MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

Northview looks like the favorite again. The Vikings have been dominant in the Valle Vista the last few years and this season should be no different. Northview has some key returning players and some newcomers as well. They have also upgraded their schedule.

Projected order of finish:

Northview: Last Year: 10-1 (5-0, 1st in Valle Vista) Head Coach Marcel Perez

Wide receiver Isaiah Lucero is back after piling up 1,001 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. His brother Robert Lucero is set to take over at quarterback after having a great summer. Both are receiving Division 1 offers. Jaishon Bledsoe is a two-way player who is dangerous catching passes and lurking in the secondary.

The Vikings lost running back Keanu Tavao to graduation but Dominic Munoz and Matthew Gonzalez are ready to take the baton, and the ball, to establish the ground game. Rudy Velasquez (74 total tackles last season) and Miguel Guillen (55) will lead the defense and the linebacking crew. And with Marcel Perez, who with his experience has established himself as one of the best coaches in the area leading the way, it is all coming together for the Vikes.

Northview has also upgraded its schedule this year with La Habra, Glendora and La Serna in consecutive weeks in non-league. Should be a fun year for Perez and his troops.

San Dimas: Last Year 9-3 (4-1, 2nd in Valle Vista) Head Coach Mark Holman

The Saints love to run the ball but they do have a quarterback returning in Brandon Meredith who threw for over 900 yards last year to go along with seven touchdowns. Oh don’t get it wrong. They’ll still run it. That’s what head coach Mark Holman does. But Meredith will command some respect.

They lost Caleb Morquecho to graduation but Liam Loyola and Jacob Gallegos will both be called upon to carry the ball and both can do some damage when given the opportunity.

San Dimas is always in the hunt for a title. This year will be no different. The biggest hurdle for the Saints will be finding a way to beat Northview. It will be a big hurdle to clear but you can’t count the Saints short. When the running attack is clicking they got a shot against anyone.

Baldwin Park: Last Year 7-6 (3-2, 3rd in Valle Vista) Head Coach Robert Maxie

The Braves finished third in league last year and then put together a nice little playoff run. This season they could even take the next step.

Quarterback Valentino May transferred in from Alemany and has had a great summer. Dahriyon Vaughns is ready for a break out year. He will not only be on the receiving end of May’s passes but will also be in the secondary on defense. Elvis Diaz will also line up at wide receiver for the Braves. Choyce Hampton will be the go to guy in the ground game running behind offensive lineman Jonathan Reyes.

Defensively Francisco Navarro is back after having 58 total tackles last year. Julian Quintero and Michael Rojas will be up front on the defensive line and Jayden Maxie will be patrolling the secondary.

Even if Baldwin Park finishes third like last season the Braves will have a good shot at making an extended run. But if they can knock off San Dimas or Northview even bigger and better things could be in their future.

Alta Loma: Last Year 5-5 (2-3, 4th in Valle Vista) Head Coach Tyler Perri

Alta Loma finished in the middle of the pack last year and is hoping to crack the top three this year. Offensively Alta Loma returns receiver Santiago Vasquez who had 590 yards and six touchdowns last year. But the offense may revolve around running back Izaiah Brown who ran for 939 yards and five touchdowns last year. Left guard Matthew Fahkoury will be up front to pave the road for Brown.

Defensively Owen Florenza had 73 tackles last season and will anchor the unit. Owen Lyons is back as well and totaled 33 tackles last year. Jaden Hubbard and Ryder Dunlap will also play a big part on defense for Tyler Perri’s team..

Alta Loma has played some solid competition this summer and looks ready to challenge the league favorites. A win over Northview, San Dimas or Baldwin Park would be huge step towards a playoff spot. Alta Loma has been working hard to meet that challenge.

Diamond Ranch: Last Year 0-10 (0-5, 6th in Valle Vista) Head Coach Chris Williams

For Diamond Ranch, after a rough year last year, the only way to go is up. Head Coach Chris Williams is entering his second year and is confident the Panthers can get back on track.

Quarterback Isaiah Salinas, a junior is returning from a season ending injury last season. He has looked good all summer and is expected to have a big year. Running back Jalen Gallegos is a three-year starter who was 1,000 yard guy his sophomore year. He fought through a lot of injuries last year and looks ready to go. Cory Wilson, a junior wide receiver who transferred in from Don Lugo, should have big year as well. He has had a great summer.

On defense Cortavion Stewart a sophomore defensive end should have a break out season. He was second team All League last year. Senior defensive tackle Greg Lopez, also second team All League, is expected to have a huge year. He is also a team captain. Daniel Gurrena, a senior linebacker transfer, should make an impact as well. He has shown he is a leader on the field.

Diamond Ranch has the talent to compete in the Valle Vista but the Panthers will need that talent to come together to get enough wins in league to make the playoffs.

West Covina: Last Year 3-7 (1-4, 5th in Valle Vista) Head Coach Bai Kabba

It’s rare to see West Covina projected to finish last. But the Bulldogs had a rough year last season and now longtime head coach Mike Maggiore has stepped down. Bai Kabba has taken over but he may need a couple years to get the team back in the mix.

Chris Perez returns at quarterback after throwing for 934 yards and seven touchdowns last year. Zander Requena ran for over 1,100 yards last year but he took the long walk in the cap and gown in June. WestCo has Noah Davis and Isaac Villescas to try to replace him. Villescas will play on both sides of the ball.

On defense Elias Irvin returns to anchor the stop unit. He had 33 total tackles a year ago.

The Bulldogs went 1-4 in league last year. They would need to turn that around to get back in the hunt. They got their work cut out.