By Tim Peterson
(El Monte) – The last time we saw Arroyo they were falling to Hemet in the first round of the CIF Division playoffs on November 8, 2019. Needless to say a lot has happened since then.
Head Coach Jim Singiser stepped down after 17 years and assistant Chuck Leonardis took over. COVID-19 hit wiping out the Fall football season. And then even though the Spring football season took place El Monte Unified School District ruled that all Fall sports were canceled due to the pandemic and Arroyo was still unable to play. So on Saturday May 1, 2021 the Knights were happy to be out on the field running though drills and preparing for the Fall season.
Leonardis was able to maintain a majority of the staff as well as adding some new coaches. His team has been chomping at the bit and ready to go. The Knights had just nine seniors that are graduating this June and have plenty of talented players returning. He indicated that he is very happy so far with what he has on both sides of the ball. Here’s a few shots as the Knights hit the field on May Day 2021.
While it’s hard to replace a mainstay such as Jim Singiser, it’s a safe bet that there’s nobody to better fill that spot than Chuck Leonardis. If it’s true that a team usually assumes the personality of its leader, the Knights should be tough indeed.
Arroyo has a running back and also who plays line backer that made the varsity football team as a freshman and now In his 3rd year with the varsity team hes looking to help his team get back to what arroyo used to be Nathan Guardado will be attending some football invites in Oklahoma a division 2 school and also In Arizona this June arroyo Has a lot of speed that will become one of their strengths