Week 14: La Habra! St. Paul! ... CHAMPIONS!!
La Habra rolls over Fullerton, 16-6, to clinch the Southeast Division title, and at the same time, cleared up the Freeway League's co-championship situation.
St. Paul left no doubt in dominating Palmdale, 42-14, in winning the Western Division crown.
Four teams - La Habra, California, Schurr and St. Paul, reached their division's semifinals.
Ten area teams qualified for the CIF-SS divisional playoffs.
Area teams won outright or shared the championship in four of the seven leagues which have area representatives.
Not too shabby, especially considering that two of the area teams that reached the semifinals, California and La Habra, played each other, meaning only one of them would advance to the championship game.
The Del Rio League was the most balanced it has been in at least a decade. Five of the six teams had legitimate shots at making the playoffs going into the last week of the season, and the underdogs in all three regular season finales came up with an upset.
Interestingly enough, one of the two teams that were perhaps playing the best football at the time, Pioneer, was the odd man out in the chase for a playoff berth. Santa Fe, the other team, drew into the tournament as the league's at large entry.
And most of the teams' accomplishments were made without marquee players, rather it was a matter of blue-collar efforts from hard-working individuals who bought into their coaches' programs and developed within the team concept.
And isn't that what it's all about.
It's time fo forget all the stuff about transfers and recruiting and who's stealing who's players, the sour grapes and the chest-thumping and the rumors and responses, and get back to some semblance of reality.
It has been a good season all the way 'round. Enjoy it for what it was.
And look forward to what lies ahead, those who return and those who will join next season's festivities.
And wish them well.
La Habra rolls over Fullerton, 16-6, to clinch the Southeast Division title, and at the same time, cleared up the Freeway League's co-championship situation.
St. Paul left no doubt in dominating Palmdale, 42-14, in winning the Western Division crown.
Four teams - La Habra, California, Schurr and St. Paul, reached their division's semifinals.
Ten area teams qualified for the CIF-SS divisional playoffs.
Four area teams won outright or shared the championship in four of the seven leagues which have area representatives.
12 Comments
Leave a comment
About this blog
Roger Murray is the prep sports editor for the Whittier Daily News.
Insight,
we shall see...good luck next year, but you honestly have no idea how good Flores is and will be.
People have to remember that alex is just a sophmore and he did play very well when he was in those games. Its O.k he will suprise alot of people next year. He still has 2 more years, good job alex im still proud of you remember it starts in january in the gym. So get ready to suprise alot of people.
sf fo sho,
Are you kidding me? Alex Flores? I watched him play against LS and he was terrible!What a joke! Palacios and Burke are the two best QB's in the area comming back next year.Both are about 6,2 and weigh 190 lbs. If Burke doesn't just concentrate on baseball, he is by far the best athlete. Come watch him play this spring in baseball. He is a big time college baseball player if LS coaches allow him to play both this summer, he will come back if not, he will just play baseball. I heard he wants to play with his little brother who is a qb,receiver,kick and punt returner who scored over 15 td's and was the mvp of the freshman team.
Anonymous
Ya…. I’m as serious as a heart attack! Mentioning those 3 teams really doesn’t help your cause in convincing me that SP would beat LH since they lost to 2 of the 3 mentioned. Yes, the two they lost to are PAC 5 teams but lets not over look the fact that Morales had bad night throwing I believe 3 int’s vs Fullerton so don’t let that 16-6 score fool you. Im just not convinced that SP should be declared the winner of that game. No matter both teams won the ring in their divisions so my hats off to both programs.
And to sf fo sho
Like I said, Flores that the heart of a lion! I hope your prediction becomes a reality. And knowing both young men I have to say that Alex is way more football smart and believe it or not way more tenacious than David so if the powers that be are listening let that boy GROW!!!
What a season for St. Paul and La Habra. Fortunately I had the pleasure of watching both teams play...and choosing a victor would be tough! But I think it would be a one touchdown game. In my opinion St. Paul was stronger defensively, La Habra had a stronger passing game. I give St. Paul's OF line play a slight edge. Their running games were equal but different. St. Paul used power running and La Habra was quicker, faster and used alot of misdirection plays. To win St. Paul must pressure the QB and take away the passing game to the RBs. For La Habra to win they must stop the run and force St. Paul to pass. Their kicking games are equal. In any case this is a game I would like to see.
Congratulations St. Paul and La Habra, 2007 CIF Champions!!
To Big Unk.....Get a life! If your biggest enjoyment is this blog then you need to get out and do something for yourself. I don't know if your an idiot or just a person who seems to take this blog and his own opinions way, way too seriously.
I am sure Coach Gonzalez and his brother could care less who you are and what you think. When St. Paul won the CIF Title and were considered for State, it made your opinions and YOU look like a fool and proved the Coach of the Year award to Coach Gonzalez last year was well deserved.
And if this was "fun" for you, hiding behind a fake name and making wrong predictions and uninformed statements, then I feel sorry for you and I am glad your not part of the St. Paul High School family.
Again, get a life and push yourself away from the computer!
To the Swordsmen.....you brought home another CIF Title, you brought back a championship to The Pit and you once again placed St. Paul HS on top of the Football World in this area.
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Years to all.
First, to Joe Gonzalez I know you and you are better thsn big unk...
second to Big Chief Pigskin, Alex Flores was undersized this year but he will grow he was only a sophmore, and both his older brothers who I know personally grew, Miguel one of the best soccer players in Whittier area, and we all know who David Flores is..., so I understand no knock on flores but he will grow. and by the way ask the WDN who will the best QB next year...
1) Flores
2) Palacios
3) Willson(st. paul)
mark my words here and now
Big Chief.....
SP didn't face an offense as balanced as LH? Are you serious with that comment?
Let me see....a few teams come to mind....Servite-Pac 5 semifinalist, Crespi-Pac 5 finalist, Culver City-#1 seeded team in D3. All these teams ran balanced spread offenses that put points on the board and also with a couple of D1 recruits to deal with as well.
Fullerton's D in no way can match the SP D. As much as I like LH, SP wins a match-up. As someone said, SP has faced the likes of LH this year but LH hadn't faced the likes of SP.
Memo to Joseph Gonzalez: Just knowing I got under your skin with my opinions (especially those about coach G) made this season fun. Just remember they're only opinions and if they touch a sensitive chord with you, well, tough you know what.So,seeing as how much you ejoyed my weekly correspondence this season I've decided It would only be right to do this again next season.Oh, and as for me being a big idiot,that really means alot seeeing as how it's coming from a BIG RAT(I know who you are...how 'bout some cheese).Well until next year peace out.WHO GOT THE LAST LAUGH .....Ha Ha Ha!!!!
Hsfootballfan
Good points on an LH – SP game but imo I really don’t think SP faced an offense as well balanced as LH. But Fullerton did play a “in your face” defensives game in jamming receivers and continually hitting to the whistle and after seeing that with SP’s hard nosed D it remains a toss up for me.
Nice shout out to SF but if they don’t figure out a few things with their varsity coaching staff that seemed to reared its ugly head this year they might be in for another long season. I’m hoping this season will rejuvenate certain individuals on that staff. Cool your egos gentlemen, no one is bigger then the program no matter whom you are, where you came from, where you played or how many league titles you have!!!!
Actually the JV team I believe lost its first two games before running the table for the rest of the season while the freshman had a rollercoaster season but managed to grab a share of their levels league championship. I do think they are still lacking at the QB spot. No knock on Flores. The kid has the heart of a lion but he really needs hit a growth spurt this summer. But then again how hard will it be next year handing the ball off to Aaron Turner as long as he can keep defenses honest with an occasional pass here and there. SF’s line still might be a bit young next year but it will be huge!
The DRL should remain balanced once again next year. But that does depend on how hard SP pounds the pavement over the summer.
First time on this blog..just want to give a step-dad perspective. I never played football and I never watch it on TV but I do know what commitment and hardwork is. My son(step) was on the Frosh team and I saw how hard he worked and all the physical changes and the confidence it gave him..he knows how to push himself towards a goal and that will stay with him his whole life. we dont fool ourselves and live in fantasy land thinking his going to the NFL..but a strong mind and body equals a sucessful person. and this is what team sports teach. As far as the future of ST. Paul..they have it. i went to the Frosh Banquet - many of these boys were bigger than the varsity..maybe not as muscular and strong YET..but they are still growing!! I noticed the RB Drake Griffin. Reciever AJ Gonzalez and Offensive Lineman Elkington- who happens to be a 4.0 and team captain. Elkington stood out..big quiet,white boy. who stood on stage and gave a speech about all his coaches. At 14 I couldn't do that. I shook his hand and congratulated him and he actually seemed uncomfortable and humble about his success. I asked my son about him..his reply was "he hits hard and he's quiet..never punks anybody and always doing homework." That is the St. Paul program..they produce class. Another comment was made by the coach: that 3 frosh were moved to Varsity: Garcia, Gonzalez and Elkington. Remember these names..we will hearing a lot about them. In conclusion, I was more of a bookworm in High School not sure about jocks...but my perspective has definetly changed to a more positive one. Good luck St. Paul. We are looking forward to many great years.
CONGRATS SP and LH,
who would win that game???
SP NO DOUBT, seriously, SP has played similar if not better offenses also bigger and more talented than LH and look how the SP defense shut down every high scoring offense they played, and SP has played teams like LH, and LH has not played a team like SP...so you be the judge...
As for next year, SP will be good but not nearly as good as this year. LH with Ronnie Hillman returning will be a force as well, but the best team in the area next year will be Santa Fe once again. SF has almost every starter returning, and their JV team was undefeated this year, ER should be good also, as well as Pioneer with Palacios and Botello returning.