MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

It’s always an awesome feeling seeing someone that you covered in high school playing at the next level, but to see them in the NFL that’s a whole different story. A couple guys from Downey have done exactly that.

When former Downey running back Emari Demercado made the Arizona Cardinals roster this week it was extra special. Not only did Demercado make it to the NFL he was also joining Jalen Thompson, who is also a Downey alum and is also with the Arizona Cardinals.

Thompson graduated from Downey in 2016 and went on to play at Washington State before being drafted by the Cardinals in 2019. Demercado played at Saddleback College before going to TCU and moving on to the NFL. Now the former Downey Vikings teammates are reunited with the Cardinals…cool story.

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We knew the fall off at Pasadena would be significant but the Bulldogs have been outscored 129-0 in their first two game. Ouch!

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I wouldn’t call Covina a surprise. The Colts a have a third-year starting quarterback in Jake Duronslet and some talented players in running back Joseph Rangel, linebacker Joaqui Barragan and receiver Adrian Rachal. But the Colts have exceeded expectations outscoring their first two opponents 82-14. We’ll know a lot more about the Colts when they face Diamond Bar, also 2-0, Thursday night at Covina District Field.

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I was asked why I wasn’t covering Cantwell in Zero Week. My response was that Cantwell was playing Village Christian and it might not be easy on the eyes for the Cardinal faithful. Village Christian won 51-0. Then I was asked why I wasn’t covering Cantwell the following week against Montebello. Well Montebello just beat Baldwin Park, a team which had a great summer, so I was expecting a similar result only to a lesser extent. Cantwell beat the Oilers 12-0. Well, alrighty then. You convinced me. Our very own Rich Whittington will be out at Cantwell Friday night to see the Cards take on La Canada. Again I picked against Cantwell instead opting for a Spartan team that is 2-0. The Cantwell coaching staff is probably using it as bulletin board material as we speak. Stay tuned…

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Couple of take aways from the Arroyo-San Marino game last Friday night. The Knights are historically a pass happy team. Against the Titans the run was the first option. Also the Knights were rotating their quarterbacks sometimes on every series. Joe Reyes started but alternated with Dillon Sequin. Reyes is the senior but Sequin, junior, saw plenty of action as well. The Knights never did get it going offensively turning the ball over five times in a 26-6 loss.

The Knights don’t have much time to figure things out as they travel to Schurr Friday night.

Arroyo is still considered the favorite in the Mission Valley League but the door is open. Rosemead is off to a rough start but El Monte (1-1)) and South El Monte (2-0) may step up and bite the Knights. No, I didn’t forget about Mt. View which is also 2-0 but the jury still out on the Vikings until league play starts.

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Speaking of La Canada and San Marino the Rio Hondo League is wide open. The Spartans and the Titans are both 2-0 as are the South Pasadena Tigers who surprised Schurr in Zero Week. Monrovia was belted by Bonita in opening week. Steve Bogan and the Bearcats have a good team…very good. But the Wildcats did give up 56 points and South Pas and La Canada have potent offenses. Like the MVL, with Arroyo, the Rio Hondo may not be all green this year.

The Cats get El Rancho (2-0) on Friday night at home. No easy task.

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If you talk to St. Paul head coach Mike Moschetti, anything short of a victory is not acceptable, but to lose to Bishop Amat on the road by one point in your first season at the helm is a win. Moschetti will dwell on the mistakes this week, the missed extra points, missed opportunities etc. however that’s a game where St. Paul can walk away with its heads held high.

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I’m hearing that the Sierra Vista (Las Vegas) team that Northview lost to last Friday night may be the fastest, biggest team the Vikings play on the regular season schedule. The Vikes, who used a devastating ground attack with a one-two punch of Keanu Tauvao and Angel Barraza in a Week Zero rout of Muir, will face South Hills Friday night at Covina District Field.

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The best games may be Thursday night this week. Arroyo at Schurr, Diamond Bar at Covina (Covina District Field), La Salle at Bonita, and South Pas at Baldwin Park are all on the docket. If the Tigers win that one they will be on everybody’s radar.

Nogales is at Sierra Vista Thursday night as well. Speaking of the Nobles, they got beat up in Zero Week by South Hills but with Matt Villasenor now on staff, I’m thinking help is on the way.

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If you’re looking for a game Friday night, Citrus College is the place to be. Glendora-Charter Oak is gong to be a slugfest.

That’s my principle.

Tim can be reached at tim.midvalleysports.gmail.com of or on Twitter (X) @tspeterson40. Facebook-Tim Peterson.