Tim Peterson
By Tim Peterson
This is the first time Covina has reached the CIF Finals since 1995 when the Colts beat Lompoc 23-21 in the Division VII Finals at Covina District Field. Dick Sheehan was the head coach that led Covina to that championship.
Covina’s Nin Burns was named the CIF Player of the Year that season as he led the Colts to the title. His son quarterback Nin Burns II is now trying to lead the Colts to a another title.
Burns played a major part in getting Covina to the title game throwing for 253 yards and two touchdowns and running for 53 more in the Colts 57-56 overtime win over Culver City Friday night. Burns has racked up 2,190 yards passing and 28 touchdowns this season. Erik Cuellar couldn’t have picked a better time than the semi finals to have his best game of the year. Depending on whose stats you’re reading the sophomore ran for 303 yards (Max Preps) or 294 yards (Mid Valley Sports) to push his total to over 2100 on the year. Cuellar also ran through Culver City for five touchdowns.
According to Cal Preps Covina beats Katella 31-28 this Friday night in the Division 11 Final at Covina District Field. I’ll reveal my pick later this week in “Game Night”.
It’s been a little bit longer for St. Francis. The Golden Knights last won the title in 1964 when they shut out Claremont 14-0 under HC Jack Friedman. Friedman Field, named after the St. Francis icon, will be the site of this week’s Division 3 Finals vs. Rancho Verde.
Everybody in the area, including yours truly, was rooting for a St. Francis -Charter Oak D-3 Final. One loss St. Francis vs. the undefeated Chargers would have been one for the ages. Oh well, maybe next year.
After a 55-year drought the CIF Finals is becoming old hat for Downey. The Vikings will be making their third appearance in six years when they host Cajon Saturday night in the Division 4 Final. Downey beat La Serna 33-25 in 2012 and lost to Crescenta Valley 21-14 in 2014. The advantage for the Vikings in this one is they will be at home in the friendly confines. Baraq Ross leads a dominant Viking ground game with 2,110 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Dean Herrington has led Paraclete to the CIF Finals in his first two years at the helm. The Spirits beat Los Altos last year and will face Moorpark on the road in the Division 5 Finals Friday night.
I simply responded to SGV’s question. I didn’t think it would get such a rise. A couple people bashed it but give me your list?
@Coaches that were left off,
Coach Williams is on my list. Coach Z isn’t on it because he doesn’t coach anymore much like Coach White and Ziola.
Also, SD did not win a CIF title until Mustain joined his staff. When Z first took over at SD, a very young Coach Medrano was his DC after playing for Z at ULV. Medrano left SD for Bonita the year SD was supposed to have the best team they ever had with Nico Barbone and Daniel Joseph. Craig Schuster from Azusa took over the defense that year. The team did not live up to expectations and lost to Rosemead in the playoffs. They also lost to Baldwin Park that year.
The next year, Z hired Mustain and they went on to win a CIF championship beating Monrovia in the rain game. Mustain’s protoge Danny Lopez is currently Holmans DC.
No Bueno,
You bring up some valid points but left off some key points:
1st: They lost to San Gabriel in 2011 not Rosemead – – San Gabriel was pretty damn good that year!
2nd: Yes, they won a CIF championship in 2012 but it wasn’t Z’s first. His first was in 2009! 3 years prior to Mustain joining the staff!
3rd: 2011 & 2010 San Dimas was in the Semis – – so prior to Mustain joining the staff they were CIF Champs, CIF Semi Finalist, CIF Semi Finalist.
What are you talking about? Get your damn facts straight before you come on here! Know what you are talking about! C’mon! Damn!!
Mustain is a great coach but…Coach Z was pretty good before him and yes Coach Z won a CIF championship before he was on the staff!
Get a clue if you are going to come on here! Know your stats and information!
@ Angeles League
Very good job defending Coach P.
Of course you threw all the rest of his staff under the bus. I’m glad you aren’t a fan of Arroyo.
To Friday Knight Idiot, Call Cathedral for a game so They can Punch You,Push You , on National TV. In Fact, Cathedral will send Their Freshman Team to play Arroyo’s Varsity at your place. I don’t get It with you Knight. Cathedral has nothing to do with you and you keep Bashing them. Grow up Kid.
@coaches that were left off,;
Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn’t the hiring of a new DC (Mustain) in 2012 that got them their first CIF title winning 12-9 against Monrovia? I would say that is pretty good defense with 4 straight semi-finals appearances following including 5 straight league titles. Seems pretty clear that defense played the most significant roll in there run all those years! Before they hired him, they never made it past the quarter finals, because they couldn’t stop anybody. That fact is highlighted by their loss to Rosemead in the quarter final game in 2011 where they lost a shoot out by like 1 or 2 points after putting up over forty that game. So, defense, ya, I think they had that.
What about Coach Z as an offensive or head coach on this list, he did some good things at San Dimas despite his defense. Also, Jack Williams at Downey, he has accomplished a lot at his alma mater. Finally, his coach what kind of narcissist keeps stats like that? I doubt the other coaches on that list can name their total wins and losses on demand. You have some issues you need to deal with.
Haters coach
@graveyard
Maybe there’s so much hate because he pushed a kid on national TV coverage! Maybe because he recruited two senior runningbacks and promised them the world and didn’t run either of them. Or maybe it’s because he schedules so low and beats up on teams that have no shot to beat them. Didn’t he punch a referee once? You want me to keep guessing?
I think you’re Wong about coach Williams, but I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion.
correction on LS totals 81 and 25
@really??…what got you all worked up…someone obviously forgot to tell me I wasn’t the OC at LS anymore
110 and 25 since the offensive staff has been in place (2010) 1 CIF championship..3 Finals..2 semi’s
Stunk is a pretty harsh word…I better ask the our head coach if he wants me back
@Really??
You’re a joke. I’m pretty sure that list isn’t based off of one year but rather over their respective coaching careers. Damascus.
@SEM
South has been to the Semi finals in back to back years for the first time in school history. Still not satisfied? well you shouldn’t be! heres why…SEM underachieved this season. Santa Maria had just one guy to stop…just one and whoever the DC is couldn’t come up with anything to even slow him down. I sat and watched the game play out and saw very clearly what SM was doing. QB keeps and traps and the same pass play every third and medium. like clock work. Athletically SEM was better but they play such a Youth style approach to defense. hard to watch teams get outcoached so bad. This is where the soft schedule hurts you, you don’t see different offenses or different levels of coaching…yes there is level to this. and both the offense and defense coordinators looked like they hadn’t seen simple adjustments to attacking them. Frank Gallardo amongst MVL coaches is looked at as a coach who has a Ferrari and drives like a granny with his blinker on the entire ride lol. B ut he will show us his coaching acumen next season when his stallion is gone. Arroyo sweeps league….again! Go Knights! bling bling
True!! I know Coach Pearson personally and he is a great guy! I don’t know where all of this hate for him comes from.
Top of which list SEM?
People Hate Cathedral because of a few who post lies about Coach Pearson and Cathedral. Coach Pearson is doing Miracles without a Good Coaching staff to help him. He has won Three straight Angelus League Titles. The CIF did not do Cathedral any favors by moving them up to D2. All Cathedral does is get Kids into College and Preps them for life after High School football. Coach Pearson is a good Man that has made some mistakes.
You can’t forget Cathedral HC/OC Pearson. As much as people hate Cathedral their offense does produce and puts up big numbers year in and year out.
And….Paraclete is up 8 divisions in 7 years. 5 in 2 years
2010 XIII
2014 X
2015 X
2016 VI
2017 V
Northview and San Dimas went up 3 divisions in 1 year and Monrovia went up 4 in 2 years.
When is the last time Northview won a championship?
San Dimas last was 2013 over Paraclete
Monrovias was 2011 over Paraclete
Those 3 are not winning championships and still moved up. And all 3 are public.
You win you move up. Especially if you are a private.
IN 5 SECONDS FROM JUST OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD….
1. Oaks Christian
2. Tesoro
3. Calabassas
4. Quartz Hill
5. Citrus Hill
Yea, he’s still mad about something
They’ll be D4 next year
Didn’t La Habra get moved a couple of divisions in the early 2000’s and won several titles?
@ Anusnymous
Sometimes when you write a question I wonder if it is real or if it is just a very very lazy Millenial, looking for someone to do your research. So I will tell you about your so called inquiry. In 2013, Paraclete was in Division 11. in 2014, they were put in Division 10. In 2015, they remained in Division 10. They finished the year 6-6 with a .500 record and in 2016 CIF went through the new Divisional changes, and placed them in Division 6. This year 2017, they were moved up to Division 5.
So I ask you, what team or teams in the CIF Southern Section has/have moved up more than 7 Divisions in 5 years. So Really, you don’t know what the hell is really going on!
Oh by the way, It is Really hard to tell you Assnonymouly’s apart!
Don’t know much about Ramos. But they did have a good year. Not worthy of top 5 though.
Steve Hagerty and staff are the best in the area but by far. They always improve every year even when it looks like they’re about to fold. But alas, the MVS doesn’t cover them.
St. Paul? No way. They lost to Montebello.
Dude elias is a great coach and a great offensive mind! No negatives from Sparta on that hire! 👏🏾
What about Ramos at Schurr? I don’t know much about the coaching in the almont besides Schurr and Montebello Cosches. All the other coaches are bad! Elias at Schurr is bad… seem to have the team rolling. Yeah Montebello losing to El Rancho is bad! What about Bishop and St Paul?
No way Williams belong on that list. @FBFan, if recruiting is not your cup of tea, than that would leave Farrar, Bonds, and Williams off the list also.
Paul Schilling is a good one. Just not sure who he would replace. Perhaps Williams since they beat Downey in the finals? The Gossard’s are his coordinators and could also be on this list, but again, not sure who’s they replace but the CV staff is great!
Pete Gonzalez, great resume but no. The coaching in the Almont IMO isn’t very good. I saw them play El Rancho and Montebello got totally out coached by a team that was mediocre.
Jude Oliva and Anthony White aren’t coaching. Besides, I don’t consider Buena Park part of this coverage area and on top of it, not a big fan of the illegal recruiting and poaching kids immediately after games.
Pearson? From Cathedral? If you consider pushing kids, hitting refs, and having teams who act like baby’s after a loss as good coaching, then yes, he should be number 1.
Fb fan you are a joke.
La Serna offense stunk this year. Caballero isn’t even the outright OC
DC…. Bonita stinks. Medina is done. Last two years. Northview D is terrible. Look at pints allowed vs good teams.
Not Wilson and Baldwin park lol.
Bell gardens. Come on??
Frank Gallardo got to be at the top of the list. He took two cif championship teams and totally underachieve. South El Monte will be in D11 next year. Good luck to us.
I’m just surprised Pete Gonzales, Pearson, Paul Schilling, jude Oliva, or Anthony White at that were left off!
Not you…
Pffffff
@SGV Fan
HC:
1. Lou Farrar (CO)
2. Jim Bonds (St Francis)
3. Jack Williams (Downey)
4. Mike Hobbie (San Marino)
5. Jim Singiser (Arroyo)
OC: (can also be head coaches)
1. Dominic Farrar CO
2. Matt Bechtel (South Hills)
3. John Caballero (La Serna)
4. Joe Brown (Covina)
5. Chris MacMillan(Arroyo)
D.C. (Can also be head coaches)
1. Roger Lehigh (CO)
2. Marcel Perez (Northview)
3. Rudy Beruman (South Hills)
4. Ray Medina (Bonita)
5. Margarito Beltran (Bell Gardens)
real quick question for all:
who are the top 5 HC, OC, and DC???
Coaching is what’s been different at Downey High. They have better coaching now. Coach Williams has improved over the years also. Proud of what they’ve accomplished!
Whats with all the downey hate .. shouldn’t you guys be getting ready for yours kids championship games
It’s the championships so every game should be good. Here are my early predictions:
Div III: Rancho Verde
Dismantled CO, enough said!
DIV IV: Cajon
Cajon lost to Murrietta Valley by 3, Murrietta Valley lost to Santa Margarita by 3, and Santa Margarita beat Downey by 56. Is there any doubt?
DIV V: Moorpark
This will be a very competitive game. Moorpark’s overall body of work for the season is more impressive than Paraclete’s. Their tougher schedule will win out.
DIV VII: El Modena
Same reason as Moorpark, played a better schedule and a more impressive overall body of work.
DIV: XI: Covina
It is better to be lucky than good. Katella feels fortunate to be in this game after beating Arcadia in the second round, coming back from three touchdowns down. If Covina can stay focus and not have a let down, it is there game to win.
That said, GOOD LUCK and CONGRATS to all the teams!
Don’t we all? Thanks, I’ll definitely be there! There are a few other Colts that I’ve coached, including his cousin Siona. What a transformation he’s made of himself this year! Too bad it’s not being played at Citrus. A few years back, I was at the Downey-CV game, and Glendale HS’s stadium was a bit too small for that, and I think it’s quite a bit bigger than Covina District. I think I should try to get there around 5.
Sounds like Old School is a Warren grad and I bet he or she has green eyes to go along with that jealousy.
Downey plays Sat. night.
How’d you know I have a cold??????
Rugby…
At COVINA district Field. Come out and support Ailaoa! He’d love it!
*Colt. Sorry
Cold74, where is the game being played?
1. Covina is actually favored by 5 points. Points are posted for a neutral field. Teams playing at home are given an additional 2 points.
2. Coach Herrington has done a great job at Paraclete, no doubt. But…you gotta admit Coach Dahlia, after what he started, left the team in good shape.
Downey football is the same old thing it has been for all those decades of non-contention. The difference is that now, CIF is implementing a kinder, gentler approach to the playoffs whereby teams that would never come close to sniffing a ring can now brag about their title worthiness. Is anyone being fooled? Does Wigod need any further explanation about low attendance numbers at these pseudo-top-notch events?
Yes they are a great team and should be moved up!
Can you confirm the game is Friday. Maxpreps has it set for Saturday. TY
From T. Peterson: Which game?
Can someone please explain to me how Paraclete has not gotten moved up yet? It feels like every year they are playing for another title. They should at least be division 2 or 3 by now shouldn’t they? Seems like they kind of just ran through the field in D5 this year.