Mid Valley Newcomer of the Year: Erik Cuellar – Covina

Covina’s Erik Cuellar: Mid Valley Sports Newcomer of the Year. (Photo by Duane Barker).

Covina running back Erik Cuellar burst on to the scene as a sophomore having a year for the ages.

in a 14 game season as the Colts made a run to the CIF Finals, Cuellar rushed for over 100 yards in 12 of the 14 games. In two of those games he eclipsed the 200 mark and when it mattered most, in the semi finals against Culver City, he rushed for 303 yards and five touchdowns. He followed that up with a 157-yard performance in the Finals against Katella.

When the dust had finally settled Cuellar had piled up a remarkable 2,302 yards and 20 touchdowns, averaging 7.9 yards per carry on the year. Cuellar was integral part of Coach Joe Brown’s offense, the ground attack part of a one-two punch with quarterback Nin Burns II who did his damage through the air.

Cuellar did get a taste of the varsity last year – a very small taste. He had five carries for 34 yards in four games. Then 2017 happened and Cuellar exploded. And to think Valle Vista League opponents have to see him for two more years.

Erik Cuellar is our Newcomer of the Year.

 

Mid Valley Sports 2017 Awards

Coach of the Year: Joe Brown – Covina

MVP: Steven Comstock – Northview 

Player of the Year: Baraq Ross- Downey 

Newcomer of the Year: Erik Cuellar- Covina

20 Comments to "Mid Valley Newcomer of the Year: Erik Cuellar – Covina"

  1. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    January 19, 2018 - 8:42 am | Permalink

    Give us a break Get Back Coach. #1 This is the MVS blog. Nothing is private. #2 Its all over Twitter. #3 Knowing what a gossip queen you are, if this was another high profile player you’d be all over this too. If you guys truly have this kids back support him now more than ever.

  2. January 18, 2018 - 11:14 pm | Permalink

    @fake news
    That last comment was for you dude!
    This Mooney firing was not a secret some of your players were posting it on Social Media, that’s how I found out about it! So don’t shoot the messenger here. Did you think no one would notice that guy wasn’t on your sidelines anymore? Did you think it wouldn’t be news that a coach of Mooney’s stature would go unnoticed? Cmon man! Grow up! Like I said before, I hope you enjoyed the last couple of years because it’ll be a while before you guys are relevant again! Bye now!! And that’s NOT FAKE NEW! That I can tell you!

  3. January 18, 2018 - 11:01 pm | Permalink

    Hey Anonymous, you’re about as smart as Frank Gallardo right about now. Calling it now Cathedral will finish at .500 and third place.

    SEM will finish 5-5 as well and also in third place.

    As far as Ernesto Camacho, we’ll thats not of your concern. Also not a story that should be outted I public. It’s a private matter and should stay that way.

  4. January 18, 2018 - 10:57 pm | Permalink

    @anonymous
    Talking out my a$$? Weren’t you telling us all on the blog months ago about Amat and Serra on Cathedral’s schedule? Go back and review smart guy! Again Pearsons parting gift.

  5. annoymous's Gravatar annoymous
    January 18, 2018 - 11:25 am | Permalink

    To Arroyo Knight. There again you talk out of your A–. The New Coach Jefferson is setting up The schedule.

  6. January 18, 2018 - 12:20 am | Permalink

    @Anonymous
    Lol this was Pearson parting gift lol here’s the hardest schedule in school history, but I’m not sticking around to coach LMFAO. How easy to schedule up and bounce. My guess is this goes into feeding his ego, the team loses games and he can say see I won and you didn’t. Good job Pearson the next coach appreciates the gift.

  7. January 18, 2018 - 12:16 am | Permalink

    @the Truth
    Well Said! Imagine the b@!!$ on Gallardo cut ties with the big reason for your success. Mt View can’t get above 500 not can Gabrielino for years they’d kill for a guys like Mooney on staff and this intellectual cuts ties lol. Remember the date

  8. January 18, 2018 - 12:13 am | Permalink

    @Mike Mooney,
    Thanks for clarification. Kudos to you sir for taking the time to offer closure. From I hear you’re being a little too nice IMO. But it’s appreciated none the less.
    The next program you stop at will be very lucky to have you.

    @Fakenews
    Well how’d that taste you fool? One day you’re clowning me the next you’re thanking Coach Mooney for his efforts. Now that he’s gone, enjoy third or fourth place finishes Chump! Hope you guys have a long memory because memories is all you will have for the foreseeable future!

  9. annoymous's Gravatar annoymous
    January 17, 2018 - 10:16 pm | Permalink

    Hey Friday Knights, I hear Cathedral’s Pre-season schedule Gardena Serra,Arcadia,Bishop Amat, Loyola, Carson, are set. All These teams are not very good. I think Cathedral need’s a 1 strong team. Maybe they will call Powerhouse Arroyo.

  10. January 17, 2018 - 9:29 pm | Permalink

    I for one am shocked! Mike is the one the best coaches around…period! his track record speaks for itself. no losing seasons. He took a dead in the water program and led us to back to back semi-finals. Offensive philosophies, really? I thought the whole purpose to football was to win games and 22-4 is pretty hard to argue with. Gallardos offense led us to a 2-8 season helped by a horrendous defense that gave up a school record 497 points. If this fails then what does that say about Frank? He has a team returning all but one offensive lineman,A transfer Qb and plenty off athletes. If the team fails to make the playoffs and is closer to 2-8 than to 9-1 season…the talk will run rampant that the wrong coach left. I just hope the insecurity of certain coaches doesn’t send SEM back into football Hell. Thank You Mike Mooney for all you’ve done for our school it was a fun two years.

    Hey Arroyo Knight, Ernesto Camacho is at Ledesma continuation school …why?

  11. The Truth's Gravatar The Truth
    January 17, 2018 - 7:45 pm | Permalink

    What a stand up man

  12. The Truth's Gravatar The Truth
    January 17, 2018 - 4:18 pm | Permalink

    If Gallardo did get rid of him what a clown! Too bad this guys ego doesn’t match his intellect or he’d be smart enough to keep the reason for his success! What a joke

  13. Fan's Gravatar Fan
    January 17, 2018 - 4:10 pm | Permalink

    Very odd indeed.

  14. Mike Mooney's Gravatar Mike Mooney
    January 17, 2018 - 3:53 pm | Permalink

    I was alerted about this post and felt compelled to come on and comment before any further speculation. Coach Gallardo and I met following this season. He has a vision and a system he wants to use offensively which differs from mine and my expertise. It would be foolish of him not to go out and find the very best candidate possible to run his system. I was no longer the right fit for what he wants to do. The decision was mutual and without animosity. I will miss the SEM Community and players immensely and I will forever be thankful for the opportunity Coach Gallardo and the SEM Administration provided me. Though I will miss the young men I coached at SEM I am equally excited about finding my next coaching opportunity.

  15. January 17, 2018 - 9:10 am | Permalink

    LMFAO! Yea right bro, Coach Gallardo would never let Coach Mooney go unless He was gonna get a better job. The SEM staff has done a fantastic job the last two years I expect it to keep on rolling. What would the benefit be of cutting ties with such a good coach? Idiotic!

    @Knight, I think you should worry about your own backyard. I hear the QB isn’t gonna play football this season…………………………..#cleanoutyourclosetfirst

  16. January 17, 2018 - 1:52 am | Permalink

    First off congrats Mr Cuellar. Heck of a season, I hope you can continue the string of a very good runningbacks in the SGV.

    @SEM, UM…WHAT? WHY? HUH? Mooney is out? Ill wait to hear that from Gallardo or Mooney themselves, no offense KNight, But Ill wait before I jump to conclusions

  17. Really?'s Gravatar Really?
    January 17, 2018 - 12:00 am | Permalink

    @ Fridayknights
    Why don’t you bring up your poison in the “10” and not when some other team from some other league is being honored. I know it’s all about you Mr. Knight! The same narsasistic baby blue blood that bubbles through your veins. It’s all about you!!

  18. El Cholo's Gravatar El Cholo
    January 16, 2018 - 10:37 pm | Permalink

    SEM losing this senior class will go back to being SEM of a few years back. Terrible move to fire excellent coaches knowing they were your only chance to field a competitive team with below average talent back at SEM

  19. January 16, 2018 - 10:25 pm | Permalink

    Here’s a head scratcher for you guys…
    And this is confirmed BTW, So Frank Gallardo of SEM, Fired Mike Mooney his offensive coordinator and his offensive line coach. The same guy that helped guide the Eagles from oblivion to back to back semi finals. The same guy that produced a 6,000 yard career rusher and compiled 22-4 record in two seasons at the swamp. Pre Mike Mooney, Frank Gallardo was 2-8. And lost by a margin of 44.7 points per game. Must be something behind the scenes because you just don’t let coaches like this get away. Now with expectations high the pressure is gonna be on Frank Gallardo to keep the Eagle train rolling or it could prove to a disastrous mistake. MVS, there’s got to be a back story here.

  20. HTCS's Gravatar HTCS
    January 16, 2018 - 11:10 am | Permalink

    Great kid on and off the field, look forward to seeing him the next two years.

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