By Tim Peterson
The Dodgers are signing every available star, the Lakers just made a blockbuster trade and rumors are hovering over the Rams so of course that means we need to talk some High School football.
The Kansas City Chiefs couldn’t three-peat but you know who can? Rio Hondo Prep.
Did you know the Kares have Noah Penunuri and his nearly 2000 rushing yards returning? That alone puts Rio Hondo Prep in the championship hunt. But wait there’s more!
Key players like receiver Tyler Dang, quarterback Yanick Diaz, fullback/linebacker Nathaniel Shine and lineman (offensive and defensive) Elijah Grijalva are all back as well.
Penunuri the Mid Valley Sports Player of the Year, carried the team at times and as hard as he works, could be even better. Him, along with the rest of the crew puts the Kares in prime position for a third straight title run.
Throw in MVS Coach of the Year Mark Carson and they’re all set. KC didn’t do it but RHP just might.
Did you know that the Kares open the season at home against Schurr? I know where I’ll be for Zero Week.
Speaking of Schurr new head coach Austin Montoya is ready to rock. Montoya, who served two different stints under David Ramos, is chomping at the bit to get started. Montoya said he’s going to reach out to former legendary Spartan head coach Ken Davis to get tips and advice on how the program should be run.
Humble but determined, this guy is ready to go. Montoya was so pumped about getting the job I thought he was a Schurr alum. But no, he went to Salesian. However he’s now a Spartan through and through.
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You know football season is getting closer…didn’t it just end?…when passing leagues are being mentioned. Arroyo and Monrovia have both posted on Twitter (X) that they are seeking passing league opponents for this spring.
Also the 7v7 and 5v5 showcase at Baldwin Park is set for June 28 Braves head coach Robert Maxie posted. Let the passing games begin.
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Arroyo is jumping back in feet first as the band has reunited. Jim Singiser, Chris MacMillan, Chuck Leonardis…the whole crew is back on the Knights stage. Heck, I’m sure you’ll even see “The Wolf” roaming the sidelines at B.L. Bergstrom Stadium.
Arroyo has immediately vaulted to the top as the favorite to win the Mission Valley League but this is good news. A solid Arroyo team makes the whole league better.
Everybody is stepping up their game. El Monte is getting better each year under Hector Spathias, South El Monte just wrapped up a perfect MVL season last year and things have gotten really interesting at Mt. View.
The Vikings just made a huge hire in Mark Paredes. When I first heard that Paredes was in the mix to take the head coaching job at View I thought it would fall through. I mean Paredes? Mt. View? This is a guy that coached at Damien and won a CIF title…at Bishop Amat. And he’s now watching football on his couch from his living room or roaming a golf course somewhere enjoying retirement. So why would he take a job at Mt. View?
Whatever the reason the bottom line is that he did and now everybody in the MVL is on notice. The narrative has always been that all Mission Valley League kids are the same. Arroyo, South El Monte, Mt. View, El Monte, Rosemead…all the same kid but the difference was coaching. In this instance it wasn’t necessarily the Jimmys and Joes but the Xs and Os. And if a school like Mt. View, that has traditionally struggled, got a coach…an experienced successful coach…like a D.J. Mackinnon, a Steve Bogan, a Mike Maggiore or yes a Mark Paredes…the program would turn around. Now we’ll get to find out. Can’t wait.
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There are several head coaching jobs still open including West Covina, Glendora, San Gabriel and Don Lugo. So the question is will the first passing league take place before all of the positions are filled?
That’s my principle.
Tim can be reached at tim.midvalleysports@gmail.com or Twitter (X) @tspeterson40. Facebook-Tim Peterson
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Something I mentioned when we adopted the competitive equity model is that this would be the end of dynasties and repeat champions. When nearly every team in the bracket has an equal shot of a title, the odds of winning back to back titles is small, winning 3 in a row is next to impossible. I have a ton of faith in our program though but it will take a Herculean effort, plus plenty of luck, to do it again. Week 0 against Schurr will be a good test to start the season. I can’t remember a more exciting week 0 game for us.
Singiser’s return is great for football in the area and the MVL. Don’t call it a rebuilding year, his guys will be ready to go. I’m glad he finally gets his new turf field as well. I grew up in El Monte and love the community, it’s a special league.
SG being back Kevin
Never seen a school so small (as RHP) create such a ruckus. But that’s a good thing, even an incredible thing. Hopefully, if they win 3 in a row and start using that three-peat phrase heavily, they won’t get in hot water with Pat Riley, who owns the copyright on that combination of words. I’d advise the school to play it safe and do what Peterson does every time he uses the phrase: wire Riley $1000 with a note offering best wishes.