Can Maranatha and La Salle close the gap on St. Francis' private school dominance? Also, Campa confirmed Luke Collis is going to Nevada.

Maranatha beat la salle tonight.
says alot for the program and how far it has come

Maranatha plays la salle in week 2 this season at home. Should be a good game.Only then can we bring up who is better.

The Voice
I know of at least two athletes that have left Saint Francis and gone to Maranantha
because Maranantha was easier academically. I also do not think I have ever met anyone that applied to Maranantha and got rejected so this really shows their elevated academics. As far as the kid A.J. he only plays baseball so we will see how he feels after being apart of a dominating season by the Golden Knights.

Golden Knights of yesteryear-
Just to head you off at the pass. Don't give us another history lesson. You were and are the best program in the area and we all know that. The past is the past and it's the future that were talking about.

Golden Knight-

Any good athlete can get into SF regardless of their grades just check the transcripts of the top athletes at your school. Not true for Maranatha. The bar has been raised to an ultra high level for education. I know at least a few strong athletes that got horrible grades in middle school that got into SF due to their athletic ability.
You are right that Deitrich Riley is a great athlete. The kind of athlete that SF is lucky to have and they will have a tougher time getting as the years go on. There is also a kid by the name of A.J. Burgland that is at SF and is a big, strong athlete. The word is that he cannot stand it at SF any longer and is begging his parents to let him transfer to Maranatha.
We've only just begun...to steal....all of your players. I like the sound of that song. Maybe we should redo the Carpenters song with new the new words to fit what's happening to SF.
Like I said before. It may seem rosy right now for SF but talk to me in 5 years or less.
Can everyone see the pot stirring????

touché salesman, touché

GoldenBear,
What was the score aginst Oaks Christian w/ all the yards you piled up aginst them?

SMG,
I think you have taken more than your share of hits for just voicing your opinion about one particular school. Obviously they have not replied with a supportive argument. Anyways I am a new La Salle parent and have heard many of the kids and parents talk so highly about you. From what I hear the kids really loved your fire for the game. Your demeanor and intensity is exactly what we need to get this program over the top.

SF fan,...you're facts are wrong.
since 1999 la salle's made play off appearances, in 2003, they lost in the first round to paraclete, in 2004, losing to Nordoff (who went to the finals that year against oaks xtian.
in 2005, LSHS's second year under gallagher, we won league, and went to the quarter finals, losing to valley christian. In 2006, quarter finals, getting the bad luck of playing oaks xtian (but we did run up yardage on them on offense, to our credit.)

just thought i'd clear it up. But on the whole La Salle has played to its division, playing D11 and D10 teams during that time (rio hondo teams) as well as competing against PHS for two year (to no success, but they did tie phs in 2003). La Salle's also gone up against programs like st. Bernards. and did beat LCHS two years straight.

Fred,
can we put a new question up cuz this is getting stupid. To answer the question about the gap closing I say maby. You cannot decide this question based on one year. If you want to take this back a couple of years then lets see.
St. Francis:
2004: Lost to Palmdale 1st round
2005: Lost to Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) Semi-Finals
2006: Lost to Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) Semi-Finals
2007: Lost to Culver City first round.

La Salle:
2004: Lost in the first round?
2005: Didnt make playoffs i belive
2006: Lost to Oaks Christian
2007: CIF Finalists

These are four years of La Salle and St. Francis playoff history. SF has made the Semi-Finals 2 out of the last 4 years in Div. 3. La Salle has had a hard time beating Div. 13 teams. Let La Salle play up with the big dogs and see how they do. Let them play Bishop Amat and Crespi. La Salle is making progress but remember SF played Mary Star of the Sea 15 years ago. So if you say they are making progress sure go ahead and say that. Instead of being 16 years behind now they are only 15 years. Keep it up La Salle you only got 15 years to go. Now can we move on to a new question. As a player what school would you not want to play at? In the WSGV only please.

Agreed with the previous posters concerning a need for a new prompt. The discussions just seem to be about minor issues rather than constructive topics.
And not that this following question is that positive, but does anyone know what ever happened to Coach Mills at PHS. Last I heard he was placed on administrative leave and charges had been filed. If this is a touchy area for most bloggers then by all means--dismiss my question as an ignorant inquiry.
Also, anyone know of any coaching vacancies around here? Not for me, just wanting to discuss something new for once. :)

bruce rollinson--hmmm, maybe only one of the greatest high school coaches of the past twenty years. mater dei has won at least 5 or so cif championships under him and i think even some national championships as well.
now you raise a good point smg about MHS's lacking strength of schedule. however, just like the march madness that's gonna be starting here in couple days, you can't deny the fact that not only did they get invited to the dance but they even went to the chamionship game.

as apethetic as their schedule might have been, it didn't really seem to have any relationship to their calibur of play. once they got into playoffs they beat some pretty decent teams: Sage Hill (6-5), Salesian (back to back Santa Fe League Champions and 7-5), Brentwood twice and ironically the only team in their division to beat them(8-5), and then a pretty decent showing against champion St. Margaret's who ran the table at 14-0. So I hear what you're saying on one hand but yet on the other its hard to minimize what they did. Hopefully they've scheduled some tougher games this year.

Fred,
I second that we need something else to talk about-- and really no response from Maranatha nation-- come on

Fred - time to get rid of this blog, and start a new one - not many constructive comments happening lately.

catholic kid,
how about my lack of response

Tom S.
This just in --- Maranatha is overrated-- answer my question-- and who is Brice Rollinson?-- i am waiting--

Tom S.
very very cute just like your wins against Brentwood, Campbell Hall, CSDR, Marshall, Twin Pines, Holy Angels and RHP(oops you lost to them) and so on.... answer my question and I will leave you alone... Any big wins? answer and stop crying b/c I don't care-- it really irritates me that you can be mentioned in the same breath as LS and SF

SMG: I for one find your comments as disparaging as some previous bloggers like Ally to the all and traxbac but as least I found them to be entertaining. You my friend are not. You have gone way off the subject and you seem to be focused on bashing Maranatha. Most of my fellow bloggers have enjoyed this site to focus on bringing constructive remarks and insight to the subject on hand.

Anonymous,
no college ball but started in football and basketball-- can we talk football--- not background checks

did you play college ball. many people are on teams for four years without really playing

HMMMMM,
If you must ask I did have the High School Play of the Week for the Los Angeles Times High School Sports Show on CBS. But I do not live in the past-- lets chat some football.

pasadena guy,
yes La Salle does has a super sophomore by the name of Chase Rettig-- great size big arm and athletic-- watch out for him--- also Alhambra return two studs Smith and Brown at running back could be the best 1-2 puch the SGV has seen in a long time.

SMG - Didn't you have the "shot of the week" on CBS one weekend when you were in high school?

to all the mary-can't-a(win a big game football) minute man fans,

first of I can't believe you guys even pay attention to me --I have not lost any sleep due to your posts-- it is nice but I really don't care-- Two questions--does Maranatha have any wins against any big time football programs? #2 Why does Murphy wear a tie with a visor on gameday?-- he is not a combination of jim tressel or steve spurrier-- please pick one or the other-- he is also not bruce rollinson-- but I do not except the minute man fans to know who that is b/c they are 97 divisons higher than you--- a little info about me I played football, basketball and track & field at La Salle-- all four years-- I would give more info but I don't have to ever explain myself to you

smg

seems no one wants you.your lack of response speaks volumes. i think we all know know that you failed as a player(?) and a coach.

Don't try to ride our coat tails SMG/John E. Our success this year had nothing to do with your coaching. You haven't even coached here in over two years anyways. Have you told the people how you supposedly coached at St. Francis too (he means volunteering)? Before our run everyone was hatin, now everyones on the band wagon! Including you.

SMG,

If you were really the La Salle JV coach that means you coached all those kids that went to the CIF title game. You must have been doing something right. All those kids came up to varsity well prepared

Wow, I leave for 4 days to attend a convention and look what’s happened. Although in the first post here I did warn Fred what was expected with this statement.
One thing concerns me with the Maranatha athletic program is with the anticipated 800 students being planned, Voice, I haven’t heard 1,000 mentioned, is we’ll max out the facilities. To build contending teams Fresh/Soph programs are needed and unless they take them off site I don’t see where they will be able to practice. I think the south lawn needs to be fenced in and utilized more but doubt the city will allow that

Goldenkinght,

Monrovia and Arcadia also play some good ball over the years. Arcadia had it's problems this last year but overall they have done well and have played SF in some close ones. Monrovia has the talnet to be a powerhouse, actually way more talnet than muir, but they haven't been able to put it together yet

Is anyone else out there as excited as I am to watch Dietrich Riley grow into one of the valley's best. This kid is incredible. Potential, power, speed, and everything else that is a key ingredient for success.
Does anyone else know of other super freshman or sohpomores that we should be keeping an eye out for?

Golden Knight,
Flintridge Prep and Poly (probably the most difficult in California) are the 2 most difficult schools to get into - If you are a good athlete and okay academically and maybe even a little less you are going to get into St. Francis. That is not the case at those 2 schools. Over and out.

john

one more thing why did you get canned from la salle? bad attitude, no skill ? just wanted to know your true creditals

smg, small minded guy or john escondone,

did you play football? if so when and where? just wanted to you if your the real deal or just a never was kinda guy. you know the kid who didn't make the team. never played a play but thinks he knows everything. so which one are you. can't wait to hear, because if you don't blog back we'll all know which one you are.

CHECK YOUR FACTS MARANATHA HAS A KID GOING D 1 THIS YEAR. KYLE DELAHOOKE IS GOING TO NAVY.

PS DOES SMG STAND FOR SMALL MINDED GUY OR SOMETHINg esle?

some of the things said in this blog are the most moronic things that i have ever heard. First of all this question should not have been asked in the first place because everyone knows that st. francis will not see la salle or maranantha on the field in the next 10 years or ever. To say that they are closing the gap is laughable... I am not saying this out of pure st francis pride, there is a reason st francis has not won a league championship in 10 years. They play teams with real athletes that go on to be legitimate ncaa players. When was the last time a la salle or maranantha football player receiveed a division 1 scholarship? never? I give Fred respect for propising this question but everyone knows that St. Francis and Muir are the only schools that play real football. I honestly hope that i get to see the day that St. Francis plays either of these schools in football because it would show the people in the area that if you want to you or your children to have a chance at an athletic future then you will go to a school that plays real sports..... not deaf schools or mary star of the sea. Even better... the genius who calls himself "The Voice" has lost his speaking priveledges forever in saying that deitrich riley wanted to go to maranantha and that the other schools were more academic than SF. If you want to be a realist liek most of you claim to be, you would know that it is more difficult to get into SF than any other school in the area. Deitrich Riley was a 1st team all mission league player as a freshman. He has the potential to be the best athlete to ever play football in the area, i wonder why his talent didnt fall into the ingenius hands of murphy, gallagher, and wheeler. Please one of you realists or the all noble Voice let me hear your arguments.

SMG,
I figure your age is around 25 because your blogs indicate your still a young buck. It's cool to that you have tremendous pride for La Salle, however it's not in good taste when you bash the heck out of Maranatha. If you are a coach, you never what to burn bridges. The coaching world in the SGV is a small one. You might eat your words someday. All it takes is for Marantha to pull in a some legit SGV talnet. You have to start somewhere right? Do you remember a Marantha kid by the name of Surfy who played DB back in the mid 90's? What a stud... He could have played anywhere like Loyola and dominated. Anything is possible, like how LaSalle turned around their 0-5 season, which I believe was due to fact of Coach DiFori who made the TE switch to the O-line so they could run the ball more effectively and control the clock.

Why bash Murphy? He has done well.

Your class of 1999 from LaSalle, right? How's David Taylor doing?

actually bloggers (seeing as how this has become a spelling lesson instead of a discussion for the area football teams), it would be neither anonymous la salle fan's YUOR nor SMG's YOUR but YOU'RE

Anonymous,
wa wa wa-- back your school up with some football facts-- or shut your pie hole-- put up or shut up-- this is football--- or go on the volleyball blog if you want to be nice-- b/c I don't paly nice wa wa wa -- please cry more I like it (don't you hate this doesn't have spell check-- you spelled your--- yuor

smg

As a la salle Fan i'm getting sick of your bashing MARANATHA. LEARN TO SPELL. yuor making us look bad. We don't need or want your support. our teams speak for themselves. so grow up and learn to play nice. If you did go to catholic school the nuns didn't do a very good job teaching you kindness and grace.

finchamp,
I don't want it to seem like I taking down Rio Hondo Prep every time I mention Marantha. I have respect for what Ken Drain has been able to do there the last few years. I was at the home playoff game two years ago when you beat St. Margrets at home. What an incredible atmosphere and crowd. I was also at Maryanta's game this year when you punished them at home(one of the worst crowds I have ever seen and i am talking about the minutemen)--- and I believe the were 4-0 and Murphy said we will not have a collapse like a year ago when started 4-0 nice call Murphy-- first beat Prep then beat St. Margrets(then talk to the paper)

SMG,
Losing 6 of your last 7 was very impressive and barely beating the teams that you did was also very impressive. In five years will be be right there with SF - which every few years moves to a lower division.

smellthecoffee,
You possibly can not believe you are closing the gap on St. Francis and lose the Rio Hondo Prep 37-0 and Whittier Christian-- I am tired of telling Maryanta faithful--- get a clue and smell what the rock is cookin'--- stop day dreaming--- you play in one of the worst divisions in the state not just the southern section

SMG

You already appear to be in preseason form. Your "style" is lost on most of the bloggers because to me you appear to me to be 100% smash-mouth football--and I don't mean talk as much as I do attitude and play.

Fred and all--

Turns out Fred that when you offer a legitimately thought-provoking question you will get 100 responses. So is this a legitimate question? I think the answer is yes. Yes La Salle, and in another way, Maranatha, are closing the gap on St. Francis in FOOTBALL. So what, really. Everybody is better than RH Prep in basketball (kind of) and 15 years ago they were state champs. I like it. I like it a lot. And I like it when little Renaissance can play with the bigs--don't we all like the Cinderella???

If I'm from St. Francis I remind everyone that they have a proud tradition to honor and that they should and must work harder than everyone else.

If I'm La Salle I remind everyone that they beat most of the best the SGV had to offer last year and that kids don't morph over one year's time and suddenly become two touchdowns better than you.

If I'm Maranatha I remind that one season does not make a giant and that the only thing that can be influenced is the future and it appears bright.

If I am RH Prep I remind of the bitter taste of the current losing streak of two in a row and put a team in their food bowl.

Fred and all--

Turns out Fred that when you offer a legitimately thought-provoking question you will get 100 responses. So is this a legitimate question? I think the answer is yes. Yes La Salle, and in another way, Maranatha, are closing the gap on St. Francis in FOOTBALL. So what, really. Everybody is better than RH Prep in basketball (kind of) and 15 years ago they were state champs. I like it. I like it a lot. And I like it when little Renaissance can play with the bigs--don't we all like the Cinderella???

If I'm from St. Francis I remind everyone that they have a proud tradition to honor and that they should and must work harder than everyone else.

If I'm La Salle I remind everyone that they beat most of the best the SGV had to offer last year and that kids don't morph over one year's time and suddenly become two touchdowns better than you.

If I'm Maranatha I remind that one season does not make a giant and that the only thing that can be influenced is the future and it appears bright.

If I am RH Prep I remind of the bitter taste of the current losing streak of two in a row and put a team in their food bowl.

SMG,
The question was are La Salle and Maranatha closing the gap - not who is better today. Are they gap closing -YES. Both La Salle and Maranatha are headed up and SF is going in the other direction. Both schools are already better in basketball and is only a matter of time until they are on a par in football. In five years all three school will be in the RIo Hondo league.

SMG,

Why keeping bashing Maranatha? I can undertand your bragging about La Salle (they sure performed well this year), but why do you attack Maranatha, especially if you really beleive they are the little guy on the block? If you beleive your own rhetoric, you are simply kicking a program that is down, which they definitely are not. Why not be bold and attack St. Francis?

Anonymous, why don't you pick a name? In a way, we are all anonymous.

Anonymous,
keep giving me more to talk about-- and I will pass on your proposal-I don't bash kids just overrated coaches-- I would ask who you are but I don't care-- obviously you are a maryanta fan b/c I don't know anyone else who would back them-- Good Luck aginst prep-- and fire back on stregnth of schedule-- but you don't have much-- just like your football program

All Maranatha fans out there (and even La Salle fans for that matter because he is not helping your cause at all). Let's simply all agree not to engage John Escondone, who still keeps hiding behind the blog name SMG.
As many bloggers have stated already, let's get back to the original purpose of this blog; to show support for our school in a constructive way and engage in some jovial, yet civil, discussions. Let's stop attacking the athletes involved in whatever program their in and pretend that just for one minute, just one, that we're their role models and mentors. We teach/coach who we are. What are we wanting our players/athletes/students to learn by us.

Marytanta faithful,
For why we don't play you guys-- look at your schedule and look at ours--- we are trying to move foward and not backwards-- that is the reason-- but I always pushed to have you guys as a tune-up game

Longtime fan,
Very cute take. Just another reason why you guys will never get over the Rio Hondo Prep hump. All the hype you guys give yourself are there any legit wins in the history of your school.

SMG -

Coaches are made of more things than just the number of wins. Try as you may to reduce Murphy's years as a player and an assistant coach you won't succeed. Maranatha students, players, parents, and faculty know that this coach has the right mix of character, commitment, talent, and training to do the job and do it well.

How about we move on, be the adults that we are, use this forum for what it was designed for and offer kudos to all those schools and staff who are doing their best to invest well in young lives...

Maryanta fans,
you can not call Murphy a great coach-- great coaches have more than 11 wins

smellthecoffe,
first of all you guys keep me entertained while I am not coaching b/c you make comments that Maranatha is on the same level as La Salle for football -- that is like comparing OXY football to Fresno State Football-- and you guys also make ridiculous comments that La Salle is on the same level as St. Francis-- again that is like comparing Fresno State football to USC football-- and if you clones want to comment on basketball there is a basketball blog ( this is a football blog)

SMG,
SO if you are not a coach here you can't blog - give me a break - I played in college and high school for that matter with people who are a hell of a lot smarter football-wise than any coach I played for - they just chose different and always more lucrative career paths. WAKE UP.

People...People...People
For the athletes and kids sake lets abstain from making claims of recruitment or illegal practices by any school. All schools live in a glass house so we should be quite careful and remember that the original purpose of this blog was to discuss the greatness of the athletes in the valley and get some hype going about our schools. St. Francis--great school with incredible expectations that they ask their athletes to preform at. La Salle--a quality institution that has really put it self on the map the last couple years. They will be powerhouse for some time. Maranatha--sky's the limit there. Though they are not in the same league to compete with the likes of a St. Francis (and even some sports of LaSalle yet honestly) they are building an amazing program there and from what I've seen of them briefly--the community should start to take notice of them. Rio Hondo--How they do what they do each year in football should be a story in itself. Great community, leaders, and students. Each school has its issues, yet each school has great kids and coaches that outweigh the issues. Let's continue to affirm our athletes and school while refraining from dangerous accusations.

As well, all those who seem to be preoccupied with silly little banter and bashing, let's see if we can discuss the prompts given and not digress to personal attacks or school attacks.

SMG-

I had to comment about your recent post when you said "I am a relaist and know that La Salle is not very close to SF right now-- and Maranatha is night in the same ballpark as La Salle-- but they beg to differ"
You are right that we beg to differ. It is true that La Salle and Maranatha are not very close to SF in football or Baseball but Maranatha has truely risen from nowhere to challenge La Salle in every sport and will begin to dominate for a few years at least in Basketball starting next year. Also, if La Salle played Maranatha next year in football, they would have their hands full but from what I've heard, La Salle has turned Murphy down once again. It's a shame though as the La Salle Maranatha Rivalry is a great one to follow!

Also, I want to comment on what was said about Detric Riely earlier regarding scholarships. I happen to know first hand that Detric was planning on attending Maranatha but St. Francis offered to pay his tuition.

Like I said before, I'm not saying that St. Francis has not had a strong history or that it is challenged by Maranatha and La Salle right now. What I am saying is that the private schools in the area all battle to convice the atheletes to come to their school and with Maranatha FINALLY getting their own campus to work with, we are seeing them take some of the atheletes away from St. Francis and La Salle. La Salle and Maranatha are more acedemic than St. Francis so that probably gives them a bit of a disadvantage by missing out on some of the better athletes. Any athelete that either cannot make the grades or the tuition(and are not given a schollarship), will end up in the public prison...I'm sorry...I meant to say public school system?
Another important thing to remember is that these schools should not be even compared to the private schools due to the large difference in numbers.
Maranatha is building something very positive and is creating an environment for kids to grow not just as an athelete but as a person with purpose!

Anonymous,
Nice call you hit it right on the nose. So make sure pete s. and mhs get used to my marayanta bashing. And why would I praise Gallagher so much if i got canned. Obviously you are either a Maranta alum or a moron (or both because they go hand and hand)

Rio is a really great program and it is really great to play such a fundamentaly sound team - makes all better. It is great to play them on that quirky field under the lights. The gym - not so much.

FB fan,
I haven't heard any news on where Josh Parish is going to college. I wouldn't be surprised if he went to a JC and then tried to transfer.

SMG is actually John Escondone. A disgruntled coach from La Salle who was fired a couple years ago. Sorry to out you John

Is SF playing Loyola next year? Well, Loyola signed a two contract to play De La Salle Concord next year.

Rio wins despite being undersized because students who play for Rio have been in that system in the Kare youth league for many years before reaching high school. You will not see a more fundamentally sound group of players who have completely mastered their offensive and defensive schemes at the high school level.

That being said, the Kare youth league gives them the biggest advantage in football. Other schools can catch up more quickly in basketball since only 5 are on the court at a time. In baseball, all competitive programs are filled with kids who have been playing from a young age so the Kare youth league does not present as great of an advantage.

Unfortunately as was shown by Aquinas, size does eventually become a factor at higher levels of competition.

SF is the most over rated program in the SGV. They have been living off that 64 CIF championship for 4 decades. Their schedule is not so dificult - basically the foothill divison quality non-league games - CV, Burroughs, Arcadia, Saugus, Los Altos - Big deal. SF has consistently moved down away from the big boys Remeber when they were as good as Loyola - only a matter of time until they are in the RIO Hondo league.

Colton's junior safety Daniel Sorensen committed to BYU according to scout.com

SF should learn to handle the tougher academic case - had that had the guys noted they would have win the CIF - it would have shored uo their very weak running game. Clausen not a great loss - too much of a head case as is the old man - the family never would have fit in and the kid was 19 when playing his senior. But with Peterson they would have won the cif.

SF does give need based scholarship.

Hey Paul,
Not too sure if you're calling me a Maranatha faitful or if you are stating that I am the blogger "Maranatha faithful". In either case, unfortunately you are incorrect. Just a simple guy from pasadena who enjoys prep sports. To be quite honest though, I have been impressed with what Maranatha has done this year and even over the years as they were a school with a horrific football program which at one point (quite recently in fact) had to terminate their entire varsity program and rebuild from scratch. And although their's is a good story, I also appreciate the journey Elar has taken La Salle on. What a great job he's doing and will continue to do. They definetly have the edge on Maranatha right now in football. Tougher opponents, a more established tradition of winning, and just sheer respect from the community at large. Don't worry though, I haven't forgotten beautiful little Rio and there crazy little field. A good friend of mine was involved their growing up and his little cousin went there (or maybe still goes there?) so I'm vaguely familiar with them. More programs should take notice of the details that Rio places emphasis on. If only the more coaches in the area were humble enough to visit each other's programs to study and learn, I truly believe that our valley could be incredible--even more than now. Always a pleasure--hope Trevor, your daughter, and family are well.

smg

did you play any sports in high school or are you a bitter little bit of a man who couldn't make a team? because you seem to be living your sad little life by blogggggggg zzzzzzzzzz

Finchamp,
Not a bad guess but I am about 20 years younger. Anyways I can respect some of your points. Obviously you are a coach too and we can relate unlike the Maranatha faithful-- who think they are better than they are-- I believe you guys won back to back championships a couple years ago- congrats-- and I never got the opinion like you guys were God's gift to football unlike Maranatha who had one lucky run. I am a relaist and know that La Salle is not very close to SF right now-- and Maranatha is night in the same ballpark as La Salle-- but they beg to differ

SMG
Steve Garrison? Anyone that knows RHP football like you intrigues me. Hope I got your goat in the last post.

SMG
SMG=Super Mean Guy. Truth is I only know two posters on this blog. Actually I suspect that I know ten or more but most people decide to hide behind a pseuedonym because they are going to say something they wouldn't say to another person's face. I suppose that's okay but it's weak.

I enjoy the blog, partisanship, knowledgeable and insightful posts and more. No I don't know you but if I did would I like you?

pasadena guy

How do you get another rep out of a guy when he says he can't do anymore? How do you get a guy to lay his life down for another on the field of battle? These mysteries reveal themselves when people believe in their cause and each other. The guys at RH Prep believe in themselves, their system and their coaches. When doubt is squeezed out amazing things can be accomplished--ask anyone of faith.

RH Prep is a faith-based school even though it is not contained in the name. But to answer your question, I believe the answer is largely at the coaching level where consistency, continuity and congruity rule the day---and I'm not "con"ing you! Ha! Coaches play a huge role at the high school level, their leadership, commitment and knowledge are under review everyday by the players. Mulligan makes us painfully aware of how crippling poor coaching can be. Sadly much of high school coaching is just average.

pasadena guy that's all you get from me, you are Maranatha faithful...

the person who posted as REALLY?
What does it matter how much a student pays to go to school, if you are implying that he is receiving a scholarship of some sort then you should know that alot of kids receive some finacial aid. This happens at all schools. Just because he is a talented athlete does not mean he is getting anything more than non athletes at school.

Finchamp
Since you seem to have the mystery solved who am I?

mhs,
first of all I am sure your fellow alum pete s. told you that any ways is on word (anyways) and I am sure he called you to correct your error spend not send-- anyways I don't care-- mhs please I do not need your prayers even though it is a nice gesture-- your team needs your prayers when they play Rio Hondo Prep-- because one more loss to them you could lose what little respect people have for your program.--- please don't respond I am bored with you guys

I am an alumnus of Monrovia High School, not one of the hot-to-trot private schools in Pasadena or La Canada. However, I wanted to point you all to an excerpt below from dictionary.com for the correct use of "alumnus."

"An alumnus is a person, especially a boy or man, who has attended or is a graduate of an educational institution. The plural is alumni. An alumna is a girl or woman alumnus. The plural is alumnae." "Sometimes used in informal settings are the forms alum or alumn as is the gender-neutral plural equivalent alums."

Hey Finchamp, haven't seen you post in a bit (all the other post have been between smg and pete so I thought I would just stay out). Correct you are about the players being the only one's able to settle this matter. Here's a question for you. I really am quite impressed with how Rio fields such a competitive team every year--what's the secret. I realize that the guys are close but how can team unity compensate for athletes. I'd be interested to know some of your thoughts.
Good luck to all the teams still in the playoffs and congrats again to the LaSalle girls soccer team yesterday!

Pete S and SMG

I know who you guys are....and neither one of you is John F. Kennedy (hope you get that).

Poking fun is fun, please keep it that way. Thankfully the issues brought about in all of your commentary can only be addressed by the players and I know a few that can't wait. However I'm lifting weights just in case the issue is decided by the fans!

oops spend not send.

smg

I feel sorry for you if bashing MARANATHA is how you send your day. Any way i'll say a little prayer for you.

Pete S.
How about I cut you a deal-- you beat Rio Hondo Prep and I will give you my name. I was at last years 37-0 to nothing shalacking(correct my spelling)-- I can't wait for that game-- I hope you solve the mystery before then.

mhs,
I hope your intials stand for monrovia high school and not a maryanta high school.

Pete S.
I hope you have something better to do than correct spelling mistakes and errors(which you don't)-- anyways you pretty much beat a JV program in 1992 and 1993 -- but I will give you the benefit of the doubt about the 1994 win-- at least you can sell your football program on the fact that you beat La Salle in 1994-- maybe 13yrs later you can get you next big win by beating Rio Hondo Prep-- and it doesn't count if you beat them when they were 8 man football
P.S. this is a football blog not a Maryanta English class

You guys are great, you can blog football all year. If anyone has an interesting post they would like to submit, send it to my email, fred.robledo@sgvn.com. Make sure you leave your sign name, I'll give you credit. Write it out in a short question, or however you want to do it. I'll post the best one next week.

last attempt SMG:
In a previous post you wrote, "How could you forget that and that is why you probaly why you are so familiar La Salle-- it must had been a bad four years for you there."
Make sense to anyone else out there. You're given your school a bad rap with every line you write.
Last chance--got any names or years? Anything to verify your previous claims?
And by the way--MHS and LaSalle have only played 6 times total and we've each one 3 times.
For the rest of the LaSalle community out there, don't worry, I don't believe that this character is representative of you or your school. Y'all might want to help him with his basic writing skills though.

smg

if you coached there (MHS) wouldn't you know how to spell MARANATHA?

Pete S.
Nice work keep the fire burning -- I like it--I like it -- Now only seven more months until you kick off your cupcake schedule-- I am dying to see if you can get over the Rio Hondo Prep hump--- not like I am asking you why you can't beat Monrovia or La Canada or Temple City-- I am asking why you can not beat RHP- wow
P.S.

Pete S.
I was was pondering as a Maranatha alum why are you so familiar with La Salle. I am a La Salle alum and I always wondered where Maryantha was-- but the school moved so frequently I never found out. Do you recall all those times we kicked your tail? How could you forget that and that is why you probaly why you are so familiar La Salle-- it must had been a bad four years for you there. Question-- Did Maranatha ever beat La Salle in football? Since you are such a high school football historian look it up. I don't recall but I may be wrong.

SMG: Just what I thought. You're a punk! You won't give your name, state when/where you coached, or even who you know at MHS that supposedly coached under you. You're full of crap and you know it.
I'll give you another chance--and don't wander off the topic again--if you say you've coached here at MHS or have had asst's that coached here, what are their names, what's your name?

Pete S.
Just had to give you one more shout out because you have the stones to say you are an alum of Maryantha(please correct may spelling of the School)--

Pete S.
I like the fire and just like I told goldenteddy bear do not get your panties in a bunch-- but I can apprectiate the passion you have for Maranatha--- it is beyond my comprehension why you are such a big fan-- it must be the big victories over California School for the Deaf, or (3-8) Campbell Hall, or (1-9) Calvary Chapel, or (0-10) Marshall-- real question do you guys really get excited about these victories? And about me giving you my name-- I would but I like seeing you computers nerd (clones) get all worked up--- so I will keep you guessing because it will give you something to do-- besides posting ridiculous blogs about Maranta(how do you spell it again)

Geeezz...I step away from the blog for just a short time and return to find it becoming a LaSalle and Coach Murphy bash! While some people out there might not like it--La Salle is an up and coming program. Coach G. is doing a great job there and the coaching staff he's assembled is second to none. Love it or hate it, the Lancers are here to stay. And what's with the Coach Murphy hating? He takes a team to the Championship game and post the best record the school has ever seen and we're knocking him? Doesn't make much sense guys. We should only wish these two coaches well and their teams success. Besides, if the teams in the valley do poorly each year, what would we debate and blog about, "My team is worse than yours!" "No my team has the worse coach!" :)

SMG: Wow, if the way you write is any indication of how you coach...then the teams you coached must of have been horrible!
Challenge: If you been an Asst. coach at either St. Francis, Maranatha, or La Salle or supposedly have had Asst. coaches that you've worked with at these schools...then what's your name? As an alumnist of MHS I've known every coach to come thru there the last 15 years, so allow me to verify your statements with them. Pretty familiar with La Salle too. I doubt you'll man up and give us your name. You'll probably try to make fun of me some more or use big words that you found in a dictionary to make yourself feel better. Man are you cool or what!

SF Fan,
Pretty impressive stregnth of schedule argument of why you guys were a first round exit this year. If you football program can play as good as you crunch numbers than maybe they have a chance of winning a champioship. Oh wait they did have chance after Notre Dame left-- now what is their excuse.
And if you guys played in Division 20 like you said you still would not have won because Oaks Christian would step all over you. Bill Ridell is a genuis for leaving that place it only took him eight years to realize he could never win a championship there. It has taken every other St. Francis alums forty years to figure that out.

Goldenteddy Bear,
easy don't get your panties in a bunch -- my point was that La Salle didn't have football in 1963 and 1964 when St. Francis made the glorious championship run. Were they still wearing leather helmets back then. Give me the 411 Goldenteddy Bear since all your facts are straight.

first of all pete s.-- i do have credentials unlike yourself. I coached in the San Gabriel Valley for eight years and I have Assistants that have worked under me at all the three schools mentioned above (St.Francis, Maranatha, and La Salle)-- go ahead and let me know your credentials besides computer nerd--- oh and I do have the ability to coach and play--just waiting for your credentials

Besides Monrovia and VD, La Salle had a cupcake schedule. In order for them to receive respect, they will have to schedule tougher teams like SF. If SF had La Salle schedule and was in the same divsion, they would have won CIF. The midvalley is a joke.

Hey SF Fan-

What about Deitrich Riley? Did Saint Francis change their mind on the whole "scholarship" thing? Uh ya they did. Do some research and find out how much he pays to go to school.

How can you compare the teams that SF and LS play. First off, SF has twice the number of boys than LS. Second SF is in a higher division to begin with. If you compare the teams and how good they are relative to their size, LS had by far the hardest schedule in the area, but SF played teams in higher divisions.

Also lets see who was suppose to be at St. Francis.
Lance Mitchell (Muir)-He was enrolled at SF but left due to ACEDEMIC DIFFICULTIES.
Peterson (La Canada)- Did not get into the school but it was his #1 choice.
Kevan Walker (Arcadia)- SF did not want to give him a scholarship becasue this would go against the schools beliefs.
Jimmy Clausen (Oaks Christian)- SF rejected him becasue they didnt agree with his personal football beliefs. SF was also his #1 Choice.
With those players SF was suppose to get they would have won CIF>

For all of you people out there that say SF is a drowning program, and that La Salle and the Minute Men are very close to SF's program needs to re-evaluate their remarks. Lets take a look at the Schedule of the Knights.

1. Arcadia D4 (5-6)
2. Cresenta Valley D4 (2-8)
3. Burroughs D4 (9-2)
4. @Los Altos D5 (8-5)
5. @Saugus D2 (8-4)
6. @Bishop Amat D1 (5-5)
7. Crespi D1 (6-5)
8. Alamany D3 (4-6)
9. Chaminade D3 (9-4)
10. St. Paul D3 (7-6)
11. Culver City D3 (9-2)
Opp. record (72-53) W% 58%

On average we are playing a team that is in Division 3

La Salle: Div. 11?
1. Eagle Rock (13-1)
2. Huningtion Park (10-2)
3. @San Marino (5-5)
4. @Ontario Christian (9-3)
5. @Monrovia (9-3)
6. Temple City (10-2)
7. @Cantwell-Sacred Heart (7-3)
8. Verbum Dei (10-4)
9. @Mary Star of the Sea (4-7)
10. St. Monica (0-10)
11. Fillmore (7-3)
12. @Monrovia (9-3)
13. Bishop Diego (9-4)
14. Verbum Dei (10-4)

Not sure about the ranking of these teams so i am not going to comment on it. Opponents combined record:
189-54 77%Winning%

La Salle's opp. did have a better winning percent but you have to also look at the competition. Div 3 vs. Division 11. Maby La Salle can get up there but not in the near decade. If they were even close then the two coaches would have scheduled a game already. To be honest with you i have never even heard of half the teams La Salle had to play. Let them play Bishop Amat, Crespi, and Burroughs (who Muir lost to). Right now it isnt even close right not give it 15 years and maby they might be playing against each other.

While it might have been in jest, the comment concerning Coach Murphy could not have been more incorrect. Hiring Coach Murphy might have been the best decision Maranatha has ever made. Personally, I've coached alongside Murphy and found him to be one of the most impressive young coaches in the valley. Yes, he's young. But I've never met another 28 year old coach, head coach nonetheless, with such an incredible gifting of knowledge and ability to relate to his players. His boys are quite fortunate to have him. I'm a better coach because of him. So let's take it easy on him.

kevan walker received his first offer from the university of minnesota. congratulations

sorry if you misunderstood me golden knight, I was saying that La Salle hasn't been able to develop as high quality a program, because their program is only 15 years old, and hasn't really become a serious contender in any competition until recently, not that higher caliber academics are an excuse for a lower caliber football program. What's hurt La Salle in that respect is a small number of alumni (and even smaller number of football alumni) with the ability to donate, unlike St. Francis and Loyola who have huge alumni support and fundraising ability (which has driven the cost of those institutions down, and the ability to attract a more diverse student body, and wider range of abilities). But with time, those assets are going to come into play, especially when La Salle builds a bigger endowment. And La Salle's academics are top notch in the humanities and social sciences, which is going to continue to attract high quality students, and parents are going to be more willing to send their kids there.

goteamgo

point taken. we just LOVE our school... and are faithful fans.

Me bitter? I am not bitter at all. I agree there is a school out there for everyone, and we have found ours.Like you, we have a coach we enjoy playing for. Plus I like jerking the chains of the Maranatha faithful.

It just gets old when three or four times a day there are postings constantly extolling the virtues of Maranatha. From what I hear, Coach Murphy is a great coach.

Golden Bear
Please do not tell me that La Salle has an excuse because of their "academic prowess." If they want to brag about academics they must begin to compete on a level with Poly and Prep. Saying that La Salle needs time to catch up with SF means that the teams you were on would have been destroyed by the Golden Knights. Is that what you are saying?

goteamgo

why so bitter? there's a school out there for everyone. Maranatha has been a great fit for our family. And as for coach murphy i wouldn't want my son playing for anyone else. Some of us have other other ideas about whats important. I'll also pick a Godly, kind and honest man over anything else..

SMG, please when you defend/prop up La Salle get your facts straight, La Salle was an all male school from 1956-1988(or early 90's) and didn't have football until 1991. It had success in the mid 90's under Lew Stueck (sp?) but nothing to the level it has had in the last 3 years or so under Gallagher. St. Francis doesn't have the academic prowess of La Salle, and has had the advantage on size and athletic prestige. But I think La Salle with time will rival that program. And while the space they have is small, they are expanding the student size (rumor has it they want to build on the baseball field.)

Well SMG, your statement regarding Coach Murphy's credentials proves you're either young and ignorant or old and arrogant because ALL credentials have a starting point, a beginning.

Murphy's experience actually began ON THE FIELD as a player for four years, winning his share of recognition. Then without missing a beat he turned his love of the game into assistant coaching for more than six years. Interim coach, now head coach...sounds like a good plan.

Doctor's begin as residents. Company president's don't begin at the top. I sure don't see a problem in a coach growing a solid base of experience.

Well written Pete S. If only more bloggers could have that understanding before they start banging away on their keyboards.

SMG: I find your comments regarding Coach Murphy humorous. While I’m a faithful poster to this blog, I have not lost touch with the reality that at the end of the day I myself (and you) do not have the credentials to be on the field in any capacity. We write about football from our computers because we don’t have the ability to coach, play, or even cheerlead in a formal capacity. A little self-awareness may come in handy before you post your next blog. It goes a long way for me.

Maranatha, blah blah blah, jewel of the valley, blah blah blah, wet footballs cost us the football title, blah, blah, blah, RHP did not play fair which is why they beat us, blah, blah, blah.

Threatened by Maranatha? No way - I am still laughing at that statement.

Maranatha will not "purchase" players? I have heard there is a bit of recruitment going on at Maranatha in their quest to start up a team in a sport they do not currently have, but plan to start.

SMG,
first of all Kids who couldnt even get into st francis are not allowed to talk about US. We may not all get along but we do have pride in our school. When lassalle becomes a school that is kids' first choice and not their fallback school then you can come talk to us. why dont you win a CIF title in Division 20 first and then you can come talk to us. If St Francis played in the same division as you we would dominate.

Guys...Guys...I'm only making a prediction. I know that the growth potential of Maranatha's sports program is a little threatening to the other schools and their supporters but I'm just giving my 3 cents. The only thing that might keep Maranatha from becoming an "Oaks Christian" like program is that It will not "purchase" players like Oaks does. They want quality individuals, who want to be at Maranatha because they like the school, not because they are getting a free ticket to the school.
As for your comment about Coach Murphy, one cannot argue that he is a new Head Coach with only one year under his belt but if you knew him and what his players think of him, you might change your tune.
It's about time that Maranatha has its day in the sun. The former small school that was kicked around for many years has become the rising star of the valley.
You had better just get used to it!!

hey goknights one question-- when was your last CIF Championship? I believe it was 1964 correct me if i am wrong-- you sell your program on a championship won over 40 yrs ago--- wow unbelivable-- yes and we have never one one at La Salle because we were an all girls school-- we have an excuse---yours

first of all voice you want to know why you will never get over the hump two words---- joel murphy don't forget that joel murphy is your coach -- what are his credentials beside coaching for the minutemen--

not only has coach gallagher closed the gap on the liitle knights he is taking their horses and running with them.

the real hsfbfan-

I agree i think it is great that these kids participate in these type of games. And it really does not matter if its lagit or not and rumor has it that Peterson of LC is going to Glendale College, they have a pretty good program over there, I also hear that Sparks of Monrovia is thinking about ELAC(east LA college, and I just heard acouple weeks ago that QB David Potts signed to Arizona on signing day. If that is true congratz to him, he is a heck of a athlete and he deserves it!

Anybody know where Nick Ponce of Arcadia is going?

The Voice--

I love the enthusiasm out of the Maranatha folk! You make good points all the way to the end of your piece. To imply that your program could be on par with Oaks Christian in just 3 to 4 years leads me to believe that you are a coach, parent or administrator. Maranatha can sell itself on its numerous merits but to suggest that this "small school" might play with the likes of OC in such a short time is a hoot. Suggestion: 1)get 1 CIF Championship in Football first 2) Beat Rio Hondo Prep 3) Get a staff like Bill Ridell has assembled at OC to help in recruiting players the caliber found at OC 4) when you have done all of the aforementioned win 4 CIF Championships in a row then the talk will be complete.

Does this mean that Maranatha will start scheduling some real competition in the future? Oh, wait - they are a "small school"!!!!

Fred,

I just want to say that I appreciate you bringing up this subject regarding Maranatha and La Salle.
I must point out as a loyal supporter of the Minutemen. It's true that both programs appear to be on the rise but Maranatha has a pretty strong advantage due to the size of the campus. La Salle has pretty much maxed out their student body with their limited space. Maranatha is on a growth patern that could put them over 1000 students and give them a strong advantage over La Salle and St. Francis. Also, their location is very convenient for almost anyone in the area and sits almost in the mid point of La Salle, St. Francis and Loyola.
In the past, those three schools were taking many athletes from Christian middle schools in the area like Pasadena Christian, San Gabriel Christian and Arcadia Christian. Today, it would be pretty safe to assume that most of those kids are going to and will go to Maranatha. Maranatha has always been a good option for those kids in the past for continuing their Christian education but they lacked the atheletic facility and winning tradition to get those kids committed.
Not anymore! I think that there is NO reason, other than, not offering player scholarships, that can keep Maranatha from becoming as strong as Oaks Christian in the next 3 to 4 years.
Go Minutemen!!

Hello Fred,

I was curious to see if you will be doing anything on track and field. By the way, thanks for all of your hard work keeping us up to date with prep sports in the SGV.

To the bloggers regarding the allstar game. Who cares if the game is legit or not. Let the kids enjoy themselves for one final time. You can't argue that Shawn Sparks Monrovia, David Potts Monrovia, LaValle Peterson LC, and Kris Robison Arcadia, won't put on a show.

UR worst nightmare..I think you are the only blogger from Arroyo. I don't know if any cares.

Hey Star-News,
Check out local boys soccer headline:
ARROYO ADVANCES! Knights enjoy trip to Pasadena Poly, return to North El Monte victorious, 3-1. Advance to Qtr. Finals on Friday Feb. 23rd.
Hey, if Mountain View did it... ARROYO CAN TOO! Devoted head soccer coach Jorge Ramirez is a FAITHFUL and DEVOTED KNIGHT and an excellent spanish teacher. You deserve it Senor Ramirez and ARROYO BOYS VARSITY SOCCER! GO KNIGHTS GO!

I have come to the final conclusion. The golden knights of old are pissed cause the boys playing right now have every reason,talent and facilities, to be the best.The Friedman era is the reason that school is so nice right now. They built the reputation by playing with heart and determination. But I do believe Bonds is the coach for the job.He has them working harder than ever and they will not dissappoint next season.

GK76 is a little harsh. But those teams back then were monsters and the CIF was on four divisions and SF was in the highest division - CIF 4A. I think SF won league several years in a row in the 70s and a CIF title when it really meant something. Is that right GK76 - I think one year they had 16 All league players and 8 all cif players.

gk 76
how many championships did you win in your years. how many times did you make it to the semi finals

The staffs from Verdugo Hills(east) and Granada Hills( west) will both take the East and West teams...GO BRUINS!

I'm really not trying to disrespect all those playing in this "all-star" game, but let's keep something in mind. This is NOT an invite all-star game. The fact that Joshua Parish is not in it has nothing to do with his talent, and everything to do with the fact that his coach never sent back his information or Joshua said no. That's it. This isn't a legit, at least not in my opinion, all-star game. I don't see how it could be when anyone can play. As well, the reason these players are "undecided" is because most of them didn't get scholarships and are waiting (just like normal students) to hear back from their universities. Hopefully this game will allow for some more exposure to lesser known athletes though.

sfhs92,
Another SF apologist. We have a great soccer program. Yeah! Who cares!
Just to be clear last football season not acceptable to almost all SF alumni nor is just making it to the semis - expect those related to the staff.

Does anyone know where and when this game is being played? Also, who are the coaches? Thanks

PurdueAlumni05-

I agree with you Joshua is a solid LB and he is a decent RB but i havent heard much from him. You know where he is going to school next year?

Gk 76,
you are out of touch with the times. Its people like you who make the atheletes at St Francis feel underappreciated. Being to the Semifinals 2 out of the last three years in football is awesome. Cif finals in baseball, and one of the best soccer programs in the state. You are probably one of those guys who thinks st francis should be playing D1 football. With Alumni like you its no wonder other private schools in the area are catching up. To all Golden Knights out there keep up the good work some of us now what you have to put up with.

"2007 EAST ROSTER
# Name Ht. / Wt. Pos HS College
1 Eugene Palmer 5'9" 180 WR/DB John Muir Undecided
2 Shawn Sparks 5'6" 180 RB/S Monrovia Undecided
3 Anthony Seiler 6'1" 190 K Burroughs Undecided
4 Jonathan Orr 5'11" 205 RB/LB Brethren Christian Undecided
5 Michael Espinoza 5'11" 170 WR/DB Verdugo Hills Undecided
6 Peter Seller 6'1" 205 TE/LB Verdugo Hills Undecided
7 Derrick Connor 6'3" 195 QB/FS Brethren Christian Undecided
8 Joe Wiggan 5'10" 180 RB/LB Burroughs Undecided
9 David Potts 6'3" 195 QB Monrovia Arizona Western
10 Nick Ponce 6'5" 198 QB Arcadia Undecided
11 Steven Austin 5'10" 228 FB/LB Blair Undecided
12 Moses Gilchrist 6'2" 190 WR/FS LA Marshall Undecided
13 Eric Eberhart 5'10" 170 RD/DB Crecenta Valley Undecided
15 Wendell Jackson 6'0" 185 WR John Muir Undecided
17 Steve Miller 6'4" 185 QB Verdugo Hills Undecided
18 Kristopher Robinson 5'8" 160 WR/DB Arcadia Undecided
19 Danny Huddleston 6'2" 220 FB/LB Crescenta Valley Undecided
20 Sean Piper 6'0" 170 WR/DB Rio Hondo Prep Undecided
21 Lavelle Peterson 5'9" 210 RB/S La Canada Undecided
22 Christopher Craig 5'9" 190 S/OLB Crescenta Valley Undecided
24 Joe Padilla 5'8" 150 RB/WR Rio Hondo Prep Undecided
27 Eric Butler 5'11" 175 WR/DB Marshall Undecided
32 Nick Bryant 5'7" 185 WR/DL Burroughs Undecided
34 Jeff McGregor 5'10" 175 RB/LB Western Christian Undecided
37 Michael Grigsby 6'1" 180 WR/S John Muir Undecided
46 Andrew Saldana 5'11" 190 FB/LB LaSalle Undecided
51 Justin McKnighr 6'0" 275 OL/DL Burroughs Undecided
55 Jake Madrigal 5'11" 180 TE/LB Crescenta Valley Undecided
59 Cody Morgan 5'10" 175 DE Brethren Christian Undecided
61 Brian Edmonston 6'0" 192 OL/DE Pasadena Poly Undecided
65 Chris Coberly 6'2" 250 OL/NG Western Christian Undecided
66 Klinmalai Vittavat 5'11" 225 OL/LB Bell Jeff Undecided
67 Victor Yazdi 6'0" 230 OL/LB Bell Jeff Undecided
68 Cory Galbraith 6'3" 240 OL/DL Crescenta Valley Undecided
70 Christian Browne-Frazier 6'4" 271 OL/DL Verbum Dei Undecided
71 Jeffrey Wagner 5'11" 205 OL/DL Flintridge Prep Undecided
72 Moises Santamaria 5'11" 255 OL/DL Verdugo Hills Undecided
74 Mark O'Dell 6'2" 320 OL/DL Brethren Christian Undecided
75 Bryan Arceo 5'9" 195 OL/DL Burroughs Undecided
77 Christopher Molina 6'2" 225 OL/DE Western Christian Undecided
78 Henry Balmaceda 6'1" 280 OL/DL Verdugo Hills Undecided
79 Zachary Gupton 6'3" 220 OL/DL John Muir Undecided
80 Victor Ortega 5'8" 150 WR/DB Rio Hondo Prep Pasadena JC "

FB Fan, how the heck is Josh Parrish of South Pasadena left off of this team? He averaged 17 tackles a game while also rushing for over 1,000 yards.

Hey gknight, did SF win their basketball playoff game tonight?

gknights,
more pathetic excuse making enjoy another 5-5 season and a first round loss in the playoffs. I noted the facilities are great - at least they taught us how to read in my day or is that expecting too much also because times have changed?

Fred with respects to who the best softball pitcher in the area is, this year you might want to watch more than the same two pitchers over and over again so you can attempt to make a more informed judgement.

Here's info where the all star game will be held.

2007 5th Annual All Star Game:
Sunday May 20, 2007 5pm at John Elway Stadium - Granada Hills High

pasadena guy

Time is on her side--my daughter is only a fifth grader. She has set 5:20 as her mile goal for 2007 and it appears within reach

While I've only recently heard of the "Next Level Sports Game" it's not near the level of a Shriners game or anything else around here. It's not even an invite game. Anyone who wants to play, per the coaches request, can. Maybe, if it keeps getting quality athletes and coaches it can turn in to one, but it's not right now.
Finchamp, nice post about Fred's wordsmithing. He's a tricky little guy aint he. By the way, where did you decide to send your daughter. If I remember earlier in the season you were talking about her mile times and perspective cross-country/track schools. Any updates?

Congratulations to Collis. Great kid, great athlete and great family. As for the discussion at hand, I agree with most of the bloggers that both La Salle and Maranatha are on the right track. I wish both schools great success in the future. Consistency is the key, can these new schools continue to reload and be competitive year after year. We welcome the challenge that these newer schools bring both on the field and in the classroom!

FB Fan

Never heard of the game, ever. Is it a first? Interesting group. Sad, sad, sad that so many have no idea of where they are going to college or remain uncommitted with less than 4 months left in their senior year.

Fred--Why you little antagonist you. I just reread your earlier post to me and completely overlooked your slight-handedness! "RHP has always been steady and Poly returned to greatness." News flash, you are a wordsmith therefore I take issue with greatness and always steady. Poly's stature reached "greatness" when they conquered 11 time CIF champion RH Prep this year. Rio's "steady" play is at the expected .800 level or higher. What would be NEWS is if RHP dropped more than a couple games in a season. I would reserve greatness for perennial winners....should any come to mind.

Did ya get the article about my daughter?

Hey fred ever heard of "The Next Level Sports" allstar game? They have some players from the west SGV playing in this one. HERES THE ROSTER....

2007 EAST ROSTER
# Name Ht. / Wt. Pos HS College
1 Eugene Palmer 5'9" 180 WR/DB John Muir Undecided
2 Shawn Sparks 5'6" 180 RB/S Monrovia Undecided
3 Anthony Seiler 6'1" 190 K Burroughs Undecided
4 Jonathan Orr 5'11" 205 RB/LB Brethren Christian Undecided
5 Michael Espinoza 5'11" 170 WR/DB Verdugo Hills Undecided
6 Peter Seller 6'1" 205 TE/LB Verdugo Hills Undecided
7 Derrick Connor 6'3" 195 QB/FS Brethren Christian Undecided
8 Joe Wiggan 5'10" 180 RB/LB Burroughs Undecided
9 David Potts 6'3" 195 QB Monrovia Arizona Western
10 Nick Ponce 6'5" 198 QB Arcadia Undecided
11 Steven Austin 5'10" 228 FB/LB Blair Undecided
12 Moses Gilchrist 6'2" 190 WR/FS LA Marshall Undecided
13 Eric Eberhart 5'10" 170 RD/DB Crecenta Valley Undecided
15 Wendell Jackson 6'0" 185 WR John Muir Undecided
17 Steve Miller 6'4" 185 QB Verdugo Hills Undecided
18 Kristopher Robinson 5'8" 160 WR/DB Arcadia Undecided
19 Danny Huddleston 6'2" 220 FB/LB Crescenta Valley Undecided
20 Sean Piper 6'0" 170 WR/DB Rio Hondo Prep Undecided
21 Lavelle Peterson 5'9" 210 RB/S La Canada Undecided
22 Christopher Craig 5'9" 190 S/OLB Crescenta Valley Undecided
24 Joe Padilla 5'8" 150 RB/WR Rio Hondo Prep Undecided
27 Eric Butler 5'11" 175 WR/DB Marshall Undecided
32 Nick Bryant 5'7" 185 WR/DL Burroughs Undecided
34 Jeff McGregor 5'10" 175 RB/LB Western Christian Undecided
37 Michael Grigsby 6'1" 180 WR/S John Muir Undecided
46 Andrew Saldana 5'11" 190 FB/LB LaSalle Undecided
51 Justin McKnighr 6'0" 275 OL/DL Burroughs Undecided
55 Jake Madrigal 5'11" 180 TE/LB Crescenta Valley Undecided
59 Cody Morgan 5'10" 175 DE Brethren Christian Undecided
61 Brian Edmonston 6'0" 192 OL/DE Pasadena Poly Undecided
65 Chris Coberly 6'2" 250 OL/NG Western Christian Undecided
66 Klinmalai Vittavat 5'11" 225 OL/LB Bell Jeff Undecided
67 Victor Yazdi 6'0" 230 OL/LB Bell Jeff Undecided
68 Cory Galbraith 6'3" 240 OL/DL Crescenta Valley Undecided
70 Christian Browne-Frazier 6'4" 271 OL/DL Verbum Dei Undecided
71 Jeffrey Wagner 5'11" 205 OL/DL Flintridge Prep Undecided
72 Moises Santamaria 5'11" 255 OL/DL Verdugo Hills Undecided
74 Mark O'Dell 6'2" 320 OL/DL Brethren Christian Undecided
75 Bryan Arceo 5'9" 195 OL/DL Burroughs Undecided
77 Christopher Molina 6'2" 225 OL/DE Western Christian Undecided
78 Henry Balmaceda 6'1" 280 OL/DL Verdugo Hills Undecided
79 Zachary Gupton 6'3" 220 OL/DL John Muir Undecided
80 Victor Ortega 5'8" 150 WR/DB Rio Hondo Prep Pasadena JC

Oh and Fred What is the latest on the SGV East vs West Game? Any Updates?

GK76
First off it is no longer 1976 times have changed and this is something you have obviously failed to acknowledge. Yes, ND has beat St. Francis pretty good the last couple years but no one else in the state could beat them either. We were never scared to play them, the leagues were just switched up. Your knowledge of the foothill league is pathetic because if you knew anything about high school football you would see that that is easily one of the most competetive leagues in the state. As far as local competition we took on the top teams (Arcadia,Burroughs, Los Altos, Bishop Amat) in the valley and came out with only one loss to San Gabriel Valley teams. Also have you been to SF lately our facilities are amazing. Hopefully our baseball team will shut you up because if they get the chance they will stomp la salle just like last season.

Finchamp:
Point made. I too believe that Poly would handle any of the small schools around in baseball, except maybe LaSalle. LaSalle has had quite the history of a solid program with fundamental players. And Poly...well...they have Rasmussen, so it doesn't even matter who else is on the team!
Thanks for the info concerning the Prep/Poly basketball game as well. I didn't know that and what quite shocked at the score. I just thought Poly had one of those games.

pasadena guy

Understood with a caveat however. Flintridge beat RH Prep twice in basketball this year, once by a point and the second time in OT by a shot that took place after a shot-clock expiration that the officials ignored. I acknowledge RHP's weakness in basketball however Flintridge only played Poly close because they had wrapped up the Prep League title and Coach Hall let his other players play. Conclusion: RHP basketball=poor, Flintridge basketball=poor, Poly=pretty good, Maranatha=pretty good
I don't follow baseball closely however my bet is Poly would fair well in this discussion of "emerging" programs.

FBrealist the fact that it is even a fair question - which it is - tells you what people think of the direction that SF is headed.

Is collis going to Nevada for football or baseball or both?

P finchamp and others, Flintridge prep and Poly have a different agenda than Maranantha and LS. Prep and Poly will always be small schools they are not looking to grow sizewise the way the other two schools are and quite frankly I like them that way.

Finchamp: Great points you brought up. Poly did beat Maranatha earlier in basketball in their tourney, but MHS turned around and beat Flintridge but almost 30, where as Poly only beat them by a couple. I don't figure CIF to switch the Prep and Alpha league just yet. They'll more than likely look at refiguring after this season, but I wouldn't see it happening any earlier. While Flintridge did win the championship a couple years ago they have fallen waaaaayyyy of track in the last couple of years. They haven't beaten anyone in the Prep league, other than Webb in some time. They've taken Maranatha (who Rio has beaten the last two years) off their schedule because they're tired of losing athletes to MHS now. On a large scale, I truly believe that LaSalle and Maranatha have far superior athletic programs than any other small school around--of course, minus St. Francis which is the reason we are discussing this.

With the City of Monrovia's redevelopment and economic growth, unless the school district shows better results, I think La Salle can count on receiving more would-be M-Town athletes in all sports.

Breaking News

St. Francis quarterback Luke Collis has committed to the University of Nevada, as confirmed by coach Jim Bonds. Congratulations to Luke and his family and the St. Francis extended family.

In 2003, if you told me La Salle would beat Temple City and Monrovia four years later, I wouldn't of believed it. So, is it out of the question to ask in four more years, could La Salle be knocking on St. Francis' door? And will Maranatha be on its way to taking on the Monrovia's, Temple City's and so forth?

Finchamp, I mentioned Flint Prep with Poly and RH Prep as the small school powers when I came to the Star-News. But since FPrep's title, they've continually declined. RH Prep always has been steady, and Poly returned to small school greatness, and would have won the Div. XII title if the Prep League league was still that division. But I firmly believe that La Salle and Maranatha, because of the facilities and the affordability, have a great opportunity to do something special. The seeds were planted more than ever this past season, not lets see how they can grow.

Closing the gap

A simple answer is YES but the gap was wide. I expect a flip-flop in Divisions with Maranatha's division becoming D-XII and the Prep League moving back to D-XIII. Still we know that the Prep League can field some very good teams in basketball and baseball. I believe Poly beat Maranatha in basketball earlier this year and they have been solid in baseball with Rasmussen for a couple of years. That's where I would take issue with pasadena guy.

Fred, where's the love for Flintridge football? They win the D-XIII championship in 2001(?)and you have yet to proclaim their program legit. Maranatha makes it to the championship once and you proclaim them legit after one strong season.

Okay both LaSalle and Maranatha are likely to get stronger and stronger with continuity and yes, outstanding facilities. That's likely to impact St. Francis more than it will any of the other private schools in the area.

I think the ingredients are in play, La Salle as an institution is on its way up, attracting smarter students, and with the administration behind football, it's going to start attracting better athletes, hopefully it becomes more affordable in the future to allow for a wider range of people to attend. I'd say La Salle is definitely on the way up.

Preprealist, nobody is saying Maranatha or La Salle could touch St. Francis. Everyone knows St. Francis is currently on a much higher level. My question is, can La Salle or Maranatha someday reach St. Francis' status. The great thing about private schools is the potential is limitless.

prep boy: the prompt was not whether Maranatha or LaSalle could play St. Francis' schedule and accumulate the same record. Of course they couldn't. The question being discussed is if either one or both of the programs are on their way to becoming a program like St. Francis; one that has a history of tradition and success. I believe they can. Coach Gallager is doing an incredible job at LaSalle and Coach Murphy is building a legit program at Maranatha. Basketball wise both schools are experiencing success and every other program is solid.
The other small schools around (Flintridge Prep, Poly and Rio Hondo) still experience success, but it's typically limited to one sport. None of them seem able to sustain their entire athletic program like LaSalle or Maranatha.
I think in a couple years both LaSalle and Maranatha will have programs that rival St. Francis.

Fred,

Your post are getting more and more ridiculous. Maranatha is having a pretty good year as is La Salle. But give me a break. Let either team play SF 's FB schedule and see if both combine to win two games.

I think I'll just stop there because this thread doesn't even deserve much consideration.

Fred,
This is for Tom S - any thoughts about the up coming softball season?

The gap is closing fast. SF has gone backwards and I am one SF fan who is sick of the excuses "SF plays in a hard league", "the players got hurt", "we went to the semi two years ago" - yea. The best one is "Loyola takes all our good players" - Gee I wonder why? Why does ND kick our a-- every year then. In my day ND could not touch us. Heck now we are afraid to play them. If having the best QB and the best players in the area and the team loses 6 of the last 7 shows the coach "knows football and know how to win" and the few wins largely coming against foothill league type teams - only shows how low the expections have become at SF. Now let's talk about that great SF basketball program. Is there anyone paying attention in the SF administration?
LS and Maranatha are both more organized and focused and have and/or are getting great facilities. In 5 years both will be on a par or better than SF. Let's not kid ourselves SF didn't beat anyone good this year. Even our one quality win was against an overrated Burroughs who we were lucky to beat and who lost in the first round of the playoffs. SF hasn't been golden for a while and the two other schools are headed in the right direction.

Wow Fred, you really like to stir the pot and encourage controversy. I’m starting to gain more respect for you. All I can say is Maranatha is in its infancy in becoming a sports powerhouse but its great watching what’s going on at our “jewel of the valley”.
La Salle has a few steps up on us right now but give it time and who knows?
To walk into their gym and see all the league and CIF banners they have on display is pretty impressive, but the banners are starting to be hung in the Minutemen gym.