MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

Muir ran the table last year and looks ready to repeat. Burbank’s only league loss last year was to Muir and the Bulldogs are looking to get over that hump. There may be a battle for third between Crescenta Valley, Burroughs and Pasadena. Arcadia is trying to find a way to jump into the top half of the Pacific. Still challenging times for Hoover and Glendale.

Muir: Last Year 9-3 (7-0, 1st in Pacific) Head Coach Lance Mitchell

The Mustangs lost quarterback Keyon Mills to graduation but gained two more quarterbacks. Trey Gamble Jr. transferred in from Murrieta Mesa and Arthur Moreno transferred in from St. Francis. Running back Zion McDonald, who is listed simply as “athlete” in his bio, ran for 767 yards and nine touchdowns last year. McDonald will also play defense lining up in the secondary and will be a big part of everything the Mustangs do. Alijah Parker returns after rushing for 982 yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago.

Aaron Simon will open holes for the running attack and will play on the defensive line as well.

Muir looks like the cream of the Pacific. Head Coach Lance Mitchell has the program rolling. It will take a monumental effort to knock the Stangs out of the driver’s seat.

Burbank: Last Year 9-3 (6-1 2nd in Pacific) Head Coach Hector Valencia

Burbank bounced back last year in Hector Valencia’s first year back at the helm. The Bulldogs are aiming for a league title this year. They will have to get by Muir. Quarterback Deshawn Laporte, who threw for 2,368 yards and 28 touchdowns is back. Chase Miles will be his primary target. He had over 200 yards receiving last season but will take on more of a number one receiving role this year. Elijah Pendleton will be the mainstay at running back. Last season he rushed for 876 yards and seven touchdowns.

Burbank has the weapons offensively and it has shown all summer in passing leagues. The Bulldogs biggest hurdle will be knocking off the Mustangs.

Crescenta Valley: Last Year 5-6 (4-3, tied for 3rd in Pacific) Head Coach Hudson Gossard

Crescenta Valley has a dual threat quarterback in Xavier Thompson. Thompson who in recent years has played receiver and defensive back is now stepping in behind center.

“We figured he’s a great athlete so why not get the ball in his hands full time and see what he can do,” said Crescenta Valley head coach Hudson Gossard.

The Falcons also have Torn Blunt (cool name) to protect Thompson on the offensive line. Blunt will play on the defensive line also.

This is the first year Crescenta Valley will play all of its home games on campus after recently having lights installed. After years of playing at Glendale High School the Falcons will play on their own turf.

“This is huge for the community. I’ve already spoken to a lot of people who said they will simply just walk down the street to attend our games,” Gossard said.

It will be even more special if the Falcons can get a playoff game at home. The CV faithful would be running, not walking to the stadium.

Pasadena: 8-7 (4-3, tied for 3rd in Pacific) Won CIF Division 13 Championship Head Coach Ron Jones

Ron Jones takes over as head coach and bam! Pasadena wins a CIF championship – the first in school history no less. Can it really be this easy? “That was last year and this is a new year”, Jones said. “Some of those players aren’t even here anymore.”

No, it wasn’t easy but it was a remarkable feat. The Bulldogs will be chasing a playoff run again but first they have to get through the Pacific.

Dutch Burbidge has had a great summer for Pasadena at quarterback. He’s more comfortable with the offense than ever before. His primary target will be Kyle Robinson who lines up at wide receiver. Zyon Mynor will play a key role for the Bulldogs up front playing on the offensive and defensive lines.

Last year Pasadena finished 4-3 in the Pacific but got hot in the post season and rolled all the way to the title. The Bulldogs are hoping they can repeat that again.

Burroughs: Last Year 6-4 (4-3, tied for 3rd in Pacific) Head Coach Jose Calzadilla

“I want to make practice harder than the games” said Burroughs head coach Jose Calzadilla. Great quote by Calzadilla, who is beginning his first year as the head coach at Burroughs.

Calzadilla has been around the program since 1999 but has now taken over as head coach. The Bears missed the playoffs last year but finished the season above .500 at 6-4.

Carson Shrode will play a big part on both sides of the ball at running back and safety. Other key players are linebacker Ryder Brown and OL/DL Rizon Williamson.

If the practices are harder than the games the Bears may work themselves right into a playoff spot. A win over rival Burbank or Muir would go a long way in accomplishing that goal.

Arcadia: Last Year 3-7 (2-5, 6th in Pacific) Head Coach Eric Elias

Arcadia will have quarterback AJ Pressnall for the entire season. That may be the biggest difference for the Apaches this year. Last year Pressnall had to sit out five games and the Apaches had players that were forced to play out of position including the quarterback. In just five games Pressnall threw for 598 yards and four touchdowns. Now he will be available for the full 10 games or maybe more.

Pressnall has a couple of nice targets to sling it to. Aiden Reyes and Ethan Long will be lining up wide. Long had 424 yards receiving last year. Long will also see time at running back and play corner and strong safety on defense.

“He’s going to be a huge factor playing on both sides of the ball,” said Arcadia head coach Eric Elias. “Him and Aiden Reyes are only juniors and are going to be crucial.”

Defensively Timmy Morales brings the heat. Morales, patrolling at linebacker, had 85 total tackles a year ago.

Elias, longtime area assistant and Arcadia alum, is beginning his second year as the Apaches head coach and feels his team is buying in.

Arcadia is on the cusp of grabbing a playoff spot. With a healthy Pressnall, a win over one of the top teams in the Pacific and a break here or there the Apaches have a shot.

Arcadia opens the season Friday night August 22 at El Monte.

Hoover: Last Year 1-9 (1-6, 7th in Pacific). Head Coach Jordan Ward

Hoover has a new head coach in Jordan Ward and with that comes new hopes and dreams. The Tornadoes have shown signs in recent years. Ward has them working hard and they know the Pacific League will be a challenge.

AJ Francisco is a talented quarterback and he returns to run the show. Arman Asaduriyan, a team captain will be an integral part of the team as well.

Hoover has beaten rival Glendale the last couple of years and is hoping to keep that going. They may need a couple more years before contending for a playoff spot.

Glendale: 1-9 (0-7, 8th in Pacific) Head Coach Manny Lemus

If Glendale can find a way to beat Hoover and notch a second league win that would be huge for the Nitros.

Brady Aldrete, Rudy Cuellar and Margo Stoychev are a few of the names that can help Glendale achieve that goal. The Nitros went winless in the Pacific last year so just one win in league would be a good place to start.

Glendale has winnable game in Week Zero with Marshall. A win there would be a great way to kick off the season.