Hacienda League honors: Football

Los Altos’ Tyler Nevens (23) and Charter Oak will meet on Friday for the Hacienda League football title. 
(Photo by Libby Cline / Pasadena Star-News)

MVP: Tyler Nevens, Los Altos
Offensive MVP: Brian Casteel, Charter Oak
Defensive MVP: Jason Jones, Los Altos
Offensive Lineman of Year: Nate Aceves, Charter Oak
Defensive Lineman of Year: Andrew Manuele, Los Altos

First team offense
C: Gabeial Estrada, Los Altos
T: Andrew Garcia, Los Altos
T: Andy Trujillo, Charter Oak
G: Oscar Villa, Los Altos
G: Nate Aceves, Charter Oak
G: Brandon Serrano, Chino
QB: Kody Olmos, Los Altos
RB: Aldrew Almazan, Chino
RB: Anthony Romero, West Covina
RB: Jered Arellano, Walnut
RB: Isaac Rodriguez, West Covina
WR: Jermaine Braddock, Charter Oak
WR: Trey Green, Diamond Ranch
WR: Quintus Alton, West Covina
K: Hunter white, Los Altos

First team defense
DL: Andrew Manuele, Los Altos
DL: Mario Mora, Charter Oak
DL: Andrew Garcia, Los Altos
DL: Julius Suliafu, Diamond Ranc
DL: Elijah Griffin, West Covina
DB: Willie Morris, Chino
DB: Anthony Lopez, Los Altos
DB: Trey Green, Diamond Ranch
DB: Robert Ramirez, Los Altos
DB: Alec Flanagan, Diamond Ranch
LB: Adrian Alfaro, Chino
LB: Michael Salcedo, Los Altos
LB: Nicholas Gonzalez, Los Altos
LB: Dillon Ontiveros, Charter Oak
LB: Gil Vazquez, Los Altos

Second team offense
C: Edwin Castilllo, West Covina
C: Steven Lopez, Chino
T: Daniel Gutgierrez, West Covina
T: Jordan Gibson, Diamond Ranch
G: Juan Lomeli, Los Altos
G: Justin Cortez, West Covina
G: Ryan Roh, Diamond Ranch
G: Andrew Manuele, Los Altos
QB: Justin Tong, Diamond Ranch
QB: Jared Arrellano, Walnut
WR: Willie Morris, Chino
WR: Isaiah Hamilton, Charter Oak
K: Pat Perez, Chino

Second team defense
DL: Justin Cortez, West Covina
DL: Garrett Friou, Charter Oak
DL: William Von Goeben, Walnut
DL: Silas Bravo, West Covina
DL: Trent Adams, Diamond Ranch
DL: Vincent Narvaez, Walnut
LB: Kendal McMillian, Charter Oak
LB: Noah Northey, West Covina
LB: Joseph Romero, Charter Oak
LB: Augie Areallano, Diamond Ranch
DB: B.J. Ubani,West Covina
DB: Michael Anyanwu, Charter Oak
DB: Devon Dixson, West Covina
DB: Quintus, Alton, West Covina
DB: Tim Smith, Charter Oak
DB: Gerald Brown, Walnut

Honorable mention: Nick Avilez, Walnut; Jared Bell, Walnut; Matthew Burks, Diamond Ranch; Steve Canero, West Covina; Aure Charles, Chino; Matt Chavez, Charter Oak; Connor Clark, Diamond Ranch; Samuel Cole, Chino; Devin Dabich, Diamond Ranch; Christian Elias, Walnut; Luke Evans, Charter Oak; Tevita Fuimaono, Chino; Jacob Gaskin, Walnut; Ralph Guizar, Charter Oak; Isaiah Hall, Walnut; Elijah Hayes, Diamond Ranch; Carter Henderson, Diamond Ranch; Matt Lara, Chino; Eric Lee, Charter Oak; Jacob Krawler, West Covina; Ali Lopez, Chino; Anthony Lopez, Los Altos; Jesse Marquez, Walnut; Vincent Merino, Walnut; Dwayne Meyers, Charter Oak; Raymond Moronez, Charter Oak; Julian Nuno, Charter Oak; Juan Ortega, Los Altos; Ryan Quijas, Charter Oak; Joseph Ryciak, Diamond Ranch; Jon Saillant, West Covina; Ray Sinental, Los Altos; Andres Solano, Walnut.

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Diamond Ranch football looking for some coaching stability

San Marino's J.P. Shohfi (81) carries the ball as Diamond Ranch's Kalean Williams (6) attempts to stop him during a playoff game at San Marino High School on Friday night, November 13, 2015. Shofi made two touchdowns in the half. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/Pasadena Star-News)

The Diamond Ranch football team is coming off a 7-4 season that included a loss to eventual CIF champion San Marino in the first round.

The Diamond Ranch football program is on its fourth head football coach in as many years in Eric Martinez, previously the defensive coordinator at Upland. Usually that means your program is in turmoil and you haven’t been winning, but that isn’t exactly the case.

The Panthers were 7-4 last year, going 7-3 in the regular season and dropping a first round playoff game to the eventual CIF champion. The school decided to part ways with Jimmy Welker in the spring.

Martinez says his association with Upland landed him instant credibility with his team and players jumped on board early in the process. The new coach is hoping that will translate to success in the tough and balanced Hacienda League and a playoff run.

“The kids know what we accomplished there and the caliber of competition we played so I think that did help. The bought in to what we wanted to do right away and they have worked hard,” he said. “The biggest difference here is numbers. I have 80 kids and at Upland we had 150.”

Martinez said the defense will boast much the same philosophy it did last year but the offense will look much different. Instead of the spread offense with multiple quarterbacks Martinez is going to a power running game. He thinks he has the right personnel to do so and singles out the offensive line as the strength of the team this season.

Heading that group are junior tackles Ryan Roh and Matthew Burks.

Both of the quarterbacks Welker used last year graduated. It looks like the starting nod will go to senior Justin Tong, who Martinez thinks will do a good job of managing the offense.

The backfield will feature senior Chase Steward, sophomore Connor Clark and junior Augie Arellano.

Top defenders will include senior defensive back Donald Green, senior dedensive end Julius Sulia, junior corner Devin Dabich and junior defensive back Alec Flangan.

Green and Flanagan should also see time at wide receiver.

“We have some talent,” he said. “Our weakness is probably just numbers.”

Diamond Ranch starts the new season on Aug, 26 at South Hills, which also has a new coach in Matt Bechtel who came over from Chino Hills where he helped that team to a Baseline League title and semifinal playoff berth.

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Diamond Ranch parts ways with football coach Jimmy Welker

Add another school to the list of those that will have a new coach come the fall and this is one is surprising because it comes from a school that had a successful  2015.

Diamond Ranch has parted ways with Jimmy Welker who had been in that position for only a year.

Athletic Director Lisa Cheney confirmed the departure and Welker also said he would not be returning but both were tight-lipped as to other details.

“We didn’t expect to be looking this soon either,” Cheney said.

There has been considerable turnover this year but the majority of the vacancies have been filled.

The Panthers went 7-4 last year, going 7-3 in the regular season and losing a first-round Central Division playoff game to eventual CIF champion San Marino 35-21.

Diamond Ranch finished second in the Hacienda League behind Charter Oak at 3-2 and registered a win over Los Altos the last game of the regular season to secure the playoff berth.

Welker’s successor will the school’s fourth coach in as many years. Roddy Layton was the head coach for eight years, the last coming in 2013.

He was succeeded by one of his assistants Mario Gomez but Gomez was let go after a 6-4 season in 2014.

Welker came to the Inland Valley after serving as defensive line coach at Redondo for two years. He  started his coaching career at University Lab High School in Baton Rouge (La.), as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2008.

He also has previously served as outside linebacker coach and junior varsity defensive coordinator at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High School as well as wide receiver coach for the United States Coast Guard Academy.

Welker was a four-sport athlete at Notre Dame, excelling in football, basketball, baseball and track and went on to play quarterback at Louisiana State..

 

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Hacienda League honors: Football

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MVP – Zion Echols, Charter Oak (above)

fensive MVP – Tyler Nevens, Jr., Los Altos
Defensive MVPs – Adrian Alfaro, Jr., Chino; Deshawn Ellis, Sr., Diamond Ranch

First team
David Aldapa, Sr., Diamond Ranch
Manuel Avina, Sr., Chino
Kamden Brown, Sr, Charter Oak
Brian Casteel, Jr., Charter Oak
Davion Gaisie, Sr., Diamond Ranch
Andrew Garcia, Jr., Los Altos
Mike Gomez, Sr., West Covina
Steve Lopez, Jr., Chino
Andrew Manuele, Jr., Los Altos
Kyle Morales, Sr., Charter Oak
Xavian Morales, Sr., West Covina
Dareon Nash, Sr., Charter Oak
Kevin Thomas, Jr., West Covina
Andy Trujillo, Jr., Charter Oak
Da’Creh West, Sr., Chino
Hunter White, Jr., Los Altos

First team defense
Malik Abston, Sr., Chino
Jacob Acosta, Sr., West Covina
Daryl Bernardino, Sr., Charter Oak
Jeremy Caldwell, Sr., Charter Oak
Brian Casteel, Jr., Charter Oak
Andrew Garcia, Jr., Los Altos
Elijah Hayes, Jr., Diamond Ranch
Adrian Huerte, Sr., West Covina
Andrew Manuele, Jr., Los Alos
Dwayne Meyers, Soph., Charter Oak
Willie Morris, Jr., Chino
Dillon Ontiveros, Sr., Charter Oak
Andrew Orozco, Sr., Los Altos
Josh Padilla, Sr., Charter Oak
Damien Washington, Sr., Charter Oak

Second team offense
Jacob Acosta, Sr., West Covina
Jermaine Braddock, Soph., Charter Oak
Geno Camacho, Sr., Los Altos
Diego Chavez, Sr., Walnut
Billy Flores, Jr., Diamond Ranch
Daniel Gutierrez, Soph., West Covina
Micah Maes, Sr., Walnut
Aaron McCorkle, Sr., West Covina
Willie Morris, Jr., Chino
Vincent Narvaes, Jr., Walnut
Ryan Nguyen, Sr., Charter Oak
Anthony Parada, Jr., West Covina
Alex Reyes, Sr., Walnut
Kalean Williams, Sr., Diamond Ranch
Daniel Wright, Sr., West Covina

Second team defense
Max Brown, Sr., Diamond Ranch
Derek Bryan, Jr., Diamond Ranch
Aure Charles, Jr., Chino
Samuel Cole, Jr., Chino
Chris Covarrubias, Sr., Walnut
Nicholas Gonzalez, Jr., Los Altos
Trey Green, Jr., Diamond Ranch
Jonathan Huertas, Sr., Charter Oak
Jacob Lara, Sr., Chino
Bryce Onunwah, Sr., Walnut
Christian Northey, Jr., West Covina
Andres Quezada, Sr., West Covina
Robert Ramirez, Jr., Los Altos
Arturo Vargas, Jr., Los Altos
Derek Williams, Sr., Diamond Ranch

* Positions were not provided

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Diamond Ranch looking to contend in Hacienda under new coach

Last year the Diamond Ranch football team settled for a 5-5 record, with a 2-3 Hacienda League mark that was only good enough for fourth place.

The Panthers are on their third coach in as many years and are looking to re-establish themselves under newcomer Jimmy Welker.

The first year is always one of transition. Welker didn’t want to divulge what exact offenses and defenses his team will be running but deemed his schemes a “complete overhaul.”

He won’t judge his team by what happens in the win-loss column.

“It will be a matter of are we doing what we have been coached to do,” he said. “Flat out execution. If we do that, then the wins and losses will hopefully take care of themselves.”

There are two players battling for the starting quarterback slot – seniors Ethan Cota and Joe Sebastian with Sebastian, transferring from Garey and Cota one of three players that saw action in that position last year.

Among the top players on the squad will be senior running back-corner Davion Gaisie who rushed for 1,112 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior.

Welker also expects a good showing from both fronts with Harley and Christian Becerra the top performers there.

Several other players could be keys on both sides of the ball. That group includes senior wide receiver-defensive back Kalean Williams and senior running back-linebacker Dashawn Ellis.

The Panthers swing into action on Aug. 28 with a home game against South Hills. They open league play on Oct. 9 against West Covina.

 

Welker expects tough competition in the league with Los Altos the reigning Central Division runner-up. Walnut and Chino had coaching changes in the off-season as well, which makes for an even more intriguing season.

Welker comes to the Inland Valley after serving as defensive line coach for the last two years at Redondo Union High School.

He also has previously served as outside linebacker coach and junior varsity defensive coordinator at Notre Dame High School as well as wide receiver coach for the United States Coast Guard Academy.

Welker was a four-sport athlete at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, excelling in football, basketball, baseball and track. He went on to play quarterback at Louisiana State. LSU went 43-9 during his time there, highlighted by a national championship in 2007.

 

 

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Diamond Ranch’s Delp makes good decision

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You hear the same old things from prep athletes when it comes to signing a letter-of-intent with the college of their choice . . .

“I liked the coaches”

“They have food program”

“I liked the school”

“I like the academics”

Yes those are all good reasons for picking the place you want to spend four years. But offensive line standout Kammy Delp of Diamond Ranch came up with one I hadn’t yet heard of.

He picked Oregon State, after committing, then de-committing  from Arizona State. The big reason . . .

“They have a big Polynesian community there,” said Delp, who is Samoan.

Let’s not forget, these young people are moving away from home, in many cases out of state. The fact that they are comfortable in the community is very important.

Panthers coach Roddy Layton said Delp even got to go to the LDS church in the area, which made him feel even more at home.

It sounds like he definitely considered all factors. The recruits who don’t are usually the ones that end up coming back for some reason.

 

 

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Hacienda League football honors

Player of the Year – Kammy Delp, Diamond Ranch
Offensive Player of the Year – Estuardo Marcos, Sr., Los Altos
Defensive Players of the Year – Sidney Jones, Sr., West Covina and Thomas Loy, Sr., Bonita

First team offense
C Eric Castillo, Jr., Los Altos
G David Tolmachoff, Jr., Los Altos
G Eric Quevedo, Jr., West Covina
T George Stewart, Jr., Los Altos
T Chris Fernandez, Sr., West Covina
TE Tyler Lli, Jr., West Covina
QB Tanner Diebold, Sr., Bonita
RB Daniel Garcia, Jr., Diamond Ranch
RB Tyler Brown, Sr., Diamond Bar
RB Jake Payton, Sr., Bonita
RB William Bryan, Sr., Diamond Ranch
WR Cordell Broadus, Jr., Diamond Bar
WR Danny Gelalich, Jr., Bonita
WR Marcus Briscoe, Sr., Diamond Ranch
K Mario Giron, Sr., Diamond Ranch

First team defense
DL David Tolmachoff, Jr., Los Altos
DL Christian McQueen, Sr., Bonita
DL Josh Herrera, Sr., West Covina
DL Tevita Sina, Jr., Los Altos
DL David Jimenez, Jr., Los Altos
DL Austin Russell, Jr., Bonita
LB Josh Best, Sr., West Covina
LB Matt Preston, Sr., Diamond Ranch
LB Carlos Mejia, Jr., Los Altos
LB Steven Olmos, Jr., Los Altos
LB David Ford, Sr., West Covina
DB Danny Gelalich, Jr., Bonita
DB DeShon Love, Jr., West Covina
DB John Perkins, Jr., Diamond Ranch, Jr.
DB William Bryan, Sr., Diamond Ranch
DB Daniel Garcia, Jr., Diamond Ranch

Second team offense
C Joe Tollar, Sr., Bonita
G Jake Loera, Sr., Los Altos
G Carl Bryan, Sr., Diamod Ranch
T Bryson Finley, Sr., West Covina
T John Aleriano, Jr., Bomita
T Chris, Sr., Diamond Bar
TE Miguel Romero, Sr., Rowland
QB Tyler Peterson, Jr., Diamond Bar
RB Matt Hayashi, Jr., Los Altos
RB De Shon Love, Sr., West Covina
RB Steve Garcia, Sr., West Covina’
RB Andrew Coronado, Jr., Walnut
WR Renee McGowan, Sr., Wlanut
WR Austin Cox, Jr., Diamond Bar
WR Daniel Garcia, Jr., Diamond Ranch
K Brandon Paisley, Sr., Rowland

Second team defense
DL Keandre Johnson, Sr., Diamond Bar
DL Zory McThomas, Sr., Diamond Ranch
DL Ashton Lizarraga, Sr., Walnut
DL Chris Kirchgrabber, Sr., Diamond Ranch
LB Christian Zambrano, Jr., Diamond Ranc
LB Josh Sanchez, Sr., Diamond Bar
LB Damien Ibarra, Jr., West Covina
LB Jacob Karrim, Sr., Bonita
LB Noah Montoya, Sr., Bonita
DB Chris Torres, Sr., Diamond Bar
DB Tyler Brown, Sr., Diamond Bar
DB Isaiah Love, Soph., West Covina
DB Justin Berry, Sr., Diamond Ranch
DB Daniel Valdez, Jr., Los Altos.

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