MidValleySports.Com

Baldwin Park looking good in the Hacienda.

By Tim Peterson

Anybody can win the Hacienda League. Oh sure, we can pick a favorite and try to project who’s going to finish where but all of these teams have talent and can win on any given Friday night. All the teams were at Los Altos High School Friday at Hacienda League Media Day.

Los Altos says they’re ready to go.

Baldwin Park has skill guys in quarterback Lequand “Jack Jack” Jackson and receiver Dahryion Vaughn. Diamond Bar has a good young quarterback in Ryan Manning and a strong offensive line led by senior Joe Nemeth.

West Covina, traditionally a ground and pound type team, is going to throw it around with quarterback Elias Irvin. Isaac Villescas, who does a little bit of everything for the Bulldogs is a threat at wide receiver and will play defensive back as well.

Ryan Manning and Diamond Bar are anxious to kick it off.

Chris Williams, a great offensive mind, has taken over as the head coach at Covina. He has a good young quarterback in Ethan Hayes. Chris Muro, a senior who plays strong safety and has grown up in the Covina program, returns as well.

Luke Rodriguez has taken the baton from Diego Castillo at quarterback for Los Altos. He has had a great summer and is looking forward to a successful year. He has some nice targets in Benjamin Cortez and Alonzo Guerrero.

South Hills has a big front line.

South Hills has two linemen that look like they should be playing in the Big Ten. Dominic Gonzalez and Cody Tuitoelau are going to pave the road and protect quarterback Fabian Marez. Max Rodriguez, a receiver who transferred in from Upland, stands 6’4″ and is going to be a nightmare for defensive backs.

It’s hard to pick anybody to win this league and rest assured nobody is going to run away with it. They may be beating each other up every week. It will come down to who is the last man (team) standing.

West Covina may air it out on offense.

But we have to make a projection. That’s what were supposed to do right?

Here’s how we see it. Don’t bet the farm

Covina can jump up and bite somebody.

Hacienda League: Projected order of finish.

1. Baldwin Park

Head Coach – Robert Maxie

Key Players: Lequand “Jack Jack” Jackson QB, Dahryion Vaughn WR/DB, Cobey Lacy OL/C, Isaiah Rodriguez LB, Joseph Puente OL/DL, Jacory Coleman WR/RB, Choyce Hampton RB, Donovan St. Cyr WR.

2. Los Altos

Head Coach – Dale Ziola

Key Players: Luke Rodriguez QB, Arthur Estrada OL/DL, Evan Rojas RB, Benjamin Cortez WR, Alonzo Guerrero WR.

3. Diamond Bar

Head Coach – Matt Castaneda

Key Players: Ryan Manning QB, Joe Nemeth OL, Joseph Oliva DB/WR, Chris Lin OL, Elliot James WR

4. South Hills

Head Coach – Jacob Calderon

Key Players: Fabian Marez QB, Dominic Gonzalez OL/DL, Cody Tuitoelau OL/DL, Jesse Perez LB, Jacob Gallardo WR.

5. West Covina

Head Coach – Bai Kabba

Key Players: Elias Irvin QB, Isaac Villescas WR/DB, Moses Gogue WR/DB, Owen Reid OL/DL Julian Duran OL/DL.

6. Covina

Head Coach – Chris Williams

Key Players: Chris Muro SS, Adrian Mendoza OLB, Nick Jimenez OL, Ethan Hayes QB, Cortavion Stewart PL/DL.