Four new teams moved into the Hacienda while two moved out. Chino and Covina joined the Hacienda after trading paint in the Sierra, South Hills moved over from the Citrus 4 and Los Altos came in from the Valle Vista. Nogales and Ontario are out. Diamond Bar and Walnut are back. Very competitive league. Six teams that all have a legitimate shot.
Chino went 11-1 last year losing only to Mayfair in the second round of the CIF Division 7 playoffs. The Cowboys have some key players returning and are ready to make their mark in the Hacienda.
On defense Chino returns 7 Starters and a lot of role players who got a lot of playing time during last season on the defensive side of the ball. Top returners: WR/DB C.J. Gibson 6’1″ 170lbs. He is a legit Division 1 prospect and is getting some interest from some Division 1 and 2 football programs. Johnny Navarro will anchor the defensive line at 6’3″ 250lbs at both DE/DT along with playing some TE. Nathan Sena will return at both RB/DB 5’7″ 165lbs, he was all league last year.
New Talent/Transfers – Maximus Barroso (6’1″ 165lbs) transferred back from Ayala where he started at QB last year. Achillesa Barroso (6’1″ 220lbs) also has returned back from Ayala where he will play TE/DE. Luke Prescott (6’2″ 165lbs) transferred from Ayala and will start at receiver this year.
Chino’s Coaching Strategy – Offense will be very young and inexperienced up front. Skill guys are the best group of players Chino has had in a long time. Defense will hopefully keep the Cowboys in a lot of games, while offense figures things out with their young group of guys.
Key Matchups – Entering a new League, where each week’s game will be competitive and can decide the league title. Milk Can game, looking to win for the fourth year in a row. Tough preseason schedule with Summit, Aliso Niguel, Santa Monica, and Schurr.
“The Hacienda is a very tough and competitive new league. We have played a few of the teams already last year (Covina and Diamond Bar). Each week will be a battle and you could potentially win or lose any league game,” said Chino head coach Joey LaRosa. “Our goals don’t really change much each year. Win Milk Can,win League, and win CIF. This is a brand new team with a lot of new faces that will play this season. We are trying to find our identity on the offensive side of the ball. Our defense should be good enough this year to keep the us in each game.”
Covina finished 9-3 overall last year and 2-1 in the Sierra League. The Colts graduated many key players and have many positions to fill. They do have the quarterback returning however who is a four-year starter in Jake Duronslet. Matty Olivas is also back and will be an important part of the offense.
On Defense All-League starters Dean Vargas and Karsen Ulrich will be relied on to lead the stop unit.
“I am excited for the opportunity that many of our younger players have to step up and fill in those key roles. Our obvious strength will be at the QB position with Jake being a 4-year starter. We are hoping that All-League defensive starters, Vargas and Ulrich, can anchor our defense. Overall, I am excited to see this group compete on a weekly basis,” said Covina head coach Joe Brown.
The Colts have enough to make the post season. It will be a week-to-week dogfight in the Hacienda.
South Hills came over from the Citrus 4 League where the Huskies went 4-6 overall and 0-3 in league.
On offense sophomore Fabian Marez will be at quarterback and another sophomore Jayden Arnold will line up at running back and will play linebacker on defense. Senior Danny Resendiz RB/LB will be an important piece as well and also senior Landon Hansen DB/WR will be a big part on both sides of the ball.
“We are ready for the challenges of the upcoming season and look forward to competing amongst the best in the area,” said South Hills head coach Jacob Calderon.
The Huskies are young but have potential and can compete if everybody steps up. Every League game will be war.
Diamond Bar went 3-8 overall last year but four of those losses we due to forfeit. The Brahmas were 7-4 in the field and 3-0 In the Hacienda under head coach Matt Castaneda.
The most important piece is the quarterback and Diamond Bar has a good one returning in Quinton Mendoza. The Brahmas also return senior athlete Brian Yu at defensive back and Matthew Galvan, another senior, at fullback and middle linebacker.
Diamond Bar opens league play October 4 at home against South Hills followed by Covina on October 10. If the Brahmas can get through those two they could be in business.
Los Altos made the playoffs last season. The Conquerors finished 0-3 in the Valle Vista but 5-6 overall. They fell to Patriot in the first round of the CIF Division 11 playoffs.
Diego Castillo, a junior, returns as quarterback to lead the way. Castillo will also see time at defensive back. Senior Giovanni Gaeta will be a target at wide receiver and will play defense as well at linebacker. Kevin Guan will be the man up front on the defensive line.
The Conqs have 3 good local games right out of the chute with Wilson, West Covina and Burroughs. They open league play at home against Covina on October 4. Just like the rest of the teams in the Hacienda the league games will be vital.
Walnut has had an impressive summer. The Mustangs are coming off a year in which they advanced all the way to the CIF Division 13 championship game where they fell to St. Monica 28-21. Head Coach Eric Peralta has the Mustangs playing at a high level.
Quarterback Noah Covarrubias graduated and will be replaced by junior Nathan Simons. Simons has had a really productive summer.
Walnut has more to contend with this year though in the six-team Hacienda as opposed to the four teams a year ago. The Mustangs will be tested right away in league with Chino, South Hills and Covina in the first three Hacienda games.
The Mustangs will need to come out battling right away. A win over Chino in the league opener would be huge.
Projected Order of Finish
- Chino – The Cowboys ready to make a mark in their new league.
- Covina -QB Jake Duronslet is a four-year starter.
- Diamond Bar – Quinton Mendoza is a leader behind center.
- Los Altos – Can the Conqs knock off a top three team?
- Walnut – Great summer but can the Mustangs keep it going?
- South Hills – Huskies are young but hungry to make an impact.
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Sounds like the big winner in this league will be Kevin Glaspy. I’m hearing Covina will be paying mid to high six figures! A few high ranking “resignations” too. Covina Unified needs a wake up call and this looks to be it!
My bet would be from first to last: Covina, Diamond Bar, Los Altos, Chino (I bet a tie between Chino and LA-either way), Walnut, South Hills
@ Lupe
So you telling me South Hills should just give up? Most coaches in the valley would love to have the SH job and done right they can be what they were 5 short years ago. Maybe not CIF champs but at least compete in league.
It’s hard to get kids when you have NV, Covina & add Charter Oak being so close. Not to mention some of the young stars will bail after losing.
South Hills excuse the last three years is, “they are young.” Every year they are young. How can such a proud football school be picked to come in last place every year and fulfill the prediction. South Hills was CIF champ a short time ago, you tell me what happen? Northview and Covina are in the same district and they are competing like you would expect Northview and Covina to compete.