Norwalk Quarterback Donovan Gumbs
Last week we brought you what we know and don’t know about the Mid-Valley Division. Now we’ll go with the Southeast. The Southeast is a different animal. There are four leagues instead of six and 28 teams instead of 38.
And it’s safe to say that the Southeast is a tougher road to hoe. For example can you imagine having to go through Diamond Ranch, Norwalk and La Mirada to win a championship? Or how about Muir or West Covina? Like Ringo Starr used to sing, you know it don’t come easy.
Hacienda: We know: West Covina and Diamond Ranch are the top two teams in the league. The WC has plenty of returning starters including B.J. Lee, George Johnson and Maurice Dupleasis. With Roddy Layton the Ranch will always be title contenders. Having Chase Price, Aaron Allmond and Jacoby Carter doesn’t hurt either.
Quick, strong, dangerous; Arcadia's Rodney Arnett
What we don’t know: Who takes third? How much will the injury to Garrett Pendleton affect Bonita. He could be out four to six weeks. He found his groove down the stretch last year and he had a great summer. The Bonita season could ride on his ability to come back and perform. Walnut has some studs particularly Aubrey Coleman, Alejandro Restrepo and Randy Collins. But can the Mustangs get past the top three? Rowland has a healthy Michael Ball but do they have enough around him? Jim Arellanes won plenty of games at Northview and is a proven coach but how much of a difference can he make in his first year at Los Altos? Diamond Bar? Diamond Bar? Anyone? Diamond Bar?
Suburban: We know: Norwalk can pound, pound and pound some more. Elijah Penny is a monster. La Mirada is coming off a CIF championship season and anybody that has a quarterback named Blood (Shane Blood) is going to be tough. They should finish one-two.
What we don’t know: How does the rest of the league play out? Mayfair took third in 2009 and has a returning quarterback in senior Evan Hunko, who threw for over 1300 yards a year ago. Glenn, Cerritos and Artesia finished a combined 3-15 in league last year. Bellflower can make a case with the running back tandem of Travis Newberry and Larreon White back to carry the ball. But again, we just don’t know.
No truth to the rumor that Muir O-Linemen Shawn Wilcox (left) and Robert Morales also work security following the game
Pacific: We know: With a line that looks like it belongs on the USC campus, Muir wins league unless…no Muir wins league. Skill players Jeff Davis, Kevon Seymour and Karl Holmes along with bubbas named Cameron Palmer, Shawn Wilcox and Danny Huerta will make sure of that. Hoover and Glendale will secure the last two spots.
What we don’t know: Who’s in the middle? Crescenta Valley, Arcadia, Burbank, Burroughs and even Pasadena could all make an argument for second place. Can Brandon Cox make an easy transition to quarterback or is he better suited for another skill position? The Apaches have Myles Carr, Taylor Legace and Rodney Arnett but do they have enough long the front lines? Can Burbank grab a playoff spot and at Burroughs will the Indians ever have another player as funny as Kohl Adams- Hurd?
Del Rio: What we know: El Rancho looks poised for a league title run. They have all the pieces in place and a rock solid coach in Rick Zepeda. Troy Campos, Ronnel Lone, Art Franco and Daniel Moriel all return to form an offense that will make plenty of noise.
What we don’t know: Again this is what we think we know but in the Del Rio (Sybil) League there’s plenty that we don’t. California lost a ton of seniors but Coach Jim Arnold always carries a huge roster. You figure some of them can play. Can the Condors repeat last year’s success? Returning quarterback Adam Contreras settles that position for Cal. Can Pioneer or Whittier surprise? Can La Serna or Santa Fe break through? Can Santa Fe win in the playoffs? Will Big Tony Solorzano find an In ‘N Out near Cal High?
Tim can be reached at tspeterson32@yahoo.com
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