Arroyo QB Steven Rivera getting ready for the Mid Valley Classic
(El Monte) – It was the typical Wednesday night practice for Arroyo as they got ready for the Mid Valley Classic with Temple City. But it is anything but a typical year.
Usually the battle with the Rams kicks off the season for both teams but the Knights already have a game under the belts.
Arroyo took care of Ontario 35-14 in zero week last Friday night. Even though Arroyo started off a little slow Coach Jim Singiser was satisfied with the results.
“Ontario has some pretty good athletes. I figured we could get to them in the third and fourth quarters and that’s exactly what we did,” Singiser said. “I wasn’t really concerned about it at halftime. I just told them they had to step up.”
This week the Knights will have to step up against a Temple City team that has gone through several changes since last year. The Rams have a new coach, a new quarterback, new running backs and a new offensive line.
Mike McFarland has taken over for Anthony White as head coach. White left for Buena Park and McFarland, who was at Pasadena last year, came on in May to coach the green and gold.
While the Knights have a three year starter in quarterback Steven Rivera, Temple City will go with sophomore Mike Quintanilla. The Knights are set at back with Mikey Vasquez while the Rams might have running back by committee led by Josh Simongunsong and Carlos Mota.
TC has big O-lineman in Michael Bassette but a majority of the line is young and inexperienced compared to Arroyo up front anchored by Omar Partida.
Despite the changes and differences, Singiser expects a tough game.
“With Temple City it’s always a good game. We saw the film of the El Monte scrimmage and I really liked they way they ran the ball,” he said. “It won’t make that much of a difference that McFarland came on late. I mean he was still there in spring. We didn’t really throw that much before May anyway. As long as you’re in the weight room in the off season you’re fine.”
Coach Jim Singsier won his 50th game last week for the Knights
Arroyo is the obvious favorite coming in. Last year the Knights pulled out a 27-24 win on a late Hail Mary from Rivera to Chris Rodriguez. In 2008 Temple City swept Arroyo winning the opener 34-0 and then 7-6 in the first round of the playoffs. Temple City leads the series all time 16-15.
Will the Knights get even or will TC pull an upset in the 2010 version of the Mid Valley Classic? Kick off is 7:00 pm at Temple City.
Leave a Reply