SATURDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK ...

Muir has no natural QB and they had a good one last year. Could Owens or Graves be moved to RB or QB - Although with Youngblood they are in great shape at RB. It would be a shame not to figure out a way to take advantage of that Graves and Owen's talent.

Coach Mooney and Fred J,
Just to be clear, so you don’t think I goosed the numbers you have to include Temple City they had a good year and you left off Duarte they had a good year too that gets you over 40 wins – I left off CV (basically didn’t play) and Glendale (injured) – just like in your count I left off LaSalle (didn’t play) and SG (injured – I thought), I can include the 3-7 SG if you like – if I did that would mean that your guy got over half his yards against opponent that were a collective 14 -30 (a 32% winning percentage)with a few teams in lower divisions, which makes it even worse. It is clear to any objective person that LC played a much tougher non-common opponent schedule.
But Fred does make a fair point that these are league awards. So yes DB had a big game against M – I wasn’t there so I can’t comment except to say the numbers for that game look good. But is for one game that the award is given or performance for all the league games. In league only, Peterson had 25% more total yards 1,408 to 1,110; 33% more TDs 16 -12; and - THIS IS THE MOST AMAZING STAT - Peterson 55% more yards per carry 10.7 yards per carry for Peterson compared to 6.9 for DB and Peterson had a weaker line and Peterson had to play against TC (a tough D) and DB had to go against LC (not the D that TC is). Further, Peterson was huge on special teams – returning punts, kicks and punting. I don’t know what more anyone could have possibly have done to deserve the award. Coach Mooney, these stats would have been a tap in for you.

Coach Mooney: Stop with the Wheeler this and that and how great he is. He advised everyone he will be back next year last night, your safe. You won and you will have the task of trying to out coach (wait for chuckle to stop) him again next year.

Fred,
I think it would be pretty cool to hear what some of the former coaches have to say about Valley Football. I'm sure Coach Brownfield still roams the area. Coach Mooney, can you get a generator up to that ranch in Montanna and show Coach Maloney how to log on?

Burbanksports, thanks for the props! Sorry about blowing up the Frontier Leaugue band wagon. Hey the Bishop Diego players and fans were top shelf, you were right. Good luck next year!

frist off, I'd like to commend la salle and maranatha on a great season. La salle has proven themselves to be a team to be reckoned with. even though alot of people didnt like the new alignment of CIF. I think it works because it makes it more exciting in local area h.s. football. At least in the mid-valley division. COngrats to verbum dei on winning the championship.

Football bloggers, I'll introduce a new football thread twice a month. I think there is enough interest to talk about where players are going to college, how spring ball is going, and just talk about the players you think are going to emerge next season.
Also, I'd like to thank Coach Mooney for all his insight, I know our bloggers appreciate it. Hopefully, I can convince a few more coaches to chip in next season. I think a weekly coaches corner blog would be fun. I'm not sure if coaches would contribute during the season, coach Mooney can tell us what he thinks of the idea, but it sure would be fun.
If anyone else has idea's for next year, please let me know.

Regarding the Peterson-Broadnax Rio Hondo player of the year debate, I think over the course of the entire season, nonleague and the RHL, I lean toward Peterson. But when you're simply talking about the five games in the RHL, it's hard not to side with Broadnax, who led his team to a 5-0 record, and won the head-to-head battle against Peterson in the TC-La Canada game. In the other most important game, against Monrovia, Broadnax had the game of his life, rushing for over 300 yards in the win while La Canada got hammered against the Wildcats. When you're voting all league selections, the objective isn't to pick the player who you think is the most talented, or is a better division one prospect. The idea is to pick the player who performed the best in the biggest games.

GK/Prepstar,

The award in question is for performance in RHL games...making all pre-league statistical anlysis moot (though I would love to know how you arrived at 40 wins with three of LC's pre-season opponents being Glendale/Gabrielino/CV-who all struggled this year...Monarch and HW must've won a ton of games)

I think LP is the RHL MVP... I just don't think he was the only one this year. The RHL coaches felt that both kids were very difficult to prepare for and play against. I'm sorry that you feel having DB attached to the award invalidates what LP did this year. I don't think it does.

We couldn't say one was more valuable than the other. We have that luxury in the RHL. Some leagues/places have mandates that no award can be shared so no matter how people feel, one person has to be chosen (PSN is one I know for sure).

My fighting for DB to be considered as RHL MVP did not prevent LP from getting an honor. He just had to share it...is that so bad?

Lastly, Get off Coach Wheeler's back. There isn't a coach around who sits around thinking about ways to waste talent, how to purposefully screw kids, to intentionally play bad players in the hopes of losing more games, who calls plays designed to fail. We all try to do the best job we can with the resources provided to us.

There is no way LaValle ran a 4.2. Not even Deion Sanders could pull that off in his prime. The last kid in our area to run a legit 4.3 on the field, not track, was Sultan McCullough.

Big A,
The 2006 season is over for Arcadia. The TC/Arc scrimmage means nothing. Arcadia will be back strong in 07. They have one of the best coaching staffs in the SGV. Mooney can contest to that as I am sure he is close to arcadia because of all the prior rival games.

Stop the hyperbole,I'm not sure which scouting service timed LaVelle but they should double check their watches. No way is he anywhere close to those times, I've seen him workout at LaCanada. Football 40 times are very overrated.

Reggie Dunn at Verbum Dei runs a 4.35 but he is a legitimate track runner. When La Velle runs a legitimate 10.5 secs in the 100 meters I'll believe his 40 time.

Coach Mooney,

You scrimmaged Arcadia High School and supposedly they "rolled" over you guys. I am just curious, Arcadia lost to Monrovia and you guys beat Monrovia. Was it the season experience? Did DB play in the scrimmage?

I would love to hear your input.

Thanks,
BigA

Don't forget about the tremendous effort that Peterson puts out on special teams and defense. I feel like this entire argument is based on runningback vs. runningback. Doesn't Peterson drive the school bus as well? Peterson was definitely the best football player this year. I really don't think it matters that Peterson did not get into the endzone against Monrovia. He racked up almost 200 yards, usually getting hit in the back field and making us pay. His line was line swiss cheese.

TC broke us (Monrovia) off pretty well. Broadnax broke some long runs and looked very impressive, but I have a feeling Do could have been the primary ball carrier and they still would have beaten us, it would have just been slower scoring.

I don't think that having two players of this calliber named Co-Players of the Year diminishes it from one another, but it is interesting how it usually works out. I think that if the League's best player is on the best team, then the award usually is solo. Otherwise, it is usually shared. I suppose there are exceptions. Was Dez. the outright player of the year, even though TC was Second Place that year? He should have been. He had five touchdowns against Monrovia.

Coach Mooney,
First, don’t get me started about last year – I have strong views about that and this year is enough of a time burn.
Second, I must say you are good – I feel even more strongly than ever that you need to be at SF. There is no other coach in the league as articulate (it is the SC education showing) and focused on or cares about HS football as you and TC is lucky to have you. All that being said, I can’t let you put words into my mouth and misconstrue or mischaracterize what I have said (Pay attention Campanario – read every word)
I never said you are a fraud – I just said fighting for your players out of loyalty when other players from other schools are more deserving, which I think you implied in your initial response, lacks integrity and to me it does – reasonable people can disagree.
As implied by Campanario’s inconsistent post there are some secret dealings or “trading� that, as in Reed’s year, takes place of which I was unaware. Peterson is just on the wrong end of it this year. (WHICH WAS THE POINT OF MY INITIAL POST). Campanario should really stop trying to help you because you do much better on your own.
I never said your guy was chopped liver, unless my saying in any other year he should be the MVP and was better than your guy last year is calling him chopped liver.
Also, to answer your specific question I thought the award was for the MVP of the league, not the best player on the best team as you note – so it is diminishing (not the end of the world) to the MVP award if it also has to be shared with the best player on the best team as you implied.
Lastly, if Campanrio thinks Broadnax is a better back than Peterson, I hope he is somehow connected to the UCLA or Notre Dame football programs.

Game over coach Mooney.

The people who vote on Player of the Year won't have the same pointed hats the Coach Wheeler wears at the league meetings.

Lavelle "The Thrill" Peterson will finally get his due.

By the way Lavelle was timed yesterday by independant recruiting services and ran the forty in 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4.

I think he will make some school very sorry they over look him just because his A.D. Randy Boal and his Head Coach won't help him.

Goldenknight,
I respect and applaud your passion. I am many things, but a fraud is not one of them. Perhaps my kids play so hard for me because they know I'll go to bat for them if they've earned it.
The only thing you failed to answer was how the award is diminished by having the best player, on the best team from the league, who was as critical to our team as your guy was to his? This was the cruxt of my arguement at the RHL meeting.

I really don't see how you could say I was disingenuous for putting my kid up and fighting for him...I mean he did have a pretty nice year and he played especially well in our biggest RHL games. I wouldn't go as far to say I put up chopped liver as your earlier post insinuates.

You certainly have this year's numbers broken down quite well...check out the statistical breakdown of last year's RHL Co-MVP's and apply the same criteria to see if you think a split was legit. I think you'll find it enlightening in context with this year's split.

Golden Knight,
A couple things you say compel me to think you need to back off. First, you're not well acquainted with Mooney if you question his integrity, either as a coach or in his dealings with other coaches in the RHL. And second, I can't believe you've been on the inside of an all-league selection meeting, if you think coaches can manipulate or use "voodoo" to get guys on the teams. Most of those meetings are secret ballot, and the fact is that sometimes the coaches see "co-winners" as appropriate, and not always at MVP.
Gosh shouldn't Mooney have complained about Sushi Tsai sharing it with Hopkins last year? Or did Hopkins deserve it alone in '04, or McKibben in 2000? Should Desmond Reed have shared it?

Coach Mooney is right when he points out the tremendous seasons that both Peterson and Broadnax had. It was one of those seasons in which "Co-MVP" was deserved, in the minds of the coaches who voted.

Lastly, for what it's worth, and I hope I can say this without taking anything away from Peterson: from a Monrovia fan perspective, I'll tell you that Broadnax killed us, and Peterson plainly did not. (You can call it scheme or personnel if you want.) Yet I wouldn't oppose for a second that Peterson is deserving of the award.

Hang in there and be glad.

Fred,

where can we get la salle football pic's?

That last post to Coach Mooney was from me.

Coach Mooney,
This one is easy – and yes, I am still bitter about my guy as you call him not going to SF; with Collis that team would have gone deep into the playoffs.

The rational you ask for is simple – your guy isn’t the best player in the league and it isn’t close, which is not to say in another year he shouldn’t have been the MVP – just not this year- in fact, I think he was much better than your guy last year. Specifics follow:

Peterson rushed for more yards 2,444 total yards vs. 2,181 total yards for DB; more yards per game 222 (includes a game where Peterson was injured and only played half a quarter – back that game out and he averaged 244 yards a game) compared to DB 218; Peterson 30 TDs vs. DB 22; more yards per carry Peterson 9.1 vs. DB 7.3. Peterson did all this with the smallest line in the league, a significantly less talented team (for example, LC’s QB rating was 30 and TC’s was 106) and a less talented coach. But, also he did it against much more difficult opponents – and the following is key. The teams Peterson played against that aren’t the same as DB played against had a 41-8 record with 2 teams from higher divisions and the teams that DB played against that Peterson didn’t were 11-23 with 2 teams from lower divisions. How many more yards would Peterson have had with the TC line, team, coach playing against lower division teams with a combined record of 11-23 as compare to playing against teams that were a combined 41-8. DB racked up 970 of his 2,181 total yards and 12 of his 22 TDs against that 11-23 group. If you just compare there performance against common opponents – Peterson doubles your guy in every category and again he did that with a much less talented supporting group. If the role were reversed and you were the LC coach or Peterson were on TC he would have been the sole MVP – and that is what doesn’t make it fair and the facts are overwhelming.

MaxBoyle--

I was there. You guys had that late comeback thing going yet again. Who woulda guessed that Delahooke's kick would ever go wide regardless of all of the possibilities.

Gotta take issue with just one of your comments. "Cold rain"-- rain yes, cold no. As evidenced by the underperpared coaching staff's attire it was relatively pleasant--that is compared to nearly any other part of the country at this time of year.

Does anyone know if the HC from Duarte is coming back next season? I saw that Duarte is looking for coaches at the V/JV levels.

Goldenknight,
I shouldn't take the bait, but I can't resist responding.

The 2 players in the RHl named Co-Player of the Year had tremendous years. As coaches in the league, we felt both deserved the honor.

You certainly have a strong opinion that only one player deserves the award this year. I am interested in your case AGAINST my kid?

Are you willing to share your rationale as to why my kid isn't worthy of RHL Player of the Year and how his attachment to the award diminishes the accomplishments of your kid?

ps

vander laan for D.E lead the league with 16 sacks, had 2 touch downs, 2 safeties and a handful of fumble recoveries...

p finchamp

your right a all star team from the small local school would be great. like you we have a lot of guys playing the whole game both ways. those guys work really hard and don't get a lot of credit. esp the linemen. so thanks for picking some of our guys. they really are a great bunch of young men. they never quit, they love the game, they love the Lord, and really love each other. thanks again

I just wanted to thank all of you who supported the Minutemen on saturday in the cold rain. I know it was difficult to sit through that, and I thank you for it. I'd also like to thank all the students, teachers, parents, and other supporters who went to our games throughout the season. We couldn't have gotten to the championship round without yall. We love you and get ready for next year, because we're even hungrier for those rings now.

Coach Mooney,
CORRECTED VERSION - I agree you demand a lot from your kids and get more out of your kids than any another coach in the Rio H league. TC has the worst Jr. All American feeder teams - always at the bottom - and TC HS is always near the top - LC is the reverse. As I said earlier I wish you were the coach at SF. Heck, you can coach the SF basketball team while you are at it.
However, justify it anyway in your mind you want. But giving awards to less deserving players just because they play for TC, who you know in your mind, aren't as deserving because you can out-fox less prepared or less well equiped coaches isn't fair to those certain more deserving kids who work as hard if not harder than kids on your team. It is missguided loyalty and lacks intergity and it happens every year - this year is just the most egregious and absurd and worse we all saw it coming - see previous posts that predicted it. I would go so far as to say you could put in an envelope today the name of the player you think will be the TC MVP for next year and absent injury that player will be the MVP or Co MVP of the RH League in 2007. It is just amazing it could happen this year.

Coach Mooney,
I agree you demand a lot from your kids and get more out of your kids than any another coach in the Rio H league. TC has the worst Jr. All American feeder teams - always at the bottom - and TC HS is always near the top - LC is the reverse. As I said earlier I wish you were the coach at SF. Heck, you can coach the SF basketball team while you are at it.
However, justify it anyway in your mind you want. But giving awards to less deserving players just because thay don't play for TC, who you know in your mind, aren't as deserving because you can out-fox less prepared or less well equiped coaches isn't fair to those certain more deserving kids who work as hard if not harder than kids on your team. It is missguided loyalty and lacks intergity and it happens every year - this year is just the most egregious and absurd and worse we all saw it coming - see previous posts that predicted it. I would go so far as to say you could put in an envelope today the name of the player you think will be the TC MVP for next year and absent injury that player will be the MVP or Co MVP of the RH League in 2007. It is just amazing it could happen this year.

Finchamp:
Again it was great to meet and talk with you Sat night. Sorry we didn't bring the championship back to "The Jewel of the Valley" but what a game.
Your All Area Small Schools is a great idea.
On defense. Fuery is a DB. I would add both Jones DB and Sharpe LB to the defense squad.
Let me give this some thought and I'll have more to post

Small school fans here's a little fodder to play with...

SMALL SCHOOL ALL-AREA
Offense
QB--Sherman,Poly
RB--Hirschman,Poly
RB--Love,Maranatha
RB--Goldstein,Flintridge
TE,K--Delahooke,Maranatha
WR--Archibong,Poly
WR--Padilla,RHP
Line--Ixta,RHP
Line--Vander Laan,Maranatha
Line--Moore,Poly
AP--Finchamp,RHP

Defense--
LB--Galvan,RHP
LB--Fuery, Maranatha
your favorites here...

Add your picks or replace. Nice thing in small schools is that the best players are on the field both ways most all of the time. That changes the further up the quality chain you go but I assure you even at the highest level of play most players really want to go both ways.

So any input to add. Sorry to Poly and Flintridge but since you guys don't post stats you really had to stand out for me or you didn't make the list. I know, what's to follow? All-Senior small schools? All-Junior....All-Freshman would be interesting however.

Congratulations to La Salle and Maranatha for their outstanding seasons.
There is no need for any excuses, any what ifs or any second guessing. Both schools gave 100% from start to finish.

Goldenknight and Prepstar,
I demand an awful lot from my players during the course of a season. If they perform at a level that I believe deserves post season accolades, I will fight for them, period.

You call it voodoo...
I call it professional responsibility and loyalty to those who've given so much for the greater good of our program.

Fellow Bloggers,
First, the La Salle - Verb game:
We fell behind, but it was no big deal. Remember, we have trailed in most of our victories, including the playoff games leading up to this championship game. It was pretty obvious that Verb was bringing their "A" running game. It wasn't even their QB, but the strong Merritt, who would get through the line and break the arm tackles of our LBs and DBs. He ran hard, didn't fumble, and opened up the field for Verb's big weapons. Despite this, we were optimistic about the game, because we had been able to move the ball, and then be hurt with fumbles.

Down at half, the Lancers battled back with a 3rd quarter TD, and another drive that stalled, resulting in a FG.
Verb didn't panic, kept pressuring Matt Kohurst, our QB, and continued to move the ball with strong runs by #8, Dunn, and passes where our DBs were being outjumped. Lacey made a great catch down the middle of the field. I don't know if USC's Coach Pete Carroll saw that one. He was on the sideline before the game, and during the first half, but I assume that he went down to the Home Depot Center for the end of the Pac-5 game.
Verb played a smart game, their penalties did not hurt them, and they did not make very key mistakes. They are deserving Mid Valley Champions, and I would expect them to be competing in the playoffs often.
As far as the year end rankings go, Verb came out on top in the Mid Valley Division, La Salle 2nd, followed by Monrovia, Village Christian, and TC. There are 29 teams in the Mid Valley. In the Southern Section, Verb finished #76, La Salle # 140, and many Mid Valley teams were in the top 200, out of 385 teams.
But here is where it gets interesting. In the Cal South III division, where only Division Champions are eligible for the Bowl Game, Verb finished 5th. These divisions are based on enrollment. Most of the Mid Valley schools are in Division III, but the larger public schools are in Division II. Oaks Christian was the overwhelming favorite to go, but Verb got a mention on the Sunday FSN show as a team that was good enough. I would expect in future years, without an Oaks Christian dominating Division III, that a team from the Mid Valley could be the Southern Division III or II rep, if they went undefeated, or had one loss. That is if they don't change the format.
I am going to miss this blog during the off season, and all you posters. I haven't agreed with all of you, but it has been fun to read your opinions.
A special mention goes to Coach Mooney, who has been involved with the WSGV football scene for such a long time. I would hope that we can attract more Coaches' opinions next year. Coaches are always afraid of providing bulletin board material, or giving away secrets, but I think that we can get a few to post without that happening.
To all you idiots that tried to get all negative, bashing individual HIGH SCHOOL players, please be considerate of their feelings. They are just playing this game for fun.
A father of a La Salle football player told me that on Sunday morning, the day after the Championship game, the son said that he was ready to begin the basketball season. That is how it goes for 18 year olds.
Lastly, I would propose trying to expand the pre game meetings with fellow bloggers at games next year. It would have to be early, before we have to get busy with chain gang, filming, or whatever. It would be fun to put faces to posters.
Thanks, Fred J and A Campa for setting this blog up, providing so much pub for area teams, and posting so much information.
See you all next year!!!!!!

John M. You may be right.

I was a TE and punter in college. One of my best plays ever will never be recorded or remembered as such. The center snapped the ball over my head from the 25, I picked it up and ran it through the end zone for a safety--something every punter should be schooled in for such an occurance. We won the game by one point. I witnessed two occasions this year where punters made poor decisions because they weren't prepared. Any other decision I might have made would likely have resulted in a field goal or touchdown for our opponent.

In a big game several years ago, I was on the sideline snappying soaking wet balls as it was pouring rain. Then the call for a punt came, and the referre brought out a bone-dry football. My grip must have been over-compensating, as I was then assustomed to a wet ball. I ended up launching the ball way over the punters head. He then picked it up and ran for a safety. Fortunately, the other team's long-snapper hiked it through their end zone as well.

The kicking game takes a lot of coordination: good snap, good hold, good blocking, good kick...That's a lot of variables. No wonder Coaches like Don Markham opt to go for two every time.

I like the idea of preparing for a cold wet rainy day...dipping the footbal in l a water bucket sounds good. I don't think Maranatha anticipated that, for that matter many southern CA High School teams.

By the way, my comments are NOT meant to put down a ball boy...but in a game of this magnitude, wouldn't it be wise to think of the little things? Guys should read the articles that the LA Times wrote about Ed Croson over at Birmingham. There's a guy who thinks of the little things. Just food for thought. Hey I'm a Maranatha fan through and through. In hindsight, we could have done many things. THEY HAD A GREAT SEASON AND I"M PROUD OF THE VARSITY.

But there's room for improvement...reducing costly penalties, thinking of the little details that could tip a game over to your favor. As a fan, you want your team to get better, in victory or defeat, always!

Hey Freddy!

I don't know about the rest of the SN but I think Prep sports carried the newspaper through the Fall this year. Interest appears to be sky high these days for high school sports-- both boys and girls.

You and staff did a more than commendable job this past season--we know you are really understaffed to handle the load. Furthermore the blog must have exceeded all expectations. I know the blog is nothing like this in the other areas served by the SGVN. I mused with Moses that he wouldn't receive much interest in the college blog and again I was "spot on" (to reintroduce the phrase you enjoyed much earlier in the season).

May I take the liberty of announcing now that RH Prep will be favorites to win the Prep League next year? Congrats to you and the SN for a great year. Merry Christmas!

Prepstar,
If true - what a bunch of morons. Although, I did see at the Orange Lutheran championship game Aaron Corp (the senior USC bound QB and MVP of the game) was not a team captain - maybe this is some new trend of not having the BEST PLAYER IN THE DIVISION be a captain.

prepstar: First of all who cares about the politics of who was team captain of La Canada's football team? And is this really the right place to air your sour grapes?

PFinchamp, hopefully our coverage of high school sports continues to grow each year. If we only had the blogs then, right?

How could anyone in the future send their kid to play at La Canada? It is a shame that not only do they treat their star player differently than other players on the team they don't go to bat for him when is counts.

I learned something the other day that I just couldn't believe and still need verification on.

The La Canada Coaches got together at the begining of the year and voted to have Lavelle be a captain for the year and and when asked about ithen Coach Wheeler used his authorty to take Lavelle off the list.

Coach Wheeler said something like the other three players deserved it and they decided to go in another direction and leave the one captian spot open for a new player each week. Now this same coach has had his best player a captian for eight years running. Why not Lavelle. That is disturbing and unfortunately accepted by the school.

Why would any head coach not want Lavelle to be a captian? I wonder what is truly behind Rich and how he views things in life. What a bitter guy. Thankfully for him he works for an Athletic Director (Randy Boal) who encourages this type of thinking. Wow, here we are in 2006 and we still have schools that accept this.

Unthinkable.

W.A.R.

Congratulations to Maranatha and La Salle on terrific seasons. I think both teams showed great pride and determination to reach the finals.

It's always interesting to see the what ifs after a loss - no one saw that much rain coming - it was not one's fault - not the ballboy - not Kyle, not the snapper - not anyone. the young men of Maranatha played their hearts out and win or lose - knew that they were creating a page in history for the Minutemen. Much can be learned from a loss as well as a victory, and we are proud of the way this team fought until the bitter, rainy end.
Proud to be a "Minuteman Fan"

First let me congratulate both Maranatha and La Salle for fine seasons. As a coach I can tell you that the losses stay with you longer. They haunt you and if it's a close lost the speculation never ends about if this or if that from within or without.

That being said one of hardest things to do is repeat your success. One of the intangibles is team chemistry which will vary from year to year. You never know how each team will jell even though the coaches attempt to recreate the same work environment.

...and with regard to Verbum Dei and there speed advantage. Every last one of there football players participated in track and field. I know because I coach t & f. Reginald Dunn was a medalist in the D-4 100 meter finals. They are fast because they work at it. Other football coaches in the Division should take heed of that and harken back to days of old when it was considered mandatory for football players to participate in track. Some of the old skool stuff still works. They even crossed over from baseball to run back in the day!!!

Blisterveil,

If rain is forseeable in the forecast, you prepare for it. There is no excuse. Get a bucket and fill it with water. Before each snap at practice, you dip the football in the bucket. That's what we did in HS.

Have the Top 25 and coach of the year been selected yet?

Perpstar,
CALLED IT - see my post on Fred's MVP blog late in November - what a bunch of ingrates the LC coaches are to have the best back in the history of LC (just asked the second best back who went on to star at U of Washington - he was quoted and on record in the LC Outlook saying Peterson is the best back from LC and the best back he has seen in HS and went to games just to see him play) and maybe the best back ever in this league to share it with an above average back (sorry TC prince and TC 2000 and counting besides being vulgar you also have it wrong as to best back of the Area let alone the MVP of the Area - BTW, without Coach Mooney he is an average back) who has 25 less TDs, 1,600 fewer yards over two years, and averaged less than 50% fewer yards per carry with a much better line and team - what an absolute joke. The LC coaches should be ashamed - the kid has made these guys look like they might know what they are doing and this is how the kid is repaid - it is an absolute disgrace - and really coach Mooney should have done the right thing here and backed off and given it to the real MVP not to share it with a kid who isn't near the player that Peterson is just because he can outfox the LC coaches - a little disappointed in Coach Mooney and situation normal with the LC coaches. These guys would screw up a 2 car funeral. I hope PSN has some backbone when it comes to dealing with the ALl Area MVP and doesn't fall for Coach Mooney' voodoo yet again. It has been bad enough in the past, but now that Coach Mooney is a contibuting columnist I am not holding my breath.

blistergavil ,
Get off the backs of the kid ballboys. Yes, dry footballs are nice to have, but if it was raining as hard in Pasadena as it was in Compton, the ball was going to get wet, period. Of all the yelling on a high school sideline, why does some of the worst go in the direction of young ballboys? They don't get paid, they are expected to be perfect all the time, they have to deal with a new set of officials every game, and yet they keep volunteering.
Here's to you, the lowly kid ballboy, toiling on the sideline in the heat of September and the cold and wetness of December. Have a beer, err, wait, you aren't old enough. I'll have one for you.

Blistergavil:
I’ll disagree with your idea of going for a two point conversion. The only decision was to send Kyle D out for the extra point to tie the game and for our defense, which had been outstanding, to hold St. Margaret’s and force overtime. With Kyle’s kicking ability it would have given us a distinct advantage in an overtime situation. Of course who would have guessed the rain would have started again as regulation ended and them it poured for at least 30 minutes after that. Oh well, something we’ll never know.

I'm writing this after the Maranatha game... Keep the footballs in adult hands to dry them up, towels, a few dry balls in the ball bag, etc. Maranatha had a kid as a ball boy and he had the ball out in the rain. Wet ball led to many of our mistakes. In a game like Saturday nite, a few dry footballs would have made the difference.

Nonetheless, I thought Maranatha should have gambled and went for two. It was a hunch. Kyle (Delahooke)was automatic on PATs, but this was the first rainy game of this season (the championship game of all things). It was just a hunch...
Few years ago (1997), Taft beat Sylmar in a City Section Semifnal in a downpour in Woodlands Hills. The difference was a 2 point conversion, 8-6.

These guys(Maranatha)got real far. They lose some key seniors (especially Jones, Delahooke and Fuery)but the have many guys coming back. Both Clash and Schilz are back, plus most of the O-line. They will be real good next year. If Clash was healthy, I think we beat them St. Margie's by a TD.

Just some thoughts...

Fred, thanks for the coverage, great all week. And congrats to an outstanding season Varsity! GO MINUTEMEN!!

Coach Mooney's anaylsis of the Lasalle game was nothing on how he moved the room of coaches to vote when it came to M.V.P and All League selections for the Rio Hondo League.

He played that room like a fiddle while the LC coach wore a cute little pointed hat and was told it was a Nephew's birthday party and only raised his hand when instructed to.

Coach Mooney is not only one of the best coaches around he can make some of the other Rio Hondo coaches jump through hoops like circus animals with the snap of his fingers.

He's has my vote.

Maranatha faithful--

Indeed congratulations on a best-ever season, the future looks bright.

Just a brief note about your newspaper coverage leading up to and following the game. On RH Prep's march to the championship last year we were delighted to get the amount of coverage we eventually received however I wanted to point out that Maranatha's coverage surpassed what RH Prep got last year yet RHP was only area team to play in a final in '05. Furthermore RHP was second page news after their victory with just a small photo--the first page pictured Reggie Bush and it was all about the Heisman. Heck you guys finally got to the folks at the SN by making it to the FRONT PAGE of the entire paper!

Fred is it too late to expand last year's story and coverage on RH Prep's run to the title???

Was just hoping he would outline his game plan going into the Monrovia week.

If Mooney isn't in the mix for Coach of the Year (should be) he ought to be "Journalist of the Week" for the in-depth, on the money analysis of the LSHS game. I was there and thinking on his commentary most of the game. Played out real close to the way he called it. Anyone else there feel this way? You ought to go back and see his stuff to put in context with the game.

Don't see him offerring up the goods in-season though New York. Too bad.

Minuteman Fan:
Glad to hear you had a chance to meet and talk to Fred. Rav and Eddie caught me at half time and took me up to meet him. We had a nice talk and I told him I had the mustard to give him after the game. Man that pack of mustard was almost as wet as I was.
Did you get a chance to meet P. Finchamp? He got a hold of me towards the end of the tailgate party and we had a great conversation. Found out we’re almost neighbors living a few blocks from each other. He wanted to meet you and I went around too find you without luck. You may have already gone into the stadium.

Fred: I really enjoyed watching the videos highlights of last night’s game. Way too go.
The Orange County Register has a great write up on last nights game also.

I'm sure coach will leave the journalism up the journalists when the mighty Rams are still contending.
His opinions after TC's season were good reads though.

Coach Mooney,

You've opened Pandora's box. Now we will expect at least a weekly in-season commentary on TC's progress, inclusive of scouting reports on upcoming opponents. We know you were reading during the season, now it's time to do a bit of writing. Think of it as your own version of "The Season."

Congrats to La Salle and Maranantha on such fine seasons. Losing is tough for sure, but there is no shame in your efforts.

I hope they take that interim tag off Coach Murphy soon...he's earned the right to be the man.

Though I was pretty darn close in my analysis of the La Salle game, I'm not ready to give up the whistle and become a full time journalist.

I look forward to spirited competition with La Salle for years to come (though I suspect my job will be even tougher now with added momentum for kids to come to your school based off your success).

Congrats to both teams for a great run.

Nice to see the enthusiasm for local football is alive and well out here in cyber space. I've enjoyed being a small part of it recently.

Crazy,
We have the entire off-season talk about things such as: hypothetical match-ups, players and coaches of the year, how much of it sucks that football is 9 months away, etc. etc. I hope all these seniors stay in shape enough to be ready to beat the East in the Hall of Fame Game. They have really dominated us for a while.

It's sad that no team from the East or West SGV got a CIF Title this year. Schurr is the closest, but they are a bit South on the 605.

What the heck is going on with SGV football?

Crazy,
We have the entire off-season talk about things such as: hypothetical match-ups, players and coaches of the year, how much of it sucks that football is 9 months away, etc. etc. I hope all these seniors stay in shape enough to be ready to beat the East in the Hall of Fame Game. They have really dominated us for a while.

It's sad that no team from the East or West SGV got a CIF Title this year. Schurr is the closest, but they are a bit South on the 605.

What the heck is going on with SGV football?

As a Maranatha alumnist, I just wanted to congratulate the team on the best season in school history. As I watched the game I was amazed at how far this school has come. It used to be that we would get excited about going five hundred, and then we just got excited when our Varsity football program got re-instated just 8 or so years ago. Look at where you are today boys. Granted, the game didn't end how you would have wanted it, but you made us proud. The school really does need to think about the "interim" title on Coach Murphy. How in the world he did such a turn around in one year is a miracle!
Congrats as well to LaSalle and their season. Well done Coach G.

THANKS boys or should i say young men for a wonderful season . I counldn't be prouder if you had won.You may have fallen a little short in the worlds eyes but in our hearts your the kinda young men any mom would be proud to call son.Thanks again and GOD BLESS you.

To a great Football Team, coaches and school I say congratulations to La Salle Lancers. La Salle played Verbum Dei tough and showed up where others didn't. No excuses from the Lancer faithful just praise. There was standing room only at Compton Centennial on the La Salle side. Our fans, players and coaches showed the class. That's what makes this school #1. It's always easy to say, I told you so, but at the end of the third quarter Verbum Dei knew they were in a game. The final score is not indicative of the hard fought battle. In my estimation the LaSalle coaching staff deserves coaches of the year.

Crazycube was right about Alex Jimenez. Verbum Dei rarely ran to his side and when they did he made them pay for it (ask QB Curtis Wilson). He was double teamed all night and still made plays. Did anyone hear Akeem Ayers mentioned last night?? Hummm!

To the best kept sporting secret in SGV (no longer) I say thanks for the memories.

First off I would like to extend props to all the SGV bloggers that week in and week out championed their team and causes in this blog, but most of all to Fed Robledo, for giving us this great venue. Thanks Fred!!!
It has been a a great season for the SGV, sending 2 teams to the CIF Championship game and outfitting some class teams: TC, Momonrovia, Muir, Pasadena, La Canada, Duarte and St. Francis.
Not enough can be said for both Maranatha and La Salle and their accomplishments, a testament to good kids and good coaching.
The Verb-La salle game last night was a tough loss for the Lancers, many left the field in tears as the rain washed them down.
It has been a proud association to be part of their fan base. The score last night of 32 to 10, was 4 less points than our win over them in October. Our defense held them closer than any ONE has in their last four games. an all out effort by an inspired group of young warriors that kept on playing and kept on hitting. Our offensive effort was not typical, marred by many costly mistakes, and the Eagles came home to roost. It was great to be part of the atmosphere at Centennial and we enjoyed giving the Lancers some of the Cuban JuJu, but alas it was not enough.
I am extremely proud, of #70 Alex (AJ) Jimenez , who by the by, PANCAKED Akeem Ayers #9, going to UCLA (maybe, not if Pete Carroll has something to say about it) on the lancers TD run. On D, he forced the play continously inside, maintaining his containment and handling the double teams, but Reggie Dunn and Shawn Merrit made us miss. The Verbum Dei Eagles are a great team as very one on this blog knows. They are also a class act and I send them my congratulations on a well earned victory and Mid-Valley Championship.
That is it for me right now I will miss talking about football for a while. New York where ever you are make sure you turn out the lights when we all leave!

Maranatha, was Coach Murphy ever given the title as "Head Coach"? I heard the School wasn't sure about him so the made him the "interim coach". That "interim Coach" did an amazing job! I hope my kids get to play under him.

la salle you know u must not kno how to read because coach mooney has just made it claer to you he wasnt going against you he was telling what he was thinking and u think that its bad and that hes talking trash learn how to read!!!!!and get off tc butt about the lost you dont hear us talking about you!!!!!!!!

How can a Monrovia blogger say anything bad about La Salle. "We'll get you next year", that's what a sore losers says. How about that was a good game that La Salle and Monrovia played in the playoffs, and I hope both teams the best of luck next season. All you people on here who bash on teams that beat you are sore losers. Stop whining and face it that you lost and be happy for other local teams having success, maybe one day your school will have some success too.

Ya i dont think i told you so says it enough.La Salle lost good luck against us next year.You will need it for sure.

All right here I go:
What a night of football. Starting with the tailgate party. So many Maranatha faithful enjoying the start of the championship game. We must have BBQ’d at least 350 hamburgers and 150 hot dogs. The crowds in the stands were great on both sides. Cheering and sporting their teams even with the inclement weather. Man, did it pour prior to and after the game.
Now, onto the game. What a 1st half. We go up 14 to 0 after a couple of mistakes that the solid St Margaret’s team made. I’ll tell you, as I was on their side lines, on the chain crew and they were just about shattered. Their coaching staff was upset and players yelling at each other. One more score and we might have broken their spirit for the night. Their tying touchdown with under a minute in the first half brought them right back into the game.
I can’t believe how we kept ourselves in the game the 2nd half. After their go ahead touchdown in the 3rd quarter things weren’t going well for us but our players didn’t give up.
Then the score with about 3 minutes left in the game and what excitement. Kyle D., please don’t get down on yourself, the way you’ve played all year has been unbelievable. With the conditions tonight, wet and cold that ball must have felt like it weighed 20 pounds. At least that’s what it sounded like every time it was kicked. Even the line judge talked to me about this.
St. Margaret’s played a great game and that’s what was needed to beat us tonight. I know that this was the toughest match for them all year and they just squeak it out.
To the Maranatha team, hold your heads up proud. To make it to the final game is quite an accomplishment. Many very good teams did not make it this far and to play the championship game to a 21 to 20 score is a testament to your achievement.
And watch out for next year. Yes, we’re loosing a few key seniors, but look at the returning junior and sophomore players and the JV team coming up. Yes, next year will be something but making it to the championship game takes more than just being a great team.
With the early success our basketball and soccer teams are having I guess you’ll all be hearing more from me. We’ve got some great things brewing over at the “Jewel of the Valley� campus.
And I will sign off
GO MINUTEMEN
GO MINUTEMEN !!!!!!!!!!!

La Salle and Maranantha both fought hard. For two small, pasadena schools to make it that far is amazing.

88,

It's like I've told haters before: In order to lose in the final game, you first have to make it that far.

Maranatha and La Salle had commendable seasons.

Just wanted to give a few quick comments regarding the La Salle-Verbum Dei game.

Despite the final result, congrats to La Salle on a great effort. When the Lancers turned the ball over on their first three possessions and the Eagles scored two touchdowns I thought the game was over. Yet, La Salle battled back and the score was 20-10 at the end of the third.

Verbum Dei's running game was just too tough. The Eagles Sean Merritt (#34) had an incredible game, nearly rushing for 200 yards. He was the story of the game.

The Eagles pass rush was also in Kohort's face for a good portion of the game.

It was great to see such a big crowd for La Salle-despite the rain. Saw several Lancers of old and new in attendace. Saw Lancers catcher Becca Bojorquez of the defending Division V champion softball team in attendance. In the rain, everybody still stayed to see the game. That's what was amazing! The La Salle fans and team showed outstanding class tonight.

Congrats again to La Salle and Maranatha High Schools.

A standing ovation to the Minutemen and Lancers. As for the "what now" question Mr. Falafel, you build on the success. Increased exposure and success in playoffs will hopefully continue to bring talent to these small Pasadena schools. We'll be back!

Go Lancers!!!

p.s. Good Luck on your Badminton season.

Great game all around, Minutemen played great and came up a bit short. St. Margarets are worthy champions. Kyle D. had a great game, we're proud to have him at our School. Coach Murphy did an outstanding job and this team will be back! We're proud of our team and hope none of them are down on themselves!

um....what now LS and who cares?

Sorry to hear about La Salle - Congratulations on a great season though - see you on the basketball court!

We are so proud of our young men - they played hard and never gave up - rain and all! 21-20: they did better then the doubters thought and did it with class and dignity. What until next year - we are coming back bigger, stronger, and better then ever - for we are the might Minutemen!
P.S. Fred - it was nice to meet you - let me know when that piece you filmed will be on !
For the last time this season on the football blogs - Go Minutemen!

And what a game it was! Pouring rain and all.

Yes, St. Margaret's takes the title. Congrats.

AND Maranatha continues to display their strength with dignity. Watch out next year because many of MHS star players are juniors and will return next year with a vengence. Coach Murphy, well, Maranatha made the right choice in selecting him as head coach. The players, parents, and alumi applaud his leadership and wisdom.

Well, this will be quick but I’ll have lots to say later.
What a game. We had so many opportunities but????
St Margaret’s played a great game.
Can’t believe the missed extra point with less than three minutes that would have tied the game
I will say Maranatha had a great season and look out next year
Finchamp and Freddy, great to meet and talk to both out you tonight

Verbum Dei 32, La Salle 10
St. Margaret's 21, Maranatha 20

Congrats to Schurr HS with their championsip. I know that former players Kenny Seto and Parl Gallegos are happy (class of 1986)... They lost in the CIF playoffs to powerhouse PHS thanks to Andre Tucker running ball all night.

Great Job Schurr.

Good luck to LS and the Minutemen. Wow, I bet some of the players on the LS squad live on the PHS district. Well, this is what football is about.

TC Fan;

I coached @ TC for 6 seasons on the JV squad. Those were some great years. One of my greatest memories of all time was the 1999 JV season when back then QB Matt Malczinsky scored on a two point conversion to win the game against the mighty-CATS and with that win TC became JV champs!

Some coaches follow their roots to coach at their Alma-Mater, but is a greater challenge to coach at a different school because deep down inside, your heart belongs where your playings days were at one time. Coaching is one the greatest things in life and only a real coach can understand that. Maybe someday I'll attempt to coach @ Blair or @ the Mighty-Stangs. Is always up in the air. Those are challenges that no one is willing to talk about.

IN re: to coach H. Rodgrigues is between Henry and Garrison with respects. See, there is more than just calling the right plays during the games. It involves emotions and taking upon the challenge. This is what makes FOOTBALL a great sport.

By the way, DA BEARS will run win the 2007 Superbowl!!!!! You can take that to VEGAS. OOPs, coaches dont gamble, unless you are Pete Rose. :)

Laters TC Fan... is this a JV line-men?

Bulldawg-PHS

Bulldawg,
That's precisely why Mooney's teams continue to beat superior talent with gutty kids (Monrovia/LC/Arroyo/Alhambra)...he's one of the area's best at practicing that very message. You're right, he will get his shot and would've had it this year if he'd been on the other side of the bracket. Can't keep a good man down.

Did you coach at TC on some level?

What happened to Henry Rodriguez as DC for Garrison?

Thanks Fred J

Coach Mooney;

I agree with you that is much greater to coach a championship game than to sit in the stands....

Just keep up the good work and someday you will have your shot.

Coach Ed Robinson (Grambling) once said, "If the team you play against have great players all around the board, then MAKE your players better for that game."

It may not have not been in those exact words, but what he was trying to say is that a COACH can make an average player to become a great player as the Notre Dame's or the USC's.... It just takes one play to turn the game around and a TEAM to have the trust from the coaching staff.

Then once in a while Eric Reed's, come along and run all over the RH league.

Bulldawg, on the pasadenastarnews.com/preps website, we have a scoreboard section. We update the scores after each quarter.

Any updates from the CIF games?

Im @ work and cant wait until midnight for the scores....

Congrats to Bermingham HS.

Bulldawg-PHS

THIS FROM OUR FRIENDS AT THE OC REGISTER....

Coach's analysis: Whittier Christian football coach Jon Caffrey knows Maranatha and St. Margaret's well. His Heralds beat Maranatha, 20-6, in the Alpha League and fell to St. Margaret's in the Northeast semifinals, 35-21. Caffrey offers this analysis:

What St. Margaret's must do to win:"They're going to have to contain the tailback kid (Mark Love). He's a pretty good back but they (St. Margaret's) did an outstanding job against (our running back) Esteban (Camarillo), who in my opinion, is a better running back than him. They (St. Margaret's) have to stop that part of (Maranatha's) game and force Maranatha to pass. With Maranatha losing its quarterback (Alex Clash), they really struggle with that aspect. Maranatha plays a lot of fronts (on defense), blitz a lot of linebackers and play a lot of coverages. St. Margaret's needs to recognize (the scheme) and make the proper adjustments."

What Maranatha must do to win:"They're going to have to stop Duenes. They're going to have to contain him and when No.33 (Hunter Steffien) comes in, they're going to need to contain him as well. They're going to have to play sound, physical defense. St. Margaret's is very effective offensively. You just can't make mistakes. You can't miss tackles. You can't give them more chances than they already have. They are just that good."

Prediction:"I really see St. Margaret's wearing them down physically in the second half of the game. I say St. Margaret's wins, 35-14."

DAN ALBANO/The Register

CM,

Were the Herrington Brothers up in Newhall at that time as well? They have certainly demonstrated a successful formula over the years. They have run into a buzz-saw recently, though, with the return of Canyon's legendary coach.

New York,
I agree, but a man has got to know his limitations!
Besides my playing experience in the finals only reminds me of Jim Bonds chucking darts all over Citrus College field and getting spanked by Hart in '86! I just realized by typing this that that was exactly 20 years ago today! Man I'm getting old. We we're 13-0 and looking for the perfect season and trounced...ouch...Bonds was/is awesome.

Coach Mooney,

PLAYING tonight would be pretty sweet as well, even though I probably would not be able to walk upright for a week afterward.

i stand corrected 11 championships!!!

In reference to the maranatha article. If they want to get on the "map" just win tonight (and 9 more CIF championships) Rio Hondo is still the benchmark in the SGV 2nd only to LB Poly in total championships.

Bloggers,
I must admit I'm getting addicted to the chat. Obviously there is a void in my life since we got bounced...what's a football coach to do except play analyst!
In big games, with good teams, the balance is tipped to the team the makes the fewest mistakes. It's not so much about trying to do something you've never done before as much as it is about doing what you do well. One team makes the mistakes, the other capitalizes. That's the winning formula for La Salle tonight. The other issue Verb must control is emotions. Wanting a game too badly or making a super huge deal does nothing but create tension and atmoshpere for disaster. It takes the focus off solid fundementals that make for success. If Verb is so caught up in the payback thing or the whole championship hype, that would be huge for La Salle.
Gotta believe Coach G and D are well aware of this based on La Salle's performance this year.

Make no mistake, I still think Verb wins in a straight up game, but that's the formula for the upset.

I like Maranantha's chances. Just not as familar with them.

Best of luck to both schools.

The only thing better than watching a great game tonight...would be coaching it!

"YOU KNOW he was disapointed but he didn't make excuses and I higly doubt he's better."

I meant to say "bitter" at the end there haha.

God JOB TCHOMER,

You are right.. about the TC JV champions.

You have a great career in the mind of investigations.

Later, I got a call @ work.

Bulldawg-PHS '88

Thanks Lancer Video (AKA) brother bulldog? Like always say "Once a BULLDOG always a BULLDOG. PHS maybe not win many games, but I remember from the 70's that they used to BLOW out the Mighty-Stangs! Since 1977, I knew I would become a DAWG.

See you on the BLOG soon.

Bulldawg-PHS '88

If Bulldawg - PHS is who I think he is I played on two league championship teams that went a combined 19-1 with him, coach Datolla and Coac Rodriguez...he is a great coach and has a great mind for the game. I respect his opinion and him 100%.

I never didn't really play much for Coach Mooney but as a player that played for TC I know he knows what he's doing on the football field and he would never make excuses...fans on this board make excuses for TC...I MAKE EXCUSES FOR TC, but Coach Mooney does not.
Look at the facts, as an onlooker La Salle was 0-5 when they played TC and TC was 4-0. No one saw it coming that TC was going to get beat...except those fans that were apparantly looking into the hearts of the Lancers, they knew La Salle was better which explains the jubilation when the stadium erupted in a suprising defeat of the CIF #1 at the time. Coach Mooney didn't make excuse, not one. The Rams got beat, YOU KNOW he was disapointed but he didn't make excuses and I higly doubt he's better.
Just say for a second La Salle and Verbum Dei were better (I mean they are in teh finals, its not farfetched)...how can he be bitter about losing twice...to the teams that are in the finals? I'm sure he's extremely proud of the 2006 group.
So La Salle fans need to jump off his back when he's asked to give his opinion on a game. If you can't take opinion you shouldn't be watching sports or reading this blog.

Bulldawg,
Great minds think alike.
A long time ago I was a Pasadena Bulldog, proudly wearing the red and white. Played Hoop. Got my diploma in '72.

Lancer Video;

Please allow me to retort in regards to your comments about Coach Mike Mooney.

Very well put words regarding Coach Mooney. As a coach myself, I agree with you that a COACH is under great pressure on making decisions. Is easier for FANS to critique and say this and say that about a coach, but the bottom line is that a coach is not just an athlete, a coach is a mentor, a philosopher, a psychologist, and most of all a motivator. The players respect good coaches, but a great coach is remembered.

After coaching a total of 13 years now in the youth and high school levels, I have been part of many league championship teams and during the wins everyone loves you, but when you lose, the fans and the parents are blaming the coaching staff. It is a norm for people who suffer through traumatic incidents, such as a HIGH SCHOOL game for some folks to experience the taste of defeat. If coaches would win all of the time, then the BIG WIN in the future will never be experienced by that coach and the team.

The unexamined mind of a coach is not worth living.

FOOTBALL-Coach, Parent, Bears FAN, and former player;
BULLDAWG-PHS '88

Coach Mooney,
It is great to have someone like you with so much experience actually take the time to talk to all us wannabees on this board.
While many of us have had experience coaching little kids, you do this for a living.
I was sitting with a high school player recently, watching a college game, and he was critical of the decision one of the head coaches made. I pointed out to him that the coach had about 20 seconds to make a call, and had to live with the consequences. 20/20 hindsight is always crystal clear.
Please don't lump me in with the La Salle folks who are accusing you as being bitter. As you stated, you are giving your "Professional opinion". As a Lancer fan, I can see the heart and soul that this La Salle team brings to the field. On the other hand, I witnessed first hand the thrashing that Verb gave the Duarte Falcons last Sat. night. The game was over in the first quarter. Actually the game was over after the 2nd Duarte kickoff return.
I am sure of one thing. Whatever team plays better football Sat. night in Compton will bring home the championship.
With this in mind, though, I have this thought buzzing around my head that if it rains, and the field gets soggy, and the ball gets slippery, well, the breaks might benefit the team that controls the ball and doesn't make mistakes. That would be the Lancers.

Well, we�re at the eve of the championship games. We can only hope and pray that Maranatha and La Salle come away with victories and CIF championships.
The players and coaching staff have been working for months to come to this point and now it’s up to them. To play errorless football and strive for excellence.
Believe or not that’s all I have to say now.
GO MINUTEMEN
GO MINUTEMEN !!!!!!!!!
GO LANCERS
GO LANCERS !!!!!!!!

For those of you wondering about La Salle's style, you might be interested in the following e-mail sent to John Matheus (La Salle athletic director) from a current La Salle parent:

"Hi Mr. Matheus,
I wanted to pass on some compliments to you. We attended the wonderful game last Friday evening. We went because of the excitement, the lights and the fact that both my older brothers attended and played football for Bishop and my Dad was president of the Booster's Club there for years. We hosted a small party before the game for some of the old Bishop crowd who now have children attending there. I must say, I was so impressed with the complete organization demonstrated. I was a bit worried, because I had by 89 year old dad with me- he wouldn't miss a Bishop game for anything. We entered easily and found great seats. I was also so proud of the class shown by our La Salle students. I wanted to share with you parts of an e-mail sent to me from one of the Bishop dads who attended with us: "We were impressed with the La Salle Lancers, the coaching and the facilities. If we had to lose, at least it was a class program. I hope they succeed next week in the finals. Bishop had our sports banquet last night at the school and many people were talking about La Salle and how nice the fans were, the class of the program and the competetive nature of the team. It is really hard to imagine they were 0 - 5 at one point." You should be very proud of your students."

Oh, and I almost forgot....
GO LANCERS!!
BEAT VERB!!

Ironically, Muddy Waters is crystal clear. I'm an LS alum and TC native, so I loved us beating TC this year. However, I feel Coach Mooney is a good coach and his analysis is pretty good. Verb, on paper, is more athletic in the skill positions. I think LS has a definitive edge in coaching, gamp planning, and OL/DL. I don't feel it's a rancorous attempt to put down LS.

That being said, Goldenknight, you are basing your comments on the actions of few. There are MANY who support the Lancers that are nowhere near this blog. I would not go judging an entire school and community of teachers, coaches, and alumnae without meeting a couple more of them. Otherwise, you will just APPEAR narrow-minded and the chip will start to look like it's on your shoulder.

Hey Fred,
Thank you for posting all of the coaches’ comments. I truly enjoyed the comments from both regarding the La Salle v Verbum Dei game. I didn't see them as bashing nor did I see their comments as coming from poor losers. I think it was solid analysis from both coaches. In fact, I felt like I was reading an analysis of a college/pro game. Great coverage. Any additional info on Maranatha’s match up?

Goldenknight,
I don’t agree with a lot of the chest pounding coming from some on this board. I also think your comments about being “embarrassing and insufferable� and La Salle having a “huge chip on their shoulder� is not justified. Often times what we criticize others of are what we ourselves are guilty of. We have a team in the SGV that is playing for the CIF Championship! I want to be there and support them whoever it may be. Drop the chip and join many others in Compton to see a great game. Regardless of what happens Saturday night, there have been some great games between TC, Monrovia, Duarte, and La Salle. If St. Francis was going for the CIF Championship, would you want local support for your school? That is a serious question. Would you? You would have mine.

Maranatha and La Salle, go bring SGV a Championship ring home!

Coach Mooney's comments were reasonable and thoughtful. Who cares has lost it (if he ever had it) but unfortunately like most La Salle fans, they have a huge chip on their shoulder that even when a compliment is given they take it has a put down. That is why so many people from the SGV would like to see LS lose because the lack of grace that will be on display if they win will be embarrassing and insufferable.

Dear La Salle brethren, Coach Mooney has a right to his dinguinshed and illostrious opinion on this blog.
May he be right or may he be wrong, it is worthy commentary none the less. We need to learn from his mistakes. Let not history repeat it self.

Lancer Video, Who Cares and all other La Salle fans,

My analysis of the game has nothing to do with being bitter. I was asked to provide my professional opinion and provided a slate of questions. I gave my opinion and supporting rationale. I understand your emotional attachment to the issue, I can assure you mine is not.

Sorry you misunderstood my comment on homefield advantage. Don't lump me in with the other cry babies who popped off earlier about our game. Date time and place had nothing to do with it. No excuses from me. My comments were actually meant as a compliment to La Salle-They were in superior shape and made Verb pay the first time around-the spirit and crowd at the Bishop Diego game was awesome. What a great atmoshphere. Those are both compliments to what La Salle has done and it's fair and accurrate to say they won't have those going for them on the road. Hope that clears it up.

Best of luck to you and your team...and alas I'll buying a ticket and watching like the rest of the fans.

If things go your way Saturday feel free to dog pile me electronically and I'll wear it.

TC Coach;
to me that long analysis sounds like alot of jealousy from a coach who's team got railroaded by both la salle and verbum dei. if you had the game plan so dialed in against verb and la salle why did they run right through the TC Lambs. Gallagher had his team prepared last time they played and will have them prepared this time. La Salle will roll tomorrow and as much as i dont want to say it, maranantha will roll and two champions will be in town.

LS,
If you were speaking to me, please re-read my analyis. I was not bashing La Salle, I was making the case for both teams based on the questions presented to me. I think very highly of the La Salle coaching staff and the way the team is playing. I just don't think they can win without some serious help from Verb.
It's not personal, it's my professional opinion based upon what I do for a living.

How come you came to watch our Verb game instead of the La Salle/Monrovia game?

Bloggers,

In case you were interested, here is Cantwell-Sacred Heart's coach, Pete Smolin, entire take on the Verbum Dei-La Salle game. And for those of you wondering, this is the same Smolin that was running backs coach for PCC legend Jonathan Smith during the Lancers incredible 2001 season.

"Thank you, this is a great honor for me to help by adding some input. Playing both of these teams was a very bitter experience for me. This is our first year in this competitive league and higher division and we did struggle in league. We went 7-3 and lost three league games after going 6-0 (non-league) and defeating two higher division teams. The sting of those losses has diminished slightly since both teams in the Camino Real have reached the finals. I was fortunate to attend their last match up along with many college coaches such as Brendan Carroll (USC) and all the top Mid Valley Division Coaches. I feel that this game will again be very close and completive."

1.) Who do you believe has the upper edge heading into Saturday's game?

"Verb seems to have the upper edge, the revenge factor is huge! They will be hungry, very hungry."

2.) What does La Salle need to do to defeat Verbum Dei?

"La Salle has an awesome Line (both sides of the ball) lead by Alex Jimenez and Thomas Quigley, They need to do what they do best, pound the ball with their stud Nathan Bury behind that explosive line."

3.) what does Verbum Dei have to do to defeat La Salle?

"Verb has so many weapons on offense and ferocious team speed on defense. Since they do seem healthier as of late and have been more consistent on offense (eliminating mistakes and producing longer scoring drives) their talented defense will need to dig in and take on and shut down the bulldozer like ground attack of La Salle."

4.) What is your ex-factor for this game?

"The ex-factor is the play of La Salle's passing attack if the line can give their QB Matt Kohorst time to get the ball out to their receivers such as Riley Rettig and the backs David Baier/Nathan Bury in the flats in their play-action package. They can keep the Verb defense off balance. On the other hand La Salle's DB's will have to keep Verb from making the big plays."

5.) How can Verbum Dei slow down or stop La Salle's running back combo of David Baier/Nathan Bury? How can La Salle slow down or stop Verbum Dei's Curtis Wilson?

"Verb will load the Box with an 8-man front and force La Salle to throw. La Salle will have their hands full in stopping QB Wilson especially in the red zone when verb goes into their empty shotgun formation. Wilson is deadly when he smells pay dirt."

6.) How do you rank both squads amongst some of the talent your team has played this season?

"These are the two best teams we have played this season! Obviously, they are good, they both made it to the finals. Verb is loaded with talent, and La Salle is a tough smash mouth program that plays almost error free. Both are extremely well coached and have bounced back from adversity earlier in the season."

7.) What is your prediction for the game and a winner?

"It will be close; La Salle did have a home field advantage playing in the heat of a Saturday afternoon on their blistering hot turf field. This week the home field advantage favors Verb greatly. This may be the closest, most evenly matched championship game out of all of them this year. In that case, I might go with Verb, because it is hard for teams to lose twice to each other.

"However, I will definitely be there to see for myself. I honestly do not know who will win this one. That is the fun of it, playoffs are hard. Either you go home with a loss and your last High School game most likely the last game you will ever play, if you are a senior or you win a CIF Championship! I am grateful that both teams are senior loaded and I am sure all of the seniors will battle until their last breath for that ring."

I saw the TC-Verb game and was unimpressed at the play calls and TC overall performance. If you hand Verb the game like TC did of course Verb will win. Stop bashing on La Salle because they know they have a chance.

These are Rams coach Mike Mooney's comments on the La Salle-Verbum Dei game. He was answering email questions from Andrew Campa...

1.) Who do you believe has the upper edge heading into Saturday's game?
Verbum Dei for 3 reasons location, scheme, and talent.
Location-La Salle will not be intimidated, we were not, and neither was Duarte. I think it is because they will not be able to create the awesome home field advantage I saw versus Bishop Diego. I think the new setting at La Salle has been a major factor in their recent success. Game 1 was played on a brutal afternoon at La Salle and Verb was clearly out of shape. La Salle was far better prepared for that atmosphere and capitalized on superior conditioning to finish the game.
Scheme-Verbum Dei is very tough to defend. They can spread you out and create natural seams or they can go big and bring it down hill at you. The QB is very tough to defend when the play breaks down. Defensively, in the first game, Verb played an even front with Ayers as a down tackle outside. La Salle killed them with quick hitters and counters to the natural bubbles. Verb now plays an odd front, covering all offensive linemen, eliminating that area of attack. They have moved Ayers to LB and he is protected by the scheme to roam and make plays. Their secondary, while not superb coverage guys, has tremendous recovery speed. There is very little margin for error when placing the ball to a WR.
Talent-La Salle has terrific frontline players. That said Verb has a deeper roster man to man. More kids with size, speed, and play making ability and they are playing excellent team football.

2.) What does La Salle need to do to defeat Verbum Dei?
Execute a flawless game plan offensively and defensively.
Offensively, You must possess the ball on offense and score. We moved the ball consistently but blew 4 scoring opportunities with 3 turnovers and getting stuffed at the goaline just before the half. If you can move the chains and score, you will keep their offense off the field and perhaps take them out of their comfort zone and influence their play calling.
Defensively, you have to be able to make them earn their points. They rushed for more than 400 yards against us and it was big plays that did it. The QB’s feet are really tough to defend when the play breaks down. Your normal pursuit angles must adjust to their speed in space. Quick scores against your defense will negate your offensive game plan. They live and die on the big play. Don’t give it up and you can possibly force them into mistakes.

3.) What does Verbum Dei have to do to defeat La Salle?
Offensively, keep on keeping on. They kill you with size, speed, and mismatches. Defensively, They must find Baer on every play. He is one kid on La Salle who can really scoot and they do a great job of finding ways to get him the ball in space. He really hurt them in game 1. Keep the pressure on Kohorst. Give him time and he’ll kill you with his efficiency.

4.) What is your ex-factor for this game?
Mistakes and Destiny. Outside of a complete meltdown by Verb, I don’t see it happening for La Salle. That being said, La Salle has done a superb job of making people pay for mistakes during the win streak. Maybe fate has a Lancer heart this year.

5.) How can Verbum Dei slow down or stop La Salle's running back combo of David Baier/Nathan Bury?
Control the line of scrimmage and allow the LB’s to scrape and make plays. Don’t fall asleep on boots and play action allowing them to slip into the flat.

5a.) How can La Salle slow down or stop Verbum Dei's Curtis Wilson?
Keep if off the field with a flawless offensive game plan. Get off blocks and pursue. Verb does a great job of engaging defenders and holding blocks, allowing the RB’s to get into space. Pursuit angles must be adjusted on the fly. It’s impossible to simulate their team speed in practice.

6.) How do rank both squads amongst some of the talent your team has played this season?
Verb is the most physical, most talented team we played all year. All of the teams we played this year, La Salle included, had several standout players. Nobody had as many gifted and talented players as Verb.

7.) What is your prediction for the game and a winner?
As much as I’d like to see a local school win it, I just can’t rationally pick La Salle based on what I know about both schools and my study of them this entire year. We haven’t been blown out by too many people, and those that have been able to it too us, usually wind up winning a CIF Championship. I hope I’m wrong La Salle, but if Verbum Dei plays to potential…42-14 Verb

PREDICTIONS
La Salle vs. Verbum Dei
Robledo (Verbum Dei)
Campa (Verbum Dei)
Calpreps: Verb 31-27

Maranatha vs. St. Margaret's
Robledo (St. Margaret's)
Campa (Maranatha)
Calpreps: St. Marg 31-21