MidValleySports.Com

Tim Peterson

By Tim Peterson

Wildcats Close at Pioneer

In what could be the last major local passing league tournament of the summer last Saturday, Monrovia advanced to the finals where the Wildcats lost LA High. Monrovia receiver Michael Washington, a junior, was named the MVP of the tourney.

“We blew out Calvary Chapel and Pioneer in the first two rounds of the playoff and then beat a scrappy Saddleback Valley team to reach the finals,” said Monrovia assistant Jacob Ochoa. “LA beat Long Beach Cabrillo as time ran out to reach the final game.”

LA was a team the Wildcats matched up well against when it comes to athletes.

“We had beaten them the first time before losing the rematch. They are probably the most talented team we will see all year – maybe even in the CIF playoffs. We beat them on the last play of the game when we stopped them from converting a two-point conversion to seal the win,” Ochoa continued.

“But in the Final we went back and forth but ultimately they had too much speed and skill. They wore us down and beat us by two scores. Overall it was a good day and really good to see a team with that much speed.”

The Cats still have speed to burn with athletes such as Washington despite losing three key players who transferred.

Interesting note though, linebacker, Malcolm Weston, who supposedly transferred to Cathedral, was at Monrovia’s practice as recently as last week.

In the Rio Hondo in 2016, it’s logical to think Monrovia will be better and that San Marino will come back to the pack. But it’s just a question of how much better the Cats are and how far the Titans will come back.

Remember the Titans

When you lose guys like seniors Carson Glazier, JP Shohfi and Aiden Santino, as San Marino did in June, it’s not easy to find replacements. With Shohfi, you’re talking about one of the best players in the state, let alone Southern California. But make no mistake the Titans cupboard isn’t bare. Blake Cabot, who led San Marino to a win over Sierra Canyon last year in the state playoff game, will step in full time for Glazier, and there still are capable offensive threats such as running back Michael Chan and receiver, Jadyn Torres. And did you know there’s another Shohfi? Cornerback Caleb Shohfi will be a junior.

And of course there’s Mike Hobbie. Hobbie, who was a virtual unknown to the San Gabriel Valley when he first took over in 2011 is now arguably one of the the best coaches in the area. He’ll come up with something.

The Cowboy Way

Chino, which is a becoming a popular pick to make some serious noise in Division 8, if not win it all together, will be tested early in its non league schedule. The Cowboys open at Damien and then travel to Baldwin Park. They will then host Hillcrest, Los Osos and Greg Gano’s Don Lugo Conquistadores. If nothing else the ‘Boys should be ready for the Hacienda League.

That’s my principle.

Tim can be reached at tim@midvalleysports.com or on Twitter @tspeterson40.