JV Update:

M-Town JV squad knock-off Arcadia's JV football team on a HOT wild Wednesday afternoon 33-6.

Congrats to Coaches Minter, Gredebech, & Duff.

Congrats to the TEAM as well.

Monrovia JV Record 3-0

DAWWG

If Monrovia has a focused week of practice and good play calling, I think we will win 15-13. I think our passing game will continue to go through growing pains, but our run game will move the ball enough and chew clock. I think it will be a close game such that Garrison goes for two and we get it and Arcadia tries to tie but misses their conversion.

Heres my take on the Arcadia/Monrovia showdown.

If Arcadia comes to play and has more than one real playmaker it could be decided by the fieldgoal kickers. If Monrovia Plays like everyone expects them to, Monrovia could make it hard for Arcadia to make a late comeback. Although Monrovia will be without it's starting Tailback this gives the Other running back a chance to really showcase his talents. He only had 6 carries in the first game against Monclair an gained 54 yards his second game was against Duarte and he carried the ball 24 times for 204 yard....not including the penalized yardage that would have put him near 300yrd..and most of that was in the second half of the game. So If eveyone comes out to play it will be the True Game of the Week. William Do should have his way with Alhambra they say you cant teach Speed, But you certainly can teach team Discipline and playing againt TC you will need all of the discipline you have to stand in and win all 4 quarters. The last time a QB was so Highly touted was Beverly Hill in the 90's who rolled all over the Ocean league back then. Monrovia had a simillar situation on how to stop him. The Game ended with Monrovia winning 55-7. This team has simmilar attributes. The QB situation is still jellin and Matt Haggard is starting to look more comfortable in the pocket, he has some really fast recievers to throw to if he can ever get the time. My Score predication MHS 28 Arcadia 17. this should send a message Loud and clear to the Pacific League.

TC guy,

Your predication would have been right on for last years game.

Here's my expert take:

Arcadia 28
Monrovia 14

I never really liked Arcadia anyways Observantcat, and thanks for the comment. Yeah I can't wait until the M-Town vs. TC cross town rival game again, it's going to be great. Alhambra has Anthony Brown do they not? I remember him, he's a lot to take down, but our Defense is quick and Backus knows him well enough to work out something. They lost Babb (he played for Alhambra right?) so Yeah i guess i see what your saying about this Friday night.
My Predictions:
M-Town pulls away from Arcadia late in the third and seals the deal.
TC will have to tough it out again with a strong team like Alhambra but being a Alum, I bet the Rams will take this one and earn their Horns.

Ex-Falcon

Monrovia was just outcoach that night. Taking nothing from Duarte, because you have to be a good team to capitalize on all of the mistakes and bad decisions the Cats made. That is why I think the Arcadia game is going to be so important. It will put paralles on how good Monrovia and Duarte are, and why maybe they truly belong in the Pacific league with the other teams....I think Duarte Would have won the Pacific league last year hands down, maybe even this year.

#2 is very good fast and has the ability to cut back and strong. Probaly the best athlete on the field that day. That's exacty my point. This is high school football and monrovia aint no long beach poly. just think if he was on defence he proably could have stopped some of those runs. i think duarte can beat monrovia again. I dont know #2 but i know his family really good. if he can keep a stright head he my be as good as akil with just more speed.

ExFalcon

I'm glad you made it to this site. Although Duarte put a hole in our side, I was wondereing about your take on #2 on the real. He is a JR this year and I think he has all of the implications of another Akil Harris...Outside of his nervous 1st half he took over in the second half and looked stronger on every posession. You are right about the decision making from our end nobody gets it but the coach. I think the Arcadia Fans are in for a treat Win or loose.

I'm really disappointed in monrovia's lost to Duarte, I mean especially at the defensive side of the ball. The defensive coach was my head coach when I was a freshman. I was shocked how we just couldnt keep up with the speed of the falcons. If the cats dont figure how out how to become faster on defense and have real good angle persuits then it will be a long season. BUt I can say the quarterback answer all my questions he threw good balls but alot of the time the receivers didnt catch the ball when It was right in there hands. but I said before the game that this wouldnt be any sort of a blowout, if duarte had their offensive starters from last season. But Im sure they'll fix things on defense before the arcadia game at least I hope and they better get things straightened out before going up to la salle but Im sure they'll be ready for the south pas, san marino, and blair for sure. but I cant say that we'll get arcadia for sure. and who did TC lose to? also Dwight Smith is gonna be a diesel running back he just needs to work on not fumbling a bit and he will be a force to reckon with in league and against la salle. Its been 6 years since this has happened but the cats just have to wipe this off you know.

Ex-Falcon,
I'm sure you know that about every five years Monrovia loses to Duarte. It is pretty bad from my standpoint though that you say Monrovia got outcoached by Duarte. Ouch.

Regarding Maranatha,
The comments about a brand new program/school just seem so self-serving to the parents of the current students. Maranatha football has been there for a long-time. How about acknowledging all those players and students who came before.

I know this is kind of late, but will TC people explain to me why when TC was on their own 20 yard line with 2:30 to go did the rams not run the ball? As Goldenarm stated, Do had almost 10-yards a carry... TC had more than enough time left to grind out yards and put it in field goal range, especially with the kicker they had. The way that guy was booting PATs it looked like he coulda made it from 40 yards out. Instead they passed three times in a row out of shotgun? That hardly sounds like the TC most are used to seeing. Next thing you know arroyo has the ball and does the smart thing. Runs down the clock to kick the game winning field goal. With all the years he's been at TC, Backus should have known better.

If any TC fans care to elaborate feel free

I dont need to talk trash about monrovia, i think they could be a pretty good team but the coaching over is stright ridiculious. Why dont #2 are #21 play defence? the qb looked nervious and scared. Horrible play calling and why to many turnovers? It was pretty sad if i my say. i think your better then that proformance.

Ps But where still better HA HA HA

Go FALCONS!!!

To New York:

I would like to clarify what MHS supporter meant when they said that Maranatha is pretty much a new school.

They have never, until 2 years ago, had their own campus and field for that matter. That makes it very difficult to attract athletes and anyone who finds that to be important(which seems to be many kids). Since they have moved to their own campus, it is very much like they are a new school.
I am very proud of what the kids have done along with the coaches. They deserve to be recognized for what they are. That is a long time small school that is growing in many ways. It is exciting if you are part of it but I can see how being on the outside, it can get annoying. Let's all continue to support our favorite area team and keep our comments positive.
Furthermore I don't recall ever hearing anything negative from a MHS supporter toward another school other than being upset that a school won't play them.

O-cat

Here again you are on the money. Williams Do had almost a 10yd avg carry (17 for 162)... if the stats I saw were correct. They got beat by the long ball as well, which Backus will be all over in practice this week. Also, Hatch can throw and this part of the O is going to become more prominent as the season progresses, and will continue to be an option with defenses focused on Do. Obviously the Moors opener exposed some issues as well, but I would expect a stronger performance from them this Friday. No way TC will embarass their squad, but the atomosphere will be revved-up, not a preseason feeling for sure. A great match up, and being an ex-Moor I have mixed allegiance.
As far as Big M, it looks kind of like the San Andreas fault..huge potential to destroy but unable to predict....but beware one day may flatten the entire area. Is this the year for Monrovia or what? Also it must be nice to discover "new" players hiding in a squad already stuffed with depth.

TC guy

You guys should really embarrass Alhambra this year. I think that they are the most vunerable team on this Blog. Glendale should'nt have been no match for a team that expects to win their league. The team you need to watch out for is the Big M...even though we took a hard one against Duarte, We discovered some new players in the mix..If the coach works with these guys and allows them to play to their potential everyone needs to be prepared. I think Arcadia will be amazed at what hits them this week. And yes Stang Fan Ayala is a good as mentioned and Duarte is pretty good this year as well.

Look out for Bosco Tech... they are a sleeper this year... i think they have great potential

Late Post about the Arroyo v. TC game.
IT was a great season opener at best; fresh players starting off in nearly all the positions, it was a hard fought game. Williams Do and Josh Willard did a tremendous job and the team itself just like the rest in the SGV will hopefully get better as the Season itself gets deeper. Arroyo's 20 played great, and both teams fought hard. Just those mistakes cost TC the game, and nothing to be worried about until League starts for the Rams. Great game Arroyo, a little iffy about Alhambra next Week.

st francis, go get arcadia's shine box!!!

The only thing worse than a bad loser is a bad winner.

I'm a Maranatha outsider so I am a bit confused here. Why does everybody keep saying that Maranatha's football program is only two years old. Muir hasn't been playing home games at its high school that long either.

x-player et al.
Sorry we have offended you. We love our team, our boys, and our coaches. They all are doing pretty good but we didn't mean to hurt your feelings, I promise.

I hope your team (who ever that may be) wins.

Scott, keep up the good work and remember picking a game is always a 50/50 gamble.

Good luck and God bless.

I thought the little mhs article in the paper was great. I think sour grapes lecturing mhs fan with scriptures is funny - it reminds me of the old snl church lady bits.

I think everyone needs to take a breather, get used to mhs winning, and keep this blog on point.

Maranatha is a new school really. New campus, new faculty, a football field for the first time, and a two year old team.

MHS is not going to be an Oaks Christian, but I remember when OC started out. There were a lot of haters then to.

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade either so good luck all on your seasons. Support your boys and teams.

most I talked to thought the TC / Arroyo opener was going to be a tight game...appears it was. Maybe a bit more scoring than predicted. Anybody in the stands Friday night got a comment or two? Was this special teams scoring - or straight O versus D??

I am going to follow Minute Man's lead. We can show our support in other ways, and will. But I won't be one that engages in the kind games played by those with axes to grind. None of the young men giving there best for each school deserves to be demeaned by words flung on blogs.

Here's to a great season for all.

from the recent postings it seems as though we touched a nerve - and so as to not perpetuate anymore un-productive back and forth - as well as lectures from the masses on how we should conduct ourselves - I for one, am done. I will continue to read the posts, not comment, and support our team - I hope that "x-player", "anonymous" et al are now satisfied - one Maranatha supporter out of the way. Enjoy your season - whatever it may bring

Let us use the facts to speak on this matter we call "Maranatha Pride"!
You have had a football program for around 38 years and without giving way to additional arguments about enrollment or division placement, you have NEVER won a division title in football. Please don’t request, demand, yell, scream or cry for coverage till you not only make it to a championship game but win one.
Yes our new editor made a big mistake in not choosing Maranatha to win last night but he also picked about 4 other local teams to lose as well.
To the Maranatha fans, players, and especially the parents (cause I know they are the ones on here) - Please remember that there are about 20 other high schools in the SGV that all have football teams as well. You don’t have to be covered every game of every week. Show some of that Christian Character your school preaches and show some humility. Who cares what word you mask everything with Gloat or Brag. What Would Jesus Do?
To the coaching staff at Maranatha - You are doing a great job with your team on the field. There is something to be said for your efforts and the wonderful turn-around you have STARTED at MHS. You do definitely deserve the accolades you have and are receiving. Can you please teach some respect to your parents, boosters, and players about this public blog. Your success is being overshadowed by this poor display of attitude.
What the paper is doing with what they have is great.

Anon Monrovia poster,

We still had over 200 yards rushing. I don't think losing Williams crippled us. Let's be realistic on where the problems are.

I am happy that we got an article in the paper - and meant no malice towards the writer - just a correction for the folks who blog - and yes I am well aware that the Star News does not have an unlimited budget and they do what they can with what they have - I think they are continually improving the coverage they provide - and exploring new ways to get fans involved - ie: the blogs.
Do you - anonymous - have a team you support - or do you just enjoy ranting about what other people post? If your "team" was having a good start to the season - after many years of not so good - would you not proudly post? Don't bag on the Maranatha fans - they just are the most verbal last night and this morning - I am surprized we have not yet heard from Finchamp - any of the TC faithful - La Salle etc - sometimes it productive to talk about it when you lose as well as when you win - and I think you will find that 99.9% of Maranatha's fans wish everyone the best on and off the field - however - we will "brag" when we do well - it's our right - and as far as the dictionary comment - I did pull mine out - Brag - "to say or talk boastfully"
Boast - "to extol the deeds or abilities of oneself or others:to be excessively proud" - Yes we are proud of our kids

Longtime fan -

I see you had a dictionary nearby; you are correct - "gloat" does imply malicious intent - the word I should have used in my Anonymous posting at 10:16AM was "brag." The two times I mistakenly used the word "gloat" I now wish to substitute "brag." There is a fine line between "supporting a team" (which people understand, and respect) and "bragging" (which is obnoxious, and a total turn-off.)By the way - live with the typos in the newspaper - to keep the Maranatha fans happy the Star News probably had to rush the copy to make Saturday AM deadline; if they put it in Sunday's paper to "check the facts and spell the names correctly" you fans would have complained "how come we are not in Saturday's paper?" In case you may not know, the Star News does not have an unlimited staff and an unlimited budget, and works their tail off trying to keep everyone happy. It just seems they can't keep you Maranatha fans happy.

well said Longtime Fan -

new to the blogs - new to the area - what is the problem between Maranatha and everybody else - and who is Maranatha

Anonymous - there is a SIGNIFICANT difference between gloating and supporting a team.

By definition, gloating comes with malicious intent. I can assure you that is not the kind of encouragement and celebration we feel toward the MHS Minutemen.

The kind of pride the Bible speaks to is that which takes satisfaction in the misfortune of others. Please, football is a game. There's no malicious intent that any of these kids be visited by misfortune. We pray they all stay safe, enjoy the competition, hone their own skills and play to the best of their ability.

If MHS falls to the bottom of the roster we will still applaud their efforts and cheer them into the next year. These coaches aren't only training for a wins in a football game but coaching them how to work hard and press on to make their lives a clear win.

are there 2 different "anonymous" posting on the blogs? I am confused

Can we please set up a different blog page just so the Marantha fans can gloat, and the rest of us do not have to read it? Let's see - Maranatha has had a football team how many years? 10? 15? Escondido Charter is "in the second year of its football program." What basically happened is that Maranatha just beat a JV team. You want respect? Move up a division or two, and play some real teams. As the Star News pointed out in their Maranatha coverage (yes, you do get coverage - I have read it), the St. Margaret's game will be the test.

“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble [James 4:6]”

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (Proverbs 11:1-3)

You guys ought to read your scripture before you gloat on these blog pages.

I realize that it was a long way to go to cover the Maranatha game - I did see a very small write-up this morning - which was appreciated, - but a good writer checks his facts and spells the players names correctly - Tom Flewelling (not Fluwelling) and Anthony Morton (not Martin).

"No respect!!...No respect at all!!
Those were the words uttered by the late Rodney Dangerfield and what seem to be the words that come to mind when looking at the coverage of the Maranatha Minutemen again this year by the Star-News.
It took a whole season last year for The Star-News team to realize just how good thes guys are and to begin putting them in the headlines.
After reaching the CIF Championship last year, the Star-News gave them very little coverage as they approached their first game against Escondido Charter. Scott, I hope you are enjoying your breakfast this morning. The quote from yesterday's paper that reads "The Minutemen will be hard pressed to stop the White Tigers" is being served. Of course, there was no reporter to cover the game last night. I can't really blame you for that, due to the long drive, but there will clearly be no excuse for not showing up for next weeks CIF Championship re-match with St. Margrets.
Eventually you will see that these Minutemen deserve the kind of coverage they recieved by default last year when every other team but La Salle was out of the picure by Championship time.
Until that time Minutemen, just keep playing hard and doing what you do. Just grab the knot of your tie and turn your head to the side like Rodney but continue to believe in yourself because all of us that know you are excited about this year. Besides....The Star-News has bigger fish to fry like covering 0-2 La Salle and 0-1 St. Francis!!!

the x-factor in this coming friday's game will once again be Marquise Williams. his early injury in the Monrovia-Duarte game crippled the wildcats to a one headed monster instead of two. also, i notice that the running game wasn't setting up for the play action as much as it should have. i know, i know they scored a 5-yard TD off PA but PA's should create big plays down the field. i think that should be something to be worked on.

Rio Hondo League After Week 0 and Week 1:

San Marino 1-0
Blair 1-0
Monrovia 1-1
Temple City 0-1
La canada 0-1
South Pas 0-1

Scott,
LC beat CV last year without Lavelle. He got injured in the 1st quarter and only had around 20yrds. LC did it by themselves. Last night LC could have won, but they shot themselves in the foot with turnovers.

way to go baskersfield...

Bakersfield Christian - with Maranatha's former coach Doug Barnett in charge - took this one over RHP 24-7

It was well worth the long drive to see our young men in action tonight - a sweet win and great way to start the season - We are proud of our Minutemen!

ScottG-
After the long drive back from Escondido, I won't pile on - but the Minutemen are playing pretty good. There needs to be improvements in all areas, but the lines look solid, the secondary was working, and the scoring was balanced.

Does anyone know what the RHP / Bakersfield score is? Finchamp, you out there?

Did I mention Mark Love did not play?

Hey,

Bosco came out with the win against salesian, the defense although very small is looking very solid. the linebacker core is lead by senior Linebacker Julio Coto. Coto made alot of plays on defense and should turn out to be a defensive leader in the coming weeks.

The Defense Scored on an interception by senior LB / RB David Uballes that was returned for a touchdown.

The offense has potential, but yet has to iron out small kinks in the pass game.

senior running back Joey Vicuna came out to play, running up and down the salesian Defense, Vicuna had 1 score on the salesian defense.

Look for the Tigers offense to improve when 3 year veteran running back patrick mecenas returns to share the backfield with vicuna.

Final score
13-0

Next Opponent
Bosco vs. Workman
at St. Matthias

Well, Scott, wrong call on the Marantha game.

44 - 0.

Congratulations to Arcadia and Duarte. It looks like your programs have made some nice strides during the past year. I owe FrankP a double-double and I'm still trying to take my foot out of my mouth from my comment last night...

Why isn't La Canada on the scoreboard?

Looks like Tip would provide a nice program to the former Muir players if the school closes.

Great way to start the season Vikings!

ScottG -

I think you will put another mark in the loss column with your choice on Escondido v. Maranatha. I think Maranatha wins by at least 10 -

sg will not have a repeat performance of last year. this team is united and they are actually a team. Expect them to dominate tonight like they did against walnut.

Seriously both CV and LC are garbage both teams have not improved an inch from last years misery so why should anyone expect anything else

Both CV and La Canada have some rebuilding to do. Since La Canada struggled to beat the Falcons 14-8 last season with Lavelle, I just have a hunch that CV will pull out a win. Then again, it's just a guess. I'm no Jimmy the Greek.

Monrovia and Duarte will be closer than Calpreps, but Monrovia will win. Garrison owns Duarte.

Scott, what do you think about the CV/LC game? What do you see in CV?