B.J. Lee and his offensive line were dominant against South Hills
Thursday and Friday aren’t enough. Last week I was out on Saturday night too. When I saw that Diamond Ranch, the CIF Southeast Division runner up for the last two years, was at home I had to be there.
Thoughts and observations from week two:
The Price is Right
Diamond Ranch gave up three touchdowns in the fourth quarter in a loss to Elsinore but Chase Price was phenomenal for the Panthers. The senior, who is headed to San Diego State on a football scholarship next fall, chewed up huge chunks of yardage on the ground and also made several big receptions coming out of the slot.
Every time the Panthers needed something special Price was the go to guy.
“That’s why he’s going to SDSU next year,” said Diamond Ranch Coach Roddy Layton “He ran the ball hard.”
Marquise Cherry and Jacoby Carter also stood out of D-Ranch. Losses to Santa Margarita, Damien and Elsinore make the Panthers that much better in the Hacienda League.
Bulldogs Bite Huskies
It wasn’t a matter of who carried the ball for West Covina last Thursday night against South Hills. It was a matter of who didn’t. B.J. Lee, Jimmy Frazier, Charles Tucker, Chris Solomon, Aaron Salgado, George Johnson and Josh Johnson all ran the ball. Lee was the guy with three long touchdown runs and Tucker ran in a pair also but West Covina had so many weapons at their disposal.
Coach Mike Maggiore only called Solomon’s number only once against South Hills – the same Solomon who blew up for over two hundred yards the week before in a win over Venice. Jimmy Frazier has to be the best number four back in the valley.
Tucker’s brother, Isaac (class of 2008) is currently attending NE Oklahoma State. Ricky Johnson and Jesse Illi, who powered the Bulldogs ground game last year, are carrying the rock at Citrus College.
Oilers Overlooked?
The record says 0-3 but if Montebello gets a stop at Arroyo and break against Rosemead the Oilers could be 2-1. Montebello had problems scoring in the red zone but Arroyo’s defense gets some of the credit for that.
Arroyo Coach Jim Singiser called it before the game. “What were you thinking picking us 31-7?” Singiser said. “I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop. So far we’ve done everything right. And Montebello almost beat Rosemead.”
It took two touchdowns in the last three and half minutes to get the job done. Eddie Federico was great stepping in for Steven Rivera but lost in the shuffle were the clutch catches made by Hunter Duran and Anthony Miller.
Looking at the Almont, Schurr has yet to win, Alhambra is 1-2 and Bell Gardens got beat 48-0 in the opening game. Montebello might just be the team to sneak in.
Do Goes Down
Terrible break for San Marino this week as Kwame Do went down with an ACL injury. With Morgan Myers and Ryan Wood the Titans should be okay but it’s always tough to see an injury cut short a promising season. Do was having a huge game against La Salle prior to getting hurt.
The Titans should call Maggiore and make a deal for a running back.
Biased View?
I don’t mind all the noise the Mt. View honks are making about the Vikings on the message boards but I’m not buying it. Take a step back and put in perspective. The Vikes beat Bassett in overtime and lost to Sierra Vista. No disrespect to either school but that’s not exactly Charter Oak and Oaks Christian.
With Hoover, Keppel and Bell- Jeff left on the non league docket it will be awhile until we know what’s up with the View. When will we? On October 15. That’s when the Vikes take on El Monte at Jack Barton Field in the opening game of league. El Monte is a team Mt. View has to beat to have a shot at the playoffs.
Week Three Barnburners
West Covina at Glendora (Citrus College)
Bonita at Baldwin Park
Covina at Walnut
Monrovia at San Dimas
Arcadia at Temple City
Regardless of records “The Brawl for the Mall” is always huge.
That’s my principle.
Tim can be reached at tspeterson32@yahoo.com.
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