Diamond Bar has veteran coaches hoping to lead to progress

 

Diamond Bar has struggled in the win column. So when the administration went to look for a new coach, they looked at those from winning programs. They also didn’t have to go far.

Kevin Argumosa is the new head Brahma. He comes over after serving as defensive coordinator the last three years at Los Altos, one of the better programs in the San Gabriel Valley. With him comes the veteran Dale Ziola, the coach under whom he worked at Los Altos. So call it two coaches for the price of one.

They’ll reverse roles. Argumosa will be the defensive coordinator and Ziola the offensive coordinator

“It will be great having him there,” Argumosa said. “We’re used to working together and he has a lot of knowledge so it has been a good transition. “Diamond Bar always interested me. We had played against them so I wasn’t unfamiliar with the program.”

The duo will be looking to turn around a program that went 4-6 last year, including a 1-4 record in the Palomares League. The Brahamas last had a winning record in 2013 when they went 7-5 (6-4 in the regular season).

The top returning player is senior wide receiver Shane Wells, one of the top pass catchers in the Inland Valley last year with 66 receptions for 1,105 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was a first team, All-Palomares League and All-Inland Valley selection.

Wells will have a new quarterback throwing to him however as Grant Maestas has graduated. The heir is sophomore Dylan Karanickolas, who quarterbacked the freshman team last year.

They will run the Power-I with some spread formations.

“He has a lot of potential,” Argumosa said. “I’m sure there will be some growing pains moving forward but it is nice to have the potential of having a guy in that position for three years.”

Among the others Argumosa singles out as expected contributors is Jovan Thompson, who like Wells will be asked to play on both sides of the ball at receiver and corner back.

The Brahamas also return two starters on the offensive line which should bode well for the young quarterback. That duo includes seniors Matthew Rodriguez and Matt Reedy.

Other who should contribute big include junior tight end-defensive end Randy McNeil and senior halfback-linebacker Greg So.

The Brahamas make their debut on Friday against Alta Loma, a team to whom they lost to last year 48-28 also in a season opener.

DIAMOND BAR SCHEDULE
Aug. 25 – Alta Loma
Aug. 31 – At Walnut
Sept. 8 – Covina
Sept. 15 – At Brea Olinda
Sept. 22 – San Dimas
Oct. 6 – Bonita
Oct. 12 – At Glendora
Oct. 20 – At Ayala
Oct. 27 – South Hills (At Covina District Stadium)
Nov. 3 – Claremont

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