Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
As the presents are unwrapped this holiday season, there are a few gifts I'd love to see under the tree next football season.
Here's Andrew Campa's 2008 Christmas Football Wishlist:
1. A St. Paul v. Santa Fe game
Those who were around when this was an annual city championship game remember how special the matchup was. Besides, other than La Habra, what other program has been as dominant as St. Paul this past decade than Santa Fe. But I doubt this game will happen anytime soon.
2. St. Paul v. La Habra
Talk about a battle of two great programs and two fantastic fan bases. It would have been awesome had both teams met this season, but a 2008 game wouldn't be bad. Could the Swordsmen defense, which will lose several players, stop Highlanders back Ronnie Hillman?
3. Whittier Christian v. Cantwell
Both teams have taken great strides over the past couple of seasons. The Heralds had a great victory over Whittier in 2006 and Cantwell stepped up and scheduled St. Paul in 2007. It would be interesting to see how these schools would fair against each other.
4. La Habra v. Schurr
Okay, so maybe the game wouldn't have as much meaning next season as it would have had this year or as it did in 2006. But the 2006 semifinal game was still one of the best area matchups in quite some time and it would be interesting to see if the Spartans can rebound after the loss of coach Elvin Dick.
5. La Serna v. Schurr
Again, another matchup that would have been great this season, especially given the Rudy Jordan-Joey Jordan transfer. In fact, the Lancers were a victory over Fullerton away from having set this game up in the Southeast Division semifinals. It was surprising to see how negative the Schurr fans were toward the elder Jordan at the Fullerton game and how happy they were to see Rudy. Both teams will also have returning senior quarterbacks in Ben Burke and Ricky Mendez.
6. Schurr v. Whittier
Would be an explosive matchup of two of the area's top returning backs in Schurr's Edwin Molina and Whittier's Daniel Enriquez. Both backs split duties in 2007 and will likely be called upon for more action in 2008.
7. Montebello v. Cantwell
The other battle for the city of Montebello. The Montebello-Schurr matchup hasn't been quite so competitive recently and this would be an opportune time for Cantwell to step and show they are no longer the forgotten child. Despite struggling, the Oilers would love to be able to punish the Cardinals.
8. La Mirada v. La Habra
Don't think about the 2007 version of each team but the 2008 possible matchup. Seniors Devon Tracy and Ronnie Hillman have the possibility of tearing up the field before halftime. La Mirada has shown no fear in scheduling big-time games such as in 2007 when the Mats played Fullerton, Charter Oak and St. Paul.
9. El Rancho v. Whittier Christian
It's the battle for respect. The Heralds have not been afraid of stepping up and challenging teams from the Del Rio League while the Dons had a tremendous bounce back season in 2007 that included an upset of Cal-Hi.
T10. Pioneer v. St. Paul
It's the matchup of one of the trickiest offensive minds in the area in Pioneer's Ramon Juarez against one of the great defensive minds in area in St. Paul defense coordinator, coach Gil Jimenez. Would be interesting to see how the Swordsmen deal with so many different formations and looks.
T10. Cal-Hi v. La Mirada
It's the Condors' stifling run defense against a power-rush offense of the Mats. On offense, both teams will try to establish the run and control the ball. It could be one of those 7-3 games.
What's on your wishlist?
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About this blog
Roger Murray is the prep sports editor for the Whittier Daily News.
I honestly think that all this bashing on both sides is crazy. Its a pissing contest no one is going to win. It would be so awesome if we all came together for the common GOAL and that is the schools success.
Voice from the past speaks out,
What traditions are dead? Please be specific as I am curious as to what you feel is so terrible.
voice from the past speaks out,
Dude seriously save it! All of you alumni are bitter because of the things that happened five years ago under the leadership of your hero Coach Ancich. you guys cant do one thing correctly lets overthrow the decision last year and try to bully people. Go educate yourselves and do things the right way. many people hate Saint Paul because of the things that were done in the past. Go start your traditions at other schools such as Servite, LOL what a bunch of morons it is pathetic what has come of you losers. The real players from the past support the school no matter what. It was awesome to see the Wargos and Martin Medina there to show support for the CIF WESTERN DIVISION CHAMPS. For all of haters move on obviously you have nothing but negative energy in your souls and that will translate into a miserable person. We dont need you and we dont want you. True swordsmen carry values instilled in them over to the younger players and the future swordsmen. The sharks are DEAD!! Its time for all the younger alumni to step and come together. We wont turn our back on our boys....real swordsman bear the sword...wannabees such as you sit on it.
Hey Old Man, it might not be tradition for you but it is for them. Get over yourself. Things change.
voice from the past speaks out ?
How can you sit there and bash a school that you went to? You must be that guy that still wears his letterman jacket! Get over yourself already. All schools have changed for better or worse. St.Paul I think is changing for the better. They just won a CIF title. The first in 26 years . If thats not good enough for you than I dont know what is. Do us all a favor and dont comment on something that makes you bitter. Back away from the mirror and take off that tight fitting letterman sweater if your so unhappy.
all you kids dont have the slightest idea of what tradition is. tradition is dead at SP. you guys do things now that you started 5 years ago and call it tradition, i laugh at all that. theres more stories and greater moments than anyone will care to know or care to find out. so please lose the TRADITION word when your blogging about SP, because it makes us TRUE SWORDSMEN sick to think that this is what it has come to.
Titan, what I mean by tradition, El Rancho and St. Paul use to play each other every year going as far back as the late 60s early 70s and it was great to see them renue the rivalry. I was not at the game this year but from what I was told "The Pit" was standing room only, that is not going to happen with Pioneer! St. Paul is going to beat Pioneer by 50 or maybe even 60! You heard it here first, Coach Juarez has gone nuts scheduling Charter Oak and St. Paul next year!
I dont understand what tradition you are looking for in the ER vs SP game? Whats the big deal didnt Pioneer beat ER this year? I think Pioneer should be stronger next season?
SF is finished... or whats that I hear someone else has magically transferred to Santa Fe???
SF vs SP FOR SURE
SP vs La Habra
SF vs La Habra
These 3 teams should just play a round robin, They are by far the 3 best programs in the area
What I don't understand is St. Paul has always complained that no one in the area will play them, so what do they do, they drop El Rancho to play Pioneer? Why? I honestly don't get it? Im not a St. Paul hater, I think it was amazing to have both St. Paul and La Habra bring home CIF Championships to the area. Why not try to schedule Pioneer another week and keep El Rancho on the schedule, the El Rancho - St. Paul game is Tradition!
I for sure miss the SF vs St Paul games! but that'll never happen anytime soon... I highly doubt the city or both schools would agree to play again after the off the field problem that happened in 95!
The swordsmen will handle anything pioneer throws at them...which is what they did against ghar this year. They handled everything ghar threw at them.
Is there any truth to the rumor Rush fell on the sword and has resigned as head coach of La Mirada?
My wish list is for La Mirada to return to its former glory under their new head coach. (Why have'nt you guys reported on Rush's departure?) Sorry to see him go, but there is always tomorrow. That La Habra vs. La Mirada game would be great. Here is hoping Norwalk gets a quality coach as well to replace Grey who retired.
You are going to get your wish next year for the Pioneer/St. Paul match up.
Based on what the Swordsmen saw this year I don't think anything will surprise them.