Coaches discuss Sunday's playoff pairings

ER had a hell of a season, what you guys saw this season is the rebirth of a program that was absolutely destroyed by someoene for 6 years. We had 6 years of wasted players, very talented kids never achieved what they should have. Finally we had some coaches that actually believed in their kids and we had some success. In spring football no one gave us a chance, in summer no one gave us a chance, during hell week no one gave us a chance. The papers hyped of Pioneer, Santa Fe, Whittier, LS, cal, but never did they give the ranch a chance in hell to do anything.

In preseason we were picked to lose in every game but one game. In league we were picked by many to be the odd man out and end up 0-5. Throughout league we proved people wrong, beating SF was not a fluke, beating Whittier was not a fluke, and beating Cal Hi was not a fluke, ER had a problem with consistency all year, but when were came to play on both sides of the ball no one could stop us. After all that doubt we were one field goal away from winning a league championship this season.

There is no way in hell we should have lost to westminster, we smacked them up and down the field all game, one play from a great player ended our season. We may have lost but the game gave us a glimpse of what a monster this program could be behind the community of pico rivera. Our crowd was rocking, we had standing room only and our crowd was easily larger than westminsters home crowd. I said it all year, no more willie reyna = success for the ranch. We were very young this season and return alot of players, the future is brigh... the sleeping giant has awakened.... the ranch is back...

ER you had one hell of a season too bad it had to end the way it did.3rd down and long was a problem all year and it happened again Fri. nite.Hopefully that will be addressed next season.You gave your fans some exciting games as well as a glimpse of what can possibly be an even better season next year.SP nice job.You've still have a huge mountain to climb but your a little bit closer.Stick to what got you that nice win against QH and you just might be able to pull it off.(Try not to screw it up Coach G) Good Luck SP, until next season BIG UNK OUT!

Matadore fans, we took the back to back to back 6-5 records for granted, now our new goal for next year is beat 4-7....4-7!!!

Heres a good trivia question for you alumni, when was the last time a la mirada football team was 4-7.....ill give u a hint, its in the pre-mele days (the golden years), which are long gone, our combined record over the past 4 is=....22-22....wow, and to think, every lineman we had this year starting will be gone, as will all the line backers who started..ouch.

i left the game when it was 59-27 at south hills, and walked by some good alums, and a chill went down my spine, of when like the footballs on their back, we once were semi-finalists,finalists, and hold your breath, CIF CHAMPS....theres always next year.

SE Scout is just that, a CIF Southeast Division Playoff Scout.

Don't know too much about St. Paul. I have friend who attended the Servite-St. Paul game and was not impressed. After witnessing the teams performance and sportsmanship, he decided not to send his eigth grade son there.

Seems like St. Paul has a tough defense and that may help them win a Championship. Good luck to the Swordsmen!

Hey all you SP people, why do you talk so much about your program? You guys aren't going to accomplish anything special in your division.

Big Unk,
Nice try comparing ER to SP,
but the only thing the two schools have in common is a '06-'07 series. Regular season records of 5-5 and 6-4 don't match up.
In last season's playoffs SP didn't upset Downey, they really beat them there, then SP went on to win at Mira Costa, then hosted West Torrance in a semi-final loss.

Anyway credit is given to the ER, CSH, & LM staffs for scheduling up to SP this year.
Best of everything good to all remaining area Teams in 2nd round action this week.

Mr. Murray and Mr. Campa,
Maybe Whittier Daily News can mention in their paper that St. Paul earned a share of the Mission League Championship this season.

St. Paul won on the road vs. Quartz Hills 28-14 Friday night in spite of the worst officiating against SPHS so far this season and any I have ever seen in 38 years of Playing, Coaching, and Scouting Football.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2007 ST. PAUL SWORDSMEN FOOTBALL TEAM ON THEIR MISSION LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP AND 1ST ROUND VICTORY AT QHHS.
GO BIG BLUE! Beat Culver City HS this Friday!

In His service...
Romans 5:8

Dear Mr. Murray and
Mr. Campa at Whittier Daily News Sports;

We just wanted to bring attention that your #1 of three blog spots ( for most current info. ) has not been available lately.

Thank you both, including your staff for keeping any junk off the site.

Please attend the upcoming contest between St. Paul H. S. and top seeded Culver City H. S., site TBA.

It would be great to get some more local coverage from your paper on pre-game reports and supportive articles for the deserving SWORDSMEN Football Players.

In His service...
Philippians 4:13

SE SCOUT, IF YOU ARE A LIGIT "SCOUT" PERHAPS SOME ATTENTION CAN BE DIRECTED TOWARDS ST. PAUL HIGH SCHOOL WHO IS THE HIGHEST DIVISION RANKING FOOTBALL TEAM IN THE COMBINED WHITTIER, SANTA FE SRINGS, PICO RIVERA, MONTEBELLO, LA HABRA AND LA MIRADA AREAS THAT ARE COVERED BY WDN. FOR SOME REASON SPHS DOESN'T GET THE RESPECT DESERVED FOR MANY OF THEIR ATHLETES FROM THE AREA PRESS.
AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE VICTORY AT QUARTZ HILLS, IT IS A SHAME THAT INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE. HOPEFULLY WE MIGHT SEE A SUNDAY WRITE UP.
THANK YOU WDN FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER

To quote the esteemed Mr. Murray:

"Bottom line: The Swordsmen may be in over their heads."

Well, if the WDN could of found a person to cover the game they would of seen how St. Paul dominated Quartz Hill despite losing 4 fumbles and having to play against the refs as well. Quartz Hill did not get a 1st down until the 2nd half.

The defense absolutely shutdown their running game and QH had to resort to the pass in the 2nd half. SP secondary came up big in the 2nd half.

The officiating was the worst I've ever seen and that helped QH by giving them good field position all night.

The score could of been much worse for Quartz Hill but the WDN wouldn't know that as they had everyone covering Cal Hi and La Serna like usual.

PHSTITANS

Very easy to explain. ER had a better league record and clinched the guaranteed #3 DRL spot while SF not only beat Pioneer head to head they have a much stronger non-league schedule. Go read over CIF’s definition of how at-large teams are chosen and examine SF’s and PH’s schedule and it become very obvious while PH was left out again even at 6-4.

FYI – I heard a rumor that SF has picked up a game against a D1 school again for next year. Should be interesting!!!!!

La Serna/Alhambra

I was worng the La Serna/Alhambra game. Turns out La Serna took care of business. Did anyone go tothe game? Any highlights?

La Habra-Ocean View

I heard La Habra was up 49-0 at the half and second and third stringers were played the second half.

"....,"

You're a Schurr fan trying to get your kids riled up aren't you? I mean honestly, who comes in and says that about the other team on gameday?

Good game El Rancho,
You guys played the way an El Rancho team is supposed to play, scrappy. You probably should have won the game, but one very special football player said "not tonight." Be proud of yourselves, the Ranch seems to be back.

Omg phs should of been in the playoffs. Like come on they beat the 2nd place team in league which is la serna and they also beat el rancho, elrancho beat whittier and sante fe so which means pioneer coulda of beat them too. I think they jus had a bad game when they played santa fe and whittier. I think the could of had those games won easily. I also think that cal hi threw off there game for el rancho to win so phs is not in the playoffs becuz they kno phs will do good in the playoffs. Matt botello superman #25 dances too much. He should just go through the hole and stop trying to be like reggie bush. I think that's wat caused the lost againt whittier n santa fe.

Dey ja vu, ERs season is resembling alot like SPs season last year,down to their records.SP benefited by being in the easiest bracket last year and was awarded two home games after the first round.The same scenario can happen if ER can pull the upset just as SP did against Downey.ER has played some great games at home so a trip to the semis is very possible.Lets see what happens 2night.

to PHSTITIANS: YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING?? WHAT IS YOUR LEAGUE RECORD?? I THINK IT WAS 2 WINS & 3 LOSSES CORRECT. ER & SF 3-WINS & 2 LOSSES.ANYWAY YOU DO THE MATH. YOU HELD BARELY TO BEAT ER & YOU BEAT LA SERNA YOUR LAST GAME.TOO LITTLE TOO LATE.WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FIRST 3 LEAGUE GAMES??

The ranch is coming, we have not forgotten 2004. I have a gut feeling Marcus Aldecoa will lead us to victory tonight.

SC SCOUT,

For conversations' sake,,,

You may wrong about the La Habra score, you have them putting up 28 points against Ocean View, while giving up 24. Their offense has been averaging 50+ points the last 4 games and their defense has given up very few points. It should be a little more spread than that. My guess is 49-17. Lastly, during the season, La Habra beat Westminster 21-0, Westminster beat Ocean View 41-6. I know playoffs are another story, but one cannot ignore the facts.

As for La Serna/Alhambra. I saw La Serna play Cal Hi, and to be quite frank, I wasn't too impressed. Alhambra will win by a 2 scores.

Good luck to every area team involved CIF playoffs.

Dear se scout,
I totally agree w/ you on that Alhambra vs. La serna
What a great match-up!
I heard they're huge up front and that they are very well-disciplined.Jordan's a great football player.I saw him last year against AHS,tough kid,lot's of heart.Alhambra on the other hand,when they are at full strength,wich I understand they are,this team is so explosive.Smith and Brown are both terrific backs.That Brown is a special football player.If they can win the battle up front,I have to go with the Moors.Although I know it won't be easy.Good Luck to both teams,and let the real season begin!!!

The La Serna-Alhambra game on Friday, Nov 16 will be held at 7pm - Whittier College (www.lasernafootball.com)

schurr sucks rosemead is gonna kill them .....schurr doesnt have a chance they have to be real lucky to win....schurr doesnt have what it takes to win cif come on they lost to sg......

Mr. Anonymous
All year you have bashed St.Paul football and DRL teams.Anonymous and your Cantwell team have something in common with St.Paul, you can recruit kids from all over the area. But a school like El Rancho does not have that opportunity. Look at El Rancho's roster and 98% of the kids live in the required area to attend ER. I put my money on ER any day of the week over Cantwell, even though you got kids from Pico Rivera, East LA, Montebello, Monterey Park, and Whittier to name a few cities you recruit from. And don"t forget if you really want a kid from one though's cities,you offer the ultimate gift(free tuition)pay by Alumni golf tournaments.And you want to talk about St. Paul, first establish your program before you bash a other one.St.Paul does a better job on getting kids to attend there program and then you talk about there coaching staff is horrible, but ain't that the same staff that beat Cantwell this year. But I wish you luck in the playoffs.

Wow!!!

St.paul , league champions!! What can people say now? I'm glad and now satisfied with the players and coaches. People that still have something negitive to say, say it somewhere else. My son is part of a champion! And thats all that matters. good luck friday night

el rancho is a team that plays with more than any team in the area...good luck guys and play with all the heart you got

is it really that hard to get on the blog. I've submitted 2 comments in the past week and none made the blog. WHY?

The first round has always proven to be near unpredictable, so here goes rd. one...

Santa Fe 21 San Gabriel 17

Westminster 28 El Rancho 10

Cal 38 Santa Ana 7

South Hills 45 La Mirada 0

La Serna 23 Alhambra 20

La Habra 31 Ocean View 13

St. Paul 17 Quartz Hill 14

Potential Upset/Reversal: Santa Fe/San Gabriel

Once a Chief Always a Chief,

No offense but most of those JV players are already on varsity (not to take anything away from them or anything because they did have a great season but c'mon.)

Hope SF beats San Gabriel though...

Congratulations to all the area teams that made the playoffs,that includes you SP.Defense will be the key for all these teams to advance.This is especially true for ER whose offence doesnt generate many points.SP offence has tailed off the last couple of games but their D will be ready.The only question is will the offensive minds blow it?As for SFS,Cal and LS their offenses are capable of scoring alot which could take some pressure off the D.Good Luck to all the boys they all deserve it,that includes you SP.

Wow, how can SF and ER get into playoffs when PHS had better record than both. Granted SF beat PHS but PHS beat ER. How was this determined?

Yo Murray,

Can you tell me why the CIF record book posted on the CIF website has Santa Fe’s league win streak as 35 games 2001-2007 (page 82)? I thought they were 6 times undefeated league champs?

Good luck to all the teams that made the playoffs. Sucks what happened to LH but the truth is that you’re still the team to beat no matter where you are in the brackets.

Is it just me or did Coach Rush look like he wanted to say."We usually are not this bad" Man he practically choked on his words. Can't be easy on him or the kids. It's a new season guys, play for the brother next to you, and bring back the tradition of practicing the day after Thqnksgiving. It is the playoffs and anything can happen. Lets go Matadors.

Congratulations to all the area teams that made the Play Offs! ths show's just how strong and competitive that this are is in FOOTBALL! The Del Rio league by far was the most competitive league with parity. Don't look down but up for WHITTIER HIGH CARDINALS who next year will be a force to be reconned with. CARDINAL POWER FIGHT ON!

DeVaughn Egans "92

Santa Fe got in on merit. All the years of success paid off. Hope they last a couple of quarters of play.

The time is now for Sante Fe High. We want to win one for Mahlstede after all the years he has dedicated to the school. Go chief's, step up and handle your bussiness. Please help us forget last years butt kicking by Shurr.

This is just a reminder to coach Malsted, Please do not follow your normal playoff pattern. Let your offensive coach call the play's and air it out. I would like to see a championship before I die. You owe it to the city!!!!

here are my picks early just to get the debate started...

St. Paul over Quartz Hill
SP defense is awesome and will carry the swordsmen again...the offense NEEDS AND MUST STEP UP!!!

South Hills over LM
this is a scrimmage game for South Hills

SF over San Gabriel,
SF has alot of speed and a 3 solid RB's...if they control the clock and not turn the ball over they win.

La Habra over Ocean View
this one will be over during warm-ups

S. El Monte over Sonora
two weaker teams the winner wont stay long

Cal over Santa Ana
I will be surprised if Santa Ana scores

Fullerton over Arroyo
Fullerton is out to show that they are a great team, after the forfeit controversy.

La Serna over Alhambra
This is the most competitive game in the 1st round...if Rudy Jordan is full strength the Lancers win, if not it could be a long night for LS.

Schurr over Rosemead
The defending champs will send an early message that the title goes through them

Westminister over ER
I want to pick ER, but they did too much Jekyl and Hyde this year, Westminister not only excels on offense and defense, they can win the game with special teams too.

once a chief,

Congrats to the SF JV for being champs, but how shellow a victory. The only way they won was to bring down about 10 varsity players to JV in order to win CAL HI JV and even worse for SF all the JV players from CAL are 10th graders (yeah, not one junior). Sooo, great job Santa Fe, you really earned it. NOT.

when drew harris moved to reciever he got man handld bye galan and hes only like 5 5...i guess everyone was right hes overated...i suggest starting the second string qb becasue hes the one who gave them a chance to comeback

Santa Fe will have a long night trying to hold SG's offense down. Its not going to be easy as you think! Think ahead just like in 03. When SG took down your mighty chiefs! Shut down Nate Kimbroug and landed a Cif championship apperance

Congrats to the del rio league... 4 teams... look to see at least 3 of them in the second round... not sure about el rancho... i also expect la serna and cal hi to be in the semis... look out for the chiefs...

How did santa fe get in?
I think Bell Gardens should have been the alot large bid. Same record and Bell Gardens Beat the Crap out of Santa Fe. I guess if you are on the committee to pick the at large. Like the santa Fe Head Coach is on.

Now remember about me saying that Rosemead (7-3)and El Rancho(5-5) are two teams to watch out for two five weeks ago.I do not feel sorry for Troy either because if you know you have a great team,why play an ineligible player?Anyways,experiecing many coin flips at the CIFSSSD rankings yesterday.Many coaches were upset to the situation,dispite the teams preseason record,coin flips determined the team's seedings.Although,it created many exciting games for the first round of CIF post season and upsets we will experience.

SANTA FE at SAN GABRIEL
-Both teams are contenders for the championship,but this game will be a high scoring game and won on the ground attack.Therefore,Aaron Turner will have a great game and lead Santa Fe into the next round.
>Prediction:Santa Fe 35 Alhambra 28

EL RANCHO at WESTMINSTER
-El Rancho has been very inconsistant through out the season,but when they're on El Rancho is great.On the other hand,Westminster has won five straight league games and has momentum.This will be a rematch of the 2004 season where Westminster won,49-21,but it will be a very close game.
>Prediction:El Rancho 27 Westminter 21 OT

SONORA at SOUTH EL MONTE
-Sonora only got into the playoffs with a Troy forfeit.This game should be easily won by SEM.
>Prediction:Sonora 16 SOUTH EL MONTE 33

ARROYO at FULLERTON
-This Game will be a very close due to Arroyo's passing attack and Fullerton's great ground attack.Therefore,Fullerton's Allain will have a great game.He should carry Fullerton to victory and cross the 175 yard mark.
>Prediction:ARROYO 13 FULLERTON 44

SANTA ANA at CALIFORNIA
-After last weeks loss to El Rancho,13-6,California's offense is what can lose the game for the team.Both teams have a good defense,therefore;this game will be one up front.
>Prediction:SANTA ANA 14 CALIFORNIA 28

OCEAN VIEW at LA HABRA
-La Habra offense has put up 400 points against their league and pre-season opponents.Defense is good enough to win games.However,Ocean View has proven to be a really good team.This game will be up for grabs,but La Habra seems much more of a well balanced team.
>Prediction:OCEAN VIEW 24 LA HABRA 28

ROSEMEAD at SCHURR
-Schurr early in the season has shown inconsistantcy,however;Rosemead has proven that they can win by having a good 7-3 record.Alejandre and Sumler will have a great day for Rosemead.
>Prediction:ROSEMEAD 34 SCHURR 31

ALHAMBRA at LA SERNA
-This game will be the most exciting game of the first round CIF playoffs.Two great teams that have a good defense and offense.Getting the ball to the playmaker,Jordan,will be key for La Serna.As oppose to Alhambra,Smith and Brown should pile on yards on the ground against La Serna.It will be a very close game,but defense will be victorious at the end of the night.
>Prediction:ALHAMBRA 30 LA SERNA 24 OT

rosemead @schurr-schurr
alhambra @la serna-alhambra
sonora @south el monte-sem
fullerton @arroyo-fullerton
santa fe @san gabriel-sg
el rancho @westminster-er
santa ana @california-cal
ocean view @la habra-lh

congrats to cantwell jv for claiming another championship.

go cards..good luck in the playoffs.

WOW!!!
I don't know how my Chiefs pulled this one off but cograts!! If you can play like you did last week we will be alright, need to step it up offensively give the def a chance to rest,
Congrats also goes out El Rancho no had given you guys a chance and look worst to third not a bad turn around
PS shout out to SF JV team
for being champs! I know doesn't mean anything to alot of people but those guys are coming up to Varsity and they are a strong team.
play safe play hard

If Westminster is as good as the 2004 Westminster team that ER played in the first round, then we might be in for a long night.

Cal going into the playoffs with their only loss of the season??? BAD JUJU!!!!