FOOTBALL: It begins at the top

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ScottG -
Coach Murphy and staff have expanded a program with care and a devotion that is what we all hope our kids get to experience.

They are young and very enthusiastic and, as is obvious by the masked envy of some of the more defensive bloggers, bringing respect to a program that struggled for many years.

There ability to teach the boys the skills of football and to motivate them to do their best is
what coaching is all about.

finchamp - stop - you're killing me!!!

I have read this blog now three times and have learned (from you) that you were an all american, your son is being scouted by a number of D1 colleges, and your ELEVEN year old daughter is ranked 2nd in the nation for triathlon and runs a 5:18 mile - but you are turned off by MHS bloggers?

HA HA HA HA HA -

We love the kids, the school, and the faculty and are grateful for all the blessings MHS is experiencing.

We are excited about our school and our programs. We are not arrogant, we are not bragging about ourselves or who looks at our kids or what our ELEVEN year old daughter does - most importantly we are not calling other's faith into question.

I think if anyone needs to tone it down, it is you my friend. RHP has a great history it is remarkable that such a little school can compete with schools so much larger. So relax and take a breathe - no one is trying to steal your or your children's glory.

Good luck on a winning year, I hope for your sake everything works out.

What's with all the hate for Bonds? The Golden Knights play in the toughest area league by far. They play the toughest competition by far. They've gone to two semifinals in the last three years with good, not great talent. Bonds doesn't recruit like others in his league, namely Pete Gonzalez at St. Paul. Give the guy a break.

Or rather, to all the Bonds detractors out there, what makes him so bad?

your kidding!! you must be friends with jim bonds-he has not won league since he has been there!!Pick another coach!?

sgv and Finchamp -

Amen, and I agree!!!!! I could not have said it better myself.

Sometimes it is not what you say, but how you say it. It is quite obvious Mr. Finchamp is proud of the school he supports, and he provides insightful comments - RHP has a tremendous history that many of us are now aware of because of his insights. They are not a "one season wonder." His comments do not come accross as being arrogant, but insightful, and I enjoy reading them. No comments like "La Salle is too chicken to schedule us" and other trash talk I have seen on this blog before from supporters of a Christian school. Have pride and support your team, but I like seeing things in a respectful, insightful manner. Maybe its just me.

sgv--

I've always given credit to Tom Landry for that quote--one of my favorites for all "over-celebraters" in any sport. Makes perfect since that it would be Lombardi as well.

I have to side with Finchamp on this one. On the blog, as in all aspects of life, bragging is simply bad taste. Yes you guys had a good season last year, but as Vince Lombardi once said regarding scoring touchdowns "act like you've been there before and you will be there again" and then you can consider yourself a true champion.

It is called pride in our coach, asst. coaches and our kids when we talk about Maranatha in the blogs - not arrogance - we are what we are - and when you have a season like we did last year you are going to shout it from the roof-tops. We have high hopes for this season and will have to wait and see what the next few months bring - I for one love the back and forth and the "team spirit" that is shown by most of us on the blogs - but it is only a game - they are kids and we need to put it into perspective - at the end of the day - as Alhambra just found out - it's about family and win or lose we love and are proud of our kids - no matter what happens on the field - and Finchamp - your daughter sounds like a great athlete - and you are right to sing her praises - some may think that is arrogant - but I see it as fatherly pride - If RHP is not a good fit for her when she gets to high school don't not think about sending her to Maranatha - where athletics are important but academics, values and family are just as important.

lovefootball--

At the expense of having to answer the question yet again.....they play against each other for years in KYL. If they start at RHP in grade 7 then they play together for 6 years--surely an advantage. But you get what you get with a pool of just 45 boys 9th through 12th grade and there are no transfers.

They are only coached by the same coaches starting as Freshman. Before that point they have different coaches every year through 8th grade.

It is obvious you guys love Murphy and that will boost overall confidence as well. But the bragging is a turn off. You know RHP was 9-2 last year better than any year Maranatha had put together in its history before last year. Stop blowing yourselves up....you lost to the 9-2 team 37-0 how can you act arrogantly or try to make a comparison?

My daughter is 2nd in the nation in Youth Triathlon and has run a 5:18 mile--she is 11. We have been considering Maranatha but the blogging turns me off. I know the coaches would suggest you guys pull back a bit with the arrogant stuff which runs against the grain of our faith.

I am still not clear on the whole RHP football thing - do the kids play football together for 6-10 years in the same program with the same coaches and the same players or not?

If that is settled then lets ask what would the RHP coaching staff do if they had their boys for 1-2 years.

Coach Murphy, Coach Redman, and Coach Walters get the nod last year clearly. What was RHP's final record anyway?

Again, taking a team that had a number of starters that had never played organized football before last year to the finals is a testament to Coach Murphy's style and staff.

Before he retires, they will be singing songs about this guy.

Yes, coach Murphy called the shots. I understand your point, just thought title given by the school last year should be reflected correctly. He wa also an assistant coach for many years. Not trying to rehash anything.

long time fan--

This issue was hashed out last year. Same exact blog question about coaching too. The question that repeatedly came up is what is the difference between "interim coach," "interim head coach," and head coach? Did he call the shots or not?

Cross Country??? How much overlap does Cross Country have with Football (American)?

Finchamp

We all admire Rio Hondo's commitment to athletics and its success.

But be careful in your ratio comparisons. Remember that schools like Flintridge and Poly have cross-country and water polo teams which siphon off boy athletes in the fall from football.

Clear as mud.

You got it wrong, P Finchamp. Coach Murphy's title last year was "Interim Coach". The year before that he was the assistant coach.

This will be his first season as MHS's "Head Coach".

Clearly, fand...

When are we going to get the preview on Muir football? And how about St. Francis? Aren't these two programs clearly superior to all others in the West San Gabriel Valley?

anonymous,

Yes that is Poly's senior class but that is the entire student body at RHP from freshman to senior classes. So maybe it's closer to 4 to 1. But the point still remains that nearly the 100% of the boys are on the football roster whether its JV or Varsity. That in itself is a very amazing statistic. All students understand and embrace that when they attend RHP they will be competing in altheltics. This is part of the culture they teach, you are always part of team; whether that translates to academics, athletics, or life in general.

P_Finchamp,
Poly's senior class is about 90 kids - half are girls - that leaves 45 Boys in the senior class.
If Rio has 45 boys - I am not sure how you get Poly has a 5 - 1 advantage in Boys to choose from to play football.

P finchamp,
After coaching 14 years from youth football Pasadena Panthers, TC youth, TCHS, and now Monrovia...psychology has always been one of my teachings and coaching skills that I promote in relation to the O-line blocking techs and how to be mentally prepared from both sides of the ball. A great O-line player must think like a great D-line player. With the proper motivation and a little bit of psych, you can produce great quality linemen to promote the goals of the team by practicing and playing as a team from start/finish. And in return, allow the players to have FUN.

You can experience a LIFETIME in a day.

DAWG

Interest rates have a lot to do with local football...do you think these new stadium plans will pay for themselves...just kidding, sort of.

Naturally we all want to weigh in on "our guy." Brownfield was something but DAWG that was some time ago. He's still a regular at the Pasadena Quarterback Club which kicks up again on September 1 at Brookside. Week one features everyone's favorite Pete Carroll--he coaches some college team in L.A.. You don't have to be a member to attend but you have to pay for your lunch.

I agree that Murphy has made great strides at Maranatha although couldn't we say he was a second year coach?--just had interim in front of the first year. Hopefully he conducts himself well on and off the field as most coaches should and I like him. The 11 win thing would be even more impressive if Maranatha wasn't two or three times the size of most of the schools they play. I'm also a fan of Garrison and Gallaher--I just think they get it and know how to work with these kids and a lot of it involves psychology.

Coach Drain at Rio Hondo would be happy to deflect any attention heaped on him to his assistants. People like to point out that Rio kids have more experience than most but there are still only 45 boys to choose from making a Poly or Flintridge size comparison ratio about 5 to 1 or a Maranatha comparison at 10 to 1? But continuity is a key in HS sports and they have that at RHP. The assistants have been there for nearly the same tenure as coach Drain and their names are Parker, Loomis, and Carson. Coach Drain would be the first to give them the credit.

Joel Murphy for the way he conducts himself on the field and off, 11 wins his first year as head coach, and the respect he has earned from players, parents, students, co-workers, and other coaches

Well said Mr5.

lets stay on the subject guys. who is the top coach in the area right now?

Mike Mooney would easily be in the top 3 if he were still coaching but i have to admit 18 years as head coach at the same schoo is no easy task... i like the set-up of the coaches

Lets not forget Jim Brownfield from Muir. Presently, he's not coaching but his coaching style & philosophy still lives through many SGV coaches.

NY,

The BAD A$$ running back from Blair back then when they beat you (Monrovia) was Warhlest Jackson. He was possibly one of the best backs out of Pasadena since the early 90's.

DAWG

this is definetly the most exciting time of the year.

apaches, good luck this year!

apache nation, i am going to try and make it to the friday afternoon practice, who else is in? scott g, when are you thinking about going out to arcadia... if you even plan on going. please say friday!

i can't wait!

AT,
I thought he was James something. 1993 season. I think Blair tied league champ San Marino that year.

NY,

Do the names Z-Ukoni Hodges and Jecarl Riggins ring a bell? Those are the Blair names you're thinking of.

I feel that Coach Smith at South Pasadena has done a tremendous job with the lack of talent that the school usually produces.

A lot of my co-workers were ticked off and afraid that this move will devalue the US Dollar. It will be fun to watch either way.

I think one of the real drivers of low interest rates, though, was the Chinese government buying so many of our long bonds and effectively keeping long-term interest rates down as well as inverting the yield curve.

NY

From football to finance,
I want to see the feds do something with the federal funds rate. That's what really controls the economy, not the discount rate, the rate banks can borrow from the central bank.

Paul,
I'm skeptic. I think most action by the Fed creates immediate market reaction, but ultimately the market goes back to where it was headed in the first place. Bernanke's move was out of character.

NY

50 bps cut might provide some stimulus--we certainly need something as the markets tanked. Not sure Greenspan would have made the the same move. At least we saw encouraging response from the market. Countrywide demonstrating just how fragile a giant can become when their client's run into trouble.

bigp,

It is human nature (and laziness) to look at absolute performance rather than relative performance. It is also tough to give people credit for results that might (and likely will in Coach Sanders' case) happen.

Tip has never won a big title, but he sure has turned teams around. Blair was last place last year, but I'm sure the team chemistry was far better than it was prior to Tip's arrival. If Blair sticks with him (why wouldn't they) then I think Tip can turn them into a regular playoff team. I have to confess that I am a Monrovian who got beat by Blair during Coach Garrison's first year as a varsity head coach(3-7, 0-5) ...that speaks to how far Monrovia has come during Garrison's tenure (relative performance). We are still awaiting the big one, but it's still better than the years prior. Anyway, back then Blair had a couple bad ass defensive tackles in Daniel Cadd and Michael Johnson and they had a sturdy running back as well. I'm sure Big M remembers.

What did you guys think about the 50 bps cut today?

No substitute for being right (and having an abbicus (sp?) Next to the computer!

New York

Graet stuff....haaa!

Coach D was there for Sultan Abdul-Malik's sr year: 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06.

Wow u guys still dnt give respect to Lavell "Tip" Sanders? He is a great coach just wait and see wat he does with blair this year.

thanks...Mr5

Dimalante is entering his 12th season.

Howard's 9 win average with Muir's schedule is pretty impressive. Replace OC with most WSGV teams and he would have 20 wins in two years. Plus, he has the maturity and self-confidence to bring a head-coach calliber assistant (Crutch) onto his staff.

Dimalante's first season was 1995. That makes 12 seasons at the Apache healm.

the trib covers the eastside of the 605 and pas covers the westside. so all the mission valley league teams are covered by the pasadena star news the reason why you hear about arroyo and south on the trib was because aram the former trib writer was very familiar with them. teams like arroyo and south are more further out from pasadena so their coverage is limited on pasadenastar. so you usually hear about them on midvalleynews.com

What about Rich Wheeler at La Canada?? Tough as nails.

kinda off subject but asking anyways...

Which paper covers the Mission Valley League(MVL)?
(Rosemead, El Monte, Arroyo, S. El Monte, Mt. View, and Gabrielino)

Is it the Trib'? or Star? 'Cause the Trib' always has something on Arroyo and maybe the South but never anything on the other teams in league. Yet the Star always seems to cover the 'MEAD and Gabby a few times but hardly ever any Arroyo news. Are the papers boundries of coverage restricted by what freeways you cross? Even though its the same league?

Just curious...

please move koffler out this guy has one won 2 play off games in 10 years and those 2 games were in the same year.koffler was 2-8 or 1-9 at la puente the year after they won their league with coach smolin, who is now doing a great job at Cantwell! plus he was fired from some OC school for Cif violation and now makes a living beating Mt. View, Gabrilino, and el monte.RHP coach always has his team ready to play, and dont forget about keith jones! SG will be back this or next yr.

Best vice principal/coach, Mike Mooney at San Marino..and have to agree with mr5 in that Jones has one of the best, if not the best offensive minds. I wrote years back before they hired Howard that he would have been a great fit at Muir.

Ok, I don't know what happened, but this was my post, not Freddie's.

P, I'm sorry and no offense for not having Drain in there at first.

I also didn't have Steve Garrison when I first posted this.

In terms of winning percentages, His record speaks for itself?

I'm looking forward to seeing your team play this year. That will tell me a lot.

By the way, I covered 8-man, so I know all about small rosters. It's impressive that when a team bumps up to 11-man.

I gotta agree with Finchamp. Drain is my pick.

Posted by: A. Campa | August 17, 2007 10:25 AM

Posted by: P Finchamp | August 17, 2007 09:03 AM

Scott

The new guy on the block syndrome huh? Do some homework? You don't even list the coach with the highest winning percentage in the San Gabriel Valley over the past 5 and 10 years.

Posted by: P Finchamp | August 17, 2007 09:00 AM

Ouch......No coach Drain at RHP? He gets more out of less than any coach around. Take a look at the fundamentals of each kid, rock solid. It really hurts to see a couple first year coaches up there and leave off Coach Drain the only name that has brought a CIF Championship in the last several years to the area. Hmmmmmm possibly left out to stir the pot?

Posted by: rhp alum | August 17, 2007 07:40 AM

I agree with the last comment... His spread offense is HELL to defend, and he has great motivation skills...

Posted by: Anonymous | August 17, 2007 03:14 AM

keith jones from san gabriel, he has to be the top offensive mind from all of these guys he led his team to the championship game a couple years back. he just needs a better supporting cast of assistants on all the other aspects of the game. cause every year his offense puts up some of the top QBs and WRs. Theres no doubt he can coach at a big time school.

Posted by: mr5 | August 17, 2007 12:27 AM

Coach Dimalante by far. He does a tremendous job with the talent pool and makes no excuses.

Posted by: the real hsfbfan | August 16, 2007 11:26 PM