The Peterson Principle: 5/14/2017

Tim Peterson

Tim Peterson

By Tim Peterson

El Monte feels like it just hit the lottery. The Lions go from having nothing with no light at the end of the tunnel to suddenly landing one of the better coaches in the valley.

One day El Monte is re-posting the head coach position and two days later Jesse Ceniceros is announced as the new head coach. If Ceniceros doesn’t come out of the blue the Lions are looking at another month at least before they have somebody in place. Ceniceros, who has been coaching for the last decade (Norwalk, Chino), has never missed the playoffs. He guided Norwalk to the CIF Finals and he had Chino in the post season in the two seasons that he was there.

It took long enough but it turned out be well worth the wait. Like it or not, and for some reason many people commented on our site that they did not, this was the best of all possible scenarios for El Monte. The fact that Ceniceros runs the double wing offense is also a bonus. It’s an offense that El Monte should be able to adapt to right away and with the passing circuit already well underway, it won’t hurt the Lions to miss throwing the ball around. When you run the ball 90 percent of the time who needs passing leagues?

How did El Monte land Ceniceros? The best explanation came from Ceniceros himself. “I was more surprised than anybody that I’m the new coach at El Monte. Once I got there and they showed me around the campus it just felt right,” he said.

A phone call from a former coach led to a meeting with the AD and here we are. And El Monte is counting its blessings.

**

Eric Elias working with the offense at Schurr

Eric Elias working with the offense at Schurr

I ran into Schurr assistant Eric Elias at a passing league at Arroyo Saturday. Elias a longtime assistant at Arcadia and most recently Buena Park, was just hired by the Spartans to help out with the quarterbacks and the offense. “It’s been a great two weeks of practice. I’m happy to be here. It’s been great,” Elias said.

Elias will work closely with former Schurr receiver Carlos Arredondo, who also runs the offense. The Spartans have a solid young quarterback and some skill position players to work with. They will definitely be in the mix to win the Almont.

**

Rumors abound that Arroyo will be moved up to Division 11 when the new alignment is announced by CIF in August. Although one would think that teams would like more time to adjust to their new division it doesn’t seem to bother Arroyo HC Jim Singiser.

“What are you gong to do? You can’t change your schedule anyway. That’s already set. It is what it is,” Singiser said.

“Only move us up one division? That’s fine. I’ll take that. I don’t worry about all the division stuff. Just let me know where we are and we’ll play,” said Arroyo offensive coordinator Chris MacMillan.

**

The Charter Oak Super 7 tournament, one of the best of the circuit, is this Saturday May 20.

**

I’m not sure why Muir’s Elijah Blades played in the SGV All-Star game Saturday night at Covina District Field, but I’m glad he did. Blades, who is  headed to Nebraska in the Fall, made two great plays for touchdowns to lead the North to victory. I can live with Monrovia quarterback Richie Schroeder taking home North offensive MVP honors for throwing three touchdown passes, but without Blades on the receiving end of two of those, there’s no way that would have happened.

**

There is still one head coaching position open as San Gabriel continues its search. Haven’t heard a whole lot, but something has to break soon. A comment on the boards indicated that a guy from San Diego is being brought in and is the front runner. But comments have also indicated that Jude Oliva is the next head coach and we all know that’s not happening. Stay tuned…

**

Speaking of the SGV All-Star game, the first three quarters were forgettable. Fumbles, bad snaps, interceptions and miscues were the order of the day until the fourth quarter. But four lead changes, a couple of great catches, and a few big time throws salvaged the evening. It’s like when you play golf and are shanking shots all over the lot. And just at that moment when you’re about to toss your clubs into the lake, you hit that one shot – that one shot that will keep you coming back. As far as high school football All-Star games, I’ll keep coming back.

That’s my principle.

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

16 Comments to "The Peterson Principle: 5/14/2017"

  1. D1 Fan's Gravatar D1 Fan
    May 17, 2017 - 6:13 pm | Permalink

    Cathedral High School was a master of The double-wing tee back in the 90’s. It works well in lower divisions where the teams are not as strong. The Phantoms led The State in rushing running the D-wing. The next year they led the Nation in passing with The Great QB Robert De la Cruz. This was done in Division 11. Most Teams have caught up on how to stop it. Clog up The Middle and force them to pass and it’s catch up from them on. Good luck to El Monte High School.

  2. D1 Fan's Gravatar D1 Fan
    May 17, 2017 - 6:07 pm | Permalink

    It all depends on The School. A Kid can make it anywhere it’s up to The Kid and his Parents support on Academics.

  3. Sports Dad's Gravatar Sports Dad
    May 15, 2017 - 8:08 pm | Permalink

    Too bad more kids that play football or sports don’t have the academic drive like kids such as Mason. My own son included. I wish he would think there’s more avenues than just football. Hopefully he will get it soon he’s talented enough to be Rio Hondo League player of the year this coming season but I would prefer him to be an all league scholar athlete.

  4. Observantcat's Gravatar Observantcat
    May 15, 2017 - 5:51 pm | Permalink

    Unfortunately Mason didn’t have a scholarship because Ivy League Schools don’t give them out. But he had parents and People who had his back and were confident that it was money well spent. If you know this kid and his family you would be just as confident in Mason’s commitment.

  5. ?'s Gravatar ?
    May 15, 2017 - 4:26 pm | Permalink

    Always nice to see a kid graduate. Better yet if he made use of an athletic grant. Did he have a 4 year free ride?

  6. Find a fit, not a name's Gravatar Find a fit, not a name
    May 15, 2017 - 3:54 pm | Permalink

    How many times have you heard “bring in a brand name coach and all will be different.” Case in point, Gano. Nothing against him, he’s a great coach, but couldn’t do much at Wilson, Damien, Tustin (destroyed the), and inherited talent at Don Lugo. Find a great fit for the kids and coach, that will render results. Also, this will be hard will all the restrictions SGHS has on fundraising due to Title 9 law suits. a third of all fund raising goes to the gen fund. I call it BS, this only make smaller teams work less in fund raising. Regardless, ftbl will always bring in money. Well all support male and female athletes, but keep it in perspective, teams that bring in more money needs more money in return. Football is expensive and this is just to suit up kids.

  7. Bob Anon's Gravatar Bob Anon
    May 15, 2017 - 2:38 pm | Permalink

    @ Observantcat:

    He is making the entire RHL proud — congratulations to him, and good luck!

  8. Observantcat's Gravatar Observantcat
    May 15, 2017 - 9:32 am | Permalink

    While we’re at it, I would like to give a shout out to one the San Gabriel Valley’s most notable athlete and scholar. Mason Bryant is again making Monrovia Wildcats proud. Just graduated from PENN and moving forward to become one of our greater attorney’s or politician. Good luck Mason

  9. @Football Nut's Gravatar @Football Nut
    May 15, 2017 - 9:02 am | Permalink

    There Number One Guy Was Out If You Didn’t Notice And A Couple Of Number Two Guys. You Haven’t Seen Them At Full Patential Yet. Just Wait On it!

  10. Football Nut's Gravatar Football Nut
    May 15, 2017 - 8:16 am | Permalink

    Schurr needs to do something with O and D lines… not very good, they got destroyed at the Airo State tournament two weeks ago.

  11. Superman's Gravatar Superman
    May 15, 2017 - 6:25 am | Permalink

    Maybe If SG gets a big time hire it is a good thing to wait and be desperate as the ones who have waited landed the big sharks.

  12. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    May 14, 2017 - 6:37 pm | Permalink

    San Gabriel needs to go and hire milvon James he will bring the program back. Milvon and his brother run the spread offense which is what San Gabriel is known for.

  13. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    May 14, 2017 - 6:36 pm | Permalink

    @peterson is Cantu still coaching at schurr

  14. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    May 14, 2017 - 4:38 pm | Permalink

    There’s a teaching opening so maybe Jude goes back

  15. Football101's Gravatar Football101
    May 14, 2017 - 4:25 pm | Permalink

    Schurr Looks to be on the rise! I might have to catch a game or two!

  16. I Hear You's Gravatar I Hear You
    May 14, 2017 - 2:45 pm | Permalink

    I’d bet that most sportswriters sit through these all-star games with one eye on the clock, waiting for the thing to be over. Thanks to Tim for confessing this viewpoint.

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