s first league loss as head coach. It was a remarkable run rarely seen these days in high school football.
“Anyone who has a kid trying out for his High School football team needs to read this book. Torosian has taken his 20 some years of reporting on Prep sports, mixed a healthy dose of San Gabriel Valley insider references and created a very readable first effort.”
“A page turner…I’m sorry it’s over! Is a sequel in the works?”
“Torosian does for high school football what Hemingway did for the Spanish Civil War…compelling look beyond the scoreboard and into the lives of players…”
“A truly great story unfolds in the pages of Joe Torosian’s first novel. With high school football at its core, the story of Dale Andrade shows how a young man grows in all aspects of his life thanks to being a part of a team and a football community.”
“This is a great read for everyone: from those who love high school football to those who have no idea about the game.”
“This book brings you onto the field and into the locker room…”
Joe Torosian’s high school football novel is available through Amazon.com –click pic–
(Cover by Pat Cherry www.blackheartart.com)
He had an overall record of 64-28 during his eight year stint missing the playoffs only once during that span. Scherf decided to step down because he moved to Phelan last year and the drive was taking a toll on him and his family.
Azusa now has a big pair of shoes to fill. It’s not going to be easy replacing a guy like Joe Scherf. A few years ago during Azusa’s league winning streak I asked Scherf if he would come on the Mid Valley Sports Show – a show that we did live on the internet every Tuesday night. In typical Scherf fashion he looked at me and said “No, I don’t want to go on TV. I just want to coach.”
Yes you did coach. And did an excellent job for the last eight years. Good luck in all of your future endeavors.
**
Congratulations to Leuzinger who won the Charter Oak Tournament Saturday with a win over Upland. Great tournament, great athletes.
Sierra Canyon HC Jon Ellinghouse would be on the DL if he was a player. He had a brace on Saturday while making his way around the Tournament. “It’s an old heel injury that just flared up. I should be good pretty soon,” Ellinghouse said.
Coaching quarterback Niko Harris should make Ellinghouse feel better quickly. Have you seen him lately? That kid can ball!
Former Covina HC Darryl Thomas has been on the Upland staff for the last four years but has now taken on a new role. He is officially the DC. “With Eric Martinez leaving to take over at Diamond Ranch they asked me to become the DC,” Thomas said. “I was ‘like with all of those athletes?’ Sure.”
After speaking with Buena Park HC Anthony White, BP OC Jude Oliva and La Mirada Media Marketing guy Jim Phillips, we determined that Buena Park and La Mirada are the two most hated programs in the area. So what would be better than a non-league match up between the two?
The Mid-Valley Haters Bowl?
That’s my principle.
Tim can be reached at tim@midvalleysports.com or on Twitter @tspeterson40.
Leave a Reply