SATURDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

p. finchamp
I agree with some of what you have to say - and let it be known that our boys too line up after each game - give a clap out and thank their fans for coming. Thre is no doubt that RHP has a lot to be proud of, as does MHS and it looks like things are set up fro a great afternoon of football.

For the Maranatha and RHPrep faithful, the Star-News wouldn't dare miss that game on Saturday. Can't wait to see you all there, and I wish it was a Friday night game, so we could make it the game of the week.

Minuteman fans,

I believe Fred mentioned earlier in one of his blogs that this Saturday's game would get the coverage it deserves...if you go to the "2 Minute Drill" at the Star News website, Robledo and Campos provide their audio analysis of the match-up, and they do a good job at that. Campos is calling it THE game of the week--special for any school, but particularly so for schools of this size. I'm guessin' Fred will cover this one.

The issue with Maranatha being on the back-burner--I believe this is a matter of whether Maranatha has assigned a correspondent/liason with the Star News to either report statistics or provide game summaries. With a new coaching staff it is possible that this issue is unassigned.

To get the respect you desire you gotta win big games and deliver league championships consistently. RHP knows football culture--they play clean and hard, they have 11 CIF Championships, and they fight every game for your respect. And when it's over, win or lose, they line up in front of their fans accompanied by their 11 man band and sing their Alma Mater. Way to go!

It would be nice if someone covered the RHP Maranatha game.

Michael Flynn and Josh Parish are the real deal. Not only are the talented duo explosive on offense...but they both play amazing defense as well. And Flynn returns punts/kicks on top of all of that! Most QBs can hardly take the physical abuse of playing one position...Flynn plays three and Parish two positions! They are big reasons SP will go far this year!!!

Go Tigers!!!

it is really a disappointing that the Star News pretty much puts Maranatha on the back burner. Yes, our pre-season schedule pits us against some smaller, out of area schools, however, if you look at our stats (which sometimes don't even get printed) we are holding our own and leading in some areas against the "big boys" TC, Monrovia etc. I would hope that someone from the Star News, perhaps even Mr. Robledo himself, would cover the Saturday 10-7 match-up between Maranatha and Rio Hondo Prep - it should prove to be a great game, and just maybe, with a Maranatha win, we will finally crack the Star news top ten and gain some respect.

The names of the poster appear below the post. Unavailable was incorrect. Tiger was correct.

Unavailable is correct...South Pasadena did beat Monrovia in 2003, 29-19, the same year the Tigers finished in 2nd place in the Rio Hondo League.

Anonymous,
I would certainly hope that current players or coaches would not waste their time on this blog, especially not during the season when time is too precious to spend away from breaking down film and prepping their players for the upcoming games.

How many Anonymi are on this thing? Isn't the purpous of an alias to protect anonymity?

Tennesse, it looks as if Alex has done well so far as a pitcher on Yale's baseball team, but I don't think he plays football for the Eli, at least not this year.

Monrovia 48 South Pas 17. That's my take for what it is worth.

Hey, I just a former HS player who loves the Highschool ranks more than pro & college.

what is it with all this back and forth arguin amung So Pas and Monrovia?? stop arguin about it and let these boys settle it on the feild! cuz i dont think none of you people are players!

BUT DOES ANYBODY WANT TO BET ON THIS GAME??

I GOT 1,000 ON MONROVIA!!!

Unavailable,

That is, unfortunately, not true.But I like your energy.

SPAS is okay but they really haven't played anyone this year. Alhambra is turning out to be a average team.
On the other hand, Monrovia has played Arcadia & WestCo. They beat a good Arcadia team & could have beaten WestCo.

Not so fast, Unavailable...

We lost to So Pas 29-19 at home in 2003... but we won't overlook them this year.

GO CATS!

Not so fast, Unavailable...

We lost to So Pas 29-19 at home in 2003... but we won't overlook them this year.

GO CATS!

SPHS beat Monrovia at Monrovia in 2003. In fact, the game wasn't even close.

THE BOTOM LINE IS.. SO PAS HASNT BEAT MONROVIA IN ABOUT 30 YRS.

So Pas. need to go somewhere because they SUCK!

Wow...good responses. BTW, as much as I can remember, SPHS has produced one Ivy League footbal player - Alex Christ. I could be wrong. Anyways, I guess we should divulge back to football now that we have all gotten our blood pressure up a little bit (certainly worth it). Any thoughts on this week?

umm...you guys should just stick to football. Or just wait until the freakin games are played...your pointless quarreling is not going to prove or solve anything...

I don’t understand why everyone is talking about M-town and So Pas. Who cares the truth is we should all be talking about St. Francis. Academically we had a guy go to Harvard last year and Annapolis. We have 2 consecutive CIF Semi-Final appearances. We are now RANKED in the LA Times. Start talking about a real football team. Or at least get along its annoying watching people say my school is better than yours. PROOVE IT!

TT please!!

what i heard from your rant was
"monrovia- go and play in the nfl and we (south pas) will sit and watch you on tv and hopefully get the chance to do your taxes.

this is a h.s. football blog, not an academic decathalon one as monroviafootball stated.

Nobody ever claimed that MHS provides a superior education to SoPas. Furthermore, nobody ever said anything bad about SoPas in general.

But while we're on the subject, everybody knows that San Marino produces more Ivy Leaguers per capita than does South Pas. And I know you don't want me to mention Pasadena Poly... So, NERD, YUPPY, whatever you want to call yourself, just remember that SoPas is not even the top academic school around. Take pride in your tennis, swimming and badminton.

Oh yeah, last I checked, George Bush, a "C" student from a little school in Connecticut, is sitting at the head of the table. I hardly think Nerds rule.

Thanks for the levity, Tennessee...

You're right about average SATs and APIs... but the academic cream that rises at MHS is just as viscous as the like in So Pas.

BTW-How many Ivy League FOOTBALL players have you produced?

Tennessee Tiger, congrats on your SAT score. Your just like a yuppie, you can't stand that your yuppie little school can't beat monrovia in football, so naturally, your yuppy little self brings up the grade-card. Go find an academic decathlon blog to vent. But if you're here to talk football, face it, south pasadena is giong to finish fourth or fifth again in league.

I always had a guy feeling that us west sgv-ians were too passionate to keep this board quiet and sane for too long. so far its been good reading and not just simply bashing each other.

i totally agree with some of the consensus with kicking hoover and glendale out of the pacific in favor of monrovia and tc who would make better competition in the league. however, it would also make playoff bids tough to come by. i saw you 13 cif playoffs in a row for arcadia but they only had to win one real game to get in. hoover, glendale are gimmies and you had to win once out of pasadena, muir and cv, but i mean make those teams earn their keep right?

monrovia's talent has always been home grown and actually their talent has been inquired about from the likes of arcadia and tc and the such. how sweet would a league with
1. muir
2. arcadia
3. pasadena
4. cv
5. temple city
6. monrovia

look?! that would be totally insane in terms competition but also by proximity. this would mean that three of the west san gabriel valley's best teams minus St. Francis would be home for the holidays so too speak.

Well, as much as I don't want to support unwarranted accusations, nor engage in banal discussions over trivial matters (although this is a high school football blog). I cannot merely sit back and watch my neighbor get assaulted (although justifiably) by raucous SGV bloggers (they double as premier league hooligans during the offseason). Monrovia is far the superior on the football field and has been for some time. Academically, SPHS stands equally distant in terms of academic prowess. Just a snapshot of stats from 2005 -
API index (academic performance): MHS - 685
SPHS - 817
SPHS met 2006 goals, MHS did not.
In statewide ranking, MHS ranks 5 out of a ten point scale, SPHS ranks 10. Just a snapshot to prove that the only slightly less yuppy than San Marino SPHS may not come close in the 40 yard dash and # of Div. 1 recruits we attract, but they will kick your SAT any day...so there ;) We may lose 49 - 0 to the "homegrown" talent of Monrovia, but our bruised and bloody bodies will be on every national honor roll there is! Nerds rule. Go Tigers. (and thus I have finally used the blog for what it is, a great way to release my lingering adolescent frustrations in my own inadequacies)

>>>>"SB,
In reference to the 'urban legend' of how bad the RHP fans are--obviously you don't remember two years ago when CIF wouldn't allow Rio to have anymore home games half way through the season because their fans were so hostile and the coaches kept getting kicked out of games. And I noticed that of everything I said, you didn't engage in the truth that the Prep league will not allow Maranatha in--why is that?."

What you are saying is totally taken out of context and not quite totally true. Belive me, I am privy to much more information.

P Finchamp,

if you read the posts, I was refuting what whocares said.

As for Maranatha, I am not sure why they are not in the Prep League at this time, but thinking out loud, they may be a good fit. We alos must realize that the Prep league has several girls only schools and that could make the girls side too crowded. Back in the old days, Flintridge Prep was a boys only school when the girld Prep League started.

Purdue,

I can read! YOU are the antogonist here. Scroll up. Your first post questioned Monrovia's championships, and was unprovoked! When New York replied that you were providing locker room material (truth), you decided to bash my school's academia, and then level false charges that the coaching staff illegally recruits.

Sadly, my conclusions regardiing you are on the money. I wish you would change your login name. It emabarrasses me and every other Purdue alumnus.

coach (I use your moniker under protest)...

You obviously know absolutely nothing about Monrovia, or these kids. First off, Shawn Sparks is a 3-yr letterman at Monrovia... he has never attended another high school.

You have him mistaken with Tyler Thompson... who transferred from Damien... and has been injured for all but one game this year.

As far as James Davis goes... he went through the entire Monrovia school system (Bradoaks Elementary, Clifton Middle, and MHS). He played on the frosh team at MHS... and due to family matters, had to move to Hacienda Heights. He always planned on coming home when he could... and now he's with his friends where he belongs. So go find another team to accuse... and get your facts straight before you spread rumors and innuendo that question another person's character.

...some coach...

Purdue,
Stop crying. What's done is done. I think you need to get your research straight. I've been quiet this week until you opened the discussion with unprovoked M-Town bashing: CIF Title games, quality of education and whatever else you blabbered. But you know what, have fun. That's what blogs are for.

Thank you, though, for sending our players and coaches some locker room material for SoPas week.

I hope SoPas and the rest of our league has continued success. Having a strong league will only help Monrovia prepare for the playoffs.

james davis is one of my best friends cousins and shawn sparks is my nephews cousin. Both were recruited by other schools but both are from monrovia. Before you speak get your facts straight.

Monrovia's two best players are not homegrown, James Davis (Los Altos) and Shawn Sparks (Damien) both transferred to Monrovia. Please tell me how there are homegrown? Did you lend them to these other schools and then want them back for their senior years?

Prep FB realist,

Also, Arcadia has been the most stable program in the past 13 years. In the last 13 years, the Apaches only missed the CIF playoffs once.

Arcadia does not get a thrill beating Hoover and Glendale every year. I think they would prefer to have M-Town and TC in the Pacific.

Boilermaker'74, if you read the comments I posted becfore you would see I was praising South Pasadena and then New York went on to talk about how SP doesn't stand a chance against Monrovia. This might be true, but at least let SP enjoy what they've done so far in the young season. If I were you I would do some research before coming to false conclussions. I THINK COACH SMITH AND HIS STAFF IS DOING A GREAT JOB WITH THEIR TEAM. I GIVE THE PLAYERS JUST AS MUCH CREDIT, THEY COULD'VE GIVEN UP AGAINST SAN GABRIEL, BUT THEY NEVER DID WHEN THEY WERE DOWN IN THAT GAME. GO TIGERS!

Campy...

It's true that I love football... but I stand by my earlier statement that the girls' and smaller sports of TC and Monrovia would INITIALLY struggle if they made the jump to the Pacific. My argument:

Girls' Volleyball -
Pasadena 9-0
Burroughs 7-4
Monrovia 1-2
Temple City 0-2

Girls' Basketball -
Pasadena 24-8 Div 1a Quarterfinalist
Muir 22-8
Monrovia 19-6 Div 3aa Quarterfinalist
Temple City 14-12

Girls' Softball -
Arcadia and CV Div3 Quarterfinalists
Monrovia Div 5 Semifinalist
Temple City was bounced in the first round

Boys' Volleyball -
Arcadia Div 2 Quarterfinalist
Monrovia doesn't field a team

...however. After a few seasons, and a new sports complex, the Cats will be able to compete with the best in the valley!

Big M,
You're getting a case of football myopia. I'm surprised that you believe Ladycats would struggle in the Pacific in soccer or softball. Does the Pacific outdo the Rio Hondo in those sports?! Also: I think boys' water polo had a close one with Arcadia, and beat PHS. Point being, I'm not sure MHS and TC would be welcomed to the Pacific by coaches who think they can roll the Cats.

Hey Pasadena guy,
Yes, proud "owner" of Trevor. Thanks for the gracious words about him. Arguably the much anticipated RHP/Maranatha game features two of the areas finest kickers in Finchamp and Delahooke---should the game come down to a kick my money is on Finchamp!

big m lover , i can see that too ! that would boost up the league. and hsfbfan , P.H.S should not have even won that game agaist harvard westlake.
it was like 34-6 at one point and the last 4 min westlake fumbled twice ! that was the coaches fault and it was the first game of the season . beside's , they(P.H.S) got blew out by dominguez 69-0 , they beat a west ranch a team that had no seniors on the team ,
and they just lost to arcadia !
which they had a fumble , 3 interceptions, and phs QB got sacked 6 times ! anyway, you probely did not realize that some starters and a bunch of kids left P.H.S this year including seniors because the coach wanted to put them back on J.V for 3 games and work their way back up to varsity and they left why do you think their roster is small some of the starters are at blair & muir ! thanks for the boundarie change this year. why would starters leave a program ? it is alot of stuff that will come out about that school.

CalPreps ratings for our local teams:

1. St. Francis - 39.2
2. Monrovia - 22.6
3. Arcadia - 18.8
4. Pasadena - 13.7
5. La Canada - 13.4
6. Rio Hondo Prep - 13.3
7. Maranatha - 12.4
8. Muir - 11.9
9. So Pasadena - 8.4
10. Temple City - 7.7

A definition of the ratings can be found here:
http://calpreps.com/cgi-bin/2006/ratingvw_live.pl?help=yes

u know what, the best team ever is mark keppel...aztec pride!!!!!!!!!!they'll beat monrovia nd south pasadena with their hands tied behind their back...and we'll see next week when they face sopas

Monrovia doesn't recruit born and raised there thats all local talent. but maybe so pas needs to start recruiting.

AJ Taylor is the best LB in the League

The game was a thriller, but the refs helped contribute...they stopped the clock before the half ended for no good reason, they took off 6 points from SF, and made some contraversial unsportsman like penalties. The Knights persevered and came out on top. Sometimes you just have to overcome the other teams home field advantage...AND THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS DID!

Finchamp,
Thanks for your perspective on this. I must admit, I first posted as one of those "thoughts outloud", and have now come to realize that it was unwise to do so, as some people take thoughts to be facts and so forth. I agree there is no conspiracy with the Prep league to not let Maranatha in, however, if that ever worked out, what a great rivalry it would create between all the local schools. And I agree with your logic that the Prep league might not offer enough of the sports or might have a small variation of sports offered that Maranatha does not field. Finally, I'm guessing that by your last name you are Trevor's dad? He's a great player and good luck to him this weekend.

Sorry Prep FB Realist, Monrovia game was not a blow out. Arcadia was up 7-6 at half. It's apparent that you have some inner problems outside of prep football.

If you been reading Mr. Robledo's post, Arcadia has been hit by the injury bug quite hard this season. And, finally they have recovered and they are a different team.

Maybe you forgot Pasadena beat a good Harvard Westlake team that beat Carson friday. Pasadena is a good team this year.

Do your your research... But, hey your San Marino team is doing well this year. You should feel good.

Go San Marino!

Hey phason...

Your releaguing idea creates another league with "have and have-nots". Your "Other" league has Burbank, Burroughs and Eagle Rock above with CV, Glendale and Hoover looking up.

It would be much easier to exchange Monrovia and TC from the RHL for the Pacific's Glendale and Hoover.

In the Pacific, Monrovia and TC could compete in football and baseball but would initially struggle in the smaller sports and girls' sports.

Likewise, Glendale and Hoover should already feel at home in the RHL... San Marino, LC and So Pas have been scheduling them for years.

Hsfbfan,

Are you dellusional or something? Arcadia got BLOWN OUT by St. Francis and Monrovia. Now they did beat a quality Bell Gardens team, but barerly held off a weak Pasadena team. Weren't you guys up like 21-0 over PHS and had to hold on to win 28-20? That's not dominating and a win over PHS does not mean you're back. The Bulldogs are the 5th best team in the Pacific League? Are you going to go nuts after beating Hoover and Glendale too?

Last week I could barerly stomach your assertation that St. Francis wouldn't want to play Arcadia now, because the Apaches would win. But this week, saying that your "back" is utterly ridiculous. You had over 20 penalties against PHS. You had FOUR turnovers in that game. Do you think you're going to beat Muir/Burbank/Burroughs with that kind of horrible performance.

Shake yourself son.

Purdue...

It is obvious that you are a bit envious of Monrovia... if not envy, definitely fixation. These are a sample of your unprovoked posts:

-"Has Monrovia ever won a CIF title in football??? I didn't think so!"

-"South Pas is a WAY better school academically than Monrovia"

-"South Pas doesn't recruit players like Monrovia does!"

The amount of vitriol in these posts is unwarranted and unneccessary. Does throwing mud in Monrovia's collective eyes make you feel more superior... or make your school any better? Your claims about our beloved high school, Monrovia, are fictitious and, worse, malicious in intent.

The saddest part about your presence in this thread, Purdue is that you've failed to mention what a wonderful start Coach Smith and the rest of your legacies have enjoyed. This may be the best opportunity So Pasadena will have for a league championship in almost 20 years... but instead of acknowledgement and celebration, you are too busy demeaning players and fans from Monrovia that you have never met. Unbelievable!

If you did graduate from So Pas... and Purdue... I would expect you to have more class than you've shown here.

SB and whocares,
Seems both of you fellows have your facts askew. Rio Hondp Prep NEVER had to forfeit home field advantage after the Marshall game. Where did you get that info? The Marshall game was a preseason game and RHP played their usual league schedule thereafter including games at home.

If you want to know why Maranatha is not in the Prep league I suggest you ask someone who has been there awhile but not a coach cuz it's a new staff. I don't think it's a conspiracy to keep Maranatha out, in fact it would be great. But let's not kid ourselves no one is keeping Maranatha out because they're too strong--maybe the Prep league doesn't offer enough sport venues to satisfy Maranatha--cross country, track, etc.

Transplant,
Thank you for pointing out the fact that the Prep league not letting Maranatha back in was only a 'rumor'. If you look at the blog history, my comment was made in relation to a post that SB left which stated, "Maybe it is time that Maranatha returns to the Prep League of which they were members before the Alpha League was formed." To which I agree--the Prep league should let Maranatha in, but had heard a rumor (obviously just that--not a political piece) that they would not let them. Although, to my knowlege, I don't believe Maranatha has ever been apart of the Prep league. The newly formed Alpha league is a reworked Delphic League. Please accept my apology for frustrating you, but please make sure that you have the full story before you post.

Well, it seems the league season is just around the bend as the rhetoric gets taken up a notch. In looking at the RHL, although I am orange and black to the core, I think SP will ahve a hard time with both LC and TC. Why? Ball control and turnovers. SP's big wins (SG and AHS) were big wins because they forced turn overs and capitalized. I don't see a Mooney coached team making the same mistake. Alahmbra's backup tailback rushed for 196 yards against the Tigers. What does that say about the possibility of Broadnax and Peterson? If LC and TC can control the clock and keep Sp off the field, I don't know if the Tigers can capitalize on mistakes as well as they have been...because there won't be as many. Coaches Smith, Chi, and Hertel have their work cut out for them to get through the first four weeks of league play unscathed, setting up a GREAT showdown for the league title in SP's homecoming game vs. Monrovia. If we can get that far undefeated, who knows, the magic may continue. Go Tigers, but be careful.

whocares,

To respont to something based on 'I once heard' is silly. Get your facts straight before you throw out rumors. I don't know if the prep league allegedly wouldn't let maranatha in, who does? This is how rumors get momentum. Some idiot says something and someone else responds and then it snowballs. Once again who does care if they didn't want them in or out. This is high school athletics not foreign policy. Lets the kids play and leave it at that. No one needs you to get everyone riled up. You are the problem here not the prep fan.

SB,
WOW! Please hear me out on this one because you're reacting like I'm saying something offensive about your family. No one, not I, has said anything along the lines that Prep does not have a good team, or great tradition, etc...The statement I have made was first about why the Prep league won't let in Maranatha--to which no response has been given. And then a point was made concerning the intensity of Prep's fans which has caused them to forfeit home field advantage before. And you need to check with Coach Drain about this one as well, because you will find out I'm correct. Two years ago, after the Marshall game that Marshall won by a late field goal and a Prep coach was ejected from the field, but didn't leave, Prep did indeed have to forfeit any home games for the remainder of the season barring playoffs. And from the misplaced aggression and insults you keep throwing out, you are proving my point exactly--that Prep has some fans that are rather...troublesome. I wish you the best of luck this week and this season.

"By the way, I wouldn't dare say anything about academics because South Pas is a WAY better school academically than Monrovia." Purdue, this sentence sounds about as intelligent as the substance that it offers. I think you need to go back to high school Enlish class.

Purdue,

Your aggressive tone reinforces my comment about your lack of wisdom. Know your place, son. You guys are still the preferred homecoming date of every school I know. Were you even born in 1987 when SoPas last "won" the league title?

Man I've been watching games for years and years but come on Fred why you gotta go and show a weak team with the Apaches and now with Los Altos. How do you keep picking weak teams to profile, oh, wait, maybe cause you got going your "Game of the WEAK." Listen Fred, why don't you give us Rams some play. TC is got something going and maybe if you show up to cover us, we'll give you your money's worth and more. We got heart and drive deep down and look at our record Fred. I'ma lobby for you to get out here and do that game of the weak but this time, it will really be Game of the WEEK! Go Rams, Pas Star News next Game of the Week! Come on Fred, I know you journalists guys cant take no gifts, but if you don't tell, I got a hot dog and a coke for you at the gate!

Odel B. ~ Ram through and through

Nevermind, I guess someone named "coach" brought up the issue.

i have a question for everyone ! why does south pasadena not play pasadena high school ? this is the only city i know that does not have two schools with the same city name not play each other.
the pacific league should be:
1.south pasadena
2.pasadena
3.muir
4.monrovia
5.arcadia
6.duarte
7.blair
8.LA canada

new league:
1.glendale
2.hoover
3.burbank
4.burroughs
5.cv
6.eagle rock

This will be the top five, not sure about the rest yet..
1. St. Francis (4-0)
2. Monrovia (4-1)
3. Muir (3-1)
4. Temple City (4-0)
5. Arcadia (2-2)
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?

how about a pasadena star news top ten.

Who first said anything about Monrovia having disqualifications? I just read a couple posts with Monrovia fans being pissed off. I was just curious who started it?

New York,
I am a recent South Pas grad. What's your point? Monrovia did get to the championship game a couple of times, but did they win? MY POINT IS THAT YOU STILL LOST AND YOU HAVE NO CHAMPIONSHIPS! By the way, I wouldn't dare say anything about academics because South Pas is a WAY better school academically than Monrovia. It's a proven fact just look at test scores and where students attend college.

p.s.- South Pas doesn't recruit players like Monrovia does!

Whocares,
Are you stupid? I have been to most if not all the games at Kare Field the past 6 years. I have never heard of anyone throw rocks at the referees. Dont you think if that happened CIF would ban games at the field? There have been many complaints against the field but nothing as ridiculous as that. A couple years ago in a CIF semifinal game, Linfield Christian did not want to play at Rio. The game didn't change location and RHP won 38-15. Teams have been afraid to play there I think because of the intensity of the fans. I mean, isnt that what home field advantage is all about? So whoKARES, dont make up any stories.

SB,
Of course Chadwick won't leave the prep league, would you stop picking on your snobby little brother? In reference to the 'urban legend' of how bad the RHP fans are--obviously you don't remember two years ago when CIF wouldn't allow Rio to have anymore home games half way through the season because their fans were so hostile and the coaches kept getting kicked out of games. And I noticed that of everything I said, you didn't engage in the truth that the Prep league will not allow Maranatha in--why is that?

It's pretty sad that some league foes have to hope for or rely on Monrovia to have disqualifications in order to have a shot at them.

Word to the wise SoPas fans, if there are any.

Your underdog advantage of flying under the radar will quickly diminish as you continue pounding your chests.

Purdue,
I'm not sure what you intended to accomplish with your post regarding lack of CIF championships, but be careful. Did you say that you are a recent SoPas grad and current fan?

Thanks for the locker room material. I'm sure coach Smith and his roster will be grateful that you ensured that the 'Cats won't overlook SoPas this year.

Yes, Monrovia lost to Paso Robles twice and Mira Costa once from '97-'99. Remember, to lose in the title game means you have to reach the title game.

Hi Everyone,

If you have an interesting story that we should come out and shoot for crown city news cable and our monthly sports feature show please log onto crowncitynews.com to let us know. Monday nights at 6pm our news broadcast carries sports now -- and the half hour sports show is once a month. You won't get us if you have Time Warner.

Thanks,

Laura Mitchell
Sports, crown city news
channel 56 in Pasadena and Channel 3 in the San Gabriel Valley
lmitchell32@gmail.com

whocares,

Chadwick is a charter member of the League and unless they wish to releague, they will not be forced to leave the Prep League.

Secondly, why would refs be afraid to throw flags against RHP over the other area teams they play? I have never heard of their fans throwing rocks at the officials, must be an urban legend.

I heard a rumor a while ago that when the small schools did all the re-leaguing that the Prep league refused to allow Marnatha in. Make sense to anyone else??? You've got Flintridge Prep, Pasadena Poly, Rio Hondo, Webb, and Maranatha all within 15 miles of each other, yet the little Prep's won't let Maranatha join their league. Rather, they'll take Chadwick from Palos Verdes, who can barely tie their own shoes in most sports, over Maranatha. That's pathetic! The game between Maranatha and Rio should be a good one, especially since its not at the pathetic parcel of a land Rio likes to call a field where the fans throw rocks and refs are scared to pull their flags against Rio.

what was the predicted winner for the San gabriel/So pas game...san gabriel, the alhambra/ so pas game....alhambra, and most likely the monrovia/so pas game...monrovia. So pas will will always be considered underdogs but this is the season so pas will make a statement. We have offense, defense, and special teams

in 2003, QB alex christ led them to the playoffs, 2004, defense provided a 6-0-1 start, and last year was a developing year for flynn and parish...and now, the veterans have the experience to take a step further

Not that I need to gloat or tell FredJ what he can do with his predictions, but the Tigers are for real, and they're going to the playoffs. I'm not saying they will beat Monrovia, but they will get TC, La Canada and San Marino. And of course Blair

Forget about a St. Francis-West Covina game, in a couple weeks, St. Francis goes back to the ESGV and takes on Bishop Amat.
I love the new four-team Mission League, it's allowing for some great nonleague games, and more credit to the Knights, because they're scheduling some tough schools.

To the person that Made the comment about the grades of the MHS players (Coach) Monrovia has produced some of the most gifted athletes both academically and physically. There are some players that are not on the roster now because of grades that could have created havok for other teams, so look forward to them playing in some of the later games this season. Until then check out your teams academic status and focus on their chances on winning with a Monrovia team that is both physically and academically heathly.

>>"Yes, Bakersfield scored 22 on Maranatha but we put up 49 on their defense where RH Prep only managed 14. Go Minuteman."

Yes, that was week 1, and RHP's first game, yet it was BC's third game. Offenses always take longer to get rolling that defences.

It is defanitely one of the games to watch that week. Maybe it is time that Maranatha returns to the Prep League of which they were members before the Alpha League was formed.

Hsfbfan West Co. has had 3
starters out each of the last 2 weeks, last night against Rancho C. 2 of their 3 game breakers didn't suit up for the game[Tyler Hockenhull & Demond Wallace, also their Cornerback Fati shorty has been out since week 1] the one that did play, William Wallace, was hurt early and didn't come back till mid. third qtr., without all their speed West Co is not the same team, during this time Rancho scored all their TDs, West Co needs these guys cause they also play on defense in the secondary. The Bulldogs haven't fielded the same team that played against Mater Dei since the Mater Dei game.
Last night St. Frances would have routed West Co.
and the prior two weeks they probably would have beat them too, but if West co fields the same team they fielded in week 1, then you get a pretty good game between West Co & St. Francis, I don't know if they would beat St. Francis
but if they were able to play good against Mater Dei they could probably give St Francis a tough game, there is still a lot of time left so we'll see if my theory holds true
if & when they get their full team back.

Has Monrovia ever won a CIF title in football??? I didn't think so! It must be tough losing to Paso Robles all those times!!!

I've been checking out this Blog and I find it funny that there are people that think Monrovia has a weak secondary, but If you saw the last two games you saw two different Monrovia secondaries play, First West covina who did nothing but pass and then LaSalle who did nothing at all. The score in the Monrovia LaSalle game could have been well into the hundreds if it weren't for sympathetic Ref's keeping an eye on the scoreboard making sure the 4 touch downs in the third quarter weren't going to count. There were more penalties than yards gained in that quarter. I think that the wildcats play up to to level and beyond of their compettion. If there are any doubters come to some of the games and you wil see that these Brotha's are for real. What was more scary is that there second string offense seems to as good as there first string And their JV team is looking pretty unstoppable.

RH Prep-Maranatha, I'm so pumped up about this game. Remember what happened last year: Maranatha was doing great, there defense was awesome and they came into the game 4-0. RHP had just come off a devastating 28-27 loss to ACA(whom they beat this year 76-0) and RHP was ready to turn that loss around. Maranatha got their hearts ripped out and that affected them the rest of the year. Never the same after that. And of course RHP went on to win CIF. It almost sounds like the same situation for Maranatha but I'm sure they'll be more prepared and they will have 50-0 in the back of their minds.

In regards to the comment about the "SoPas hype," the last league title South Pas won was in 1987...and then it was taken away from us at the end of the year. They normally subside on 3-5 wins a year in football and traditionally have relied on other sports to give some sense of athletic pride (see water polo before Larry Naeve showed up at LC and ruined SP's party). This year, for some reason, the high school football gods have smiled on the 33 man roster of the Tigers and have thus far granted them an undefeated season. For the fans that still talk about the 60's and 70's and the numerous CIF titles (I think SP still has more than TC), this season gives hope and serves as a brief flashback to the fat years of the past, before everyone moved into the San Gabriel Valley. Come next year SPHS will be back to being content with 4-5 victories, but in the words of the great Producer, Max Bialistock, "FLAUNT IT BABY, FLAUNT IT!"

Regarding the Maranatha game--at the beginning of the 4th quarter Maranatha was up by almost 30. How many of the remaining points were put up against the 2nd and 3rd stringers? Keep that in mind.

"He is a playmaker. He threw 4 touchdowns all last year, and has 8 for the season, and has only played in 2 3/4 games."
just imagine if flynn played teh whole game how much better sp would be

John D.

Understand this.. Monrovia played a very weak La Selle team and the reason why they were so successful thru the air was because the starting corner Tyler Thompson is out with a shoulder injury, James Davis who usually plays corner was takin most reps on the offensive side, so they had two very young corners on the feild basically the whole game.

Once M-Town gets healthy and get all there players back, there is no stopping this team in this new division.

On the offensive side they have been more on the run than the pass and i think they will need to balance that out when they play harder opponents. And they are also missing the All-League TE in Eric Brooks who impressed everyone last year with his performance. When he gets healthy the Cats need to get him going on offence quickly!

Monrovia's problem in the RHL well be in the final 3 weeks because by then the grades will have come out. Then well see how unstopable they really are.

Monrovia is a very solid team with incredible run offense, good passing game, strong run defense. BUT, when the 'Cats meet a team with a good passing game, they'll cut apart the poor pass defense. Even La Salle could have had several more long gains and scored had their receivers caught the ball. Love Monrovia but they're in big trouble against the pass.

This weeks game will be a great test for both RH Prep and Maranatha. Let's hope the Star News has someone there to report the game. To Fred J - Yes, Bakersfield scored 22 on Maranatha but we put up 49 on their defense where RH Prep only managed 14. Go Minuteman

what is up with all this SO Pas hype!?.. I mean yes they are 4-0 and yes they did beat Alhambra, but lets be real, Alhambra hasnt been that good in a long time now and their starting TB is out with an elbow injury. Come on now!

-But SO Pas. better injoy thier little winning streak while they can because the RHL is no joke this year! And Monrovia looks UNSTOPPABLE! They just came off a 52-19 win over La Selle and all the weapons and playmakers Monrovia has I dont see anyone in the RHL stopping this very talented team. They have 5 Div. 1 prospects in James Davis, Eric Brooks, Sean Kelly, David Potts, and Shawn Sparks.

And the QB Potts has really grown from his sophomore and Jr. year

Monrovia has a lot to look forawrd to!

GO CATS!

Bulletin Board material. Keep it coming robledo. Flynn took the recording of your congratulations on 100 and played it for the whole team. We didnt just beat alhambrad WE SMASHED THEM GOD DARNIT!

Fred J,

Yes Marantha really put it too them. RH Prep is going to have their hands full. It is going to be a good game. I wouldn't read too much into the score. It was RH Prep's first game against Bakersfield and the held them to 7 pts. Maranatha played them and they scored 22. It gonna be a big one next weeek. Go Prep.

Was anyone at the Maranatha game? That 49-22 score over Bakersfield Christian blew me away. That was the same team RH Prep struggled to beat, 14-7.

Great, a post on the officials. All the armchair QBs think they can do a better job, go become an offical, instead of griping. They are doing the best they are able and there is an offical shortage on most HS sports.

How about some comments on the poor officiating this year? I have seen some obvious missed calls, but this year it seems that many referees need to have their glasses checked as there are more and more missed calls. When everyone in the stands sees a head jerk from a face mask, or a pulled jersey from a pass interference, why can't the refs see it too? Are they waiting for someone to get hurt first?

SOUTH PAS FANS, YOU DESERVE TO GLOAT. HERE'S AN EMAIL SENT LATE LAST NIGHT...GOTTA LOVE IT!

Good morning Mr. Robledo,

I just wanted to thank you and Mr. Campa again for giving South Pasadena bulletin board material towards tonight's win versus Alhambra. By giving Alhambra's coach Rudaflores his 100th victory on Wednesday, it gave our kids a little extra incentive to win this game handily. Maybe now you can give Mike Flynn his just due....8-12 155 yards and 2 touchdowns. He is a playmaker. He threw 4 touchdowns all last year, and has 8 for the season, and has only played in 2 3/4 games. Pretty impressive if you ask me. South Pasadena is the real deal, and the Rio Hondo league better take serious notice. I guess now Coach Rudaflores can get his 100th win against another "stiff" team that hasn't won a game!

Thank you again.

What a great season this is turning out to be. For a guy who lives in the East San Gabriel Valley and has to hear how great those teams are all the time, it's refreshing to see the West having so much success.
South Pas is better than the team that started 6-0-1 in 2004, and I'm starting to believe they can earn a playoff spot in what will be the toughest RHL race in more than a decade.
Look
South Pas 4-0
Temple City 4-0
San Marino 3-1
Monrovia 3-1
La Canada 3-1
Blair 2-1 (playing tonight)
Amazing stuff!
Arcadia is a different team with Hess back, and don't knock Pasadena, that was a good team it lost too.
The only team I'm starting to wonder about is Muir. The Turkey Tussle will finally be just that, a tussle.

Is this the year that the "School on the Hill" brings the first CIF division championship home for the first time in 40 years?

Go Golden Knights!

This is for you and your boy Reginald,guess the best football is in the Westside right now.Monrovia should of beat West co. and St. Francis humbled Los Cheaters (err Los Altos).Aren,t those supposed to be your #1 and #2.Oh well looks like you Homers have to get passed the 605 more often. Signed; West-sider tired of hearing about how good the East Valley is.

Did any see that Harvard Westlake beat 15 rank Carson 33-30? This is the same Carson team that gave Domin. Compton a tough time. Wait, Pasadena beat Harvard W-lake... Crazy
Arcadia is back, well the same Arcadia team that handled TC. Kevin Hess was a difference maker. It's too bad that he did not play against SF in the 2nd half and the Monrovia game. He looks like a Pac-10 recruit.

Pasadena looked alot like Monrovia in terms of speed.
They have a good young team.

St. Francis proved they are the best in the SGV probably way better than WestCo. What happened to WestCo against Rancho Cucamonga. They got beat 20 - 0. The IE teams are getting better every year because of the good housing market.
Is S.Pas back? The Winter brothers were good back in '92 and Gavin was a great player at S.Pas and K-State. Alhambra was a good test for South Pas. I think they are good enough to beat La Canada and maybe Temple City, but Monrovia would crush them.

St. Francis 19
Los Altos 12

what a thriller indeed!

GO KNIGHTS!

Los ALtos had a really good game last night. Los Altos tried to win St. Francis. I think they had put all they got into this game. I know that they could try harder but at least they did try. St. Francis was a little too much for them. It was a pretty good game. You should of had been there.

Well, for the first ti e since the days of the withers brothers and gavin peries, the SoPas faithful may have reason to be excited. The Tiger defense was able to shut down an Alhambra offense that seemed to score with ease in previous weeks. That was combined with a great overall performance by the offense...WOW. SoPas faced it's first test, and, as we have been doing for years in the classroom, passed with a definite "A". For the next two weeks at least Tiger fans can remember the glory days and have hope spring anew. Look out Rio Hondo League, it's quite possible the ghosts of Tiger greats are steering this group into the annals of SPHS lore. GO TIGERS!!!