MidValleySports.Com

Damian Cordova and the South El Monte Eagles will battle in the Alliance League. (Photo by Duane Barker).

By Tim Peterson

While some don’t like the realignments and new leagues for 2026 others welcome it. In the MAC 12, which is a collaboration of the old Mission Valley and Almont Leagues, with a Del Rio team thrown in, teams like Mt. View, Rosemead and even Keppel now have hope. If the Vikings or the Aztecs could manage to win just a couple of league games, they could sneak into the playoffs. Each team in the conference will feature four teams which make the league games even more important. While winning a couple games will get you in, keep in mind that losing a couple could knock you out.

MAC 12 Conference

Projected order of finish: Leagues

Metro:

1. Schurr – Head Coach: David Ramos. The Spartans lost their head coach Austin Montoya to St. Paul but they have several players returning, including sophomore quarterback Jacob Torres. Longtime Schurr head coach David Ramos has stepped back in to take over for Montoya so that’s an easy transition. The Spartans went unbeaten in the Almont last year and should have enough this year to win the Metro.

2. El Rancho – Head Coach: Adrian Medrano. The Dons have been participating and succeeding in several passing leagues. Quarterback Adrian Lopez has had a nice summer. El Rancho lost only one Del Rio league game last year – to La Serna – and will be in the hunt for a league title once again.

3. Bell Gardens – Head Coach: Chris Griego. Rudy Ramirez stepped down after last season but Chris Griego, who was a co-head coach with Ramirez last year will take over and is familiar with the program. The Lancers went 4-1 in the Almont, losing only to Schurr. If they can knock off the Spartans or El Rancho this year they have an outside shot at the title.

4. El Monte – Head Coach: Hector Spathias. The Lions roared to the Mission Valley title last year going unbeaten in league. But now they find themselves in a new league and have lost several key players to graduation. The Lions will be challenged to make the playoffs.

Alliance:

1. Montebello – Head Coach: Pete Gonzalez. The Oilers advanced all the way to the CIF Division 13 championship game last year before falling to Woodbridge. They return quarterback Joe Curiel and running back Donovan Murillo. The Oilers, in the right division, could make another run.

2. South El Monte – Head Coach: Frank Gallardo. The Eagles not only advanced to the CIF Division 14 title game last season but they also brought home the hardware – their first ever CIF championship for football. South was hit hard by graduation but the Eagles do return quarterback Michael Maldonado and running back Damian Cordova. The matchup with Montebello should be a barn burner with both teams having made extended CIF runs last year. If the Eagles can win that game, the league title could be theirs.

3. San Gabriel – Head Coach: Ray Torres. The Matadors finished 7-3 overall last year but 2-3 in the Almont and missed the playoffs. They would need a big win over Montebello or South to make it this year. The Mats need to shore up their defense. They gave up 54 points to the Oliers last year on the last week of season that knocked them out of the post season.

4. Alhambra – Head Coach: Mike Mackintosh. The Moors went 1-4 last season in the Almont but did manage to make the playoffs and won a couple of games in Division 14 before falling to Anaheim. They may be able to jump up and bite somebody in league and slide into the playoffs.

Conference 12:

1. Arroyo – Head Coach: Jim Singiser. The realignment was based on how schools performed in the last two seasons. Two years ago Arroyo made the playoffs but lost in the first round. Last year they missed the playoffs all together. As a result the Knights landed in the bottom tier of the MAC 12 Conference. They had numerous injuries last year including freshman quarterback Oscar Lopez who was knocked out early in the season. He’s back and ready to go this year along with the rest of the squad. With a healthy squad and realignment this should be Arroyo’s league to lose.

2. Rosemead – Head Coach: Dwayne Wright. Keep in mind Rosemead actually beat Arroyo last year. The Panthers are improved and have a new head coach in Dwayne Wright. They should be good for at least second place.

3. Mt. View – Head Coach: Mark Paredes. This league will benefit the Vikings but the question is can they get over the hump? They would need to beat either Arroyo or Rosemead to get in the playoffs and that might be too much to ask. With Mark Paredes at the helm the Vikes will be better but they may need a break or two along the way.

4. Keppel – Head Coach: Robert Gonzales. Does this league and realignment give Keppel hope? Yes. Will it happen this year? Probably not. If the Aztecs (yes, it’s still Aztecs for now) can get at least one win (in league or non-league) this season it could get something started going forward. Keppel has been getting out for passing leagues the past couple of years which is positive. You have to start somewhere.