Quarterback: Which area school has an edge
Only four of the area's high school football programs return last
season's starting quarterback. Three others have returnees who saw
limited playing time but not enough to qualify them as experienced.
In no particular order, here's a look at the most important position
on the field.
Returning starters:
Pioneer - Ronnie Palacios, senior, 6-2, 180. Threw for 1,844 yards
and 12 touchdowns, ran for another 248 yards and a score and averaged
210 yards total offense a game. Junior Steven Del Villar has shown
enough promise to keep Palacios on his toes.
La Serna - Ben Burke, senior, 6-1, 195. Passed for 1,453 yards and 16
TDs, averaged 5.2 yards per rush after winning a two-year battle with
incumbent Michael Ibarra early in the schedule.
La Mirada - Daniel Poncedeleon, junior, 6-2, 170. Completed 60
percent of his passes for nearly 1,000 yards and 12 TDs with only four
interceptions after becoming the starter midway through the season.
Already talented, DP should flourish under new coach Mike Moschetti, a
former La Mirada, Mt. SAC and Colorado standout QB.
St. Paul - Paul Lopez, junior, 6-2, 190. Was steady if not
spectacular (721 yards, eight TDs, five interceptions) after earning the
starting spot in Week 5 a year ago and leading the Swordsmen to the
Western Division championship. Still, he probably faces the toughest
challenge to retain his spot of any area quarterback. Coach Pete
Gonzalez has the choice of Lopez, former starter Andrew Canales and
last-year's transfer, Chris Willson battling this summer to be the
starter.
Santa Fe - Alex Flores, junior 5-10, 160. Saw limited playing time as
a backup a year ago and appears to have early inside track over
sophomore newcomers Ryan Garcia and Cameron Oliver. What Flores lacks in
size he more than makes up for with effort and enthusiasm.
La Habra - Randall Nygren, 6-2, 185. Odds on to be the starter, but
does coach Frank Mazzotta risk also keeping him at free safety where he
was an all-CIF selection in helping the Highlanders win the Southeast
Division championship.
The rest of the area teams will be relying on signal callers with no
or at best, very little experience. The following players may have a
slight edge in their quest to be the starter:
California - Greg Perea, senior, 5-8, 160. A standout point guard on
the basketball team, he was impressive at WR/DB last fall for coach Jim
Arnold.
Cantwell - Cesar Hernandez, junior, 5-9, 170. Perhaps the most
experienced among last season's backups, completed eight of 15 passes
(62 percent).
El Rancho - Josh Perea, junior, 5-10, 150. Saw spot duty behind
two-year starter Javier Hernandez, and may have an edge over sophomore
newcomer Troy Campos (5-9, 136).
Whittier - Eddie Reyes, senior, 5-6, 158. Last year's backup heads a
trio of mighty mights that includes Salvador Rojas, senior, 5-8, 135,
and Matthew Viramontes, junior, 5-7, 135.
Whittier Christian - The past two years, coach Jon Caffrey could
choose between experienced Philip Hughes and Brett Esslinger, who began
splitting time their sophomore seasons. This year, it looks like the
choice is between untested Tyler Newman, senior, 5-11, 205, and Daniel
Figueroa, senior, 5-8, 145.
(Note: No information available from Montebello and Schurr)
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About this blog
Steve Ramirez is the prep sports editor for the Whittier Daily News.
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Mr. Murray. SP will do just fine. Key players like i have said before: Paul Lopez, Darius Bratcher, Luis Gracia, Mario Obando should led the team to another CIF DIII Championship.
After being informed that Schurr will be returning First Team All League QB Ricky Mendez-who by the way led his team to the CIF semis in his first full season. You have yet to write a synopsis on him as you did for all the other area qb's. Once again you,your paper and sister paper (SGVT)have found a way to ignore one of the most consistant football programs in the area. I'm sure all Spartan supporters would like to open your (unbiased?) paper and read about The Spartans.
Add StP QBs: To date, None of the three candidates have expressed an interest in playing TE, or for that matter, any (offensive) position other than QB.
Actually, there are just two QB candidates at St. Paul at present. Returning starter Paul Lopez and former starter Andrew Canales are running 1-2, not necessary in that order (better make that 1-1). Chris Willson, who was in the mix earlier and eventually will be again, had minor surgery and will be out for awhile. It appears St. Paul will be in good hands at QB.
A much more important question is the line on both sides of the ball, due primarily to a lack of size. With their aggressive schedule, the Swordsmen wil be undersized up front in nearly every game.
But wait, that's nothing new for the program, rather merely a familiar challenge,
Anyone know who has the edge at SP at QB? I think they should take 1 of the 3 at put theem at TE or something. Got some athletes and they should take advantage of that.
DRL watcher:
if you read my last entry you would see that i pointed out "...its gonna about what team can move the ball on the ground with a good rb and a good line so that any DECENT QB can catch the defence on its heals and look like a GOOD QB..."
so teams like santa fe will catch everyone off gaurd when they throw because everyone will be looking at turner and not paying any attention to anyone else... belive me DRL watcher if i write somthing i know what im talking about...
Hey Spectator,
That is what everyone would say when you don't have a qb. Every team in the DRL will play eight in the box against everyone other than Pioneer and LS. You better find a qb or you will loose.Even though Harris was no good at qb, he at least kept every defense honest.
Adam, although a decent athlete, still has PLENTY of maturing to do. He is far from being ready for the next level of competition.
alright...so no one from cal will be anything more than an OK qb...this year will not be one that somone will look back at and talk about the qb's...its gonna about what team can move the ball on the ground with a good rb and a good line so that any decent qb can catch the defence on its heals and look like a good qb...i think we should start looking at whats realy important...like the defensive side of the ball...casue thats where the championships are gonna be won this year...defence and the trenches!
The best QB at Cal is on the JV team. Better bring him up! The kid (Adam)has the strongest arm and is more mechanicaly sound than Perea. I hear he has a private Coach. You can see the improvement from last year.
i dont know whats up with all you writters. ive been blocking for Mendez my whole high school career and you know what this stuff your putting up aint going to affect us or our season. it dont matter what any of you say because once we start the season your all going to write a bunch of B.S and when we start doing well and winning all of you are going to be on our side saying that you knew it all along that we would be where we are at.not to put down any of you writers but if your going to pick a side, pick it and stay with your pick.
Once again you find a way to shun Schurr. You wrote about Mendez last year and know too well he was only a junior. Schurr will once again have to prove itself to you , the WDN and all nay sayers.
Mendez will have no line and very little help in the backfield if Molina is not at full strength... We have people who did not even start on j.v who are penciled in as starter... hopefully they come togethor but could end up being a long season
What are the chances of 2 Perea cousins playing quarterback against each other?? Good job Perea Men!!
You shouldn't need info from Schurr. They return all-league quarterback Ricky Mendez who might be the best in the Whittier area.