By Tim Peterson
Maranatha Madness
I’m hearing good things out of Pasadena- specifically from the campus of Maranatha High School. The Minutemen finished 9-2 overall last year and won the Cottonwood League with a perfect record of 5-0. The Minutemen season ended with a 25-7 loss to Cantwell in the first round of the CIF Division 11 playoffs. This year the Minutemen have moved to the Mesquite League with the Christian schools – Western, Linfield, Whitter and Arrowhead along with Big Bear.
The Minutemen are returning the big two on offense – quarterback Luke McNulty and running back Miles O’Malley. The two combined for over 2,700 yards last season. O’Malley rushed for 1.031 yards and 16 touchdowns while McNulty threw for 1,688 yards and 22 scores. Both players will lead the way as seniors. Juniors Bradley Loiacano and Niko Vergara will give McNulty a couple of nice targets to throw to. Loiacano caught 24 passes for 463 yards and four touchdowns while Vergara hauled in 22 for 388 and five scores. Both will play on the defensive side of the ball as well.
Maranatha opens the season Friday night August 23 at home against Lakeside. Circle Saturday September 7 on your calendars. The Minutemen are at CIF Defending champion Rio Hondo Prep. On paper this is a must see.
View From the North
Northview made headlines recently when the three Lucero brothers, Isaiah, Robert and Ezekiel all transferred in from Damien. Although it is a big splash for the Vikings, make no mistake the Vikes were already good. Erik Jimenez returns behind center. Last year he threw for 1,941 yards and 17 touchdowns. Keanu Tauvao, who split carries last year with Angel Barraza, is back and will be relied upon heavily to tote the rock with Barraza graduated. Last season Tauvao had 169 carries for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. With Jimenez throwing and Tauvao running the Vikings will have a balanced attack.
Up front Gabe Velasco, Nathan Warner and Angel Corona return on the offensive line. Warner and Velasco will anchor the D-Line as well along with Isaiah Limas and Matt Gonzalez- both returners. Staying with the defense, Byron Tovar and Rudy Velasquez return on the linebacking unit which makes for a stout front 7.
CJ Carrillo will be at cornerback for Northview and will also spell Tauvao at running back. Alek Sanchez is an impact player who will be on both sides of the ball at wide receiver and defensive back.
Northview is heading back to Las Vegas this year. Marcel Perez’ team will play in Vegas in the season opener and will return to battle South Hills, Glendora, Covina and Village Christian in non-league games before hosting Diamond Ranch in the Valle Vista League opener.
The Valle Vista has gone through a realignment this year. Northview will join San Dimas, Diamond Ranch, West Covina, Baldwin Park and Alta Loma to form one of the most competitive leagues in the area.
The Vikings will be right in the mix and of course so will the Luceros. They will have a huge impact. And with the pieces that Northview already had in place, it could be a special season.
Rio Good
Did you know that running back Nate Curtis, receiver Tyler Dang, RB/LB Noah Penunuri and LB/FB Caeden Holcomb, all important cogs in last year’s Rio Hondo Prep CIF championship team that went 13-2 overall, are all back this season? Mark Carson’s squad is looking to have another special season down at Kare Park.
The Kares will open the season Saturday August 24 at home against Parker. And of course the Maranatha game on September 7 is huge. With the Gold Coast League consisting of only three teams and Campbell Hall suddenly dropping the football program, Rio Hondo Prep will play a nine-game schedule.
The Mater Dei Nine
Not necessarily in our coverage area but interesting to note that Mater Dei…The Mater Dei…is playing only a nine-game schedule. After months of searching for another opponent Mater Dei was unable to secure a tenth team to fill out the schedule. Former Long Beach Poly/ Warren/ St. Anthony head coach Raul Lara is the new head coach at Mater Dei.
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Look for Girls Flag Football to be added to the Mid Valley Sports coverage this season. After limited action last year we expect it to blow up this year as many more teams are poised to jump in. St. Paul’s schedule is already posted. Everybody loves football!
That’s my principle.
Tim can be reached at tim.midvalleysports@gmail.com or on Twitter @tspeterson40, Facebook – Tim Peterson
Until Maranatha commits to a better run defense it won’t matter. They have had a good offense every year but SG exposed them and then cantwell saw the recipe and repeated. Rio will rush for 300 on them.