By Tim Peterson
The El Rancho project is almost finished. After years of negotiations, board meetings, financial planning and then construction, the new El Rancho facilities are at hand. April 21st will be the beginning of a new era for the Dons.
The dedication for El Rancho’s new football complex will be held that day at 5:00 p.m. The stadium will remain El Rancho High School Don Memorial Stadium. The football field, now Boise State blue, will still be called Ernie Johnson Field. The press box has been decreed by the El Rancho Unified School District Board of Trustees to be dedicated to Armie Briones.
Briones is set to start his 62nd year as the voice of the Dons. No, that’s not a misprint. Briones has been around since the sixties – yes that’s the 1960’s. Only possibly Vin Scully has sent more time in a press box with one team. Briones is an El Rancho alum, graduating in 1967. He has plenty of stories to tell and is a legend in the ER neighborhood.
The Dons’ 2025 schedule isn’t bad either. They get South Hills, Bell Gardens and West Covina right out of the gate. The first game to be played at Ernie Johnson Field with the Armie Briones Press Box will be August 29 – Week 1 against Bell Gardens. Should be an interesting ride…and the 62nd ride for Briones.
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There have been plenty of transfers as usual this off season. With the current landscape of High School football it seems like there is a one every day. One to keep an eye on though is Bishop Amat wide receiver Cam Vasquez transferring to Downey. Vasquez, who will be a senior in the fall, has been at Downey since January arriving right after the Christmas break.
He was injured last season with a hairline fracture of his foot but had a big year in 2023 and is a prospect to play at the next level. In ’23 he had 622 yards receiving and six touchdowns and was big part of the Amat offense. He’s looking to have a break-out season this year.
Downey is a good place to have a big year. With Jack Williams at the helm the Vikings are always in the mix and typically have a plethora of weapons. It also helps that Vaquez played with Downey quarterback Oscar Rios on the OC Buckeyes 14-U team. So they already know each other and have a connection.
The Vikes also picked up Elijah Rincon – OLB/Edge from Servite. Yeah, they’re going to be a problem.
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Speaking of Vikings the Northview Vikings are again poised to have a big year. Robert Lucero is expected to be behind center and his main target could be another Lucero- his brother Isaiah. Jaishon Bledsoe, who raised some eyebrows last year, will be on the other side of Isaiah Lucero and will have an impact on both sides of the ball. That’s a lot for opposing secondaries to contain.
Rudy Velazquez is a three-year starter at linebacker who will lead the defense. Matt Gonzalez at defensive end is a double-digit sack guy. Zach Garza and Andrew Ramos are young but should be effective as well. Brandon Rodriguez and William Labra return on the offensive line.
Northview did lose Keanu Tauvao to graduation but sophomore Zach Garza and seniors Dominic Munoz and Matt Gonzalez all saw time toting the rock last year and will be competing for carries this fall.
Have you seen Northview’s schedule? La Habra, Glendora, La Serna…good stuff.
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Alta Loma is officially changing their name from the Braves to the Lions. They will finish up spring sports as the Braves but May 23 will be the official start for the Alta Loma Lions. While sitting here wondering how “Braves” is offensive I did see that Baldwin Park Braves head football coach Robert Maxie posted on Twitter (X) that he thought “Bravehearts” would be nice if they were forced to change. I like it but with the word “Brave” still in the mix would that satisfy the powers that be?
There is only one name change that I’d get on board with – the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim going back to Anaheim Angels. Is that too much to ask?
That’s my principle.
Tim can be reached at tim.midvalleysports@gmail.com or on Twitter (X) – @tspeterson40. Facebook-Tim Peterson
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SG hiring Ernie Suarez former Alhambra dc
SG will have an answer next week sometime.
It does seem strange for Haggerty to even consider SG . Stipend is $5800. I’m pretty sure he could improve program beyond the Almont 3rd place , D13-14 type of success , but a huge culture gap , vis a vie Amat , that might prove very frustrating . Unless his wife works there or something like that ,
Why would Steve Hagerty want the SG job
From T. Peterson: Because he still wants to coach. It’s not that strange.
Apply on edjoin school .
@peterson who was the big time coach who applied at SG
From T. Peterson: Former Bishop Amat HC.
Bring Jude back to sg you know
No SG coaching News it’s coming to the middle of april and no coach
@Frtendly: You being a DELETED should do quite well laying on the track.
The Baldwin Park Braves should have no intention to change their name. The only people who are so-called “offended” by this name have no history or lineage to the people they say are offended. As Marcus Aurelius said, “The opinion of 10,000 men is of no value if none of them know anything about the subject.”
As far as the name of the Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim, I believe this is an attempt to pay homage to the original Angels professional baseball team; The Los Angeles Angels, the first professional baseball team in California. However, since they are no longer in Los Angeles, I’d prefer it if they go back to the California Angels!
Maybe they should have changed the name to the Gulfs of America or the Mount McKinleys to satisfy you weak and offended whiners. Maybe a loser Confederate general. I recommend that you read ‘The psychosocial effects of Native American mascots: a comprehensive review of empirical research findings.’ Let me guess: you probably think that scientific research is woke?
How far will we have to go to satisfy the weak and offended minority that, among other things, believes BRAVES is offensive? Ridiculous.
Dignitaries who chose to attend, the inauguration will have 15 toilets available, if they are all full you can DELETED
Dignitaries planning to attend the ER gala should plan their restroom needs ahead of the event, as the toilets will not be installed by the 21st. Perhaps outhouses will be provided for the more stout-hearted.