November 2008 Archives

CLICK HERE FOR SCORES!!

Marquise Williams is one of the most complete players I have ever seen. The senior running back rushed for 233 yards and scored five touchdowns to lead the Wildcats.

Duarte's Jordan Canada will be fun to watch next season. The junior had 280 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns, a 39-yard run and a 72-yard touchdown catch.

Freddy, Freddy, Freddy. He said the Montview would sweep the Rio Hondo League but dude was so wrong. Rio Hondo League went out there and did their thang. Foks, for the first time this season, I went unbeaten!

Tonight's Results with my comments:

Rosemead 59, San Dimas 22, Final -- Monrovia gets another rematch in these playoffs after the Panthers' Tra Sumler rushed for 260 yards and scored five touchdowns to lead Rosemead in the win. No one believed you, Koffler, but I called it.

Monrovia 41, Duarte 21, Final -- Got to meet my boy ObservantCat at the game. Good lookin' out 'Cat. Not sure why Duarte didn't go with Canda early and often in the first half.

Temple City 17, Azusa 0, Final -- Max Ruckle rushed for 142 yards and scored a touchdown. Nobody believed in the Rams, but I called it (Goldenarm).

Rio Hondo Prep 42, Boron 14, Final -- Antonio Alanis, Chris Llamas and Charles Quintero each scored two touchdowns to lead the Kares, who led 36-0 midway through the fourth quarter. Alanis, Quintero and Tim Esguerra each rushed for over 100 yards. Nobody believed in the Kares, but I called it.

Saturday's second-round game
Maranatha vs. Big Bear at Big Bear Middle School, 1 p.m. -- Melendez (Maranatha)

Info on Maranatha's game at Big Bear: Big Bear High School plays its games at Big Bear Middle School.

Minder Field
Big Bear Middle School
41275 Big Bear Blvd.
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
(next to Burger King)

Buses and spectator vehicles should park at the lower part of the campus in the Student Parking Lot on the west side of the school. Officials should park there also. Team vans or vehicles with equipment may drive up the driveway on to the track around the football field to drop off items but they may not park there. PLEASE, DO NOT PLAN TO PARK ON THE FIELD. Visitors will dress in the girls locker room of the middle school. It is located below the field areas at the south end of the gym (the second door east of the bus parking area).

An open discussion about whoever and whatever you wanna talk about ...

And if it's too much for you to handle don't worry, I'll bring in reinforcements.....

I'm taking the rest of the day off. Time to stuff my face with three dinners. I leave you with this touching story of Temple City's Joey Stewart.

SOLID SURROUNDINGS SURROUND STEWART

By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer

If you ever wonder how Joey Stewart turned out to be the person he is - poised, respectful, hard working and ever so cool - take a closer look at his surroundings.
Stewart has always found himself surrounded by exemplary people,whether it was relatives or family friends. That's the way his father, Tim, always wanted it to be.

Stewart took a liking in the family friends who would later become an influential part of his life.

But it was his father's work ethic that made a lasting impression.

And for that, Stewart is most thankful.

Following his father's example has steadily streamlined its way into just about everything Stewart puts his mind to.

And for that, the Temple City High School football team is grateful.

He's a brutal force in the backfield, whether it was starting at running back early in the season or since switching over to fullback, wreaking havoc on opposing defenses with his deft blocking skills, brutal force and speed.

But there weren't always good times.

Last season, Stewart missed eight games after tearing the meniscus on his right knee and watching from the sidelines was probably tougher than the injury itself.

TEMPLE CITY VS. AZUSA

WHERE: Citrus College

KICKOFF: 7 p.m.

RECORDS: Temple City (6-4-1); Azusa (10-1)

GAME NOTES: The visiting Rams are coming off a tough 7-6 win over Arroyo in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division playoffs. But Temple City has the weapons to outrun the Aztecs. The Rams will be led by running back Max Ruckle who has rushed for 1,278 yards and 16 touchdowns. Joey Stewart is capable of holding his ground, too. The fullback has rushed for 751 yards and 11 touchdowns in the run-first offense attack. Morgan Hatch though can balance the offense. He's passed for 1,252 yards. Gianni Bruno-Lopez has caught for 581 yards and three touchdowns while teammate Kenny Werner has caught six touchdown passes. Azusa is led by quarterback Adrian Gaeta who has passed for 1,335 yards and 16 touchdowns. Gaeta is also mobile and the leading rusher on the team. He's rushed for 733 yards and 12 touchdowns and Albert Martinez has rushed for 552 yards.

THE PICK: Temple City

SAN DIMAS VS. ROSEMEAD

WHERE: Rosemead H.S.

KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m.

RECORDS: San Dimas (10-1); Rosemead (9-2)

GAME NOTES: The host Panthers, led by Tra Sumler's 1,766 yards and 26 touchdowns, defeated Valley Christian, 45-14, in the first round of the Mid-Valley Division playoffs. San Dimas, the fourth-seed, defeated Sierra Vista, 67-12. The Saints and Rosemead have two common opponents in South El Monte and Covina. San Dimas beat South El Monte, 56-33, and Covina, 35-27. Rosemead, on the other hand, led 37-0 at the half against Covina before pulling away, 50-12, in the season opener. The Panthers beat South El Monte, 52-14. Daniel Joseph has rushed for 1,406 yards and 21 touchdowns, averaging 127 yards per game. Running back/linebacker Nico Barbone has rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Saints, who run a Wing-T offense. Rosemead's secondary will be challenged. But the Panthers feel they can counter with a balanced attack, led by quarterback Angel Alejandre who has passed for 1,949 yards and 13 touchdowns.

THE PICK: Rosemead

RIO HONDO PREP VS. BORON

WHERE: Boron H.S.

KICKOFF: 7 p.m.

RECORDS: Rio Hondo Prep (7-3); Boron (10-1)

GAME NOTES: The visiting Kares will make a 210-mile round trip visit to arguably the best team in the Northeast Division playoffs. Aside from facing a tight double-wing, plenty of counters and double reverses, Rio Hondo Prep will also have to battle low temperatures. It's expected to dip in the low to mid 30's. The Kares boast a tandem of running backs in Antonio Alaniz and Tim Esguerra. Alaniz has rushed for nearly 900 yards and 11 touchdowns and Esguerra has added nearly 800 yards and nine touchdowns. But the Bobcats boast three running backs who can counter from all directions. Israel Lucas leads the Boron backfield with 1,879 yards and 22 touchdowns. Leroy Taylor has rushed for 633 yards and eight touchdowns while teammate Joshua Glass has 368 yards and 12 touchdowns.

THE PICK: Rio Hondo Prep

MARANATHA VS. BIG BEAR

WHERE: Big Bear Middle School

KICKOFF: Saturday, 1 p.m.

RECORDS: Maranatha (10-1); Big Bear (7-3-1)

GAME NOTES: "I think it's a great matchup," Minutemen coach Joel Murphy said. "Coach (Dave) Griffiths has done an incredible job with his program over the years and we're excited to get a chance to play for another week." In last week's first-round win over Ontario Christian, Maranatha scored only 16 points despite two players combining for nearly 400 yards of offense. Senior quarterback Matt Schilz completed 20 of 43 passes for 264 yards and one touchdown but threw three costly interceptions, including two in the red zone. Senior running back Daniel Kopplin had 117 yards on 17 carries. "We don't really have time to think about last week's game," Murphy said. "Did we trip up? Sure. But you learn and move on and choose to get better because of it."

THE PICK: Maranatha

MONROVIA VS. DUARTE

WHERE: Duarte H.S.

KICKOFF: 7 p.m.

RECORDS: Monrovia (9-2); Duarte (6-5)

GAME NOTES: Senior running back Marquise Williams had a tough time adjusting to the Wing-T offense but by Week 3, he and his counterparts grasped it well enough to put together an eight-game winning streak. But others have proven to be the X-factor. Kendal Boggs and DJ Cole offer another dimension to the team's dynamic. Nick Bueno, the sophomore quarterback, allows for a spread offense and Jonathan Cushman, the senior linebacker, provides the stifling defense. The Wildcats' secondary will be tested with a healthy Canada waiting in the backfield. He can cut to the sidelines for long-yardage plays or earn his yards going straight down the middle, and he has the lineman to get it done. Maurilio Lopez, a 6-foot-3, 300 pound towering presence, returned late in the season from a back injury that forced him to sit out the entire preseason. Duarte coach Wardel Crutchfield's concern is Williams, who is averaging 157 yards per game.

THE PICK: Monrovia

For the first time in five years, I will be enjoying Thanksgiving Day at home with the familia. After chowing down some turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, my sisters will probably force me to watch scary movies with them.

I have worked on just about every major holiday whether it's working on the sports desk, covering holiday colege basketball tournaments or helping with Rose Bowl coverage. I would never usually be home and that's one thing my mom did not like about my job.

But I'm thankful to have my dream job. I work in a city I love (thankfully I didn't leave for Seattle or Indianapolis) and I'm still close to the city I love: Los Angeles. I'm the envy of some advertising executives in the office who'd rather talk football on the phone than selling ads. And I don't say that to gloat but it does put things in perspective.

Thank you for your patience. Thank you for warm welcome. You guys have made me addicted to the blog and for that I thank you.

It looks like Temple City will practice today in the gymnasium given the fields are very muddy and more rain might be on the way. I'm looking outside my window office and there is no rain.

Still, it wouldn't serve the Rams any purpose to practice in the mud since they'll be playing on turf at Citrus College on Friday at 7 against Azusa in the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division playoffs.

Practicing in the gym is never the same, of course, as practicing on the field. Teams mostly go through formations and no tackling is done. One time I covered a UCLA football practice at Pauley Pavilion. It looked very weird. The players wore only tennis shoes, shorts and jerseys and it was all done at half speed.

Meanwhile, Monrovia practiced at 10 a.m. and got caught in the middle of the down pour. Coach Maddox said had they practiced at 8 a.m. they probably would have missed the rain.

Still, practice went as scheduled on the field as they prepare for Round 2 (literally and figuratively) against Duarte in the Mid-Valley Division playoffs.

In case anyone's wondering, the Wildcats will not have Thanksgiving Day off. They will practice bright and early at 8 a.m.

"When a football program is in the playoffs year in and year, practicing on holidays sometimes is never an issue because the parents and players are used to it," Maddox said.

Winning tradition comes at a price. But the kids will get home just in time to enjoy some turkey, mashed potatoes with tiny onions swimming in gravy, and of course pumpkin pie.

Coming Friday is a story on the MD Classic, Part 2. Maddox brings up an interesting point: when Monrovia played Duarte in Week 1, they did so without seeing much of Jordan Canada, who played sparingly in the first half and much more in the second.

So, really, Monrovia is going to play against a much better Duarte team who also returns senior lineman Maurilio Lopez, a towering presence at 6-3, 300 pounds. A battle in the trenches, indeed.

Above: Peter Vagenas, center, chats with David Beckham as Chris Albright, right, listens before a match against Chelsea FC.

Galaxy midfielder and former St. Francis soccer star Peter Vagenas was selected by the Seattle Sounders FC in the 2008 MLS Expansion Draft this afternoon.

The longest tenured player with the Galaxy this season, having been with the club since 2000, Vagenas appeared in 14 games this season, making 11 starts, tallying one goal and adding three assists.

A native of Pasadena, Vagenas played four years at UCLA, winning a national championship in 1997, before being drafted by the Galaxy in the second round (23rd overall) of the 2000 MLS SuperDraft. He would go on to play nine seasons with the Galaxy, helping the club win five titles, including two MLS Cup championships.

I'm not sure why the Galaxy didn't protect him from the expansion draft. These days, the Galaxy seems to have no clue as to what they're doing.

Remember when they fired Sigi Schmidt even though the Galaxy was in first place? And look at Sigi now ... He just won another MLS Cup, ironically named the Philip F. Anschutz who happens owns the Galaxy.

BTW, I was at the game where Beckham, Venegas and Albright are pictured below. That was just before the start of the Galaxy-Chelsea match. It was a chaotic scene down there as I watched from the press box. Hope you all had fun watching Beckham last year. I take it Beckham's favorite song is now, "I say goodbye (America), and you (AC Milan) say hello."

Above: Beckham, Venegas and Albright are swarmed by a throng of media in Beckham's first game with the Galaxy.

I've been one of the biggest critics of Maranatha football this season. I have questioned their soft schedule. But the important thing is the Minutemen have found to get a win regardless of how they got it. And with these playoffs well underway, it doesn't matter how they win, as long as Maranatha wins.

Over the past couple of weeks, Maranatha High School's football team has been somewhat of an enigma, never really knowing which team would show up.

The Minutemen struggled against some inferior Alpha League teams, and their high-octane offense was shut out in the regular-season finale against Brentwood. That resulted in Maranatha dropping from a second seed to no seed.

But the Minutemen still finished with a 9-1 overall record despite the see-saw performances.

And despite the ups and downs, Maranatha is in position to make a deep run in the CIF-Southern Section East Valley Division playoffs.

The Minutemen visit Big Bear for a quarterfinal-round game Saturday at 1 p.m.

"I think it's a great matchup," Minutemen coach Joel Murphy said. "Coach (Dave) Griffiths has done an incredible job with his program over the years and we're excited to get a chance to play for another week."

In last week's first-round win over Ontario Christian, Maranatha scored only 16 points despite two players combining for nearly 400 yards of offense.

Senior quarterback Matt Schilz completed 20 of 43 passes for 264 yards and one touchdown but threw three costly interceptions, including two in the red zone.

Senior running back Daniel Kopplin had 117 yards on 17 carries.

"We don't really have time to think about last week's game," Murphy said. "Did we trip up? Sure. But you learn and move on and choose to get better because of it."

Mayfield (26-5-1) defeated Tehachapi (20-5), 25-11, 25-11, 25-14, in the first round of the CIF Division III State Championships. The Cubs advance to play the winner of Santa Monica-Cathedral Catholic (most likely Cathedral Catholic). Our own Jeremy Balan will have the complete story in Wednesday's paper.

La Cañada (29-6) defeated Hanford (15-3), 25-17, 25-14, 25-12, in the first round of the CIF Division II State Championships. The Spartans will travel to face top-seed Redlands East Valley on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Good job, ladies.

From our boy FJR over on the Eastside with my two Lincolns....

With rain in the forecast through the end of the week, which teams are affected the most?

South Hills-Diamond Ranch: As much as they throw, and as slippery and muddy Covina District can get, add this to the list of things that don't help the Huskies.

Charter Oak-CV: A Tsunami blowing into town won't stop the Chargers from routing Crescenta Valley.

Rosemead-San Dimas: Won't matter, this will be won in the trenches anyway. Might as well mud-it up to add to the mystique.

Glendora-Upland: Won't matter, both teams are similar in what they do.

Temple City-Azusa: Favors Temple City. They're going to run, run and run again. The Aztecs have to win the turnover battle. Azusa: meet Max and Joey. Your not-so-new buddies.

West Covina-Burbank: Fits right into the Bulldogs game plans, but the winds do swirl in that part of town.

Rowland-La Serna: The closest game to call in the quarterfinals will probably be decided by the fewest mistakes anyway.

Northview-Paraclete: It can't help Northview playing on a sloppy field the day after South Hills tears it up. On the plus side, if Paraclete is as good as everyone says, a little neutralizing rain may not be a bad thing.

Rio Hondo Prep-Boron: Bring your gloves. Temperatures will dip into the low to mid 30's. The conditions will be something Boron will be used to but the Kares, who are used to playing in near-perfect weather, will run away with a win courtesy of Alanis and Esguerra.

Maranatha-Big Bear Lake: This is a 1 p.m. game but showers are still in the forecast. But don't be surprised if it snows. Celebrate a Minutemen victory by skiing.

Last week: I went 9-2. Not bad. But I have made my division predictions and according to me, we'll have two divisional champs in Rosemead and Rio Hondo Prep. My wrong picks this week were: San Gabriel (lost to La Serna) and Muir (lost to Diamond Ranch).

This week: Game of the Week is an obvious pick. I will be covering MD Classic II. Marquise Williams vs. Jordan Canada. Who will out duel one another? Who will lead their team to the semifinals to face Rosemead? The pick here goes to Monrovia.

Friday's games with predictions:
Monrovia at Duarte, 7:30 p.m. -- Melendez (Monrovia)
San Dimas at Rosemead, 7:30 p.m. -- Melendez (Rosemead)
Temple City at Azusa, 7:30 p.m. -- Melendez (Temple City)
Rio Hondo Prep at Boron, 7 p.m. -- Melendez (Rio Hondo Prep)

Saturday's game with prediction
Maranatha vs. Big Bear at Big Bear Middle School, 1 p.m. -- Melendez (Maranatha)

MID-VALLEY DIVISION
Second round: Monrovia at Duarte, 7:30 p.m.; Rosemead over San Dimas, 7:30 p.m.; Northview over Paraclete, at CDF, Saturday, 7 p.m.; Temple City over Azusa, 7:30 p.m.
Semifinals: Rosemead over Monrovia; Northview over Temple City
Championship: Rosemead over Northview

SOUTHEAST DIVISION
Second round: Charter Oak over Crescenta Valley, 7:30 p.m.; Rowland over La Serna, 7:30 p.m.; Diamond Ranch vs. South Hills at CDF, 7:30 p.m.; West Covina at Burbank, 7:30 p.m.
Semifinals: Charter Oak over Rowland; Diamond Ranch over West Covina
Championship: Charter Oak over Diamond Ranch

EAST VALLEY DIVISION
Second round: St. Margaret's over Yucca Valley; Maranatha over Big Bear; Aquinas over 29 Palms; Brentwood over Filmore.
Semifinals: St. Margaret's over Maranatha; Brentwood over Aquinas.
Championship: St. Margaret's over Brentwood

NORTHEAST DIVISION
Second round: Mojave over Silver Valley; St. Genevieve over Riverside Christian; Bell-Jeff over Linfield Christian; Rio Hondo Prep over Boron.
Semifinals: Mojave over St. Genevieve; Rio Hondo Prep over Bell-Jeff
Championship: Rio Hondo Prep over Mojave

WESTERN DIVISION
Second round: Palmdale over Beverly Hills; Mira Costa over Warren; Quartz Hill over Lynwood; Alemany over Culver City.
Semifinals: Mira Costa over Palmdale; Quartz Hill over Alemany
Championship: Mira Costa over Quartz Hill

We're spreading the love on this edition of Star-Jibber.

It's your time to discuss everything CIF playoffs, whether it's La Cañada and Mayfield in the upcoming CIF State Championships or the area football teams in the second round of the CIF playoffs. Talk your smack and/or give your Westside teams some words of encouragement. Who moves on to the semifinals? Whose road ends Friday night? Don't be shy, lay out here.

Below is the schedule for the CIF football playoffs in the Southeast and Mid-Valley Division. I'll update predictions for the other divisions come Monday morning.

Southeast Division
Crescenta Valley at Charter Oak
Rowland at La Serna
Diamond Ranch vs. South Hills at CDF.
West Covina at Burbank

Mid-Valley Division
Monrovia at Duarte
San Dimas at Rosemead
Paraclete at Northview at CDF, Saturday, 7 p.m.
Temple City at Azusa

Above: Mayfield's Claire Doney and Rachel Aragon attempt to block a shot against Santa Monica on Saturday in the CIF Southern Section Division III-A championships. The Cubs won the CIF championship on Saturday afternoon at Cypress College over Santa Monica. (Larry Goren / Correspondent

So much for the ranch dressing on the side.

Diamond Ranch High School overcame a sloppy first half and Muir's frantic attack in the second to come away with a 21-7 win Friday night in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division playoffs.

After a resurgent ground attack and an even hungrier appetite to continue its season, the Panthers (5-6) head to the second round and will face South Hills (9-2) at Covina District Field.

The quest to end the season with an exclamation mark came to a screeching halt for Muir (9-2).

The third-seeded Mustangs went down again in the first round. They have failed to go past the first round in recent history.

"They're a great team," Diamond Ranch coach Roddy Layton said. "Both coaches after our first game said we'll face each other. It's unfortunate we faced each other so early.

"I think they're one of the elite in our divison and it's unfortunate they can't play. But big time players make big time plays in big time games and Brian Spirlin is big time."

Diamond Ranch pounded the ball on the ground and was led by senior running back
Brian Spirlin, who rushed for 123 yards on 19 carries.

Early game jitters may have gotten the better of both teams as sloppy play in the first half resulted in a low scoring affair.

Among the long list of problems Muir encountered in the first half were its inability to convert on third down and turnovers.

The Mustangs fumbled twice and failed to convert on third down three times.
It proved costly with 2:52 left in the third quarter when Muir gave Diamond Ranch good field position at the Mustangs' 43.

Chase Price capped a four-play, 43-yard drive by scoring on a 3-yard run with 1:25 left in the half to give the Panthers a 7-0 lead.

Diamond Ranch also turned the ball over twice and twice failed to convert on third down.

But the difference was the Mustangs failing to capitalize on those mistakes while the Panthers pounced on Muir's failed attempts.

It was a bad night for the Mustangs' offense, which was virtually non-existent.

Muir quarterback Jarron Williams was pestered nearly the entire game by the Panthers' defense. He completed 13 of 28 passes for 167 yards and an interception.
Williams put Muir on the scoreboard with an 8-yard run with 4:58 left in the fourth quarter.

But by then, Diamond Ranch led 21-7 after Amari Staten capped a 14-play, 85-yard drive on a 3-yard run with 4:51 left in the third quarter.

Muir could not convert on fourth and 17 at the Mustangs' 36, another opportunity the Panthers capitalized on.

Spirlin capped a two-play, 36-yard drive with a 25-yard touchdown run with 5:56 left in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.

Muir's on-side kick with 4:58 left was recovered by Marcus Graves to keep its season on life support, but to no avail.

Reuben Thomas had some long-yardage plays, but for the most part was kept in check at running back. He lined up at quarterback on one series, but Muir went nowhere on three incompletions.

"It hurts, it hurts big time," Mustangs coach Ken Howard. "The kids did everything they could do to win the football game. We didn't underestimate (Diamond Ranch), that's for sure."

CLICK HERE FOR SCORES!!

FRIDAY'S RESULTS WITH COMMENTS

Diamond Ranch 21, Muir 7 -- I could not believe the kind of low class Pasadena fans showed at the Muir game. Unbelievable. Despicable. Totally uncalled for. No reason for them to do that. How did Muir security not throw them out of the game? Perhaps they weren't in their right to do so but I would have at least tried. It was tough interviewing Howard at the end. I could detect his pain. You could hear it in his voice. With two minutes left in the fourth quarter, some fan yelled at me from the stands. "Hey, Mr. Melendez" he yelled but I couldn't exactly hear what he said. At least I know someone is reading my stuff, 3,400 a day to be exact. Chris Dulap is a warrior. Dude hurt his right hand. It was wrapped with ice in the first half but played much of the second. Wish he'd been healthy so we could really see what he's truly capable of doing. I couldn't tell what there was more in Friday night's game: penalties/turnovers or fans on Muir's stands.

Temple City 7, Arroyo 6 -- A win is a win, right?

Monrovia 34, El Monte 7 -- Wildcats defense played tough the entire game. Marquise Williams was a force on offense without the ball and with the ball. A lot of fake handoffs allowed for others to be utilized effectively. Williams rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns. DJ Cole, Kendal Boggs and Nick Bueno fueled the victory. Maddox, however, was unhappy with amount of penalties, specifically holding penalties.

Rosemead 45, Valley Christian 14 -- This was a no-brainer. Ready for next week's blockbuster showdown next week vs. San Dimas?

Paraclete 42, San Marino 14 -- This was tough for me to pick because I saw it coming. No Steven Wright meant no balanced offense. Paraclete's tough nonleague schedule paid off.

La Serna 42, San Gabriel 14 -- Where to begin ...

Quartz Hill 30, St. Francis 17 -- Golden Knights were outscored 23-0 in the half and squandered a 17-7 lead at the half. Too many costly penalties and turnovers in the second half led to St. Francis' demise.

Maranatha 16, Ontario Christian 3 -- Matt Schilz did not have a great game. He completed 20 of 43 attempts for 264 yards, one TD but had two costly interceptions in the red zone. Junior running back Daniel Kopplin had 17 carries for 117 yards. Schilz and Kopplin combined for 381 yards on offense and mustered only 16 points. Yikes! What is up with that?!?!

Rio Hondo Prep 48, St. Anthony 14 -- Kares continue to get the job done. I can easily see Rio Hondo Prep as one of only two area teams (Rosemead) who might come away with a CIF title.

Saturday's Games
Duarte at L.A. Baptist, 1 p.m. -- Melendez (Duarte)
Flintridge Prep at Riverside Christian, 12 p.m. -- Melendez (Riverside Christian)

(Be sure to check out my extended version of my picks in Friday's column)

No need to attend the playoffs. Stay home. Open up your laptop and pop open a cold one.

Here are my predictions for the entire division playoffs involving area teams. Consider yourself warned.

This is for all the marbles.

Lose and go home.

SOUTHEAST DIVISION
First Round: Charter Oak over Bell Gardens; California over Crescenta Valley; San Gabriel over La Serna; Burroughs over Rowland; Muir over Diamond Ranch; South Hills over Schurr; West Covina over Bonita; Santa Fe over Burbank.
Second round: Charger Oak over California; Rowland over San Gabriel; Muir over South Hills; West Covina over Santa Fe.
Semifinals: Charger Oak over Rowland; Muir over West Covina.
Championship: Muir over Charter Oak.

MID-VALLEY DIVISION
First round: Monrovia over El Monte; Duarte over L.A. Baptist; Rosemead over Valley Christian; San Dimas over Sierra Vista; Northview over Workman; Paraclete over San Marino; Temple City over Arroyo; Azusa over Covina.
Second round: Monrovia over Duarte; Rosemead over San Dimas; Northview over Paraclete; Temple City over Azusa.
Semifinals: Rosemead over Monrovia; Northview over Temple City.
Championship: Rosemead over Northview.

WESTERN DIVISION
First Round: Palmdale over Redondo Union; Chaminade over Beverly Hills; Warren over Santa Monica; Mira Costa over Eastside; Quartz Hill over St. Francis; Lynwood over Peninsula; Culver City over Downey; Alemany over Highland.
Second Round: Palmdale over Chaminade; Mira Costa over Warren; Quartz Hill over Lynwood; Alemany over Culver City.
Semifinals: Mira Costa over Palmdale; Quartz Hill over Alemany.
Championship: Mira Costa over Quartz Hill.

EAST VALLEY DIVISION
First round: St. Margaret's over Campbell Hall; Yucca Valley over Bishop Union; Maranatha over Ontario Christian; Santa Paula over Big Bear; Aquinas over Kern Valley; 29 Palms over Brethren Christian; Filmore over Desert; Brentwood over Arrowhead Christian.
Second round: St. Margaret's over Yucca Valley; Maranatha over Santa Paula; Aquinas over 29 Palms; Brentwood over Filmore.
Semifinals: St. Margaret's over Maranatha; Brentwood over Santa Paula.
Championship: St. Margaret's over Brentwood.

NORTHEAST DIVISION
First round: Saddleback Valley Christian over Mojave; Silver Valley over Webb; St. Genevieve over Twin Pines; Riverside Christian over Flintridge Prep; Linfield Christian over Mammoth; Bell-Jeff over Fairmont Prep; Rio Hondo Prep over St. Anthony; Boron over Animo.
Second round: Saddleback Valley Christian over Silver Valley; St. Genevieve over Riverside Christian; Linfield Christian over Bell-Jeff; Rio Hondo Prep over Boron.
Semifinals: St. Genevieve over SVC; Rio Hondo Prep over Linfield Christian.
Championship: Rio Hondo Prep over St. Genevieve

Need some tape to post it in your locker?

Above: Duarte's Tim Starr,Left, with Maurilio Lopez on Wednesday November 19, 2008, in Duarte. (Staff Photo by Keith Birmingham)

Longtime friends Lopez, Starr bolster Duarte's lines

By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer

DUARTE - Seemingly, they were separated at birth.

Tim Starr is the eldest, and his younger sisters look up to him.

Maurilio Lopez is the youngest of two whose sibling is an older sister.

When Starr and Lopez met in seventh grade, little did they know they'd started a relationship that would turn into more than just friendship.

"More like brothers," Starr said.

When they're not spending time with friends bowling or taking dates to the movies, Starr and Lopez are anchoring the offensive and defensive lines for Duarte High School.

The seniors endured and overcame what felt like an injury-marred season to return just in time to help the Falcons go on a momentum-fueling run.

Duarte overcame an 0-4 start to finish 5-5 overall, but more importantly finished 5-1 in Montview League play.

The Falcons hope to transcend that momentum when they take on L.A. Baptist on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division playoffs.

Starr and Lopez, both 17, became friends while attending school at Northview Intermediate and both moved up to Duarte's varsity squad their sophomore seasons.

They went through the ups and downs together and both point to their sophomore season as the best season yet.

That year, Duarte went undefeated in Montview League play to win the league title and advanced to the semifinals of the playoffs.

This season, however, included a rough start.

For starters, Starr pulled his left hamstring just before the start of fall camp.

Lopez hurt his back after weightlifting and felt the lingering effects, missing all of Duarte's nonleague games. Five times he went for medical clearance and five times was told he was not ready to go.

To add insult to injury, the Falcons suffered consecutive losses to Ayala, Monrovia, Pomona and South Hills, the makings of a bleak season.

Wednesday's Semifinal Scores
CIF-Southern Section Playoffs
DIVISION I-AA
Mira Costa def. Los Alamitos, 25-17, 25-14, 25-16
DIVISION I-A
Santa Barbara def. Marymount, 25-17, 21-25, 25-19, 25-17
DIVISION II-A
La Cañada def. Troy, 25-22, 25-21, 25-22
DIVISION IV-A
Conaty-Loretto def. Upland Christian, 25-23, 23-25, 25-14, 24-26, 15-11

CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
DIVISION II-A CHAMPIONSHIP
No. 2 La Reina vs. No. 1 La Cañada, Friday 7 p.m. (Gym II) Cypress College

DIVISION III-A CHAMPIONSHIP
No. 1 Mayfield vs. Santa Monica, Saturday 4 p.m. (Gym I) Cypress College

From The Associated Press

TOKYO -- The knuckleball -- the fluttering, hard-to-hit pitch that's rare in the major leagues -- is propelling a 16-year-old girl to the pros in Japan.

Eri Yoshida was inspired to learn how to throw the knuckler after seeing a video of Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield. On Monday, she broke the gender barrier by being drafted for an independent league team as Japan's first female professional baseball player.

"Hope I can see her pitch one day," Wakefield said in a message he texted to the Red Sox that was relayed to The Associated Press. "I'm honored that someone wants to become me. I wish her the best of luck. Maybe I can learn something from her."

Eri Yoshida wore her high school uniform at the news conference, but the next uniform she gets to put on will be that of a pro baseball player.

The high schooler was chosen by the Kobe 9 Cruise in the Japanese League, which starts its inaugural season in April.

The Cruise are a far cry from Tokyo's Yomiuri Giants. Making the squad is more like earning a tentative slot on a farm team than warming up in the bullpen for the Red Sox.

Even so, the 5-foot, 114-pound Yoshida has smashed the glass ceiling with her unorthodox, sidearm pitch in baseball-crazy Japan, where women normally are relegated to amateur, company-sponsored teams or to the sport of softball.

"I'm really happy I stuck with baseball," Yoshida said in a news conference after she was chosen with 32 other players in the new league's draft. "I want to pitch against men."

Here's a list of former head coaches who could spice up a starving football program at Pasadena High School. Time for you bloggers to have a field day.

STEVE GARRISON -- The former Wildcats football coach is currently a teacher at Monrovia High School. Talk about someone who would bring instant discipline and credibility to the Bulldogs program.

MIKE MOONEY -- The former Temple City coach and current San Marino assistant principal/assistant coach would do the same for Pasadena, though it's unclear if Pasadena would offer anywhere near the same deal Mooney probably has at San Marino High School.

TIP SANDERS -- The former Blair coach and current JV assistant knows the area well and has proven with the right help and tools can take a program into the direction it desperately wants to go.

TOM MAHER -- The former PCC football coach and current assistant at Fullerton knows the area well and has a lot of ties with Pasadena. This consideration could be entertaining at the very least.

JIM ROME -- No, not the radio/TV dude. Rome used to coach at Muir and Citrus College. Having previously coached the Mustangs, Rome probably could draw interest from players who are unsure which school to attend (though it seems Muir is running a monopoly when it comes to football).

Anyone else have suggestions?

The 55th Turkey Tussle was recorded last Friday by the Pasadena Community network Public Access station, channel 56.

The entire football game includes play-by play coverage, color commentary, and instant replay segments, and will be replayed Friday at 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. and again on Saturday at 1:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

For cable customers without cable-boxes, the game can be seen on channel 5, and can also be viewed in real time by going on line to www.PasadenaCommunityNetwork.com and clicking on the channel "56" icon.

Send all your complaints, fits, frustrations and/or compliments to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com or leave a comment.

STAR-NEWS FINAL RANKINGS

1. MUIR (9-1, Prev. No. 1)
Ready for (D)Ranch dressing? The Mustangs beat who they were supposed to beat regardless of how big or small a margin. Muir is the best team in the San Gabriel Valley, err, West San Gabriel Valley, period. Mustangs are hoping Reuben Thomas is 100 percent by Friday's game against Diamond Ranch. Beating any team twice in one year is never easy. This game is Friday's game of the week. Roll out the blue carpet for yours truly.

2. ROSEMEAD (8-2, Prev. No. 2)
Panthers dealt with tough cards after the CIF pollsters committed a crime by not seeding them. But as Coach Matt Koffler said, it's not time to cry about it. Go out and win and prove you truly deserved at LEAST the No. 2 seed.

3. MONROVIA (8-2, Prev. No. 4)
Wildcats headed to promise land? That depends if Monrovia can take advantage of the No. 1 seed. That Rosemead wasn't the No. 1 seed has nothing to do with Monrovia. Regardless, the Wildcats will take whatever is given to them and use it to their advantage. Could the true No. 1 seed could be decided when Rosemead and Monrovia meet in the semifinals? Hmmm... (So, really, no thoughts from anybody on Maddox as coach of the year? Sheesh!)

4. ST. FRANCIS (6-4, Prev. No. 3)
Golden Knights start clean slate after losing the last two games of the season. St. Francis won the coin flip. Quartz Hill won't be an easy trip.

5. TEMPLE CITY (5-4-1, Prev. No. 5)
Rams need to pound the ground with Max Ruckle. There's no time to get cute with the passing game especially if Ruckle is racking up the yardage.

6. SAN MARINO (8-2, Prev. 6)
Fading at wrong time of the year? That depends on who you ask. D.R. Moreland will argue that but losing two of your last three games of the season because of the same reason (bad defense) can be troubling. Moreland said he plans on expanding QB Joe Forgatch's role with the offense in an effort to have a more balanced attack.

7. SAN GABRIEL (5-5, Prev. unranked)
Peaking at right time of the year? Such could be the case. Coach Keith Jones said the Matadors played a complete game last Friday in a rout over Montebello to close out the Almont League. If there's a time for a team to peak, now is obviously the best time. Isaac Valdez, Marcos Villalobos and Fabian Amaro played superb vs. the Oilers. San Gabriel will need that kind of effort if it is to make a good run in the Southeast Division.

8. DUARTE (5-5, Prev. No. 8)
Falcons make season successful after a shaky start. Jordan Canada got in his groove but much of that had to do with the fact the Falcons returned two important linemen (Staff and Lopez) after injuries earlier this season. A story on the fellas will run in Thursday's sports pages of the Star-News and Tribune.

9. MARANATHA (9-1, Prev. No. 7)
Couldn't win the game that counted. Sounds harsh but it's true. The feeling here is the Minutemen will face St. Margaret's in the final and meet Brentwood for the division title. Or not.

10. RIO HONDO PREP (6-3, Prev. No. 10)
Kares handled business in the Prep League and as a result could be looking at a quarterfinals appearance. Esguerra and Alaniz need to continue that dominance in the backfield and transcend it into the playoffs.

Two of my favorite sports to cover, write and blog about: basketball and soccer (don't get it twisted, I still enjoy football).

I don't know how these sports were handled last year, but like a new coach I'm bringing in my own play book. My plan is to cover basketball and soccer during the winter. Soon, I will be putting together the top10 in each sport (boys and girls) so have your say and tell me who are the best teams to keep an eye on.

Whether it's boys or girls basketball, soccer or wrestling, start listing your top ten's for each, players to watch for, etc, etc. We start making our calls to work on previews next week.

See, I knew it wasn't just me when I saw only 38 comments in my playoffs thread on Sunday. Our servers are down. Freddy's blog is down, too.

I can see the comments you have posted in the blog dashboard, but they have not posted. If you noticed, I posted the Mills thread around 2 p.m. or so but it didn't actually show up until around 7:30 p.m. It's 11:24 p.m. when I posted this.

Our servers are in Denver so I'm hoping by Tuesday morning we'll get some answers. I've received all your e-mails about the blog and comments being frozen. Thank you for your concern. I hope this is fixed by the time I get to work Tuesday morning. In the meantime, if you want e-mail me your comments and I'll post them on a thread later.

By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer

Three days after Pasadena High School lost its 12th consecutive Turkey Tussle to Muir, Kevin Mills resigned as head coach.

Mills informed principal Dr. Derick Evans and athletic director Tony Brooks of his decision early Monday afternoon.

"I'll be at Pasadena High School in my (math) teaching capacity," Mills said. "I don't plan on leaving that. In terms of coaching, I want to go a different direction."

Mills said there were several factors into his decision, but he would not elaborate.

"When I came I wanted to restore pride, tradition and a winning mentality. I think I've done that," he said. "I've definitely left the ship a lot better then where I found it."

Mills said he wants to coach in the future and added he'll do whatever is necessary for a smooth transition as Pasadena searches for its next coach.

"I'll do whatever they ask me to do," he said. "I'm not leaving with sour grapes. Whatever can benefit the program, I'm willing to do."

Mills broke the news to his team minutes after informing school officials.

"It just kind of came to me within the last couple of days, over the weekend," Mills said when asked if it was something he'd been thinking about for quite some time. "I had a deep thought process and cleansing process; weighed the pros and cons on what I wanted to do and what I wanted to be."

The embattled coach, who attended and graduated from Pasadena, has been at the helm the last four years and compiled a 17-26 record.

In his short tenure at Pasadena, Mills has had his share of trouble off the field.

Mills was put on paid administrative leave in January of 2007, and in a certified letter was told to remain off all school campuses until the district completed an investigation. He was charged with one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor for allegedly allowing his nephew to fight with a student from Muir before eventually agreeing to a plea bargain. He pleaded no contest to disturbing the peace.

When asked if Mills was told to step down he said, "Nobody can make me do anything I don't want to do. I was not asked to resign."

Brooks, the school's athletic director, did not return repeated calls late Monday.

Templce City coach's status uncertain after incident with student

By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer

TEMPLE CITY - Temple City High School head varsity football coach Randy Backus missed Friday's Rio Hondo League game against La Canada, and his status for this week's playoff opener is uncertain following an alleged incident involving a student.

Reached by phone Monday, Backus declined to elaborate.

"It's all speculation at this point as to what happened - if anything happened," said Backus.

Temple City High Athletic Director John Van De Veere declined to discuss the incident. He said Backus is on personal leave.

"We won't know anything until Friday morning from the board of education," Van De Veere said.

The district's school board is scheduled to meet Wednesday for its regular meeting, according to the district's Web site.

"Due to student and employee confidentiality we cannot comment in response to your call," district spokeswoman Lynne Burkhardt responded to a reporter.

Temple City will open the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division playoffs Friday against Arroyo.

There was no immediate word Monday from officials whether a replacement will be named for Backus in the interim.

As always with sensitive matters, we will not allow comments on this post.

Star-News preps writer Keith Lair and I will be going head-to-head throughout the season, and I will update our records each Monday on the "Star Picks" thread.

Melendez: Last week: 10-6-1; Overall: 124-51-1
Lair: Last week: 10-6-1; Overall: 135-38-1

Last week: Whoa! What were Keith and I drinking last week?!?! Keith and had the same picks wrong: Gabrielino (lost to El Monte); Temple City (tied with La Canada); South Pasadena (lost to Blair); Maranatha (lost to Brentwood); St. Francis (lost to Chaminade); Montebello (lost to San Gabriel).

This week: Here we go again. Freddy J trying to stir things up. Here's what he said over on his blog:

"In the Southeast, I'm taking Diamond Ranch over Muir. Muir's all-everything Rueben Thomas injured his knee against Pasadena on Friday and is questionable, and two others suffered injuries but will likely play Friday. I know it's not a popular pick on the Westside, but the Panthers' brutal schedule finally pays off for them. It's tough beating a good team twice in the same season, but Muir is limping into the playoffs while the Panthers are hitting their stride."

This time it's not Ken Howard providing bulletin-board material. I'll know more about Thomas later today. But my guess is he wouldn't miss the playoffs for anything. That said, Thomas carries much of the load for the Mustangs and if he can't run like he's used to that can be a liability for Muir. San Marino, St. Francis and Flintridge Prep go down this week.

Friday's first-round with predictions:
Diamond Ranch at Muir, 7:30 p.m. -- Melendez (Muir)
Arroyo at Temple City, 7:30 p.m. -- Melendez (Temple City)
El Monte at Monrovia, 7:30 p.m. -- Melendez (Monrovia)
Duarte at L.A. Baptist, 7:30 p.m. -- Melendez (Duarte)
Cerritos Valley Christian at Rosemead, 7:30 p.m. -- Melendez (Rosemead)
San Marino at Paraclete, 7:30 p.m. -- Melendez (Paraclete)
San Gabriel at La Serna, 7:30 p.m. -- Melendez (San Gabriel)
St. Francis at Quartz Hill, 7:30 p.m. -- Melendez (Quartz Hill)
Ontario Christian at Maranatha, 7:30 p.m. -- Melendez (Maranatha)
Flintridge Prep at Riverside Christian, 7:30 p.m. -- Melendez (Riverside Christian)
St. Anthony at Rio Hondo Prep, 7:30 p.m. -- Melendez (Rio Hondo Prep)

Note: I deleted the old thread and started this new one. Sorry for the 38 comments deleted, but I had a feeling the previous playoff thread crashed or froze.

The CIF-Southern Section playoffs begin Friday. All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted.

SOUTHEAST DIVISION PAIRINGS: Seeds: 1. Charter Oak; 2. Santa Fe; 3. Muir; 4. Rowland.
My thoughts: Muir gets grouped in the infamous "Group of Death." They draw a Diamond Ranch team that is gunning for them and should they win they'll likely draw South Hills at Covina District Field in the second round. Wouldn't it be nice if Muir played its playoff home games at the Rose Bowl? Someone should get on that.

Top bracket:
Bell Gardens (5-5, Almont 3) at Charter Oak (9-0-1, Miramonte 1)
California (8-2, Del Rio 2) at Crescenta Valley (8-2, Pacific 2)
San Gabriel (5-5, Almont 2) at La Serna (Del Rio 2, 9-1)
Burroughs (7-3, Pacific 3) at Rowland (8-2, San Antonio 1)

Bottom bracket:
Diamond Ranch (4-6, Miramonte 3) at Muir (9-1, Pacific 1)
South Hills (8-2, San Antonio 3) at Schurr (Almont 1, 7-3)
Bonita (7-3, Miramonte 2) at West Covina (8-2, San Antonio 2)
Burbank (5-5, Pacific 4) at Santa Fe (9-1, Del Rio 1)

MID-VALLEY DIVISION: Seeds: 1. Monrovia; 2. Azusa; 3. Northview; 4. San Dimas
My thoughts: Rosemead got robbed. I know it. You know it. Huckster knows it and the little kid whose ice cream I stole knows it. Rob Wigod, the Associate Commisioner in charge of football, said when he looked at Rosemead he knew they were really good and had beaten Monrovia by a few TD's. But the fact remains CIF must honor the polls. Should the Panthers advance, they'll only have to face San Dimas in the second round. Yikes!

Rosemead coach Matt Koffler's reaction: "I don't know, it's impossible to explain. You try to play a tough schedule. You hammer everyone in your league. What else can you do? But we can't sit here and cry about it. It is what it is now, you've got to go back to work and get ready."

South Hills coach Steve Bogan's reaction on Rosemead potentially facing San Dimas in the second round: "That's a shame. That should be a semifinal or final. It's an incredible oversight to say the least. It shows the herb is alive and well in some places."

Top bracket:
El Monte (5-5, Mission Valley 3) at Monrovia (8-2, Rio Hondo 1)
Duarte (5-5, Montview 2) at L.A. Baptist (6-4, Olympic 2)
Cerritos Valley Christian (7-3, Olympic 3) at Rosemead (8-2, Mission Valley 1)
Sierra Vista (4-6, Montview 3) at San Dimas (9-1, Valle Vista 2)

Bottom bracket:
Workman (5-4, Montview 4) at Northview (8-2, Valle Vista 1)
San Marino (8-2, Rio Hondo 3) at Paraclete (7-3, Olympic 1)
Arroyo (3-7, Mission Valley 2) at Temple City (5-4-1, Rio Hondo 2)
Covina (4-6, Valle Vista 3) at Azusa (9-1, Montview 1)

WESTERN DIVISION: Seeds: 1. Palmdale; 2. Alemany; 3. Quartz Hill; 4. Mira Costa
My thoughts: St. Francis earns an at-large berth. Lets face it, the Golden Knights were somewhat robbed against Alemany. Luck plays in their favor this time. Balance has been restored.

Top bracket:
Redondo Union (5-5, Bay 3) at Palmdale (9-1, Golden 1)
Chaminade (2-8, Mission 2) at Beverly Hills (7-3, Ocean 2)
Santa Monica (8-2, Ocean 3) at Warren (7-3, San Gabriel Valley 1)

Bottom bracket:
St. Francis (6-4, Mission at-large) at Quartz Hill (9-1, Golden 2)
Peninsula (5-5, Bay 2) at Lynwood (7-2-1, San Gabriel Valley 2)
Downey (5-5, San Gabriel Valley 3) at Culver City (7-3, Ocean 1)
Highland (3-7, Golden 4) at Alemany (9-1, Mission 1)

EAST VALLEY DIVISION: Seeds: 1. St. Margaret's; 2. Brentwood; 3. Aquinas; 4. Santa Paula.
My thoughts: The No. 2 seed was up for grabs when Maranatha marched into Brentwood. Minutemen were shutout and will probably face St. Margaret's in the semifinals instead of the finals.

Top bracket:
Campbell Hall (5-5, Alpha at-large) at St. Margaret's (10-0, Academy 1)
Yucca Valley (6-4, De Anza 2) at Bishop Uniont (5-4, High Desert 1)
Ontario Christian (Christian 2, 5-5) at Maranatha (9-1, Alpha 2)
Big Bear (6-3-1, De Anza at-large) at Santa Paula (8-2, Frontier1)

Bottom bracket:
Kern Valley (5-5, Hi Desert at-large) at Aquinas (9-1, Christian 1)
Brethren Christian (4-6, Academy 2) at 29 Palms (7-3, De Anza 1)
Desert (7-3, High Desert 2) at Filmore (8-2, Frontier 2)
Arrowhead Christian (6-4, Christian at-large) at Brentwood (9-1, Alpha 1)

NORTHEAST DIVISION: Seeds: 1. Saddleback Valley Christian; 2. Boron; 3. Linfield Christian; 4. Riverside Christian.
My thoughts: Rio Hondo Prep should have been seeded. Kares should run into Linfield Christian in the semifiinals. Flintridge Prep vs. Rio Hondo Prep for the title? Hmm...

Top bracket:
Mojave (5-5, Freelance at-large) at Saddleback Valley Christian (10-0, San Joaquin 1)
Webb (4-5, Prep 2) at Silver Valley (6-4, Desert Mountain 2)
Twin Pines (5-5, San Joaquin 3) at St. Genevieve (8-2, Santa Fe 1)
Flintridge Prep (3-6, Prep 3) at Riverside Christian (9-1, Big Sky 2)

Bottom bracket:
Mammoth (3-7, Desert Mountain 3) at Linfield Christian (8-2, Big Sky 1)
Bell-Jeff (7-3, Santa Fe 2) at Fairmonte Prep (3-6, San Joaquin 2)
St. Anthony (5-5, Santa Fe 3) at Rio Hondo Prep (6-3, Prep 1)
Animo Leadership (DNR, San Joaquin 4) at Boron (9-1, Desert Mountain 1)

***
THE SCENE FROM OUTSIDE THE CIF OFFICE SUNDAY MORNING TAKEN FROM MY NIFTY, COMPANY-ISSUED PALM TREO PHONE

Above: The Muir coaching staff and others watching the coin flip to determine home sites for the second round in the playoffs.

Above: Rob Wigod, the Associate Commisioner in charge of football, presiding over the coin flips.

Above: San Gabriel head coach Keith Jones and assistant Donald Bernard look on.

Above: Coaches take over the street as they await for the playoff pairings to be released Sunday morning.

Above: Coaches patiently waiting on a hot and ashy Sunday morning.

Above: I believe that's Maranatha coach Joel Murphy with the shades and the biker hair deu.

Above: Courtney McCutchan will lead the Spartans at Oak Park tonight at 7.

We'll have a reporter tonight at the La Mirada-San Gabriel girls volleyball match tonight starting at 7 so we'll need your help telling us what happened everywhere else.

The Matadors (12-3) play host to fourth-seed La Mirada (16-3) at 7 p.m. in the Division III-A quarterfinals.

It is one of four quarterfinal games involving area teams, all scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Here are the other teams remaining:

Mayfield, the top seed in Division III-A, will host Ganesha and Gabrielino plays at Santa Monica, the division's third seed.

In Division II-A, top seed La Canada will play at Oak Park.

The winner of the La Mirada-San Gabriel match will play the Ganesha-Mayfield winner in Tuesday's semifinals. The Cubs (18-3) defeated Magnolia in three games. The Giants, the co-Valle Vista League champions at 22-6, defeated Culver City in four games.

Gabrielino, which won the Mission Valley League, again, gets its toughest match in the playoffs. The Eagles (24-4) defeated Cerritos in five games. Santa Monica, the Ocean League champion at 23-4, defeated Garden Grove in three games. The winner will face the Webb-Chadwick winner.

La Canada (20-7) travels for the first time in the playoffs. The Rio Hondo League champion defeated Cajon in three games. Oak Park (14-6), the third-place team from the Tri-Valley League, has beaten two second-place entries, although Camarillo, which Oak Park beat in four games on Thursday, was a co-Pacific View League champ.

CLICK HERE FOR SCORES!!

(UPDATED 12:29 A.M.)

BE SURE TO CHECK BACK SATURDAY MORNING FOR TUSSLE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS!!

What an awesome vibe at the Rose Bowl.

As soon as I parked, I saw a group of Muir fans tailgating. You can sense the significance of the Turkey Tussle after walking through the tunnel and looking up at the crowd.

Muir recorded its 12th consecutive win over Pasadena with a 13-0 decision on Friday night in the season finale.

The Bulldogs (1-8, 1-6) defense was impressive, stopping the Mustangs (9-1, 7-0) three times in the red zone.

Once again, Jarron Williams proved to be a stud, leading Muir in the first quarter with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Graves. He needed only two plays and all of 21 seconds to get it done. Williams then ran a 4-yard score in the third quarter to give Muir a 13-0 lead.

The margin could have been wider but Williams was stopped at the 1-yard line on fourth-and-goal as time expired in the first half.

Muir's victory came at a costly price. Reuben Thomas may have sprained his right knee and did not play for most of the game. Chris Dunlap, whose been battling injuries throughout the season, tweaked his left ankle and limped a couple of times off the field. Myles Campbell injured his ribs but he played the remainder of the second half. A busy night it was for Muir's trainer.

With Thomas out, Muir's offense lacked the punch its relied on all season. Jarron Williams carried the Mustangs in this win.

I was puzzled by Pasadena's offensive schemes: straight snaps to J'Quan Hamilton. Pasadena threw for seven passes the entire game: three completed, three incomplete and an interception. Jeffry Davis entered the game late in the game and threw for a few completions. He's only a sophomore from what I know and he looks like he could be a good one in two years.

After meeting Kevin Mills I must say I came away impressed with him and his players. Mills was calm, poised and respectful to me, Ken Howard and the Muir athletes.

All game long, Pasadena's Tremaine Sanders was hearing it from the Muir sidelines.

"You know you wanna be a Stang"

Sanders kept his cool though. It was a nice gesture of him to immediately congratulate Howard after the game. This is what rivalry is all about: keep your emotions on the field because at the end of the day it's just a game.

With three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Howard started emptying the water coolers so that he wouldn't get a victory splash.

"I already have a cold," he said.

Muir's drumline was awesome and as soon as the first "boom!" came everyone turned and the Mustang crowd roared. I gotta admit, I got some goosebumps, too. There's something about that drumline; it commands respect. They're precise and very bravato.

Thanks to the dirty, black Ford Mustang car that let me to cut in line as I exited the Rose Bowl parking lot. I also cut off three other cars but they were cool with it after flashing my media badge. I made it just in time to the office (10:30 p.m.) to write and turn in my story by the 10:45 p.m. deadline. I also want to thank the two stat girls for Muir. They were plenty of help.

Be sure to check back Saturday morning for video highlights of the Tussle. I have to say, the vibe and energy was all it was made out to be. I'm glad I was part of covering this event.

I will be having breakfast on Sunday morning at Hoft's Hut, just a block away from the CIF offices in Los Alamitos. After a hearty breakfast I will head to CIF and blog from there as the playoff pairings are released.

Be sure to return Sunday morning for your complete playoff pairings and analysis.

Tonight's scores with final thoughts:

Muir 13, Pasadena 0 -- As is with any rivalry, records are thrown out the window. I was impressed with the Bulldogs' defense. For the WSGV's sake lets hope Reuben Thomas and Chris Dunlap have a speedy recovery. Campbell felt OK after the first half. Jarron Williams is a stud.

Monrovia 41, San Marino 19 -- Marquise Williams scored on a 3-yard run on the opening drive to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead at the half. Williams rushed for 293 yards and four TD's. Williams went bazerk in the third quarter, rushing for 193 yards in that quarter alone and three TD's. With this effort, Williams may have taken over Scott Dooley's spot as the top rusher in the Rio Hondo League. Dooley was contained, rushing for only 90 yards on 22 carries. Ryan Maddox, coach of the year? Hmmm...

Temple City 14, La Canada 14 -- Who saw this coming? Here is how the Rio Hondo League shapes out in the season-finale:
Monrovia wins out right (5-0)
Temple City (3-1-1)
San Marino (3-2)
La Canada (2-2-1)
Max Ruckle took over the second half and finished with 136 yards on 30 carries and scored two touchdowns to lead the Rams. Ruckle rushed for 85 yards in the second half. Rocky Moore threw for two TD passes to lead the Spartans. Moore completed 9 of 16 passes for 167 yards, two TD's and an interception. Tough break for the Spartans.

Crescenta Valley 59, Arcadia 31 -- The Apaches were within striking distance as they trailed only, 24-17. But some ill-advised passes proved costly. Arcadia was riddled with injuries this season. This team will be something special in a year or two.

Rosemead 50, Arroyo 12 -- Panthers clinched the league title. They should earn a No. 3 or 4 seed when playoff pairings are released Sunday.

Rio Hondo Prep 54, Flintridge Prep 7 -- I'm assuming Tim Esguerra and Antonio Alaniz went buck-wild in this game. Kares were a battle-tested team and it showed. They are deserving of the Prep League title. Flintridge Prep plays in a playoff Saturday morning at Pasadena Poly at 8 a.m.

Brentwood 24, Maranatha 0 -- The Minutemen ran into the best team they've ever faced and had no showing. Maranatha advances as the No. 2 team in the Alpha League. If they end up facing St. Margaret's early in the playoffs, you can thank this loss for it.

Chaminade 39, St. Francis 34 -- How does this happen? Dietrich Riley rushes for over 200 yards and the Golden Knights still come away empty. St. Francis misses the playoffs.

Blair 29, South Pasadena 27 -- Blair wins! Blair wins! Blair wins! Steve Colliau: you still have soccer and baseball.

Marshall vs. Kilpatrick at PCC, 7 p.m. -- xxxx

Bishop Montgomery 41, La Salle 35 -- Carlos Morales carried the ball 27 times and rushed for 230 yards and scored two touchdowns. Morales is only a junior. Where was he all season. Despite the loss, the Lancers had a good showing and fought to the very end.

San Gabriel 57, Montebello 21 -- I heard it early this morning from some SG coaches. Texts were drowning my cell but I stood my ground. In the end, I was proven wrong once again and I'm sure JFMatador takes great joy in that. Matadors are in the playoffs.

Duarte 48, La Puente 0-- Falcons taking no prisoners.

El Monte 13, Gabrielino 0 -- As has been the case: you never know which Eagles team will show up to play.

Alhambra 50, Keppel 6 -- Nice showing but then again it came against Keppel, who will try to break that losing streak next season.

Harvard-Westlake 38, Bosco Tech 14 -- There's potential for the Tigers next season.

Apaches standout will fulfill boyhood dream of playing football at UCLA

By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer

ARCADIA - The piece that held the Arcadia High School football team together will no longer suit up on Friday night.

Todd Golper is on to fulfill his boyhood dream of playing football at UCLA.

His smart play-calling will be sorely missed by the Apaches. His laid-back style won't be around to keep the masses calm when chaos seems forthcoming.

His bruising tackles, lights-out style of attack, high football IQ and speed will leave a huge gaping hole that will be tough to fill in the Arcadia football program.

Golper doesn't just represent the program. He is the program.

That much he never could have imagined as the ball boy for the Apaches while in the sixth grade, walking the Arcadia sidelines wearing an oversized jersey and watching his brother, Brian, play.

It was from his brothers whom Golper learned the true definition of playing tough.

"Whatever they did I wanted to do it better," Golper said. "I saw my brother play with two broken wrists and I thought, `Man, I can't not play because of a little injury.' "

Golper, however, may be in need of a dictionary.

By his definition, a "little injury" is playing with a broken toe. Add a possible broken left ankle and you've got Golper's "little injury."

He broke his toe in Week 1 against St. Francis and sat out two weeks. Golper returned to lead the Apaches to two consecutive wins despite the injuries.

Last week, it had appeared as if Golper had torn his right ACL on an injury that occurred two minutes into the second quarter of the game against Burbank; his future flashing right before his eyes.

"I was in shock," Golper said. "I was wondering about my scholarship, if I would ever play again, was it career-ending, was my season over, would we make the playoffs."

Above: Pasadena area college-bound athletes. From left to Right: Eliza Pierre, Brittnay, Henderson, Andrew Saeta, Eric Smith, Joe Henson, Susan Carlson, Felicitas Lenz and Morgan Barchan. (Keith Birmingham / Staff Photographer)

Nine area athletes put the recruiting process to bed by taking part in the early period of signing national letters of intent on Wednesday.

Some held special ceremonies in front of coaches, fans and family members as the cameras flashed, while others simply just signed.

Regardless, the day was special because it not only meant the recruiting process was over, but also that they'd just signed to play for the school of their dreams.

Pasadena High School's Joe Henson signed with San Jose State. The 6-foot-8, 240 pound forward averaged 10 points and eight rebounds in the second half of the season after sitting out the early part because of hip surgery.

"The recruiting process was good," Henson said. "But I chose San Jose State because I really liked the coaches and the conference."

Henson will lead a Bulldogs team that finished 22-8 overall and 7-1 in Pacific League play.

La Canada shortstop Eric Smith signed to play at Stanford.

The senior batted .625 with an on-base percentage of .724, scored 30 runs, had 18 RBIs and committed only one error last season for the Spartans.

Pasadena Poly's Felicitas Lenz (diving) and Andrew Saeta (swimming) will attend Northwestern and Stanford, respectively.

Arcadia's Morgan Barchan was recruited to play softball at North Carolina State but the outfielder instead decided on Southern Illinois because her cousin, Haley Gorman, plays softball there, too.

WHO: John Muir (8-1, 6-0) vs. Pasadena (1-8, 1-5)

WHEN: Friday, 7 P.M.

WHERE: Rose Bowl

John Muir leads the series, 36-17-2

For the record, Pasadena coach Kevin Mills doesn't read the blog, so he says.

Before I got off the phone with him I asked him what was up with the military gear. I told him I was taken aback by it and said it wasn't an outfit I'd expect a head football coach to wear during a marquee game.

"OK, OK, I'll give you that," was Mills' response. He said the message he was trying to convey was that Pasadena, in the Turkey Tussle two years ago, was going to war.

"We've been hostage for 11 years," Mills said, "that's what it is." He went on to say, "in this town you're based on what you've done against Muir."

Though the Bulldogs are 1-8 with the season coming to an end Friday night, Mills added that winning that game and a Bulldog stepping up will be remembered years to come. He brought up the example of Muir QB Tarrell Amos, AKA Famous Amos who single handily helped the Mustangs beat Pasadena in 1988.

In regards to Pasadena alumni who have expressed disinterest for this year's Turkey Tussle, here's what Mills had to say:

If you can't support where you once went to school and understand the magnitude of the game then that's on you. This game is about the kids. If you're coming to the game come see the game to support the kids. Come support both schools, period.

THIS IS HOW FRED J. ROBLEDO REMEMBERS THE TURKEY TUSSLE:

Above: Offensive coordinator Antyone Sims and Muir's Myles Campbell celebrate.

If I were the preps editor, I would rank _________ No. 1 in the Star-News rankings.

Contrary to Miguel's belief, the best high school football coaching staff is at ___________.

________ will win the Rio Hondo League title.

_______ will make the deepest run in the playoffs but fall short of winning a CIF title.

_________ will stand alone at the end holding up a CIF-SS championship plaque.

If I were in charge of the CIF-SS polls, I would rank Rosemead at _____.

________ was the biggest disappointment this season.

________ was the biggest surprise this season.

The final score in the Turkey Tussle will be ____.

I'd wish they would play the Turkey Tussle on _________ instead of Friday.

Scott Galetti never would have _____________.

Miguel Melendez should have ______________.

I'm online reading this blog and filling out this survey when instead I should be _________________.

The biggest story of the year is ___________________________.

The best game thus far this season was _____________________________.

The best place to tailgate this season was at ________________ because ___________________.

The best place to watch a high school football game was at ________________.

_____________ should be Star-News Coach of the Year.

_____________ should be Star-News player of the Year.

STAR-NEWS RANKINGS
FOOTBALL

1. Muir (8-1)
Mustangs impatient in stables

2. Rosemead (7-2)
Panthers getting robbed by CIF

3. St. Francis (6-3)
Golden Knights need to win Friday

4. Monrovia (7-2)
Win on Friday and crown is yours

5. Temple City (5-4)
Turning doubters into believers

6. San Marino (8-1)
Titans can still clinch share Friday

7. Maranatha (9-0)
A lot on the line for Minutemen

8. Duarte (4-5)
Falcons are 4-1 in Montview play

9. Arcadia (4-5)
Apaches rooting for Burroughs

10. Rio Hondo Prep (5-3)
Prep League crown on line Friday

Wednesday is the early period in which all athletes except football can sign a National Letter of Intent.

I've received some e-mails and phone calls about local athletes signing.

If you are an athlete signing and would like to be included in that photo op, bring a hat and/or sweater of the school where you're signing to the Star-News offices located at 911 E. Colorado Blvd.

We will take a photo of the athletes together in our conference room.

The photo op will take place at 2:30 p.m.

If you can't make the signing but would like to be included in the story, e-mail all signings to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com or leave a comment on this post.

Kevin Mills this, Pasadena that ... They ain't all that ...

The Bulldogs are 1-8.

So what?

Pasadena has lost 11 straight.

So what?

None of that ever, and I mean EVER, matters when crosstown rivals meet at the end of the season.

Take UCLA three years ago. Nobody thought they'd knock off USC and out of contention for a national championship. But the Bruins did it even when nobody believed in them. The Bruins were the mockery of college football in L.A. But they got it done and UCLA's season was made with that one win.

Know this: Pasadena's season will be its best ever in the last 12 years if they knock off John Muir.

So when people blog that they won't attend the game because they're embarrassed I got this to say to you:

You're no true Pasadena fan.

You don't bleed red and white.

A true bulldog doesn't hide its tail after a fight. He gets up and continues to fight. He keeps barking even if he's getting kicked in the gut.

Keep biting because eventually you'll grab a hold and it is then when you will never want to let go.

True fans stick to their teams in the thick and thin.

And know this: Come Friday, you can bet nobody at Pasadena will care about records.

It's about pride. Don't nobody wants their helmet blown off like in that picture above. When you're getting pushed, push back.

Two teams.

One city.

Winner takes Braggin' Rites because at the end of the day your rival couldn't get one up on you.

And even if Muir makes a deep run in the playoffs, Pasadena fans will always have that one game to defend their trash talk.

And there's that bell, too.

Star-News preps writer Keith Lair and I will be going head-to-head throughout the season, and I will update our records each Monday on the "Star Picks" thread.

Melendez: Last week: 14-5; Overall: 114-45
Lair: Last week: 16-3; Overall: 127-32

Last week: You can't overlook 114 wins this season. But just like The Stang Fan stated, I've had some laughable picks at times, and on top of that I started the season 3-9. Steve Ramirez over at the Trib seemingly goes out of his way to remind me every time I see him. Among my "laughable" picks last week were: South Pasadena (lost to La Canada); Alhambra (lost to Bell Gardens); San Marino (lost to Temple City); Arcadia (lost to Burbank); and Bosco Tech (lost to St. Bernard). Lair's wrong picks were: Alhambra, Bosco Tech and Arcadia.

ATTENTION COACHES, ATHLETIC DIRECTORS AND BOOSTERS: If your game changes from Friday to Thursday please let me know. I can be reached at 626.578.6300, Ext. 4485 or miguel.melendez@sgvn.com

This week: Nothing like league titles on the line in the final game of the regular season. Be sure to check back here Sunday for continuing updates when the CIF brackets are released. Here's how this week's season finale breaks down among leagues with titles that are up for grabs.

ALPHA LEAGUE: Maranatha will (finally) face a formidable opponent when they travel to Brentwood. The Minutemen seem to bring their best when they see some real competition (such as Rio Hondo Prep). Schilz leads the Maranatha to victory.

MISSION LEAGUE: If St. Francis beats Chaminade and St. Paul beats Alemany there could be a three-way tie for first. A coin flip will determine the league placement for the playoffs. St. Francis beats Chaminade and Alemany prevails against St. Paul. Final league standings: Alemany, St. Francis, St. Paul and Chaminade.

MONTVIEW LEAGUE: Duarte can clinch a share of the crown with a win at home against La Puente combined with an Azusa loss to Bassett. The Falcons can wish, right? Azusa pulls away with the crown and Duarte finishes second.

PREP LEAGUE: Rio Hondo Prep (5-3, 3-1) is a battle-tested team. The Kares have suffered some tough nonleague losses but it prepared them for league and the playoffs. Flintridge Prep (3-5, 3-1) got its act together when league rolled around. Look for Tim Esguerra and Antonio Alaniz to be too much for the Rebels to handle. FYI, Calpreps has Rio Hondo Prep winning, 31-8.

RIO HONDO LEAGUE: There could be a three-way tie for first at 4-1 if Temple City beats La Canada and San Marino beats Monrovia. A coin flip determines the final league placement. The call here is Monrovia wins outright by edging SM by 3, Temple City finishes second and San Marino third.

Thursday's game with prediction:
Pasadena Poly at Webb, 3 p.m. -- Melendez (Pas Poly)

Friday's games with predictions:
Muir vs. Pasadena at Rose Bowl, 7 p.m. -- Melendez (Muir)
San Marino at Monrovia -- Melendez (Monrovia)
La Canada at Temple City, 7 p.m. -- Melendez (Temple City)
Crescenta Valley at Arcadia, 7 p.m. -- Melendez (Crescenta Valley)
Flintridge Prep vs. Rio Hondo Prep at Occidental, 7 p.m. -- Melendez (Rio Hondo Prep)
Maranatha at Brentwood, 2 p.m. -- Melendez (Maranatha)
Chaminade at St. Francis, 7:30 p.m. -- Melendez (St. Francis)
Blair at South Pasadena, 7 p.m. -- Melendez (South Pasadena)
Marshall vs. Kilpatrick at PCC, 7 p.m. -- Melendez (Kilpatrick)
Bishop Montgomery at La Salle, 7 p.m. -- Melendez (Bishop Montgomery)
San Gabriel at Montebello, 7 p.m. -- Melendez (Montebello)
La Puente at Duarte, 7 p.m. -- Melendez (Duarte)
El Monte at Gabrielino, 7 p.m. -- Melendez (Gabrielino)
Alhambra at Keppel, 7 p.m. -- Melendez (Alhambra)
Bosco Tech vs. Harvard-Westlake at St. Matthias, 7 p.m. -- Melendez (Harvard-Westlake)

WHO: John Muir (8-1, 6-0) vs. Pasadena (1-8, 1-5)

WHEN: Friday, 7 P.M.

WHERE: Rose Bowl

John Muir leads the series, 36-17-2

THE HISTORY

As the story goes, Muir and Pasadena, as do most schools that have a cross town rival, played their homecoming football games against each another. It's the last game of the season and it's played just before Thanksgiving -- thus the "Turkey Tussle."

The father of a Pasadena student, as usual, brags as to how much Pasadena is going to beat Muir in the football game. A Muir dad takes offense and fires back that Muir will be victorious.

After much discussion a friendly wager is made between the two excited men. Not for money, but for pride. Something that would be sorely missed if lost. The Pasadena dad was a retired Santa Fe railroad man and as a retirement gift from the railroad he was awarded the bell from his locomotive train.

He then bet that Pasadena would defeat Muir and was willing to put his most sacred possession, his bell up as the prize.

Pasadena did win that game and the bell was heard rigging loud and clear after the game.

The following year, he once again put the bell up as a symbol for the victor - but Muir won the game and "The Bell" was silenced.

Muir demanded that the bell be sent to their campus until they played again next year.

And so it began...

This story comes from our friends over at the L.A. Daily News. So this is why there recently was a big shakeup over at Eagle Rock and why most of its coaches left for Glendale, hence the revamped Nitros coaching staff. Here's hoping I won't have to write a story like this on this side of town...

By Vincent Bonsignore
Staff Writer

The call arrived at 8 a.m. Friday morning, the male voice on the other end saying: "You're not going to believe what happened with the Eagle Rock football team."

The caller then proceeded to explain how a former Eagle Rock player allegedly assaulted first-year coach Johnny Lopez at practice Thursday by attacking him from behind while wearing a helmet, apparently sending Lopez to the hospital and forcing the cancellation of the Eagles' game at Belmont on Friday.

With just one game remaining, it wouldn't be a surprise if they just canceled the rest of the season.

Reportedly, the player was egged on - perhaps even paid - by current players on the team to carry out the cowardly act.

It was a shocking story, but the saddest part is that I wasn't surprised it happened.

If you've paid any attention to what has happened at Eagle Rock over the past year or so - and the Daily News has reported on it every step of the way - you understand a terrible disservice has been done to the kids on the football team by most of the adult figures in their lives.

It goes back to Eagle Rock principal Salvador Velasco's decision to get rid of coach Jerry Chou after last season. Chou had submitted a letter of resignation during the season in protest of Velasco's handling of some coaching matters at Eagle Rock. But Chou was under the impression his differences with the principal were resolved when he reached an accord with Velasco and coached the final few games of 2007.

Chou was shocked when Velasco informed him he'd have to re-apply for his job if he wished to coach the football team again.

Insulted, Chou declined to re-apply and ultimately moved to Glendale High as an assistant while remaining at Eagle Rock as a teacher.

The parents and players were enraged, pleading with Velasco to reconsider through protests, phone calls, letters and meetings.

Velasco held firm.

An open discussion about whoever and whatever you wanna talk about...And if it's too much for you to handle don't worry, I'll bring in reinforcements.....

Here's a topic: How crazy is the Rio Hondo League this season? A San Marino and Temple City win next week puts them all at 4-1!!

(UPDATED 12:32 A.M.)

What should have been a momentum-swinging play midway through the first quarter proved disastrous for St. Francis High School.

The Golden Knights didn't get off to the best of starts and Justin Sciarra's frantic attack in the end fell short as Alemany pulled away with a 24-21 victory Friday night in Mission League play.

The victory gave the Warriors (8-1, 2-0) at least a share of the Mission League title. The loss puts the Golden Knights (6-3, 1-1) in a must-win game next week at home against

Chaminade if they are to keep their playoff hopes alive. Justin Sciarra came of age in the second half after a disastrous start that lasted only two minutes.

He led the frantic attack that got St. Francis to within striking distance after an impressive sequence of plays midway through the fourth quarter.

The rally would not have been necessary if not for a controversial call that negated Dietrich Riley's 53-yard fumble return with 5:58 left in the first quarter.

What appeared to be a fumble by Alemany quarterback David Mercalf on an attempted handoff was later ruled a shuffle pass by the umpire.

Riley's score would have tied the score, 7-7, and given St. Francis the momentum it had desperately needed. Instead, the ball was brought back, which prompted Golden Knights coach Jim Bonds to rush on the field in protest. He needed to be held back by three of his assistant coaches as he went after the referee.

Alemany didn't score on that possession, but the damage had been done.
St. Francis didn't get off to the best of starts.

Sciarra's first pass slipped past Luther Walker's hands and was returned 45 yards by Marabel to put the Warriors ahead, 7-0, just 22 seconds into the game.

The Golden Knights didn't fare any better on their next possession. On first-and-15 at Alemany's 39, Sciarra was backed out of the pocket and forced a pass that was intercepted by Brendon Costi.

Sciarra was immediately pulled out of the game and replaced by backup Justin Posthuma.

St. Francis trailed, 21-0, heading into halftime after Mercalf scrambled for a 32-yard rushing score with 9:08 left in the second quarter and his 1-yard run with 24.1 seconds left in the half.

Sciarra shook off the horrendous first half and played like a veteran, leading the late attack.

He guided an 11-play, 98-yard drive that lasted 4:42 and was capped on an 18-yard run by Riley with 7:18 left in the fourth quarter.

Sciarra went 6-for-7 on a nine-play, 87-yard drive that was capped on a 6-yard touchdown pass to Riley with 3:40 left in the game and St. Francis trailing by only 21-14.

Alemany marched down to the St. Francis 13 and after unsuccessfully drawing the Golden Knights offsides, Todd Kilroy converted a 23-yard field goal with 2:13 left in the game.

Sciarra again led the attack on a nine-play, 68-yard drive that was capped by a 1-yard score from Evan King with 36.1 seconds left in the game to put St. Francis to within three.
The Golden Knights went for an onside kick but it was recovered by the Warriors, who kneeled twice to end the game.

Sciarra completed 11 of 19 passes for 185 yards with two interceptions and a touchdown to lead St. Francis. Riley rushed for 52 yards on nine carries.

Alemany was led by Mercalf, who completed 5 of 10 passes for 79 yards. But it was his work on the ground that tortured the Golden Knights defense, as he rushed for 128 yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns.

During the third quarter there was an obnoxious St. Francis fan in that stands who irked me.

He was yelling at Luther Walker after a few dropped passes. It came on the drive where Dietrich Riley scored on an 18-yard run.

Sciarra's wobbly pass to Walker was dropped. It was catchable but in Walker's defense it wasn't the best of passes. The fan started yelling at Walker. It was loud. Loud enough for Walker to hear.

Sciarra again threw to Walker. After a valiant effort where he dove to the sidelines, Walker came away empty. The fan laid in him again and yelled, "Luther, get back in the huddle!" Walker looked up to see who this guy was. I believe one of the assistant coaches looked up as well.

This fan should have kept quiet. Dude, let the coaches do the talking and you enjoy your hot chocolate in the stands. Riley went on to score on that drive, but the fan had his arms crossed while others cheered. He eventually clapped effortlessly.

This guy should have been ejected from the game.

ST. FRANCIS FOOTBALL COACH JIM BONDS
On the controversial call by the referee:
"You can't appeal a call like that, once they've made the call it's a call. That could be the difference in the game but there was a lot of things we didn't execute. I was proud of the way we battled in the second half."

On Justin Sciarra's remarkable play in the second half:
"He's a gutty guy. He's a competitor. I thought the decision he made on the second interception in a league championship game (was his fault) so we had to give Justin Posthuma a chance. I don't blame (Sicarra) for the first (interception). We didn't get any points with Posthuma so we went back with Sciarra and (he) showed what a competitor he was in the second half."

On Alemany QB David Mercalf:
"He's a better runner alive than he was on film. We saw him play a couple games live and he didn't do much on the ground as he did tonight. They get us unconscious on the power pitch and they sneaked him down the middle."

On Mercalf's 32-yard scramble for a score:
"We had some injuries. We were having some troubles getting lined up. Matt Vidales went out with a broken leg, we think; He's our starting fullback and inside linebacker and the guy that was starting on the defensive line had to take his spot at linebacker (Eric Dowling) and he got banged up late in the game so he's on the bench. We just got thin and it was just a case of being misaligned and the quarterback caught us off guard."

ALEMANY COACH DEAN HERRINGTON
On his QB David Mercalf
"He's a very good athlete just like the St. Francis QB. We told him to be ready to tonight. You don't expect him to go 60-yard on a quarterback sneak. We had the game under control and to let them come back it was just... "

On the controversial call:
"It was a pass. I told the refs before the game that when they come there we pass the ball. Why he didn't blow the whistle is because he didn't know that it hit the ground. Once he found out it hit the ground there's no play."

On Mercalf's mobility that surprised Bonds:
"He's ran the ball well all year. He hasn't busted 60-yarders but he's ran for first yards. He's a very good athlete and that's why he's back there."

On the playoff scenario:
"We have a tie for a championship, it all depends on St. Paul and Chaminade. If St. Paul wins and St. Paul beats us it's a three-way tie and with a coin flip you can be out. If Chaminade wins we clinched the first spot."

(St. Paul defeated Chaminade, 35-28, OT)

CLICK HERE FOR SCORES!

Friday,'s Games with Thoughts

Alemany 24, St. Francis 21 -- You have to feel for the Golden Knights. This really was the refs blew, and it wasn't just that call. There were numerous calls that didn't go in favor of St. Francis. But Jim Bonds, classy as always, didn't point any fingers.

Temple City 21, San Marino 10 -- OK, I'm ready to hear it from all of you. I'm going to use my "I'm a rookie" card. Either way, the Rams proved all the doubters and I'm sure that only included me. Max Ruckle rushed for 177 on 22 carries and scored two touchdowns. First play of the game Ruckle sprinted for a 77-yard touchdown score. The Rams were not messing around. They went for an on-side kick and though nothing came of it, it showed they wanted to take over and do it early. Coach Randy Backus had a mouthful of quotes after the game. "We responded with a great defensive effort tonight," Backus said. "They intercepted one and then we got one right back. Then we had that great stop down there at the goal line at the end of the first half which turned out to be huge, because if they score there, they're down by one score and they were getting the ball to start the second half. "But we responded and got that stop on fourth down to hold them where they were." If the Rams don't win next week and San Marino beats Monrovia, La Cañada can get in, so this was like Temple City's first playoff game.

Schurr 14, San Gabriel 7 -- How does this happen? Really? Matadors head into the Alhambra game huffing and puffing only to be on the verge of missing the playoffs.

Burbank 29, Arcadia 22 -- Todd Golper gives it his all and he paid the price. The senior linebacker tore his ACL bad and is most likely done for the season. What a career for this kid. On to bigger and better things at UCLA.

Muir 47, Hoover 0 -- Bring on the Bulldogs!

Monrovia 48, Blair 12 -- DJ Coles and Marquise Williams combined for 233 yards and six touchdowns. The Wildcats can clinch the Rio Hondo League title outright at home next week with a win over San Marino.

Crescenta Valley 35, Pasadena 6 -- It's all about pride now for the Bulldogs.

Bell Gardens 24, Alhambra 20 -- I've said it all season long: the Moors are an enigma.

Duarte 54, Bassett 0 -- Falcons roll while Coach Wardell Crutchfield serves a mandatory suspension.

Rosemead 36, Gabrielino 6 -- Patiently waiting for the Panthers...

Montebello 34, Keppel 16 -- Aztecs played inspired.

Cantwell Sacred Heart 50, La Salle 7 -- Oh man.

Maranatha 39, Calvary Chapel -- Minutemen finally win big as they should have been all season.

Pasadena Poly 34, Viewpoint 6 -- This win creates a showdown for a shot at the Prep League title next week against Rio Hondo Prep.

Rio Hondo Prep 28, Webb 6 -- Kares ride Antonio Alaniz and Tim Esguerra for a shot at the crown.

St. Bernard 44, Bosco Tech 20 -- On to next season for the Tigers...

Surely, Ken Howard over at Muir and others will have something to say about this.

But how many high school football coaches do you know would have gone for the 2-point conversion in the second overtime?

"Screw the tie, we're going for the win!"

Such was the case last week when St. Francis defeated St. Paul, 15-14, in double overtime in the Mission League opener for both schools.

"I talked to to my defensive coordinator and said, 'Lets go for two'", St. Francis coach Jimmy Bonds said. "And he said, 'If that's what you wanna do lets go for it.'"

Bonds gambled.

Bonds won.

Most coaches would have played the safe card and gone for the PAT and try to win it in the third OT. But Bonds wasn't having that. He wanted the game over and he trusted his players.

I'm not saying that play alone solidifies Bonds' staff as the area's best football staff but it does bring up a good question: Which team has the best coaching staff?

Let us start with Jimmy Bonds:

He is in his ninth season at the helm. In his previous eight seasons the Golden Knights have reached the playoffs each year making the semifinals three times with an overall record of 56-28. He played high school football at Hart High and led them to the 1986 CIF Championship in the Northwest conference. He was a two-time All-CIF quarterback earning CIF player of the year as a senior and graduated from UCLA where played backup QB to Troy Aikman and Tommy Maddox.

Bonds is one of the smartest football coaches I've ever met.

Off the top of my head here is the Top 3 coaching staffs this side of the 626: