MidValleySports.Com

Early Exams

How good is Crescenta Valley’s Brian Gadsby? The Falcons quarterback completed 15 of 27 passes for 199 yards and six touchdowns against Verdugo Hills. Tonight he’ll be tested by the San Marino defense.

Whittier Christian matches up with Whittier Friday night. Last year the Cardinals ran all over the Heralds for 262 yards and a 33-19 victory. In that contest Whittier ran 49 running plays and only passed eight times. They figure to test the Whittier Christian defense again.

Bassett and El Monte meet, both teams are 0-2, neither team expected to be. Add to the mix EM Alum Jerry Urias serving as OC for the Olympians and you’ve got the stage set in Lions Country.

Note: El Monte HC Joel Sanchez has never lost to Bassett…

Note II: El Monte has never before played Bassett…

San Dimas (0-2) at Diamond Bar (0-2) Friday night: The last time the Saints started a season 0-3 was in 2005…but that year they started 0-5.

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Bishop in Play

There’s Bishop Diego, Bishop Amat, Joey Bishop, Stephen Bishop, but lost in the shuffle quite often is the Del Rey League’s Bishop Montgomery.

The Knights have opened the season 2-0 and have outscored opponents (Desert Mirage & Contreras) 73-6. Friday night, after missing opportunities in the first half, they were able to turn an 8-0 lead into a 25-0 victory over Contreras. Leading the way was running back Robbie Hou rushing for 250 yards on 29 carries. They also received solid play at quarterback from Louie Soto.

Ed Hodgkiss, formerly of the head coach of the Los Angeles Avengers, serves as B-Mont’s HC.

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Deacon Jones Honorees

Top 10 Leaders in Sacks:

Estevan Gonzalez (Workman) 7, Jabril Frazier (Verbum Dei) 5, Breland Brandt (Windward) 4.5, Malachi Allen (El Rancho) 4, Jaron Reed (Northview) 4, Tevita Sina (Los Altos 4, Jose Zamudio (Workman) 4, Thomas Loy (Bonita) 3.5, David Tolmachoff (Los Altos) 3.5, —Numerous tied with three sacks, but here are three from La Serna: Javon Thompson, Kevin Ramos, Luis Camacho.

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Fan-Vote: Top Performer Week One

By fan vote Paraclete quarterback Bret Nelson was the overwhelming winner of this past weekend’s poll as the top performer.

Nelson, in his first year as a starter, completed 13 of 19 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for two more as the Spirits rolled by Burroughs 45-14.

Top Performers:

Week Zero: Arcadia QB Joey Harmon.

(Following Friday’s game a new poll will be put up…if someone had a great game let us know…and vote in the poll.)

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“…And Friends Are Friends Forever, if…”

MVS staffer Joe Torosian was confronted in a local supermarket this week:

Parent: “So you guys at Mid Valley always play favorites?”

Joe T.: “We do.”

Parent: “How do you get to become a Mid Valley Sports favorite?”

Joe T.: “Post your roster on MaxPreps.”

Parent: “That’s it?”

Joe T.: “No, post your roster, plus stats and you’ll become a dear friend.”

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Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow

It’s been a rough start for the Temple City losing its first two games against Simi Valley and Carpinteria by a combined score of 99 to 8.

However, while the Rams were getting blown out by Arroyo, 44-6, last Friday it’s JV team defeated the Knights 40-20. TC’s offense accounted for 350 yards and running back Anthony Degravina’s rushed for 216 of them.

The Rams JV is led by HC Riley Saxon (offensive coordinator), Joey Speakes is the defensive coordinator, and Cary Smith is the line and special teams coach.

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Did You Know?

Bell Gardens suffered through a 48 game losing streak in the mid-to-late 1960’s.

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Did You Know Part II

Monrovia leads its all-time series against Arcadia 20-13, which dates back to 1953 when the first meeting between the cousin schools occurred. (Arcadia was born out of Monrovia along with Duarte in the 1950’s)

Arcadia beat Monrovia for the first time on November 18, 1960, 26-13, in front of an estimated crowd of 14,000 at home. 

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Last Add Bell Gardens at El Rancho 

Twenty years ago BG got 181 yards rushing from Frank Samano on 27 carries. Samano also scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass, but kicker Robert Arredondo’s 29-yard field goal attempt with 12 seconds left gave the win to the visiting Dons.

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Singiser Under Water

Arroyo, under Jim Singiser, is 4-6 in third games played in a season.

In 2012 the Knights lost to Los Altos, beat Temple City, and then lost to La Puente

In 2013 the Knights lost to Los Altos, beat Temple City, and travel to La Puente.

Note: If you are looking for trends, Arroyo held TC to six points in each of the last two years.

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Those College Guys

Azusa Goes to Dixie

APU opens GNAC (Great Northwest Athletic Conference) play this weekend at Dixie State which is located in St. George, Utah. People are coming to know about running back Terrell Watson, but another player worth watching (among many) is Cougar free safety Tyler Thornton. He’s special.

Listed Locals on APU Roster: Andrew Elffers (Maranatha), Christian Caraveo (Alhambra), Ricky Vichot (Warren), Alec Zenner (San Dimas), Isaac Miravet (Monrovia), Chris Auxier (Northview), Issac Miravet (Monrovia), Paul Flores (Gladstone), Jonathan Thropay (Charter Oak).

The Cougars split with Dixie in 2012. First fumbling away a 24-22 game at home, and then thanks to Jamie Cacciatore’s 24-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining they took a 23-21 decision on the road.

Going to The Palouse

Southern Utah Thunderbird quarterback Aaron Cantu (Schurr alum) has thrown five touchdown passes to lead his team to a 2-0 start this season. On Saturday he takes the field against Washington State at 4:30 PM (The contest will be shown on the PAC-12 Network).

“Rocky Mountain High…”

Rocky Mountain defeated Dickenson St. last week 56-23. Rocky, featuring former Whittier Christian alum Matt Hearn at left tackle is off to a 3-0 start and ranked #10 in the NAIA.

Locals:  A SoCal kid, Hector Islas from La Habra high played defensive back for Dickenson St., Jeff Houser, St. John Bosco and Cerritos college started at center for Rocky. Brendon Johnson Servite started at nose.

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Fast Starts

Maranatha quarterback Eli Snyder has thrown 7 touchdown passes to start 2013. Baldwin Park quarterback Michael Moran has thrown 6.

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Really Last Add Bell Gardens at El Rancho

Thirty years ago, in the second meeting between these rivals, BG’s Lenny Barton picked up a bad snap on a field goal and fired a touchdown pass to Johnny Salas to give the Lancers the win.

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Fan-Vote: Week Two Winners

(We asked you in a poll who you liked in this week’s games. Below are the results by vote, not points.)

San Marino 40

Crescenta Valley 19

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Burroughs 34

North Hollywood 10

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Arroyo 51

La Puente 14

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Bell Gardens 22

El Rancho 28

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Glendora 8

Bonita 50 

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Monrovia 63

Arcadia 11

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San Dimas 20

Diamond Bar 39

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Servite 54

La Mirada 8

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South Hills 22

West Covina 28

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Bassett 24

El Monte 31

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South El Monte 26

Montebello 34

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Schurr 3

La Serna 55

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Alhambra 26

Temple City 28

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Azusa 14

Maranatha 41

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Bellflower 15

Paramount 27

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Bishop Diego 31

La Salle 19

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Whittier Christian 49

Whittier 9

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Diamond Ranch 25

Ayala 23

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South Torrance 42

Rosemead 8

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Gabrielino 47

Keppel 16