Arroyo’s semifinal victory meant a lot to the Singiser family…Steve (left) is looking happy… Jim (right) is letting out a smile…MacMillan (background) is ready to start living la vida loca… (Photo by Joe T.)
By Joe Torosian
Kick it!
Right off the Top:
“Give me the Carmel Ralph Macchio.”—Landestoy Luke
“You mean the Carmel Macchiato?”—Waitress
“Yeah, that.”—Landestoy Luke
***
While it might seem like some sort of kismet that Miami’s Kiki Alonso (son of a Cuban refugee) got the hit on Frisco’s Colin Kaepernick (a Castro fan) on the final play Sunday between the Dolphins and 49ers…it was Ndamukong Suh that made the tackle.
As a Rams fan, it is comforting to see San Francisco 1-10 on the season…until you remember the one team they did beat.
***
Joe T.’s High School football novel is available through Amazon.com
“Joe captures the essence of high school football and does it with a local flavor that makes this book especially interesting.”–Mike Maggiore, HC West Covina Bulldogs
“A literary snapshot of what goes on over the course of a high school football season…an awesome read and a story that truly will transcend time.”—Jim Singiser, AD/HC Arroyo Knights Football
“Thrill, dread, anxiety, love, agony, success, and failure; basically all the emotions you feel as a football player/coach as you do in life, all wrapped up in a single book.”—Marc Paramo, HC Rosemead Panthers Football
“I read the book and really enjoyed it a great deal. I would think coaches and parents could Learn a lot.”—John “Coach” Kentera, former sports talk host at Mighty 690 & Mighty 1090
I’ve often compared the title “Journalist” to little more than ambulance chaser…so I’ve never even tried to describe myself as such… I never liked being referenced as a “Reporter.” … “Sportswriter” was always easy for me to identify with because I wrote about sports…I love sports stories…I love watching things play out…up close…I’ve had the opportunity to see games from the press box and the sideline…The sideline is always better…Because not only do you get the game but you get free theater.
I share this because few things in the last 19 seasons have been as fun/joyful as seeing Arroyo cross the final hurdle and reach the CIF-Finals.
It was a long road for Jim Singiser, his family, Chris MacMillan and his staff. I can say it was long, but maybe it would be better if I showed you.
So, by the numbers:
Friday night’s contest against Segerstrom was the 162nd of Singiser’s career as the Arroyo HC.
His overall record is: 113-49
It was his 23rd playoff game and his record is now: 11-12
Previous Seasons Ended on These Dates Against These Schools:
11/21/2003: San Gabriel
12/03/2004: South Hills
11/25/2005: South Hills
11/17/2006: La Habra
11/16/2007: Fullerton
11/21/2008: Temple City
11/20/2009: Whittier Christian
11/19/2010: San Dimas
11/25/2011: San Gabriel
11/16/2012: Sierra Canyon
11/29/2013: San Dimas
11/13/2015: Covina
(The heartbreak in all of these games is too much for one column.)
The Knights first game under Singiser: September 12, 2003.
It was a 28-14 loss to Temple City at B.L. Bergstrom. His quote to me after was: “We have a bunch of players who have to realize they aren’t playing J.V. anymore. This is varsity football.”
As of November 25, 2016—When Arroyo beat Segerstrom to advance to the CIF-Finals for the first time since 1991:
13 years, 2 months, and 14 days had passed under Singiser/Family/Staff
689 weeks had gone by.
4,824 days had turned.
115,752 hours had elapsed.
Took 14 years but “His Arroyo Baldness” got the hug he’d been looking for… (Photo by Joe T.)
That’s not counting the practices in between. It’s not counting the opening and closing the weight room. It’s not counting managing crisis and self-reporting. It’s not counting the moments when the post-season losses began to pile up and doubt attempted to creep in. Feelings that what you want most of all in this game is never going to happen.
That’s a lot of time and a journey that Frodo and Sam would be proud of…To come all this way and finally get the win they’d spent so long looking for.
So the sportswriter in me wanted to cry…I’ve had lunch with the Arroyo staff once in all this time…was honored to help out briefly during a difficult time…but I don’t hang with them…I’ve never followed them into the locker room at the half…and I didn’t need to…Just what I saw and continue to see on the sideline was enough.
It’s a great story…and it’s not a story that lessens South El Monte this year or the Aerial Circus at El Monte a few years ago. It doesn’t take away from Schurr’s magical run in 2006 or the improbably San Gabriel miracles of 2003 & 2011. It doesn’t make Monrovia’s dynasty or Rosemead’s 2008 season any less special.
It’s Arroyo’s story…and it’s a great one…And I am so happy I got to see it.
***
Did Eric Dickerson say something about Rams HC, Jeff Fisher’s family? His children? Because if he didn’t Fisher needs to be spending his energy on how he’s going to achieve some “7-9 Bolshoi.”
Right now it would be optimistic to say the Rams will finish 5-11. Other than that, the number two pick in the draft at tackle is a flop, Rodger Saffold is hurt, and Los Angeles struggles in New Orleans…Some things never change.
***
Its been a difficult Fantasy Football season…Even though I started out 3-0, I knew I was doomed without having a running game. I currently stand at 5-7 with Andy VillaTheDevil in first place owning a 9-3 record.
But two of VillaTheDevil’s losses have been to my El Monte Jets…So, yeah, I’m starting to feel good about the season…This must be what it felt like to be a San Francisco Giants fan from 1955 through 2009…to play and live for only beating the Dodgers…Which sounds like the equivalent of Nacho getting up every morning at 5:A.M. to make some soup…
***
Before the second half kick-off at B.L. Bergstrom last Friday night with Arroyo leading, 49-14.
“Any pearls of wisdom for the third quarter?”—Knights OC, Chris MacMillan
“Yeah, get that offense of yours going. It’s making me sick.”—Joe T.
***
On this night in 1974; Monrovia defeated Pacifica, 35-15, in the second round of the playoffs. Dale Bunn threw three touchdown passes, two to Lawrence Jackson…Tom Miller pass for two touchdowns to lead Burroughs to a 13-6 victory over Bell Gardens…San Marino beat Serra, 34-7…St. Francis scored an 18-13 victory over Kennedy thanks to Lennie Holmes and his 167 rushing yards…Pasadena beat Thousand Oaks, 32-16.
On this night 20 years ago…in 1996: Muir won a 43-40 shootout with Newbury Park…Arroyo defeated El Rancho, 21-7…Los Altos beat Bell Gardens, 12-7…Jack Mahlstede led Santa Fe to a 47-8 victory over Rosemead…Cabrillo knocked out Temple City, South Hills beat La Mirada, and Sierra Vista whacked South Torrance, 56-28.
***
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Midbits (same as ‘Tidbits’)
Midbits: Former Arcadia/Temple City streetballer Brendan Ripley turns 39 today.
San Dimas alum, Youssef Hanna receiving instruction from NFL Hall of Famer, Jackie Slater at APU. (Photo courtesy of Mark Holman)
Midbits: Shout out to former San Dimas trenchman Yussef Hanna who saw playing time as a freshman at APU.
Midbits: Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Chris Carter hit 41 home runs in 2016…and has been designated for assignment…
Midbits: Did you know that after the 1907 season Ty Cobb asked for a three-year, $15,000 deal from the Detroit Tigers…and that it be guaranteed. He ended up settling for a one-year, $4,000 deal with an $800.00 bonus if he batted over .300…He got the bonus.
Midbits: …And Christmas comes early for New York Mets fans in the form of a four-year, $110 million deal with Yoenis Cespedes…
The Dude abides…
651
Psalm 144
Contact Joe at joe@midvalleysports.com
Author of “Tangent Dreams: A High School Football Novel” available through amazon.com …and “The Dead Bug Tales” available this fall.
Follow Joe on Twitter @joet13b
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