MidValleySports.Com

Tim Peterson

By Tim Peterson

I know, I know. Nothing can be determined at a passing league competition. It doesn’t matter until you put on the pads. We hear that at…well… at every passing league competition.

And all that may be true but you have to be impressed with what Montebello did Saturday at Mt. View’s “One Blood Tournament.” The Oilers, playing among some solid opponents, advanced all the way to the championship game before falling to Oaks Christian. Yeah, that Oaks Christian.

They have two good quarterbacks to replace the graduated Ryan Rivera, a solid running back and athletic skill players. And according to DC Brian Zavala, the defense is ready to go as well.

“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)

Montebello finished 9-2 overall last year losing only to Paraclete in the regular season and then Viewpoint in the playoffs.

The Oilers already have a target on their backs having controlled the Almont League for the last few seasons. With an impressive spring and summer, they clearly look like the favorites in the Almont again. But again, as we know, nothing matters until the pads go on…

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“King Taco has nothing on the tacos at Mt. View,” said Mt. View head coach Victor Ambruso Saturday as the soft tacos were being served hot off the grill. And I have to say he’s right.

**

The “One Blood Tournament”, now in only its second year, is well run and is attracting several great programs from around Southern California. I mean it’s not that often that you can walk around and see Oaks Christian and Crespi on the same playing fields as Mt. View and El Monte. It’s maybe the most diverse Tournament, school wise, in the summer. The only draw back, if any, is it’s the same day that many student athletes are scheduled to take their SAT exams. Arroyo, South El Monte and several other schools were missing key players due to the exam. It’s not the only date that the exam is offered but it’s the day that many students choose to take it. Of course the exam is an absolute necessity, no way around that, but if plans are made in advance the test could be moved to another date. It’s just something to think about for next year.

**

It was great to see former Temple City/ San Marino HC Mike Mooney back in the coaching game. He is now the offensive line coach for South El Monte.

“It feels great to be back out here. I’m just thankful for the opportunity,” Mooney said.

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Los Altos running back Tyler Nevens has been so dominant the last couple of years you almost forget he’s still has a year remaining as he prepares for his senior season. As I was watching him perform Saturday I mentioned that to Los Altos HC Dale Ziola.

“I’m glad he has a year left!” Ziola exclaimed.

**

The lights should never suddenly go off on a football game, especially at an All-Star game as they did last Friday night at the 605 game at Pioneer High School. It kills any momentum the game may have had. They eventually came back on but many fans thought the game was over and left. Start the game earlier, shorten the halftime, coordinate with the Stadium crew, whatever is needed, but that shouldn’t happen again.

That’s my principle.

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