Training Camp: San Gabriel football enjoying view

SAN GABRIEL — I headed over to San Gabriel’s practice Wednesday morning. As soon as I walked on to the bleachers there were a handful of architects carrying blueprints while San Gabriel principal Jim Schofield gave the grand tour.

The Matadors field and part of their school will have a significant face lift later rather than sooner and that’s the way the football team would like to have it.

San Gabriel’s field was supposed to get major renovation in June but that was postponed to August. There was talk about the Matadors possibly not playing any home games this season on their field. I’ll have more on that and the rest of the Almont League in Thursday’s paper.

The Matadors looked good on the field. Coach Jones is excited about the team he’s fielding.

It includes junior quarterback Isaac Valdez, a 4.0 student with a respectful demeanor. He went through some growing pains last year and now as a junior is taking on the leader role.

San Gabriel’s former running back Nick Castillo transferred to Schurr after last season, but the Matadors don’t seem fazed by the fishy move that might have CIF violations written all over it.


Sophomore Arthur Brown, junior Fabian Amaro and senior Gilbert Garcia all are competing for the starting job at running back.

Amaro is lighting quick as is Brown who has the speed and made plenty of ankle-breaking moves last year on the freshman squad.

“He’s played seven years it seems like with the Rosemead Rebels,” Jones said.

Jones added the Matadors will not make a decision right now. The competition is that tight and that’s the way he’d rather have it.

ALHAMBRA — Things are looking a bit more hectic over at Alhambra.

Coach Gil Ruedaflores admitted the Moors are “struggling” and that some marquee players, including standout junior receiver Mitchell Crockom, have yet to practice. More on that in Thursday’s paper, too.

I didn’t have time to make it over to Keppel’s practice but Ruedaflores had some nice things to say about him first-year coach Raul Solis for Thursday’s article.

I’ll be heading to Temple City on Thursday morning and possibly La Canada to see what’s going on with Rich Wheeler and the Spartans are doing.

Back to the Almont League .. so does anybody know what’s going on with Nick Castillo now that he’s suddenly over at Schurr? And will most of Alhambra’s players be ready for the start of the season even though they haven’t practiced? And does anybody know how Keppel will fare this season? Is this when they break that 27-game losing streak?

The lines are open and I wanna hear from you Moors, Matadors and Aztecs fans!

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