Football: Final Top 10 Poll (Playoffs included)

MADD DOGG,

guess I was too optimistic.

Dear chairman(GOLDEN),
This will be my last response to your ROYAL INTELLECT!
Let's break down your mighty TC rams accomplishments to even get into the playoffs:

S.Pas?
Blair?
LC? (went 4 tie not a win??

Wow that is such a tough run hah SMART GUY?
To top it off for the luck of your draw, ARROYO???????????
You know what bro I'm done w/ you til next year enjoy your INCREDIBLE year!

MADD DOGG

Hopefully your explanation was better than mine, and somehow gets through.

I agree 100%.

Justafan,

One thing is clear. The combined faculties of M.I.T.,Harvard and Dootson Truck Driving could not school you.

Once again, like I said Dahlia and Scherf were impressed, them in one had, Justafan in the other. Hmmmmmmmm, where lies the greater football mentality?

You saw a week 3 game. You should have seen Paraclete vs TC or Azusa versus TC. Then you could make your usual 3 TD comment and disappear once again. And one final, final hope....understand you play who CIF puts in front of you. Sometimes it is a path that gives you a shot, sometimes you see the Diamond Ranchs and Bishop Diegos....and the dream you worked so hard for is taken away early.

Before any of this can happen though, you need to win enough games to be playoff eligible.

I wish the best for the Moors in 09. Come back early next season and bring the 3 TD's and everything else you got. We can resume our toe to toe then.
Peace out.

TRUTHE,

Not talking crap I've always respected TC i just wasn't impressed with your team period.No we did not make the playoffs,good job i guess considering the draw you guys got,just not impressed!

Stang Fan, Real

For the last time. Look at the heading of this column. It says top 10 "INCLUDING" playoffs, not can your beat this team. Preseason is used by coaches to get tougher, get continuity with your system and evaluation of strength and weaknesses for your league schedule. when that time comes you compete with your division to see who will have the talent and the system to make it to the end. Rio Hondo had the best formula and therefore the results were a championship. If your schools beat their opponents like they were SUPPOSE to then we wouldn't be having this argument. Moving teams into other divisions to justify who's better isn't what this ranking is about and you know this. Put my lowly Bulldogs in Prep's division and Mills doesn't have to step down (well hopefully not). T.C., Prep, and Rosemead finished the season on the highest of notes and the rankings should reflect that.

Maybe next season Miguel might have 2 polls the top 10 and the small-schools top 5. Until then stop being haters. I guess it's a blue and gold thing

GOLDEN,

The REALS' just keeping it real...
and that is not my alias smart guy!
It's like I said i'm not the only one un-impressed,sorry!
And I agree it would be a DAMN shame if they let Backus go it would be ashame.

Dear Mr. Chairman of the blog,

Your way with words doesn't impress me buddy...
Just as your team didn't impress me.
That's just my opinion.
If the AHS/TC game didn't mean anything to you why do
you keep bringing it up?
But your right it shouldn't mean anything cause it's just a pre-season game.Tell you what though you'll be the first one there next year even though it don't mean anything to you.
Asusa? please....
AHS....lose SG....lose La Canada....?
Just not impressed buddy.
Good group of kids,I commend them for sticking together
thru all there adversities this year,
just wasn't impressed.I know i'm not the only person who feels the same trust me.
Re-group next year? hope so we fell apart this year
but watch what you hope for cause the Moors will not
disappoint next year trust me.
There will be some big surprises in ATOWN!

The truth & Goldenarm,
See stangfans post please! All i'm saying is if T.C. is in the Pacific League or the Almont you would not have made the playoffs. If your in the Southest division your one and done. So be thankful your in the Rio hondo league and the midvalley division. Also, congratulations on an awesome season just dont act so high and mighty. If I were you guys I would not spend so much time oon this blog. You better make sure the TCSD doesn't do something stupid and let coach Backus go!! That would be a travesty!!! Merry X-mas!!!

hey golden i got your back on this one. Hey justafan did Alhambra make it to the playoffs this year? o thats right they did not did they? If you want to talk crap about temple city at least make sure you had a better season then we did.

Madd dogg,

Yes, I was responding to you and the ridiculous notion that teams that go farther in the playoffs in their respective divisions should earn a higher ranking than teams who were ousted earlier in their divisions.....hence the O-Lu, Tesoro, Crespi reference used to illustrate the nescience of such a claim. And your right O-Lu is to SF and Muir what SF and Muir are to RHP, and I would never be ignorant enough to say (hypothetically) that because either went further in the playoffs than O-Lu that they should be ranked higher...that would be assinine. Again, take a look at the LA Times, Tribune, and OC Register rankings, it just doesn't work that way.

And you are right about the dogs, NO ONE expects anything out of them.....and next year is NO DIFFERENT! Same result in the Tussle, I promise you that.

Btw, the McGrady analogy was funny as hell, but I would say you guys are more like Sam Bowie.

I believe that West SGV football is on it s way back with teams like Rosemead, Temple City, Arcadia, Rio Hondo, Monrovia, Arroyo, and Muir. We all need to stick together and cheer these thems on next year. The Rosemead Panthers could be in search of a new coach.

justafan,

Lets recap your 08 blog carrer:

wrong prediction -
disappear -
CHANGE BLOG NAME -
wrong prediction -
disappear -
repeat this, over and over again.
You got called out by at least 4 bloggers on your inaccurate statements like "by at least 3 TD's", but rather than respond, man up and say, "yeah, I was wrong" - you create another alias and try to erase your track record of bold, yet erroneous predictions.
Justawrong.

As far as being a spectator, you have seniority there, tuning into the Cooking channel even before the regular season ended. This while TC was doing it's part to bring a share of respect to the SGV all the way into mid-December.

When head coaches from Azusa (10-2)and Paraclete (CIF champs)compliment the Rams on strong football fundamentals and toughness....where do you think an insult from Justafan falls on the priority chart?

Not being an auto parts supplier, I can't give you a brake. (not without shoes, pads and an overcharge to resurface the rotors anyway)....but yes, you can have a break. Regroup my friend in 09. Focus your efforts on week to week improvement and remember league play has the greatest significance - and is your e-ticket to CIF consideration. Regardless of the victor, the AHS/TC matchup should be a competitive game, but in the end - weighed as a vehicle for league preparedness, definitely not the pinnacle of one's season.
If you intend to respond - please re-read for optimal comprehension.
Good luck in 09.

Stang Fan

That was me. computers trippin

Stang Fan

I'm hoping that the remark you made was addressed to me since you didn't name anyone inparticular in your response. When I read it I laughed because you used the rankings of other schools to validate your argument. Tereso, O-lu, Crespi. First off, we don't have any teams of that caliber. To them,we are Rio Hondo Prep. The bottom line is this. The ranking has nothing to do with who can beat who. It's who ended up where. When it came time to put up you guys looked like the consistant losers. The "Tracy McGrady's" of the area. Just can't get out of the first round. And while my school has Clipper status no one expects anything of us anyway. But next year buddy it's on.

P.S. I had to get that last shot in now that the seasons over. I think that's what Miguel intended knowing some of us will to into hybernation until that summer heat and the smell of that Saint Augustines comes a callin. enjoy the rest of 2008 and see ya next year i'm out.

What a completely nonsensical argument. Typical response as a result of consistent losing. According to that line of thinking everyone should be begging to be dropped to division 13. Ridiculous.

So because RHP won a 'ship in their division, that makes them more deserving of a higher ranking than Pac-5 "failures" such as Tesoro, Orange Lutheran, Servite, Lakewood, Amat, Edison, etc. or for that matter ANY other teams in much higher divisions? If that were the case the LA Times Top 25 should be reduced to the Top 13 and they can place each CIF winner accordingly. Interestingly enough half or more than half of the CIF champions haven't even been given a SNIFF on the LA Times list, and they shouldn't. A top 25 or top 10 team is just that.....a TOP team, meaning the BEST teams. Hell Crespi didn't even make the playoffs and they would wipe the floor with all the teams in the WSGV.

Look, I'm proud of schools like RHP and Rosemead who fought hard to get where they did, they must be congratulated on successful seasons and in fact have been acknowleded by many fine folk on this blog. In addition they are also properly recognized by recieving CIF championship and runner-up plaques for their respective divisions, that's where the appropriate acknowledgement lies.

In all reality a school like RHP will never be a #1 ranked team in an area filled with bigger schools and better teams. What I appreciate and respect is the fact that the majority of their fan base knows and understands this and they are completely fine with ANY acknowledgement in a top 10 ranking(although some flics in the paper wouldn't hurt, right Miguel?).

If the PHS basketball team were to lose in the playoffs this year in division 1AA and Muir were to win the 'ship in Div IV A, it would be outlandish to say that Muir deserved a higher ranking than the Dogs....they are a superior team, period!

Anyhow, do what you do Miguel...again, the countdown has officially begun.

Golden-
Monumental? Give me a brake buddy...
We beat you guys 3x outta last four years,right?
So you guys made a good run this year and congrats...
But let's be honest who did you guys play in the play-offs???
Give me a brake Golden...
And next season you better not over look ATOWN with just a "pre-season" attitude,cause the Moors got all there horses returning w/ a couple new surprises!
MONUMENTAL? Wow amazing what a couple ez play-off games will do for a spectator!

Miguel

Isn't it funny the bloggers who teams underachieved have the most to complain about. We all season long told you to drop St. Francis down the polls, when you kept them #1. "WE" stated that when league started they would look average, and the dominance they showed against lesser competition would not be the same. Same thing with Muir. Some even labled them as the one and done team. And now, and only now that they have done as predicted, do some say "If we played you we would beat you". Typical responses of dissatisfaction.

My school was the biggest flop of the whole area, but that didn't to stop me from acknowledging the teams that took care of business. Talent wise the schools I mentioned are in a class by themselves, but that talent didn't translate to much come seasons end. Time will eventually come when some of these teams will get a chance to play each other and the favorites will probably win. Until then it doesn't matter what they say. It's about taking care of business and those schools that did are STILL celebrating.

Real,

It does not serve much purpose to debate RHL or mid-valley "strength". You don't hear me yelling "bring on the Stangs" or "we want Serra". We don't have the horses, the guns or the speed to foolishly beg we shoot up 3 notches in competition level.

We do however, seem to consistently get all we can out of what we got. That is not something all schools and teams can say when looking back at years end.

What makes me a fervent supporter of the Temple City football program, top to bottom are a couple things.

1) There is emphasis on self-discipline embedded in the program. Backus and those before him, draw a straight line between your actions and consequences.

2)Football is taught and played as pretty much the simple game it is and should be. Meaning he who blocks and tackles better should win.

This year in particular, you could sense the... "if I do what I am supposed to do... and the guy next to me does what he is supposed to do, we can win this game".

Btw, the fact that Rosemead is the PSN's top-ranked team yet is the Tribune's #8 team doesn't bode well for the WSGV's reputation.

Well Miguel, I can't fault you for trying to ruffle feathers once again. But this list was SO far-fetched SF fans didn't even bother to waste their cyber ink.

Like you, I too was thoroughly disappointed with the Stangs first-round loss. This was a very talented team that was, at the very least, semi-final worthy. Unfortunately, they ran into a VERY hot team in DR. Two teams, CV and Burbank, were CLEARLY inferior to Muir, yet both teams went further in the playoffs in the same division. The luck of the draw.... When you look at it, the Stangs ONLY losses this year came at the hands of one CIF champion and one CIF finalist. Not shabby, but still, Muir fans want and expect more.

As far as hibernating, well, my team lost and it was only right that fans of the other schools got their just due in taking over the blog during their teams playoff runs. I'm sure you might find some folks who were happy to see me gone!

As for the Final top 10, I take the approach of analyzing teams holistically. Strength of schedule, wins and losses, talent, playoff runs, etc. Robledo's top 10 for the ESGV is closely aligned with my way of looking at things. Charter Oak garnered the top sport because they were a VERY good team and they went undefeated all the way through to the championship. Fred ended up putting Amat at #2. In all reality Amat is the better team and would more than likely beat CO. They had MUCH better quality wins than CO by beating the likes of Orange Lutheran, Crespi, and St. Francis, and gave Long Beach Poly ALL they could handle. But it's hard to fault CO, well maybe you can fault their "scheduling coordinator," and they should be the Tribune's #1 team. But at the same time, had tiny La Verne Lutheran ran the table and won a small school 'ship, there is no way they would have been ranked against teams like SH, DR, BA, WC, Rowland, etc.

With that said I believe that because of their championship run and really good overall season Rosemead should earn the top spot. Do I think that both Muir and SF are better teams than Rosemead and would beat the Panthers head-to-head? No question. In fact, if you put Muir and SF in Rosemead's shoes, I believe that both schools certainly walk away with CIF rings. But it didn't happen that way, and the Mead should be rewarded for their joyous ride.

Here's my shot at the Final Top 10:

1. Rosemead- Memorable season for Koffler and the Panthers. Sumler was a man amongst boys.

2. Muir- Really good team that ended up with a tough draw...what else is new! Quick fact:

2004- 2nd round loss to Notre Dame (eventual champs)
2005- 2nd round loss to Notre Dame (eventual champs)
2006- 2nd round loss to Colony (eventual champs)
2008- 1st round loss to DR (CIF finalist)

Such is life....

3. SF- Miguel, you would be insane to not have SF in the top 3. Like the Stangs, SF has some recent history of losing to CIF champs in the playoffs and this year was no different....Quartz Hill beat Mira Costa 14-0 in the Western division title game.

4. Monrovia- The Mid-Valley better watch out...Maddox is building something.

5. TC- This is a tough one considering they lost to both Alhambra and SG, but some very enigmatic losses by both of those teams warrants a lower ranking than TC IMO.

6. Arcadia- TOUGH year! At some point in time, most all programs go through years like this. Aside from the Muir, SF, and Burroughs games the Apaches competed.

7. Duarte- Decent team with a GREAT back in Canada. Can't get over the M-town hump.

8. San Marino- Great start, tough finish.

9. Maranatha- Good team that should step up its level of competition....look no further than what that has done for a school like Diamond Ranch. With St. Maggie's and Harry Welch firmly implanted in this division the Natha MUST play stronger teams to prepare them for their annual matchups with Welch and Co.

10. RHP- My La Verne Lutheran comment above fits in perfectly with RHP. The bottom line is the Kares would lose to most of the teams above because of numbers, but this past weekend I heard a VERY impressive Rio Hondo statistic.....they have the most CIF football championships behind Long Beach Poly! That's awesome for such a small school!!!

Btw, great job this year Miguel. As any rookie there were peaks and valleys, but your hard work and enthusiasm (along with your ability to stoke the flames now and again) were greatly appreiciated. Keep up the good work and the countdown to next year officially begins. Time for hoops....see you at the gym!

Hey Miguel,

How abou this? TCHS drops Arroyo, Rosemead, or La Salle and "schedules up" to St. Francis. SF ended TC's 44 game winning streak in the 70's. Packed house on the hill or packed house on TC Blvd. = BIG GATE (Cha Ching $$$$$!)This eliminates possible CIF double games such as Arroyo 2x. The AD or Principal @ TCHS can't think forward. Heck, they can't even think period. However, this would be great Friday Football material. Backus would play those guys! Bonds knows the value of a good gate. What do you say?

Hey Miguel,
You seem to have big issues with St Francis. Talk to Scott Galetti and ask him to school you a little bit about strength of schedule and the divisions of football. Let's see some of your top 10 play Alemany, Crespi, St. Paul, Bishop Amat, (schools that recruit and SF does not really recruit),etc...not taking away from any of these teams in your top 10. But you look kind of silly leaving SF (6-4)off your list completely and saying "nobody" deserves to be on the list.

This year was a not so good year for the Almont league all together, maybe the best year was 07 with Alhambra, SG, Schurr and BG doing well. But expect alot more upcoming season for it will be all Almont next year!

Hey Miguel,

The Rams thank you for the #2 ranking. Realistically, the Rams are a #4 or a #5 but still worthy of a BCS bowl. I prefer a warm climate, say the Fiesta Bowl vs. #7 Maranatha. Yes, Joe Apache, the Rams were a hard nosed bunch and that was a direct reflection of their coach...Randy Backus. He was the person that shaped that team starting last Feb. with a dedicated weight lifting and agility program, mandatory study hall, and team building/bonding activities. From what I heard, Backus told the FB staff that a tie w/ LC guaranteed a playoff spot with no coin flip. The Ram's defense was superb down the playoff stretch allowing 67 points in RHL play, holding Arroyo to only 6 points, shutting out #2 seed Azusa, and going toe to toe with eventual champion Paraclete. Who put that defense together, along with the special teams, from spring football in May through the tough nights of November? Yeah, it was that guy! Backus deserves better than what the TCUSD and the administration at TCHS is doing. what a travesty.

The RHL gets way to much credit in this blog. But you guys are the subscription base so we make allowances.

Pac League Ob;

La Serna is not a week team 9-2 coming out of the Del Rio is nothing to look down your nose at. La Serna, Santa Fe and Cal High would have a big say in the playoffs if they where in the the Mid Valley Division as would the Almont league. In fact switch out the Miramonte League and put in the Almont and Del Rio into the Mid Valley and now where talking about some playoffs that would excite the area and bragging rights would be settled. Equals playing equals. Let the boys fight it out.

Sorry I took the "What if" part of it to be an insult.

the real hsfbfan,

Thats great news! But are those two kids going to stay in the program. Besides them, is there a good group on the offensive line? Any size?

Seems to me you have to have more than one guy and I think this year proved it.

ZEKE

Thanx for the support on Prep. This lets others know that Prep worked just as hard as anyone to achieve the ultimate team goal. None of us are STUPID not to know what schools have the most talent. But talent didn't get them the hardware. Acknowledging prep shows that the little schools are not forgotten

APACHE JOE
IF YOU HAD READ MY POST CORRECTLY IT IS THE TOP 10 PLAYOFF RUN.
THE NEXT LIST IS THE TOP 10 HEAD TO HEAD.
I AM LOOKING AT THIS SEASON AND THIS SEASON ONLY, SO ARCADIA IS LUCKY TO EVEN BE MENTIONED ON MY TOP 10.
AND UNTIL RHP DECIDES TO PLAY MORE AREA TEAMS, I DONT THINK THEY HAVE THE DEPTH.

MY NEXT POST IS TOP 10 HIGH SCHOOL RECRUITING CLASSES????? JUST KIDDING

"The team you saw in week 3, morphed 20 times on both offense and defense, then jelled against La Salle, and the rest is why the Rams went to the Semi's for the first time in 10 years. They lost to the team that beat Rosemead, I can live with that."

Golden,
No the AHS game wasn't a benchmark because you guys lost to SG the next week. I'm not trying to say T.C. was not good but the rio hondo league isn't that tough.
compared to other area leagues.
Rio Hondo vs. below average almont-
t.c-(o-2)lost to ahs & sg
s.p.(1-3)beat mk lost to ahs,sg
l.c.- lost to ahs
s.m. beat s.g
plus monrovis got hammered by Arcadia.Isn't it funny how two teams that did not make the playoffs in their own league would have made the playoffs had they been in the rio hondo.(Arcadia & Alhambra)
just my opinion and I think t.c has a fine football program. Just my opiniom.

*writing

Zeke,

Give me a break, your saying that RHP would beat St. Francis, Muir or Arcadia?

Wow.

RHP would maybe beat 7 of the teams on the top 10 and thats being generous.

Zeke,

Give me a break, your saying that RHP would be St. Francis, Muir or Arcadia?

Wow.

RHP would maybe beat 7 of the teams on the top 10 and thats being generous.

Real,

A couple things...their was nothing wrong or weak about Muir's line play. Drawing a very strong DR team in round 1 was what quickly ousted the Stangs.

You need to open your mind to how the area's best teams gauge their success. It is obvious the week 3 win by AHS against the Rams was a monumental benchmark to you. It was just a preleague game to TC. The team you saw in week 3, morphed 20 times on both offense and defense, then jelled against La Salle, and the rest is why the Rams went to the Semi's for the first time in 10 years. They lost to the team that beat Rosemead, I can live with that.

We can talk "What IF" all day.
Top 10 Area Playoff run

1. RIO HONDO PREP (10-3)
2. ROSEMEAD (11-3)
3. MONROVIA (10-3)
4. TEMPLE CITY (7-5-1)
5. MARANATHA (11-2)
6. DUARTE (6-6)
7. MUIR (9-2)
8. ST.FRANCIS (6-5)
9. SAN MARINO (8-3)
10. SAN GABRIEL (5-6)

What IF...
Top 10 Head to Head
1. ST.FRANCIS (6-5)
2. MUIR (9-2)
3. ROSEMEAD (11-3)
4. ARCADIA (4-6)
4. MONROVIA (10-3)
5. SAN MARINO (8-3)
6. ALHAMBRA (5-5)
6. SAN GABRIEL (5-6)
7. TEMPLE CITY (7-5-1)
8. AZUSA (10-2)
9. DUARTE (6-6)
10. MARANATHA (10-2)
11. RIO HONDO PREP -12x CIF CHAMPIONS-

HEY, JUST MY OPINION!

Miguel,
Are you trying to be like T.J. SImmers and write stuff to get people talking about you blog/column? Reeaaally...Really, you have Muir at #6? Yesthey lost in the first round, which you state is why you placed them where they are. However, they were defeated by a team that went to the championship. It wasn't some chump team. I can't believe you really believe San Gabriel should have done more in the playoffs. The Almont League was weak and it showed. All the teams got rolled in the 1st round, includng San Gabriel getting blown out by a weak La Serna team. You truly believe San Gabriel could beat St. Francis? They both got eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, so you don't have your run in the playoff reasoning to justify your ranking on this one. Not having St. Francis in your top 10 is absurd. Put their schedule up against anyone in your top 9 and see how they do. Miguel, this offseason, try to find some time to come up with your own righting style i.e. not T.J. Simmers and learn some football.

Sorry!

That was me below. I know the rule on anons.

Witness

If you notice in the post, I acknowledged that Prep would lose to these teams on the field, but in the spirit of having fun with this ranking, I figured if you got the jewelry, then you're the best. Alot of times when teams miss out on title games, the team they could have beaten had won the whole thing. But in the world of wins and loses it's who's left standing in the end. With Rio Hondo winning a title for this area we need to give them the "RED CARPET" treatment. If the Star News gave a plaque for being #1, then there would be alot of things up for discussion. Since this is a mythical ranking then let the little guys step out of the big boys shadow. They earned it.

The true top 10:
1) Rosemead- Could match up with anyone and went the furthest.
2) Muir- Speed, Speed,Speed. If only the got line play.
3)St. Francis- Tough schedule, Could beat anyone in the Area.
4) Monrovia- Good year but lost when they played tough teams. The rio hondo league was weak. But they have athletes.
5) Arcadia- Injuries doomed their season but if they were in the Rio Hondo League and the Mid Valley division they would have easily been a semi-final team
6) Alhambra- 2-0 vs Rio Hondo teams and Beat S.G. In a tough league and division. Injuries plagued them in the middle of the season.Should be really solid next year.
7) San Gabriel- Tough well, coached team. Same as Alhambra but AHS beat them. These two are interchangeable.
8) Temple City- Lost to S.G. and A.H.S. Were the benficiary of a weak Rio Hondo League and a very favorable CIF draw. Beat the teams they should have. Again lost to S.G. And A.H.S.
9) Rio hondo Prep- CIF CHAMPS yes, but would lose to all teams ahead of them.
10) Maranatha- Good team with an excellent Q.B.

NY,

Mayor of the Twilight Zone.... now that is a career choice I can live with.

Desert Rat,

If Yortsos does draw a suspension for participating in a fight, you should pray the judge does not ask a jury of peers to detail the level of sportsmanship which Paraclete extended him and all other teams they met in CIF.
Ask any crew who officiated, any coaching staff who participated or any player who got reps, Paraclete was the absolute king of cheap shots, taunting and assorted play considered outside of normal hard hitting competitive football. This is fact, not an ounce of sour grapes included.

Clearly the Spirits won the "Flying Yellow Rag" trophy in a landslide. Blind siding guys walking back to the huddle, clipping lineman 40 yds behind an interception,
spitting on players in a pile up. None of that is about winning. Don't concern yourself with Yortsos, the SM coaching staff will assure that IF his actions were out of line - they will not be repeated without serious consequence. Undisciplined play can be "coached out" of the good players, providing the coaching staff establishes the concept early on.

It is your back yard (the one with cactus)that needs a clean-up and off season review.

NY,

Mayor of the Twilight Zone.... now that is a career choice I can live with.

Desert Rat,

If Yortsos does draw a suspension for participating in a fight, you should pray the judge does not ask a jury of peers to detail the level of sportsmanship which Paraclete extended him and all other teams they met in CIF.
Ask any crew who officiated, any coaching staff who participated or any player who got reps, Paraclete was the absolute king of cheap shots, taunting and assorted play considered outside of normal hard hitting competitive football. This is fact, not an ounce of sour grapes included.

Clearly the Spirits won the "Flying Yellow Rag" trophy in a landslide. Blind siding guys walking back to the huddle, clipping lineman 40 yds behind an interception,
spitting on players in a pile up. None of that is about winning. Don't concern yourself with Yortsos, the SM coaching staff will assure that IF his actions were out of line - they will not be repeated without serious consequence. Undisciplined play can be "coached out" of the good players, providing the coaching staff establishes the concept early on.

It is your back yard (the one with cactus)that needs a clean-up and off season review.

Are these rankings the top 10 best teams of the playoffs? Or is this really a list of the best teams if they matched up? I know that would never happen but I really can't see this being the order of the 10 best teams in the area based on everything that should go into rankings. Just thinking back on the previous top 10 what is the criteria for the rankings ? I dont want to sound like im complaining. This is my best source for area football because I no longer live in SoCal and I am just wondering what happened?
thanks

Are these rankings the top 10 best teams of the playoffs? or is this list really a list of the best teams all year, if they matched up? I know that would never happen but I really can't see these being the order of the 10 best teams in the area based on everything that should go into rankings. Just thinking back on the previous top 10 what goes into the rankings ?

MADD DOGG,

Your comment defies logic. Making Rio Hondo Prep the top team in the area because they won a small school CIF division title is the eqivalent of crowning Minnesota Duluth, who won its first ever NCAA Division II football championship over Northwest Missouri State the national champions.

Do you honestly think that USC, who lost to Oregon State or Oklahoma who lost to Texas, or Alabama who lost to Florida should be ranked below Minnesota Duluth because the upper crust "could not handle their division?"

I am a Prep league fan; however, we are a small school division. Our schools consist of players who are bright and talented, but let's not let the excitment of a CIF championship cloud our sound rationale.

Congratulations Rio Hondo Prep on an outstanding season, and your 4th place Pasadena Star News ranking. You are still ranked ahead of some very tough teams.

Continued success.....

Hey Miguel,

Thanks for the high ranking. Although, there is no way we are #2. More like #4 or #5 but still in a BCS Bowl @ a warm site (Fiesta vs Maranatha?). Yes Joe Apache, the Rams were a hard nosed bunch shaped by their coach...Randy Backus. He was the one who started the ball rolling back last Feb. with off season conditioning, wieghts, and mandatory study hall. Backus was the one @ 6 am workouts pushing the boys, forging their iron will. From what I heard, Backus told the staff prior to the LC game that a tie gets them into the CIF playoffs with no coin flip possibilities. Lastly, the stout Ram Defense that held Arroyo to 6 points, shut out #2 seed Azusa, and went toe to toe with Paraclete was reflection of Backus:well coached.

Apache Joe,

Arcadia has a ton of talent coming up. I am talking about big time players! They had the best freshman team since coach dimlante has been at arcadia. Two freshman even played varsity. I think they lost to Loyola's "A" freshman team by a TD. next year, they will be somewhat better making the playoffs at the very least, but two years from now, they will have the talent to make a good CIF run.

I meant to include RHP alongside Charter Oak. I hope Mr. Finchamp will forgive me.

Miguel

winning a championship should automatically make you #1 so Rio Hondo Prep deserves to be the top team in the area. Just like you said about Muir when it came time to take care of business Prep did. No other team in this top 10 has a c.i.f title. We all know that these other teams would beat Prep but they didn't handle their division the way prep did thiers. solid argument. Remember it's all about the rings!

Elias:
This polling is a bit like Chicago politics. Hence Goldenarm's title of mayor and Temple City's gravity-defying #2 ranking. Clearly StangFan was only willing to give "appreciation". So Miguel finally broke the Stangs stranglehold on a top ranking at the end of the season. If we are still looking for a team to round out the top 10 (I'm sure Golden Knights fans would rather not be mentioned at all than be ranked #10).
So staying within the twilight zone that produced the ranking above let me suggest:

- Blair - they finished the season with a victory. Who else did that??? Only Charter Oak, right???

- PHS - they played a close game against the Stangs (who lost to a CIF finalist) and almost got their second victory.

- Coin flip between Marshall and La Salle. Why? They are both in Pasadena. Have you checked the name of this paper lately?

How is TC ahead of Monrovia? Monrovia beat them head to head. Both teams were semifinalists but again there's always that head to head thing. Muir is way too low. The Stangs lost to DR who advanced to the CIF Finals.

Just an OT comment about San Marino. If memory serves me right, Steven Yortsos will be suspended the first game of the season for his fight in the Titans last game against Paraclete.

Boston Globe?!?! And you referred to Palmdale as frigid? Be straight with us...

Don't you have to pay to be the Mayor?

That's a good list Miguel, you should make a list soon about teams that ought to be the top 10 all year round next season....

1. Rosemead - Title game. End of story.

2. Muir - The most talented team in the area. Too bad it didn't show in the playoffs but boy did the have some players.

3. St. Francis - D-Riley and his boys played the toughest schedule to boot.

4. Monrovia - Semifinals is a tough road no matter what. Talent and really developed into a good team. It will be interesting to see what Maddox can do with a big drop off in talent. (Williams gone, Cole gone, replace much of the O-line)

5. Temple City - Hard nosed football team that played great to the end!

6. Duarte - As Miguel said, had Canada been healthy it could have been a whole different ballgame.

7. San Marino - Played well throughout the year, too bad they got rocked towards the end.

8. Rio Hondo Prep - CIF Championship. 'Nuff said.

9. Maranatha - 10-2 is a great year. Good job Minutemen. Good luck replacing Schilz.

10. Arcadia - I know this team was depleted to the end but they were good when healthy. Woulda Coulda Shoulda. Dimalante has a tough road ahead of him for the future. I just don't see the talent at Arcadia anymore.

me...a co-Mayor of the Blog?

While I am sure The Stang Fan would be an outstanding running mate, I am not sure I would get past the background check, before you media guys torched me in a scandalous front page feature.

Somewhere between the first DMV and IRS printouts -Mayor Goldenarm would be withdrawing to "pursue goals outside the realm of politics. Despite his grief upon hearing the news, Stang Fan would remain committed, teaming with new running mate...Huck, and God knows Pasadena would never be the same again.

While I must admit this season really got my blood pumping and led me here time and again to discuss fball and local teams - I humbly pass the Mayor title to anyone....somebody...anybody...please take it, please...Muddy...it could be your calling!

Miguel's my buddy, but no way is Muir not No. 2. I think he's been working too hard.

Whitey,

Don't forget I also have The Boston Globe on my resume. I bet that's really killing you.

You think you're so good buddy why don't you have a crack at the rankings, eh?

Is there any offers for Tre Sumler on the Table from any universities? I heard he he does not have any grades so they are staying away from him. Is there any truth to that?

Thanks Miguel for the Rosemead props, I wish Fred would open his eyes like you. Thats why I prefer the Star News over the Tribune anytime.

are you kidding me? Rio Hondo Prep and Maranantha, numbers 4 and 7 on your poll? you've got to be kidding me,they are barely better than the 8 man teams, what a complete joke this is,you might have been at the OC Rag for a few years, but you're in the minor leagues now, and sinking fast

At least Muir knows what to do to toughen up their schedule for next year. Based on these final Star News rankings they should add Rio Hondo Prep and Maranatha right away.

Apparently there is no need to add St. Francis.

Anything to get you back on the blog, Stang Fan. Now that you're here don't you go back to hibernating. You and Goldenarm are like the Mayors of the blog. Can't have hooligans running this city.

As far as Muir's ranking, lets face it: they didn't put up when it came time to put up, and that's what these final rankings are based on.

Cute Miguel.....real cute. You definitely know how to get people on to your blog. Can't hate on you for that!

For the first time all year,
I do not care for Alhambra to be on this list
because we don't deserve to be.
Even though we beat TC,LC,and SG,who cares...
It's all about 2009!

Miguel, can you get access to the RH League's awards for the All League Team members? I heard of one kid from SP that was all league on O and D.

JAB

i think that was what NY was alluding to...in his ny state of mind, of course

this is a tough list to even think of producing with any kind of rhyme, reason or accuracy - aggravation OF SOMEONE is guaranteed.

A last gasp of fball web traffic....damn that sounds depressing. I can't wait for the next lengthy softball/travel ball argument to fill the air.

(that was my effort to start some trash)
sorry chkyrself

You had St. Francis in the top 10 all year... they deserve to be there... even though they ran into a tough schedule

Interesting final rankings...are you taking my approach of provoking responses in order to generate some more web traffic???

I fully agree that by season's end, each of these ten teams would beat St. Francis....

For the 10 spot I would probably add La Canada, who played M-town tough and put a scare into TC's playoff hopes..and could have figured into CIF play were it not for the 2 point conversion call by Tim Loya, executed with precision by the Rams. An exciting sister-kisser for TC - but an emotional and disapointing game for the Spartans.

LC could again be in the mix in 09.