The Valle Vista League just got better. It was already a tough league. Last year three teams finished tied for first in a four-team league. Now with West Covina and Baldwin Park added to the mix it’s literally a dog fight for all six teams. If you’re Baldwin Park can you imagine having to play West Covina, San Dimas and Diamond Ranch in successive weeks? Or if you’re Alta Loma, who was also added to the league this year, you get Diamand Ranch followed by Northview and San Dimas? Talk about a death march.
Northview has the goods to survive a death march. The Vikings went 8-3 overall last year and 2-1 in league. Erik Jimenez returns at quarterback from a season in which he threw for 1,941 yards and 17 touchdowns. Northview is also set at running back with Keanu Tauvao who rushed for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. They should be well protected. Up front Gabe Velasco, Nathan Warner and Angel Corona return on the offensive line.
On defense CJ Carrillo will be at cornerback for Northview and will also spell Tauvao at running back. Alek Sanchez is an impact player who will be on both sides of the ball at wide receiver and defensive back.
Warner and Velasco will anchor the D-Line as well along with Isaiah Limas and Matt Gonzalez – both returners. Staying with the defense, Byron Tovar and Rudy Velasquez return on the linebacking unit which makes for a stout front 7.
Northview picked up some key players recently when the three Lucero brothers, Isaiah, Robert and Ezekiel all transferred in from Damien.
Northview is heading back to Las Vegas this year for the season opener. Marcel Perez’ team will then return from the opener to face South Hills, Glendora, Covina and Village Christian in non-league games before hosting Diamond Ranch in the Valle Vista League opener.
The Luceros transferring in is nice for the Vikes but make no mistake they were good already. It could be a special season.
Chris Williams takes over this season as the new head coach at Diamond Ranch and is looking for a big year. The Panthers had the same record as Northview last season – 8-3 and 2-1 in the Valle Vista.
Quarterback Isaiah Salinas and wide receiver Isaiah Perez will make the offense go. Running back Jalen Gallegos will be counted on to chew up yardage on the ground. Mark Wang will anchor a strong offensive line.
On defense middle linebacker Jared Jordan and defensive tackle Greg Lopez will lead the stop unit.
Williams likes what he saw in camp and feels the Panthers are ready to contend.
“I think we had a really solid Camp. The boys really stepped up and embraced the new offense and defense philosophies. We had a lot of tough position battles in camp. Which will add to our depth. And most importantly we’re pretty healthy coming out of camp. Valle Vista will be a tough game week to week.” Willaims said.
West Covina is new to the Valle Vista but not new to tough competition. Mike Maggiore’s team is always battle tested. Offensively quarterback Chris Perez returns to lead the way. Three-year starter Zander Requena, who ran for 1500 yards last season will be huge for Maggiore’s run-oriented attack. Erik Ramos, 6’4″, 280 pounds, will pave the road for Requena.
On defense Felipe Hernandez will be up front. Hernandez goes 5’10, 250. All CIF Isaiah Ruiz returns at linebacker. He had 135 tackles a year ago. All CIF, All-league Sebastian Martinez, who intercepted three passes in 2023 will be at defensive back.
Maggiore likes what he has seen from his troops in the off season.
“We have worked really hard in the weight room since December and the players have made some great progress. Now it’s time to take the blue collar mentality and toughness into the season. The goal is to get better every week and be in a position to compete for a league and CIF championship. The schedule is brutal and each week will be a test. We are all looking forward to it,” Maggiore said.
Baldwin Park is another team that has been added to the Valle Vista. Last year the Braves went 2-1 in the Mt. Baldy League and 5-7 overall. They advanced to the second round of the Division 13 CIF playoffs before falling to Desert Hot Springs in a shootout. BP has some good pieces.
Jacob Garcia is a back at quarterback after a solid year last season. Dahryion Vaughn and Elvis Diaz will be his main targets. Trammell Horn will see action at receiver as well. Erik Hernandez at offensive tackle will be the guy to protect the skill players.
Defensively Francisco Navarro will lead a solid linebacking crew and Mario Madrigal will be up front. Sincere Ellis, Jayden Maxie and Randle Tebo form a ball hawking secondary. The Valle Vista will be a challenge for the Braves but Robert Maxie feels they are up to it.
“The team is solid this season. We are more experienced and athletic compared to last year. Jake Garcia has 10.9 speed which will be dangerous for our opponents. The WR core is much better than last year. Look for Dahryion Vaughn and Elvis Diaz to have big seasons. The defense returns our defensive player of the year in Francisco Navarro and DL Mario Madrigal and Esteban Cortez. The secondary is way more athletic this season with Sincere Ellis, Tremell Horn, Gavin Blackwell, Randle Tebo and Jayden Maxie. I’m excited for this season. We got a very good group this year,” Maxie said.
BP appears to be ready for the VV challenge.
Will San Dimas run the spread? Nah, I don’t think so but head coach Mark Holman did suggest that after the Saints had a nice run at the Charter Oak Tournament. That being said with guys like Julian Vigil and Brandon Meredith you’re going to see a lot more than three yards and a cloud of dust.
Meredith is back for a full season at quarterback. Vigil was hurt for part of the season last year but returned to finish out the year. This season he is looking forward to a full season. Vigil had 16 catches for 267 yards and three touchdowns. Caleb Morquecho rushed for 1,471 yards and 10 touchdowns last year is working towards even better things this year. Aaron Ibarra, one of the big guys up front, will play on both the O-Line and D-Line.
The Saints have a good preseason schedule. The big one is the Smudgepot against Bonita at Citrus College on September 14. They open league play at home against West Covina on October 3.
San Dimas will be ready running the spread or not.
Alta Loma played in the Mountain West League last year and it wasn’t easy. The Braves went 0-3 in league and 1-9 overall. They may need a year or two to make adjustments to the Valle Vista and to rebuild. They do return three offensive players and five defensive players and the quarterback Ryan Cooper. Cornerback Quishawn Stanford is a talent.
Alta Loma may win a league game and is a team that the rest of the Valle Vista can’t sleep on. That being said it will be a challenge for the Braves to compete in the tough Valle Vista.
Projected Order of Finish:
- Northview – Don’t mess with Angel Corona.
- San Dimas – Morquecho the magnificent!
- Diamond Ranch – Panthers have impressed in passing league.
- West Covina – Requena rocks!
- Baldwin Park – Jacob Gacia will only get better.
- Alta Loma – Still a year away.
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