MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

The Hacienda League may be the most competitive league in the area. There is no clear cut favorite and nearly every team has a shot. We have Covina finishing first and Los Altos fifth but that could easily be reversed. Diamond Bar second and South Hills fourth? Okay but both teams could win league. Here we go.

Projected order of finish:

Covina: Last Year 8-3 (4-1, tied for 1st in Hacienda) Head Coach Joe Brown

The Jake Duronslet era has ended in Covina after four years. But the Colts have a quarterback ready to go in Roy Vasquez. He’s had a great summer and is ready and willing to seize the opportunity. Running back Gatsbee Gumban, and receivers Kevin Perez and Matt Chavez will be key components in the offense as well.

Defensively linebacker Gabe Aldana and defensive backs Chris Muro and Aiden Ayala are all playmakers that will make a difference. Defensive lineman Gabriel Marin-Vargas is the stopper up front.

The Colts did lose some talent but have plenty coming back. It could be enough to carry them to a Hacienda League title.

Diamond Bar: Last Year 3-7 (3-2, 3rd in Hacienda) Head Coach Matt Castaneda

Diamond Bar won only three games last year but all of them were in league. The Brahmas need at least one more victory in the Hacienda to secure a playoff spot. Sean Thompson is a two-way player and will line up at running back and linebacker. Last season he rushed for 206 yards but made his biggest impact defensively with 110 tackles. Dominic Tortorelli will also play both ways. Last season Tortorelli rushed for 275 yards and two scores.

Dominic Deguzman will line up at receiver and safety. Last year he had two interceptions.

The Brahmas lost quarterback Quinton Mendoza to graduation but will look to either Daniel Ribeiro or Jayden Wong to step in.

Diamond Bar opens with El Dorado and Claremont at home. They will kickoff league play October 3 at home against Walnut.

Chino: Last Year 5-7 (4-1, tied for 1st in Hacienda) Head Coach: Alex Arellano

Chino lost some skill position players to graduation. Running back Raymond Chia returns after rushing for 484 yards and two touchdowns last season, but the Cowboys will have a new quarterback to run the show.

Defensively the Cowboys should be fine. Outside linebacker Grant Vasquez had 38 total tackles last year. Vasquez will also line up at tight end. Middle linebacker Isaiah Contreras will join Vasquez bringing his 57 tackles with him. Johnny Navarro had 41 tackles a year ago and is set at defensive end.

Alex Arellano took over as head coach after Joey LaRosa stepped down. The Cowboys could finish anywhere from first to sixth. The Hacienda is wide open at this point. We like them for third if things go their way. Stay tuned.

South Hills: Last Year 5-6 (3-2, tied for 3rd in Hacienda) Head Coach Jacob Calderon

South Hills finished 3-2 last year and qualified for the playoffs before falling in the first round. The Huskies may be ready to take that next step.

Quarterback Fabian Marez, who can run and throw, returns as well as running back Sebastian Morinaga. Tyler Arguinzoni will be called upon as well to carry the rock giving the Huskies a solid running attack. Jacob Gallardo will be at wide receiver to haul in Marez’ throws along with Isaiah Castellano.

Javier Ferreya returns and will be the main man along the offensive and defensive lines.

South Hills will be right in the mix once again for a playoff spot. If 3-2 in league can turn into 4-1 the Huskies will be in great shape.

South Hills opens the season Friday August 22 against El Rancho at SoFi Stadium.

Los Altos: Last Year 4-6 (1-4, 5th in Hacienda) Head Coach Dale Ziola

Los Altos has several key players returning including quarterback Diego Castillo. The Conquerors have the talent to contend for a league title or they could finish in the middle of the pack.

Here are the key players:

Offense:

Diego Castillo, QB, Sr 65% comp 2,042 yds, 14 TDs, 534 rush yds 9 TDs
Gavin Flores, WR, Sr 172 yds 1 TD
Josiah Cortez, WR, Sr 141 yds 2 TDs
Evan Rojas, RB, Jr 143 yds, 5 TDs, 124 rec yds, 1 TD
Art Vargas, OL, Jr 6’3 260 lbs
Ben Cortez, WR, Jr, played mostly D last year, expect big contribution on both sides

Defense:

Jan Soto, LB, Sr 53 Tkls 3 TFL
Noel Trejo-Zepeda, Sr 52 Tkls, 2.5 TFL Int, FR, Blk Kick
Marques Garcia, DB, Sr 44 Tkls, 2 INT, 4 PBU, FR, Blk Kick
Adan Rodriguez, DL, Sr 42 Tkls, 4 TFL, Sack
Gavin Flores, DB, Sr 34 Tkls, INT, 3 PBU
Josiah Cortez, DB, Sr 21 Tkls, 2 PBU, FF
Evan Rojas, LB, Jr 46 Tkls, 13.5 TFLs, 5.5 Sacks, INT, 6 PBU, 2 FR, 2 FF
Ben Cortez, DB, Jr 19 Tkls, 2 PBU
Nick Castillo, LB, So 107 Tkls, 6.5 TFLs, 3 INTs, 2 PBU

Newcomers:
No Transfers:
Gilbert Sosa, OL/DL, Jr- best Lineman off last year’s JV team
Jake Acuna, OL/DL, So- best Lineman off last year’s Freshmen team
Nathaniel Sanchez, RB/DB, Jr- JV MVP

“We expect to be in the running for the league title and a play-off push. Despite losing our two most decorated players from last year’s team, we return a lot of experience, having learned a lot from last year, and have some very good risers from the last year’s successful lower-level teams (JV was 7-3 & the freshmen have not lost a game in 2 years [tied two last year]),” said Los Altos head coach Dale Ziola.

“The kids have been hard at work. The vibe is positive, needle moving in the right direction on campus. It shows in the weight room and numbers on the practice field. Should be our best season of this decade, thus far.”

Walnut: Last Year 4-6 (0-5, 6th in Hacienda) Head Coach Eric Peralta

Walnut had a rough time last year coming up winless in the Hacienda. The Mustangs do have some returning players that will try to get them back on track but they will have a new quarterback in Nohlen Simmons.

Here are the key players:

LB/RB Damian Banuelos, WR/DB Keneh Ejike, WR Aamir Zayid, OL Michael Reyes, OL Bobby Sotelo, DL/OL Chase Malaiba

DL Myles Gleicher, LB Noah Solis. LB Chris Mardueno, DB Jacob Rodriguez

The Mustangs have the talent to bounce back and get a couple of league wins. The question is can they get enough to secure a playoff spot?