Monrovia opens on the road against Burbank
Rio Hondo Non-League Schedules: Season kicks off August 17
La Canada: @Hoover (Glendale), @Santa Paula, @Pasadena Poly, Fillmore, New Designs Watts, @Pioneer
Monrovia: @Burbank (Burroughs), @Alta Loma, Don Lugo, Valley Christian, @Covina (Covina District Field), Monte Vista Christian
San Marino: Pasadena, Northview, @El Monte, Santa Fe, @Bell Gardens, Newport Harbor
South Pasadena: Mt. View, @El Monte, Eastside, @Arroyo, Alhambra, @Eagle Rock
Temple City: Keppel, @Alhambra (Moor Field), Gabrielino, @Pasadena Poly, Santa Clarita Christian
Well I’m returned to the SGV (the place, not the league}, and following the old school football team. I played long ago, on real grass.. No, the leather helmets had been retired by then, and I bet most bloggers here weren’t born yet.
I see something I take to heart. That would be the collapse of the Rio Hondo League, especially at South Pasadena and Temple City. Its long forgotten that between ’62 & ’78 (17 seasons) the RHL was one of the showcase leagues.of the CIF-SS.
SP dominated the the ’60s (3 CIF championships). TC owned the ’70s (8 finalists, 7 of those CIF champs). Throw in San Marino (1 champ, 1 runner-up) and find the Rio Hondo played in the Championship Finals 13 of 17 (76%) opportunities.
Whatever Blair, Duarte, La Canada, and Bell Gardens did, the RHL spent the next two decades waiting for Monrovia
Sure I bring all this up to wax nostalgic. But also for the average players, and the days when the guy you’re playing next to has been your friend since Grade 2, and you don’t start but you’re in on kick offs, and your team is in the playoffs, so every week could be the last time you play football in full pads
And you’ll never forget it
Not being mean, but Monrovia could start 1-4. That’s a tough schedule. Burbank is legit. Alta Loma has some dudes. Don Lugo has had a couple of solid teams. Then Valley Christian. Not hating, just it could happen.