Note: Writing in today’s paper that Temple City dropped La Salle from its schedule was a typo on my part. I must have had La Salle on my mind yesterday (baseball, calling coach Peterson, etc.) and it just slipped. Temple City dropped San Gabriel, not La Salle. Thanks to those who pointed it out to me and left comments and messages on my inbox and voicemail. On another note, I had no idea how much I missed covering high school football. It surprised the heck out of me. With baseball/softball playoffs underway (along with swimming, tennis and track) it’s almost impossible to write 2-3 stories a day plus cover the blog AND be on top of spring ball. Bare with me a little and I’ll bring you guys some more football news as I get to talking with more coaches. I put in a call to Monrovia, La Salle, Muir and Pasadena. The Arcadia-TC story hopefully got the ball rolling
They’re calling it the “Brawl for The Mall.”
It doesn’t exactly scream crosstown rivalry per se, but for now it’ll suffice.
Temple City High School dropped San Gabriel from its football schedule this season and will instead play Arcadia in Week 3.
This series is not new, though its seemingly long absence sure makes it feel that way.
“I’ve been here 14 years now, so when I was here that was always a big rivalry game,” Apaches coach Jon Dimalante said. “It took a little rest because it got out of hand.”
Dimalante will stick to his true colors as an Apache but still will be somewhat at a crossroads being that he lives in Temple City.
“It’ll be exciting for both programs,” he said. “When we’re not playing against them I wish them success.”
On one end of the field will be Dimalante, a veteran in the coaching ranks, well-known and highly respected by his colleagues.
On the other side of the field will be Rams coach Anthony White, who is in his first job as a head coach.
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“I haven’t met coach White yet but I’m sure he’s a good guy,” Dimalante said.
White moved swiftly to fill the coaching vacancies with reputable coaches and got right to work by putting together a rigorous offseason workout program.
“I haven’t followed it too closely to tell you the truth,” Dimalante admitted. “But everything I’ve heard about him is positive. I’m sure he’s going to be fired up for his first head coaching job, and I wish him well.”
Not every team is practicing at full strength. Many players are involved with track and baseball.
For the time being, the Apaches during the offseason are concentrating on strengthening their rush production since senior standout Todd Golper will play Saturdays for UCLA.
Arcadia very well could see two talented running backs share duties.
Sophomore David Maldonado, who started a few games last year and showed glimpses of elusive speed, will be joined by freshman Rodney Arnett in the backfield.
“They’re both very quick,” Dimalante said. “We’ve always had great tailbacks and when you don’t have it you can really feel that.”
When Golper’s injury sidelined him for the last part of the season, the Apaches relied heavily on the arm of junior quarterback Garret Tuck. He’s Arcadia’s No. 2 pitcher.
Without Golper in the backfield, the Apaches became a one-dimensional team and were exposed on the pass rush.
“Hopefully, David and Rodney will get bigger and stronger and continue to make strides in the offseason and in the weight room so they can be ready to help us,” Dimalante said.
Arcadia so far is scheduled to play in the Marina passing tournament on July 18 in Orange County, though more are expected to be scheduled once Tuck’s baseball season ends.
“We’re real excited about him,” Dimalante said. “We want him to focus on baseball. He’s doing such a nice job over there.
“We’re excited to see Tuck’s confidence and development over the summer; we’re looking for big things from him this year.”
New coach at Keppel
Bobby Madrid has taken over a struggling Aztecs program that has not won in nearly four years.
Madrid, also the school’s softball coach, becomes the school’s fourth coach since Keppel’s winless streak began.
“(Madrid) is a Keppel alumni, knows how to win and he’s worked with all the freshman, which I think is great for transition,” Keppel athletic director Ismael Perez said.
