Taking It Up A Notch
While I was taking in last Wednesday's boys basketball playoff game between Cal-Hi and South Hills, Condors football coach Jim Arnold, the reigning WDN Coach of the Year, dropped off this year's finalized Cal-Hi football schedule.
It seems that the Condors have lopped off a couple of easy teams in favor of some stiffer competition.
I spoke to Coach Arnold yesterday and he felt the Condors' preseason could stand to be a little more challenging, prompting him to make changes.
Check out Thursday's paper for more of Arnold's comments.
Anyway, here's the schedule. I thought it was interesting that both Arnold and Pioneer coach Ramon Juarez felt the need for a nonleague upgrade.
Basically, the Condors dropped Bassett and Buena Park in favor of La Mirada and Pacifica.
How do you think the Condors will fare this season? How does a coach walk the fine line of scheduling challenging squads without burning out his kids before league? When is a schedule too easy or too tough?
2007 Nonleague Schedule**
09/07 v. Rowland (8-3)
09/14 at El Monte (4-6)
09/21 v. Bassett (1-9)
09/28 at Schurr (10-4)
10/05 v. Buena Park (1-9)
Overall Record (24-31)
2008 Nonleague Schedule*
09/12 at Rowland (3-8) Friday, 7 p.m.
09/19 at La Mirada (4-7) Friday, 7 p.m.
09/25 v. Pacifica (10-3) Thursday, 7 p.m.
10/02 v. Schurr (8-5) Thursday, 7 p.m.
10/09 at El Monte (5-5) Thursday, 7 p.m.
Overall Record (30-28)
Bold Indicates Upper Division Opponent
* 2007 Records
** 2006 Records
Remaining Del Rio League Schedule
10/17 at El Rancho, Friday, 7 p.m.
10/23 v. Pioneer, Thursday, 7 p.m.
10/31 v. Santa Fe, Friday, 7 p.m.
11/07 at La Serna, Friday, 7 p.m.
11/14 v. Whittier, Friday, 7 p.m.
I think that alot of teams are taking the St.Paul, Santa fe, and La Habra, approach to playing there nonleague games now. To be the best you have to play good solid teams.
When is a nonleague schedule too easy ? ask La Serna they have been doing it for years.
When is a nonleague schedule too tough ? ask pioneer after this season.
La Serna Nonleague 2007
Glenn 2-8
Norwalk 5-6
Montclair 0-10
Warren 6-5
El Monte 5-5
Total 18-34
La Serna Nonleague 2008
Glenn 2-8
Norwalk 5-6
La Mirada 4-7
Warren 6-5
Los Altos 5-5
Total 22-31
2008 is the last yer for both Glenn and Norwalk.
I think the schedule and results will be truly reflective of the real Cal Hi. One most remind ourselves of Cal High record and subsequent encounter with a La Habra team in the Semis.
i think the idea of calhi upgraing their schedule is great. Coach Arnold is looking to continue building a winning program and to do that you need to play good competition. calhi and santa fe understand that, unfortunately other del rio teams dont-and we know what school we are talking about!