I hate too toot my own horn but,Chris M. was a good db I seen Lance M. play a couple of times but I think Tony Crushfield and myself are only too db's too play in the old school shrine game.The real one..

Goldenarm:

"The Moors have a big plate of their own issues -"

Like what? Having their team healthy? Alhambra has shown what it can do when everyone plays, ask TC, Arroyo, South Pas, San Gabriel, etc. The only issue Alhambra has to worry about is health.

Are you serious dawg? Lance Mitchell was good, but McAlister was a phenom. Just my opinion though.

the real hsfbfan

The best DB I have seen out of the SGV is Lance Mitchell from Muir class 07. Chris McAlister from PHS '95 was good, but not as good as Mitchell.

It is always easier to criticize from the stands than from the sidelines...when it comes to coaching HS football.

Coaches criticize each other in a rational form by discussing the game film, practice skeems, and the responce from the players during certain critical drills from hell. But, is just that...simple and rational critcism in order to improve the team's goal.

I get a kick when soo many bloggers attack coaches for decision making and the bloggers are the first to say that the coach should have done this instead of that...all I know is that if the critical bloggers had the time and knowledge of coaching football, then we would all be coaches and no room for the fans on the stands.

from a coach;

ATOMIC DAWWG

now lets be realistic after acradia's run game bullied their way through the pasadena defense like they were plaiyng a pee wee team. pasadena is not very good. the beat C.V. HOOVER BURBANK and got slaughtered by WESTRANCH but was given a forfeit win because of an eneligible player. I woulg love to so them throw like that against MUIR'S GREAT secondary, which Crockom through 4 pics against last year.

Oh, yeah How are they going to stop the phenom Ahmere Owens

F-ball Einstein

And people say I am optimistic! TC is light years away from where they need to be in execution.

Williams Do pulling off a thrilling runback in the waning moments of the 4th, does not make them a "feared" opponent for any SGV team or any fellow RHL team. It is a different season and a different time at TC and respect is not going to jump out and land on them as it has before.

Keep the optimism though, because TC has their own "game of the week" this week with San Marino.
As far as how the season goes, this is the turning point game. San Marino is playing sound fundamental ball, and as yet, TC has not shown they have the guns and grit to beat a team like that. It is going to take a more aggressive defense and an offense willing to step outside itself and somehow whip out a big play now and then. You are right the team has heart - but so many other aspects of a "winning" team have not yet fallen into place. No time better than this week for that to happen.

On the other hand "still laughing"- only a non-player would ever brag weeks later about "putting someone out of the game". The Moors have a big plate of their own issues - and I doubt they plan to hire you soon as their PR man. As a former Moor...dude show some style, look forward not back.

TC played with the best teams? YEAH RIGHT! They got beat 47-0 by Alhambra, and that is playing with them? The jv's were playing in the 4th qtr for Alhambra. Also some crazy fan has tc ranked 7 and alhambra 10? This is why the ncaa polls are screwed up because of that backwards thinking. TC is 2-5, terrible and was beat head to head by Alhambra and cant possibly ever be ranked ahead of them. Remember Do was PUT OUT by alhambra. Moor hater is awfully quiet.

F-ball Einstein? After reading your comments this year I believe you should use a new name-------F-ball Dan Quayle.

TC is a very interesting team. They have played the best teams in the area (including Arcadia in a scrimmage) and they continue to keep pace with the rest of the league. They have a long way to go to win the RHL, but that team has BALLS and HEART. Two things Will Do showed on Friday night. That coaching staff deserves a little credit, most programs would shrivel up and go away after starting the season 1-5, but that team has fought every game. I know I’ve been saying this all year but you better lookout for TC!

anonymous
Hint,Hint, they don't want it or need it.

Blair is a very good team. There are fast, explosive and their running back is amazing. San Marino played a great game and Rio Hondo should watch out for Blair.

riofan

Go to the web site for the San Marino tribune and you will see they are not just a one city newspaper but they list San Marino,Pasadena,LC,Arcadia,SP,Monrovia, TC,Altadena,Glendale,SG,Alhambra, West Covina and the West San Gabriel Valley, You don't think they would love the revenue it could generate?

DO NOT call Mitch Lehman at the San Marino Tribune. Why? Because Maranatha is in Pasadena.

Good grief, if you're not getting the coverage, maybe it's because your team ain't worth covering.

Nobody forced any of you to go to Maranatha. Stop being such crybabies about everything.

Annonymous;

Either way it doesnt matter...I just wanted to get my point across. So thanks for the hate...now go to bed!

RHP won 37-0.

does anyone know how rio hondo prep did? And if so the score? thanks

observantcat you didn't notice that footballfan was being sarcastic? whoa.

As a Maranatha Fan I am AGAIN embarrassed by the comments made here by others. I agree, we are a small school in a small league. Many of our players would sit the bench at a bigger school. We appreciate any coverage we get and MOST of us understand it when we just get a by-line. On the same note I notice that Maranatha's Cross Country Team just won Mt. Sac, the largest cross country race in the country. They are always on top and never complain about recognition, maye some of us could learn from their behavior. Again folks, sorry for the irritation caused by a vocal minority.

Footballfan

I am not a coach, but I have played football all of my jr. all american until my 4 years of D1 College football. I have been on quite a few winning teams and I know a winning team when I see one. I was venting at the posture that a Coach who is trying to prepare kids for college is taking on the basic fundementals of the game. Yes Monrovia has great athletes but as far as College scouts are concerned they could be a bit hesitant to recruit players that they feel need to much developement at the college level. If you look at the Birminghams, the Notre Dames in the valley, the most important factor is giving the kids a way of gaining the best out of their talents. The Pasadena area schools have just as much talent but lack a true coaching campaign. Most of the great schools in the area rely mainly on good athletes to pull of a win. TC is the closes school to having a comprehensive coaching staff in the SGVN, wheas other schools have all the athletes. Garrison is sitting on most coaches dream to have such a diversified group of athletes. Sometimes I wonder what a Coach Like Moody would have accomplished over at MHS.

Longtime, I'm sorry you feel that way and hope to correct that problem.
What's funny, is I get comments on how the blog has been cleaned up from the past.
I thought it was far more heated last year. It's toned down quite a bit in my opinion.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Lovesthegame: Again, I can understand the folks at Maranatha wanting equal billing every week.
The problem is, I do look at the broad picture and the top games of the night will normally get more ink than the other games.
I'm just glad we're able to get all the games in.
When Maranatha played its first night game, it got top billing. When you played RHP, it was one of the top three games, although not the game of the night like everyone wanted.
Last night's game was not a big game in terms of top-flight contests.
Brentwood is another story.
Please don't think there's any slight because I like your program and covered a good number of basketball games last year.
Like I said before, with 22 football teams and even more for other sports, it's hard to make everyone happy.

What's sad is that this year the blog has deteriorated from meaningful and fun converstaion to competitive trash talking and defensiveness.

Even more tragic is needing to tell players to stay away because the adults don't know how to play fair.

Sad indeed.

Well, as one SP fan who wasn't calling out anybody from TC (though I may have let a few comments about our special teams slip out), I'll apologize IF things got too out of hand. I don't know about last night but if you asked our players, TC players get their respect as they generally, doing a whole lot less trash talking than say, your neighbors to the north.

SP's defense, and especially offense, did everything they needed to win the game, but they didn't. That will sting for awhile but they have some real rivalry games coming up, and they are playing at home Friday for the first time this season.

As is often the case, a running back like Do makes the difference in the game. With the graduation of Parish, SP doesn't have one of Do's caliber, but their passing game is something to watch out for.

Congrats to both teams for a hard-fought game and to TC for the win.

TC is back where they left off, after knocking out So. Pas. Watching TC's Homecoming game last night, the stars showed up and that was Joe Reisner and of course Will Do. I am in shock of South Pasadena's fans they are some of the worst as they had fans coming over to the home crowd and flipping us off, along with calling Temple City, Temple Shitty. That is very unacceptable behavior. They got what came to them as we beat them once again. With a desperation kr by will Do. It reminded me of last years thriller with Saxon hitting Andy Hebblethwaite for the game winning td, and then Do finishing the game with an Int. Some of South Pasadena's crowd are a bunch of losers from what I saw and a bunch of poor sports. Though I do give credit to their players they almost took it, till Do stole the show. Congrats Rams and good luck the rest of the way.

Observant Cat you really sound like you know your stuff! How long have you been coaching

Notoneofthe...
Great point and hopefully taken by the Maranatha faithful. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the...but in this case I don't think complaining on a blog is going to get Maranatha any more coverage - in fact it may hurt them. I do think that your comment about "other games that mattered" wasn't so necessary -every game matters to the kids that are playing in it - but your overall post makes great sense.

Goldenarm:

I'm glad you see my point. In order to prepare these guys for the post season you must play like a winner. The first half of football is for good teams to let it all go and later in the game you can take some dumb gambles. What I saw last night is a coach that either really doesn't know these kids potential or just has a terrible cast of coaches around him calling plays. If the Wildcats ever really play a solid game from the 1st guarter to the Last, No one should come close. This is really the first time everyone seems to be healthy and both backs have played in the backfield. I watched as the game unfolded and noticed that the real killer instinc just isn't there. The Defense played phenominal in the first quarter and throughout most of the game, but the offensive play calling seemed very suspect.

Regarding the comment from "lovesthegame" at 1:10PM, and "why the hate towards Maranatha" question. There is no hate towards Marantha. I know many many Maranatha families, both parents and students. Nothing to hate.
What many of us dislike on this blog and are tired of are the comments about how Maranatha gets no respect, and complaints about how it does not get enough coverage in the newspaper. I would like to blog about and read about something else. The topic of this blog was "Week 7 Reflection" and 12 of the 18 comments below deal with Maranatha. I know it is hard to believe, but there were other games played Friday, some which mattered.
P.S. It is always easy to get a reaction from Maranatha fans on this blog, which is part of the fun.

Tom S...the fact that you refer to a carpeted parking lot roof with some bleachers on it as a "stadium" should tell you everything you need to know about why you are so irritating. Your delusions of grandeur are embarrassing.

O-cat,
you must have been severely pissed when you ripped that blog...your ramble is a literary "ebarrassment" to your normal commentary. Nonetheless, I feel your pain..why not just hit off tackle and let those RB's do the rest?? Was that being shut off? This deep into the season play calling should have settled down..I mean by now you pretty much know what is effective and who can move who. Hopefully somebody is reviewing - if the post season is in the Cats future-that crap won't fly there.

anonymous:
what exactly is your problem? I don't know that I have ever read a post from you that does not slam somebody - with Maranatha being your favorite target. Life is short to be so negative - God Bless

Scott;

Just get it over with and make Maranatha the game of the week ever week. That way you can spare the rest of us from the constant whining/complaining by the self-absorbed Maranatha fans.

Thanks.

Scott G:
I’m not implying that our game last night was “Game of the Week”. Please read my post again. I’m very aware of your limited resources and just wanted to let you know what occurred last night at Minuteman stadium. I was disappointed to see the small four paragraph article and nothing in the High School Scoreboard but that’s the way it goes.
I do want to give you a heads up on the upcoming game against Brentwood and with it being on a Thursday night you might want to give this game some better coverage.
lovefootball: Thanks for your remarks. You know I love the Maranatha sports program.

I have sat back and watched the comments for sometime now - why the hate towards Maranatha? They seem to be doing well and just want a bit of press. Granted - they do not have the numbers of say, PHS, Arcadia, or even Muir - but it looks as though they have some great players and a loyal following - both on the blogs and at the games - yes, I can understand that space is an issue - but I would think a "Pasadena" paper would look at the broad picture and do what it can - I see that Maranatha advertises in your paper - their money is obviously welcomed in the Star News bank account, as well as in subscriptions - I guess I just like to see the "little guys" get some once in a while - and Scott, a good newsman does his homework and would have known the Mayor would be there.

Are you Maranatha fans out to lunch? The likely 3rd place Aplpha league team playing a still rebuilding out of area Cambell Hall got, in my opninion, just the appropriate amount of coverage. So what if its homecoming, there were MUCH bigger storylines involving much larger schools all over the pasadena area.

Lovefootball and Tom S.
We staff every one of your games, with the exception of games played far away.
Space is an issue in the paper so we do our best to give every team as much ink as possible.
Every week, six games get the the most space, which still isn't much.
Covering 22 football teams, it isn't easy keeping everyone happy.
We had 12 games on Friday to cover. Good thing the St. Francis/Loyola game was on Thursday.

I think it's wonderful that there were that many people at the game and we'd love to please each and every one of them with coverage.

Unfortunately, the game did not rank as one of the top games of the week. And I had no idea the Mayor was going to be there.

Unfortunately, the Maranatha game was the Game of the Week?
With the exception of a few empty seats on the Pasadena side, it was a packed house and then some at Arcadia. In fact, most of the band had to be on the field.
The Pasadena-Arcadia game had a bit of everything and was among the best games I've seen in person in some time.
I'm all ears on which game we should've bumped to give move space to yours, and I mean that.
But we had some interesting games on Friday. And some that obviously didn't pan out like San Gabriel/Alhambra and Bosco Tech/Serra.

There is no slight on Maranatha, Rio Hondo Prep, Flintridge Prep or other smaller schools. Let's face it, there are larger schools that are in the same boat as your school.
We're doing our best to please everyone.

ScottG -

I think maybe you should hire TomS. He has a lot more on the ball than your editors at the PSN.

It was a great night for Pasadena and even though it is only XIII football, you are missing the boat by ignoring those 2000+ potential subscribers.

It was a good night with a great homecoming show and the Maranatha team coming along nicely from it's early season injuries. Excellent form on Coach Murphy's part having MHS take a knee instead of scoring from the 2 yard line at the end of the game.

MHS thanks TomS. for his service and coverage of our boys.

And Scott, nice coverage on the upcoming Kares game. To bad you couldn't make it out to watch the Minutemen / Kares game. Call Finchamp for the details - - -

"Minuteman Stadium?" LOL!!!

Scott G
I haven’t blogged a lot this year and I haven’t gotten on your case about the coverage of Maranatha football but you missed the boat last night. I know Friday’s are tough with your limited resources and since you missed a Pasadena community event last night I’ll fill you in.
There we’re approximately 2,000 students, parents, alumni and fans who packed Minuteman stadium for the homecoming celebration and game against Campbell Hall.
Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard was on hand to dedicate our new field lights prior to the game. There were fireworks in the air, literally, what a show. I’m sure that woke up the neighborhood. Tommy’s original hamburgers were on hand serving those great chili hamburgers to the hungry crowd.
Oh, and onto the game. The Minutemen looked strong against Campbell Hall in their 31 to 16 win after the devastating injuries they have endured from earlier this season. This team continues to grow with each game and the deceive league games against Brentwood and Whittier Christian will be crucial in gauging how they’ll do in playoffs.
The Brentwood game is Thursday night November 1st at Minuteman stadium. Maybe you can get a reporter there to give some in depth coverage many of us would like to see.

MHS fan#2

My guess is if you have a competing newspaper even if its a weekly its all political, of course I'm a paranoid rich guy. I will tell you what, call Mitch Lehman over at the San Marino Tribune and I bet he would be happy to put a piece in about Maranatha, we know what its like to be kicked around.

It seems as though Maranatha will quietly but consistently continue to prove themselves without any help or coverage from the Star News - what gives? I opened the paper this morning to the tiny article - it was a big night - the Mayor of Pasadena was even there - and we got the smallest coverage possible.

Hal,
It surprised me to, Blair came out in the second half doing the pitch right, pitch left and getting 4 to 5 yards a pop,(they did not do that much pitch out in the first half) then we adjusted and ran with them sideways to the sideline until our boys could get over there, thats when they popped up the middle for that 50 yard run I believe,I would have kept up that pitch but coach Tip knows alot more than me, SM also had one of those nights with few mental errors and a calm and determanation that I have not seen, Blair tried some reverses that have to be watched when played because they are so fast that if the ends don't stay at home there guy is gone. A very quick team and I would say we hung with them 90% of the time.

Observantcat,

Could be detrimental to their season? Dont you mean those knuckleheads HAVE BEEN detrimental for several seasons? So all of the sudden La Canada is a well-coached team according to Monrovia's coach?? HAHA! From one to another.

A possible top 10

1. Arcadia (will not wilt under pressure)
2. Muir (coming on strong)
3. Pasadena (valiant effort against Arcadia; what an explosive passing team the Bulldogs have become)
4. St. Francis (looking past their record, they played a 1-point game with Loyola. That says a lot)
5. San Marino (surprise, surprise, surprise)
6. Blair (Will the loss make them stronger?)
7. Temple City (on the right track)
7. Monrovia (pulling together)
9. Rosemead (another tough loss)
10. Alhambra (there is still a pulse)
11. San Gabriel (el foldo)
20. Bosco Tech (humbling defeat)

I dont know if any of you Monrovia fans caught that La Canada game last night, but It was one of the worst coaching jobs that I have ever wittnessed. I think that the Monrovia coaches are sennding the wrong message to the Kids. It looked like Deja Vu all over again. Up 25-o in the first quarter, Monrovia decides to start playing concervetive, who does'nt go for a first down at you own 30 on fourth and a half of yard?..Well Monrovia decides to go for a 43yrd field goal, Next nightmare group of plays..2nd and two with two of the most capable running backs in you backfield, we decide to go for a lob pass to a smaller reciever..I could go on with the non-sense but I wont. 3 4th quater back to back to back turnovers and it became a real nail biter till the end. So what started out to be a clock running second half became a pure ebarrassment. I am shouting out to all of the Monrovia High Coaches to get it together, You have one of the Best teams in the SGV but you are proving that not being able to coach them to their capabillities could be detramental to their season.

I'm really surprised by San Marino's win over Blair. I'm not surprised by the Titans grit, but that they were able to contain that speed.