Tim Peterson
By Tim Peterson
It’s almost too hot to write a column. I don’t mind warm weather but when you see a squirrel putting on sunscreen you know the temperature is a little too high.
I mean it’s so hot every fat guy sweating in the San Gabriel Valley smells like bacon. I bought a loaf of bread at Vons and by the time I got home it was toast. I mean it’s hot! It’s so hot you could fry an egg on former Temple City head coach Randy Backus’ head as I write this but I’ll try to muddle through.
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I don’t know a lot about soccer but I do know you shouldn’t get beat 7-0 in a Copa quarterfinals game. If you take the dog years theory (7 years equals one) as soccer relates to football, Mexico was trounced by Chile 49-0. I’m hoping Mexico Coach Juan Carlos Osorio has his resume together and interviews well.
I like the U.S chances in the semi finals against Argentina. Actually who am I kidding? I really don’t. Even if you don’t know soccer from swimming and don’t know the difference between a yellow card and a yellow light, you’ve probably heard of Lionel Messi. He’s the Babe Ruth of baseball, the Michael Jordan of basketball. If Argentina has Messi, and they do, I kind of like their chances.
But enough of Copa America Centenario, (did I spell that right?) I’ll leave the rest to our resident soccer expert, Josh (The Omelette) Ouellette. By the way have you read his column “Just Joshing Around the Pitch”? Dude knows his stuff.
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I’m not sure how much a linemen competition actually helps an offensive/defensive lineman’s skills but I look at it like this. If you’re able to push over a tire that is bigger than you about 5-7 times in 100 degree heat it has to help your strength. Heck if nothing else, it shows your dedication and motivation.
I imagine the linemen participating in the West Covina competition Saturday could have come up with a million excuses as to why they couldn’t be there. But there they were tossing tires, pushing sleds, shoving a full size truck, and running with kettle bells as the unrelenting sun beat down on them. I’m sure it gives the coaches an idea of who really wants to play and who doesn’t.
Who looked good? Well keep in mind it was a linemen comp (no skill players) and Chino had close to 30 guys…30 big guys. Los Altos looks like it has its line back and Arroyo was throwing around the weights in the weight room. Not sure how Nogales will compete this year but it was nice to see the Nobles busting their tails in all events Saturday.
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This column is being written before Game 7 of the NBA Finals but I really only have one question regarding the series. If the Warriors lose will Stephen Curry now be known as Chokin’ Curry? You know, chicken Curry…now chokin’… hello is this thing on?
That’s my principle.
Tim can be reached at tim@midvalleysports.com or on Twitter @tspeterson40.
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