The Montclair High school football team looks to improve to 4-0 tonight when it squares off against defending CIF Mid-Valley champion Pomona. But how good are the Cavaliers? No one really knows. Montclair’s three wins have come over teams that are a combined 1-10 so far.
That isn’t lost on head coach T.J. Fiorenza who has is guardedly optimistic.
“This will be the best team we have faced,” Fiorenza said about the Red Devils. “They graduated some players but they still are very athletic and have some good players. We’re going to have our hands full.”
The Cavaliers are coming off a 3-7 showing last year so they have already equaled their win total of a year ago – officially. They would have been 5-5 had it not been for a pair of forfeits.
Fiorenza is hoping his team contend for a playoff spot in the Mt. Baldy League.
The coach singles out the steady play of senior quarterback Jose Campos, who played some last year but fought injuries. He has thrown for 542 yards and rushed for 204.
Junior Matthew Mendibles (234 yards), a quarterback on the junior varsity team last year, is the leading rusher. Other offensive weapons include slot receivers Robin Wiley and Devin McLee.
On defense the standouts have included senior safety Dan Carlin, and senior middle linebacker Cris Arismendez.
“I think we’re better but we’re going to find out,” Fiorenza said.
The Cavaliers close out non league play next week against Hacienda Heights Wilson which is 1-2. They start league play on Oct. 8 against Colony which has struggled against a difficult schedule.
“They’re still the team to beat,” he said of Colony. “They have just played the toughest schedule known to man.”
