Football: Catching up with the Almont League
Hardly anything went according to plan in Almont League football last season.
What was supposed to be one of Alhambra High School's most talented football teams faltered to a fifth-place finish in league.
San Gabriel was supposed to challenge for the top spot and finished second to Schurr after finishing 3-2 in league before a 42-14 drubbing by La Serna in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division playoffs.
Keppel was determined to snap its 27-game losing streak. The goal will be the same this upcoming season but the streak is at 37.
Hardly anything went according to plan, but that's the beauty of summer. It means a clean slate and time to make everything right.
It starts with several passing leagues for the Moors, who finished 5-5 overall last season and did not make the playoffs.
Alhambra played in the Crescenta Valley Tournament and also is scheduled to play in the East Los Angeles College Tournament on July 16-18.
The Moors host a passing game today against South Pasadena and Don Bosco Tech beginning at 4 p.m. on Alhambra's Fourth Street field. On Wednesday, the Moors are at St. Francis.
Alhambra is hoping to build on the arm of senior-to-be Darian Cazarin, who threw for 2,209 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. He also was intercepted 12 times.
Cazarin no doubt is talented but needs to use the run in order to give Alhambra's offense another much-needed dimension. And with the return of Mitchell Crockom, the Moors could have a true balanced attack. New Mexico State, UNLV, Idaho and Washington all have shown interest in him.
"But it's still early for the Pac-10," said Alhambra coach Gil Ruedaflores, who is entering his 21st season. "They want to wait and see how he does in the season, but Washington is very much interested."
Ruedaflores said he's excited about the maturity and progression of junior-to-be Vailele Peko.
"He's getting bigger and stronger," Ruedaflores said. "He's got a good sense of leadership on his shoulder. You're going to see him as a utility man, splitting time at running back and wide receiver. He's also very good on defense at corner, safety and linebacker.
"Very versatile, and in high school you rarely get that kind of kid."
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San Gabriel coach Keith Jones is not a big fan of passing league tournaments, which is why you won't see the Matadors competing this summer.
"I hate the way people play those things," Jones said. "You don't get much work and everybody tries to win those things instead of doing what works for them. People start to do stuff they normally wouldn't do on a Friday night.
"I want my quarterback to read (defenses) and face a true situation of what's going to happen Friday night."
The Matadors return senior-to-be Isaac Valdez, arguably the best returning quarterback in the West San Gabriel Valley.
He completed almost 64 percent of his passes and was the Star-News' first-team quarterback after throwing for 2,754 yards and 16 touchdowns. The 5-foot-7 Valdez displayed also ran for 650 yards and six touchdowns.
"I'm getting really excited to see this kid play," Jones said. "Every year he's matured. He leaped in maturity from his sophomore to junior year and he's made an even bigger jump this off-season.
"He's stronger, throwing the long ball and (has accuracy). He's putting the kids in great situations. Hopefully, he makes my job easy."
San Gabriel's backfield depth is intact with the return of Fabio Amaro, Arthur Brown and newcomer Thomas Niebla.
First-year Keppel coach Bobby Madrid, also the school's softball coach, steps into a high level of uncertainty.
When Raul Solis took over as coach last year, he said "teams are going to have to prepare for us. We're not going to be cupcakes this year."
Madrid has taken a more humble approach and acknowledged a lot of work lies ahead.
miguel.melendez@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4485
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
Well BG has been coming as a runner up in the Almont League the past years and the players and coaches have had enough of it. This year BG has changed a lot, we've grown significantly both mentally and phisically. The team is the strongest they've ever been. This is going to be a whole different year for BG and the Almont League. BG was known as the hardest hitting team out there and where bringing it back. Schurr, montebello, alhambra, Sg, and Mk will get a glimpse of the real BG, the BG thats been gone for some time and they wont like what they'll see. The real CHAMPS are back and where staying.
Well BG has been coming as a runner up in the Almont League the past years and the players and coaches have had enough of it. This year BG has changed a lot, we've grown significantly both mentally and phisically. The team is the strongest they've ever been. This is going to be a whole different year for BG and the Almont League. BG was known as the hardest hitting team out there and where bringing it back. Schurr, montebello, alhambra, Sg, and Mk will get a glimpse of the real BG, the BG thats been gone for some time and they wont like what they'll see. The real CHAMPS are back and where staying.
Well BG has been coming as a runner up in the Almont League the past years and the players and coaches have had enough of it. This year BG has changed a lot, we've grown significantly both mentally and phisically. The team is the strongest they've ever been. This is going to be a whole different year for BG and the Almont League. BG was known as the hardest hitting team out there and where bringing it back. Schurr, montebello, alhambra, Sg, and Mk will get a glimpse of the real BG, the BG thats been gone for some time and they wont like what they'll see. The real CHAMPS are back and where staying.
Well BG has been coming as a runner up in the Almont League the past years and the players and coaches have had enough of it. This year BG has changed a lot, we've grown significantly both mentally and phisically. The team is the strongest they've ever been. This is going to be a whole different year for BG and the Almont League. BG was known as the hardest hitting team out there and where bringing it back. Schurr, montebello, alhambra, Sg, and Mk will get a glimpse of the real BG, the BG thats been gone for some time and they wont like what they'll see. The real CHAMPS are back and where staying.
Well BG has been coming as a runner up in the Almont League the past years and the players and coaches have had enough of it. This year BG has changed a lot, we've grown significantly both mentally and phisically. The team is the strongest they've ever been. This is going to be a whole different year for BG and the Almont League. BG was known as the hardest hitting team out there and where bringing it back. Schurr, montebello, alhambra, Sg, and Mk will get a glimpse of the real BG, the BG thats been gone for some time and they wont like what they'll see. The real CHAMPS are back and where staying.
Well BG has been coming as a runner up in the Almont League the past years and the players and coaches have had enough of it. This year BG has changed a lot, we've grown significantly both mentally and phisically. The team is the strongest they've ever been. This is going to be a whole different year for BG and the Almont League. BG was known as the hardest hitting team out there and where bringing it back. Schurr, montebello, alhambra, Sg, and Mk will get a glimpse of the real BG, the BG thats been gone for some time and they wont like what they'll see. The real CHAMPS are back and where staying.
this is nonsense you would think people would know by now that schurr is the 1 seed coming out of the almont league 6 years and still they dont realize it
san gabriels defense will be suspect again this year like it is everyyear alhambrawill be pretty descent likw they are everyyear san gabriel not having a go to receiveer will be suspect as well with valdez not having the best arm in the world almont league is going to possibly look like this
1.schurr
2.belll gardens
3.possibly alhambra or san gabriel
this is nonsense you would think people would know by now that schurr is the 1 seed coming out of the almont league 6 years and still they dont realize it
san gabriels defense will be suspect again this year like it is everyyear alhambrawill be pretty descent likw they are everyyear san gabriel not having a go to receiveer will be suspect as well with valdez not having the best arm in the world almont league is going to possibly look like this
1.schurr
2.belll gardens
3.possibly alhambra or san gabriel
im not too sure about schurr now! all cif WR angel sanchez out with a broken foot, QB aaron cantu wit a broken hand, hear ILB chridtian Madrid got knocked out at passing league, isnt that 3-3yrs. sounds like a ? now too, and a very young team wit not too much experience! and 3 new coaches on staff. alhabram is a coin flip! always got talent, always finds a way not to pull it out, 1-2 new coaches. montebello has to prove it can contend, all new varsity staff, nothing changes at BG, always brings it! SG wit the addition of Randy sanchez (Schurr DC 06' CIF team) on the defensive side of the ball should be very interesting!! MK well lets try to get 1!
Real Democrat,
Yes indeed Schurr will be a factor...
Every team in the Almont league will be a factor
with the exception of MK.
They got a new head coach so hopefully they can get a very much needed win.
Alhambra is loaded w/ skill this year,
if the upfront guys can put it together
they will be a very very good team.
Watched them throw against St. Francis today,
and was very impressed.
Especially Vai Peco that kid is something special
on both sides of the ball.
Of coarse Mitchell does what he always does,
and theres another Wr they got don't now his name,
great route runner and great hands.I'm also very impressed w/ Cazzarin's arm strength and confidence.
Brandon Wison ILB/FB how can you not be impressed
about 6'1 240 lbs he's gonna be a load in pads.
Really like what I see so far for A.H.S.
I think what he ment was not a fan of tournaments!!! Not passing league games but tournys...San Gabriel coach Keith Jones is not a big fan of passing league tournaments, which is why you won't see the Matadors competing this summer. I put it there so you could see it...
I think what he ment was not a fan of tournaments!!! Not passing league games but tournys...
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ALHAMBRA WINS THE ALMONT 100%
What about Schurr? Are they gonna be a factor in the league race?
The almont league really disappointed me this year. Good luck to the almont!
Coach Jones not being a fan of passing league is like saying USC is not a fan of giving gifts to its student-athletes. San gabriel has been throwing in passing leagues since april or May. Who is he trying to kid?
Alhambra should have a very skilled team this year. GA who did you hear the "I" word about?