By MVS Staff
After winning a CIF Division 9 Championship last year many people wondered what Rio Hondo Prep would do for an encore. Well, the Kares were even better in 2024. They won another CIF Championship but this time in Division 7.
Rio Hondo Prep beat Warren 43-16 in the CIF title game, then went on to knock off Poway 28-14 in the Division 3-A State Bowl playoff. The Kares did finally lose in the State Final to Vanden 42-41 but the game wasn’t decided until the last play of the game in overtime when Rio Hondo Prep was stopped on a two-point conversion attempt.
The Kares won the Gold Coast League and finished 13-2 overall with head coach Mark Carson leading the way. The offense was prolific featuring a running attack that was absolutely devastating to opponents. The Kares rushed for 4,973 yards and 70 touchdowns on the season and averaged just over 42 points per game.
Carson’s schemes offensively made the Kares nearly impossible to stop. Carson coached, prodded, and guided the team to not only meet last year’s expectations but exceed them by winning in a division that is two levels higher.
Some may ask ‘Hey wasn’t Carson the Mid Valley Sports Coach of the Year last season?’ The answer is yes. Yes he was. But when he’s even better the following season how can he not be again?
As Rio Hondo Prep won back-to-back CIF Titles, Mark Carson has won back-to-back Coach of the Year awards. He is our 2024 Coach of the Year.
Loading ...
Well, I just learned something new today: All teams from Northern California are by definition made up of bums. Got it.
@ Wet and Portly,
You run with the horses you have and RHP does use the forward pass when it has the QB and receivers. This team has a plethora of running backs and went to yard from a state title with 43 man squad and 71 boys enrolled in a division with 8 lower divisions thatplayed in the srate championsgips. Often, RHP would grind the clock in their favor frustrating the opponents and their defenses and simply wear out physically larger teams.
Most teams would have been thrilled to play that weekend. So come off your high horse and give credit where credit is due. I’m pretty sure you weren’t coaching any game that weekend. Quit being a (Richard).
@Total Agreement I would pick literally any other coach that knows what the forward pass is, knows how to use it, and didn’t choke away any games against pathetic nor cal bum teams. Literally anyone. Put this “coach” at any school that doesn’t have an insane talent advantage then shoved in a low division and she goes 0-11 every game running clock. These are the facts and they are not disputed.
Best football program in the valley!
Those who criticize this pick have the burden of telling us who they would select, and why. Carson is the guy in a landslide.
Congratulations to Coach Carson and the Kares on two consecutive championship seasons! Happy holidays to everyone.
nobody who refuses to participate in passing offense or defense deserves a coach of the year of the award. especially considering they choked away the championship game to one of the worst teams in nor cal. complete embarrassment to this publication and to football. some body needs to step in and correct this insanity.
From T.Peterson: Hahahahahahahahaha!