FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Top Ten
Here is the Star-News' preseason top ten.
Knights have golden opportunity
By Scott Galetti Staff Writer
• TOP TEN
Picking the top 10 teams of the season before the first snap is like playing the lottery.
Sure, you might be able to manage a few lucky selections, but a puddle in midfield could derail the whole undertaking.
There are several teams worthy of consideration for the top spot, but it's hard to bet against St. Francis.
The Golden Knights have a solid quarterback, one of the area's top wide receivers in Deitrich Riley, and their usual strong front line.
For the second year in a row, they hold down the preseason No. 1 spot.
No. 1 St. Francis
The Golden Knights appear to have what it takes to rise back to the top of the always tough Mission League after finishing third a year ago. St. Francis has a quarterback that possesses a strong and accurate arm in Austin Heyworth and a lightning quick and sure-handed receiver in super sophomore Deitrich Riley. The Golden Knights enjoyed a solid summer and are eager to rebound from a 5-6 season. St. Francis will be tested early and often.
No. 2 Muir
On paper, what's not to like about this team? Coach Ken Howard has first-team All-Pacific League running back Willie Youngblood returning for his senior season. After a 9-3 season and a trip to the second round of CIF-Southern Section Central Division playoffs, the Mustangs also have many talented wide receivers, including Myles Campbell, who transferred from St. Francis. Muir will be tested right off the bat when it travels to take on 2006 Northwest Division and state champion Oaks Christian.
No. 3 Alhambra
The Moors boast perhaps the best one-two backfield punch in the San Gabriel Valley in returning first-team All-Almont League seniors Anthony Brown and Shawn Smith. Alhambra (7-4-1) soundly beat CIF-SS Southeast Division champion Schurr in Almont League play and has high aspirations of playing in December. A road game at Temple City and a trip to Arroyo highlight the preleague schedule.
No. 4 Arcadia
The Apaches (5-6) have 13 key returning players from a team that went 5-6 a year ago. One of those players is the versatile Kevan Walker, who moves from wide receiver to quarterback. Joining Walker on this senior-laden team are wide receiver Eric Willm, running back Troy Amhaz, fullback Todd Golper and offensive tackle/defensive lineman Shaun Roos. We'll know a lot more about the Apaches after they host St. Francis and play at Monrovia.
No. 5 Monrovia
It's that time of year again; the Wildcats (9-3) enter a season as the team to beat in the Rio Hondo League. This year's squad is young, but accustomed to winning. Senior quarterback Matt Haggard led the Wildcats JV team to a league title last season. Seniors Daro Johnson, Fernando Gonzales and James Mijares provide solid targets and junior running back Marquise Williams should be a force in the backfield.
No. 6 Pasadena
It's been said that this might be the best Bulldogs team in quite some time following a 5-5 finish last season.
With the return of 2006 first-team All-Pacific League quarterback Tyron Crockom and the short, but speedy wide receiver Michael Harrison back on board, the Bulldogs possess a potent offense. Defensively, there is quickness all over the field, especially in the secondary.
No. 7 La Salle
After pulling off perhaps one of the biggest turnarounds in quite some time, the Lancers (8-6) overcame a 0-5 start to reach the CIF-SS Mid Valley Division championship game. La Salle has just nine key returning players this season, including running back David Baier, wide receivers Michael Palffy and Ryan Doeppel and defensive back Brandon France. Junior quarterback Chase Rettig had an outstanding summer and appears ready to step into the limelight.
No. 8 Temple City
The Rams have a new coach in Randy Backus after former coach Mike Mooney left during the offseason.
Williams Do, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound power runner could soften the blow of losing Dwight Broadnax to graduation.
Eric Becher, Nick Fry and Victor Silva should stabilize the Rams' lines.
No. 9 Rosemead
With 12 key returnees, Matt Koffler's Panthers expect to rebound from a 5-6 season in 2006. Koffler expects big things from senior running back Paul Wilson, as well as senior wide receiver Albert Aulcy and junior quarterback Angel Alejandre. The Panthers have a killer preleague schedule with road games at Los Altos and Piedmont Hills of San Jose and home games against Northview, Temple City and Orange.
No. 10 Rio Hondo Prep
Yes, the Kares (8-2) have made the preseason Top 10. How long they remain depends on how they perform against Bakersfield Christian, Maranatha and Pasadena Poly. Senior quarterback Dan Castro (413 yards, six touchdowns) and senior running back Trevor Finchamp (683 yards, four touchdowns) are the Kares' key returning players.
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
Echo comments about La Salle but the coaching is pretty good. QB will be good one day but remember this is a young kid at a small school unlike a mature sophmore Dietrich Riley at a DII program.
Looks like Maranantha as big obstacle in the way of a CIF championship. Hamilityon I feel, which beat Rion Hondo in finals three years ago was supposed to bump up a division . They are still in with Maranantha. Watch out Maranantha.
Hey Professor pete the max preps site has the wrong score for the saugus game sf won that game on a field goal by neil favor.
SF beat Arcadia, CV, Burroughs, Los Altos , Saugus and Alemany. THey lost to Bishop Amat, Crespi, Chaminade , St Paul and Culver City looks like 6 and 5 to me but this season will be different
See The Link below if you still believe my High School [SFHS] was 6 and 5 last season ... I went to every game in my power wheelchair Freshmen, JV and Varsity ... Even our high school schedule/results on our web page says 5 - 6 http://www.maxpreps.com/FanPages/Team.mxp/California/Boys_Varsity_Football_Fall_06-07/AreaID-8e11e7d4-d3fa-4e6f-827f-652c29439d27/SchoolID-4f886cee-328a-401c-8dfc-2e0d033ec746
Temple City is #8? I don't believe so. I have seen Mr. Backus coaching the team as a defencive coach for 4 years at least, and I realize that he has more "coaching" talent than anybody else. I know the players like Mr. Backus so much with trust and respect than any coaches. The kids have been waiting for this moment for a long time. These kids are ready to play for Mr. Backus. (I know for sure on this since my sons had played for T.C. until a year ago.) Now the chemistry is there. It's a time! This coach will surprise you guys. Believe me!
It does mean something. It means I've learned my lesson and won't rely on certain services for information. My mistake and I appologize.
I know i doesnt mean that much but SF was 6 and 5 last year not 5 and 6
Does anyone know whether or not the Maranatha/St Margaret's game was scheduled prior or post last year's championship game. I love that they are squaring off right away. I wish more teams would open with a grudge match.
first of all Chase Rettig is only a sophmore, he is going to be around for a long time.
second the lancers lost 10 starters from their defense last year. All that experience on defense was key to their play-off run last year
finally everyone was wrong calling last year a rebuilding year for la salle, they had tons of seniors on that team, they just got off to a terrible start. this year is the rebuilding year.
Scott--
Although it is not a local match up I think Maranatha vs. St. Margaret's has got to be considered a game of the week. What an incredible ematch taking place right after the nail biter at the end of last season.
Scott posted the blog at 9:41AM; the first Maranatha comment came in at 9:59AM; 18 minutes!!!!A new record!!!
If Maranatha is to win the CIF title it will need to be this year, as next year I have a feeling they will be moved up from Division XIII. The competition will only be tougher.
Temple City Rams at #8...hmmm, don't think so. New Coach, new momentum...try at least #5 or better.
To Tom S. Maranantha fell from top ten because they need to score against Rio. Even with Mr, Love they were blanked.
This definitely should be the year Maranantha gts a CIF title. Cam Hall has already lost. I think the toughest game on Marannantha schedule will be Rio but they are in different CIF divisions. Good Luck Maranantha. Hope you win in memory of R. Hines a large financial supporter who passed this last year.
Scott: I see. As I’ve mentioned before the game against St. Margaret’s is going to tell a lot about this years Minuteman team and we need to get the monkey off our backs by beating RHP. On paper this years squad looks so good but time will tell.
Maranatha has a chance to be there in the end because it has a lot of talented players. How the Minutemen do against St. Margaret's and RHP will tell me a lot.
Scott:
OK, I've got to ask why you dropped Maranatha off the top 10.