Almont League
1.) Schurr Spartans
Head Coach: Ben Negrete
Staff: Victor Salazar OC, Marco Ramirez DC, Mike Vasquez, Peter Soto, Geoff Ackerman, Ishmael Favela, Gil Jimenez, Johnny Macias, Jermaine Jackson.
Last Year: 9-2-1
Last 5 Years: 39-21-1 overall, 22-3 league
Last Playoff Appearance: 2009 Second Round: Lost Diamond Ranch 33-27
1st Down: Schurr is clearly the best team in the Almont and a favorite in the Mid-Valley as well. It all starts with Aaron Cantu. Cantu, maybe the best quarterback in the division, returns for his senior year after throwing for over 2500 yards a year ago. Schurr will go as far as Cantu takes them.
2nd Down: Chris Chiaromonte and company have big shoes to fill.
3rd Down: Keep an eye on running back/line backer Abraham Gonzalez. Gonzalez’ favorite quote- “Show up and smack!”
4th Down: Other names to watch: RB Bradley Powell, DL Albert Perez, LB Alejandro Castro. Defensively the Spartans have always hit like a ton of bricks.
Game Plan: With Cantu and company doing their thing and a stingy defense, the Spartans could go a long way. In the newly reconfigured Mid Valley, Schurr is primed for a championship run.
Non League Schedule: Cantwell Sacred- Heart, Downey, at El Toro, at California, at St. Paul.
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2.) San Gabriel Matadors
Head Coach: Jude Oliva
Staff: Randy Sanchez DC, Matt Lopez, Mario Ayala, Robert Lopez, Bob Brown, Tony Zumida.
Last Year: 6-5
Last 5 Years: 30-25 overall, 16-9 league
Last Playoff Appearance: 2009 First Round: Lost West Covina 40-14
1st Down: It’s a new coach but the same system with former OC Oliva stepping in.
2nd Down: A fierce quarterback battle has been brewing in camp between Eric Alvarez and Andy Guerrero. Oliva finally announced on the Mid Valley Sports Show last week that Alvarez has landed the job. He’s shown poise and leadership all summer.
3rd Down: Arthur Brown will be the feature back. We know Oliva loves to air it out but 20 carries per game by Brown could open it up.
4th Down: Lineman Carlos Purser and defensive back Andres Fernandez will lead the defense for Randy Sanchez. Always potent offensively, if SG can stop people it could be a fun year.
Game Plan: The Matadors look like the second place team. How do they beat Schurr? They’ll have nine weeks to figure it out.
Non League Schedule: at Muir, South Pasadena, Burbank, Contreras, at Rosemead.
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3.) Bell Gardens Lancers
Head Coach: David Ramos
Staff: Frank Gallardo, Raul Sanchez, Clifford Bentley, Gabe Flores, Phil Dominguez, Anthony Bermunda, Xavier Pineda, Jason Carlin, Sergio Tirado, Mike Moya, Paul Robertson.
Last Year: 6-4
Last 5 Years: 27-25 overall, 13-12 leauge
Last Playoff Appearance: 2008 First Round: Lost Charter Oak 55-15
1st Down: The word on the street is that Bell Gardens is going to be a force. The Lancers return quarterback Josh Adame and running back Steve Ibarra. Adame threw for over 900 yards and Ibarra rushed for over 380 while averaging over six yards per carry.
2nd Down: Can BG play enough defense? The Lancers allowed 40 points to Montebello, 49 to San Gabriel, and 38 to Schurr.
3rd Down: The Lancers were in the hunt last year before losing three of its last four. They came up a touchdown short against Alhambra.
4th Down: In the 2008 first round playoffs, the Lancers were shelled by Charter Oak 55-15. At least they don’t have to worry about the Chargers anymore.
Game Plan: Bell Gardens traditionally stays on the ground and this year will be no different. Adame can throw the ball when he has to.
Non League Schedule: Azusa, El Rancho, Cantwell Sacred-Heart, at San Marino, at South El Monte.
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4.) Alhambra Moors
Head Coach: Lou Torres
Staff: Jacob Ochoa DC, Michael Gutierrez OL/LB, Jerry Desantis RB, Patrick Zabala DL, John Zabala QB, James Zall LB, HT Dao QB/Rec.
Last Year: 6-4
Last 5 Years: 33-20-1 overall, 15-10 league
Last Playoff Appearance: 2009 First Round: Lost Burbank 21-14
1st Down: Three year starter Darrian Cazarin is gone and the Moors have two quarterbacks vying for the quarterback spot. Junior Luis Herrera and sophomore Josh Mendoza are dueling it out.
2nd Down: George Vasquez, an out of state transfer, and Demetrius Russell will both get touches at running back and wide receiver. Russell is the best athlete on the squad.
3rd Down: O-lineman Chris Salgado is D1 material. He will also work on the defensive line along side Dominic Gonzalez – another stand out performer.
4th Down: The young Moors are still learning Torres’ double wing offense. It might take some time.
Game Plan: It will be strange to see someone other than Gil Ruedaflores on the Alhambra sideline. It might take Torres and his staff a year or two to get the Moors to where they want to be. A win over San Gabriel or Schurr would be huge.
Non League Schedule: Roosevelt, at La Canada, vs. Temple City, at Wilson, at South Pasadena.
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Oilers are hoping to make a strike this fall.
5.) Montebello Oilers
Head Coach: Pete Gonzalez
Staff: Jerry Chou DC, Michael McKay, Chris Barrios, Butch Rodriguez, Rafik Thorossian, Mike Dczike, Daniel Marquez, Gary Canales, Esai Martinez.
Last Year: 3-7
Last 5 Years: 16-34 overall, 9-16 league
Last Playoff Appearance: 2002 Second Round: Lost Walnut 28-10
1st Down: Former Temple City assistant and college quarterback Michael McKay has joined Montebello’s staff. He has a returning quarterback in Dylan Gomez who threw for close to 700 yards.
2nd Down: Joseph Marron and his 1000 yards are hard to replace. Marcus Owens will try to fill his shoes.
3rd Down: The Oilers have a brutal non league schedule.
4th Down: Gabriel Cardenas, who led the team in tackles last year, returns for his senior season.
Game Plan: The Oilers have the first three league games at home but they could be in for rude awakening in week nine at Schurr.
Non League Schedule: Bellflower, at Rosemead, Arroyo, El Rancho, at California.
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6.) Keppel Aztecs
Head Coach: Bobby Madrid
Staff: Art Aerzuluz DC, Mark Garcia, Andy Contreras
Last Year: 1-9
Last 5 Years: 4-46 overall, 0-25 league
Last Playoff Appearance: 1994 First Round : Lost
1st Down: Evan Bachman and Edson Gomez will be hard to replace.
2nd Down: Good news, bad news department: Good News: The Aztecs didn’t go winless last year. Bad news: Their one win was over Mt. View who went 0-10.
3rd Down: Incomplete pass.
4th Down: Punt.
Game Plan: The Aztecs showed some signs the last couple of years with Bachman under center. Madrid could eventually turn the tide but it’s going to be a process. More than anything Keppel needs patience.
Non League Schedule: Bassett, Workman, at Gabrielino, Sierra Vista, at Mt. View.
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