Football: Koffler impressed with West's talent, anoints Tra Sumler the "best player in the whole SGV"

Rueben Thomas is going to New Mexico State in the Fall, see attached link. he is Grey shirting his first year. he was recruited by DeWayne Walker as a DB. I have not heard that Marquise Williams is going to any four-year school, maybe a JC?

http://www.nmstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=9528&SPID=583&DB_OEM_ID=1900&ATCLID=3650908

STANG!

Just curious... where is Rueben Thomas going next year
and where can I watch his highlight?

Is Marquise Willams going to Az State? What's is story? Or, is he going to a JC.

Is Marquise Willams going to Az State? What's is story? Or, is he going to a JC.

Trojan man,
Here’s a list of notable RBs in the past 4 seasons from the SGV that made noise.

James Davis Monrovia
Shawn Sparks Monrovia
Adduarius Bailey Arcadia
William Do TC
Swight Broadnax TC
LaVelle Peterson LC
Willie Youngblood Muir
Tra Sumler Rosemead
Marquise Williams Monrovia

James Davis is the only one that his playing at the D1 level. If tra's studies is the only thing holding him back, hopefully he can get his stuff together in the classroom @ PCC so he can represent the SGV and make us all proud.

Trojan man,
Here’s a list of notable RBs in the past 4 seasons from the SGV that made noise.

James Davis Monrovia
Shawn Sparks Monrovia
Adduarius Bailey Arcadia
William Do TC
Swight Broadnax TC
LaVelle Peterson LC
Willie Youngblood Muir
Tra Sumler Rosemead
Marquise Williams Monrovia

James Davis is the only one that his playing at the D1 level. If tra's studies is the only thing holding him back, hopefully he can get his stuff together in the classroom @ PCC so he can represent the SGV and make us all proud.

I AM DONE ! I was just posting saying that ALOT has been made of Golper .Let the man play 1 GAME @ ucla .No Trojan bias here , I'll be pro... he is an SGV product & he is friends with a few of my nephews. Got it jjiemeniz ... ASK ANYONE , I mean NO HARM TO ANYONE, ENOUGH OF THIS! I AM GOING TO THE RIVER !

Fight On
Tm

Rosemead is literally the fourth best football team in the E.S.G.V. PERIOD! Charter Oak, Bishop Amat, and South Hills are a better program and team with better athletes and coaches! GAME OVER..!

You have to look at the facts!look at Golper track record. At every camp he went to he shined, sulmer was not even mention until late in the year. /olper was offer scholarships as a junior . What did sulmer do as a junior? Was Sulmer on defense? Just an FYI Rueben Thomas is the best player in Valley . Go watch the highlight tape. P.S Golper is clearly better

Why is it that the topics for the newspaper vs internet differ? Newspaper says Koeffler impressed with Williams and the Internet says Koeffler anoints Sumler as best player? huh? So which one is he really for?

Trojan man,

Have you ever seen Todd Golper compete? Goldenarm has. I have. Moneytalks has. Stangfan has.

Golper plays inside liinebacker, and no one has ever said he is a fantastic athlete. He is a great football player, fundamentally sound, instinctual and plays with fanatical effort and exemplifies great leadership skills. He is athletic to an extent but he is 6'1 230. Tra Sumler is 6'1 185 pounds? That's a 45 pound difference to players who play completely different positions.

Remember, playing inside linebacker doesn't mean you have to be the most athletic guy on the field, of course it would help but look at Zach Thomas. The knock on him was he was too small, too slow and too unathletic and he quite possibly could be a HOFamer someday.

I do think there is some Trojan bias into your arguements. That or you don't truly understand football positions.

seems like rosemead staff rather get kids on the tea,m that are suppossed to be on the east side, (st. paul kids played on east side in years past) then get players in our own back yard. goes to show you type of coaches over there at rosemead. look at all the players at private or LA City schools on the roster, those players have their own all-star games to play in.

guess we'll see a true East vs, West game next yr

NY,

I remember the ol' Shrine game and all the talent that played in the HOF game. I'm not sure if the players know about Brownfield's legacy with the game, but if they do it isn't enough to get them to play in the game. One thing I have heard is that the HOF game limits players from every school to 3, and other games don't have those restrictions. Yet, on the HOF roster there are 4 St. Paul players, so go figure. There were 5 kids on the All-CIF team from Muir: Thomas, Campbell, Graves, Mills on the 1st team and Jacobs on the 2nd team. Why none of them are playing, I have NO idea...but I wish they were. I'm all about having the best talent on the field, even is some schools are excluded.

JJIMENEZ,

Thank you...

Hey Trojan Man

As a fellow alumnus and 'Mead supporter I don't mean any disrespect but....ease up!!

!!!FEAR THE MEAD!!!WAR PANTHERS!!!

Trojan Man,

Without a doubt, Tra Sumler is a good local football player. Great? No. His type are a dime a dozen in the SGV. A Sumler type of kid always pops up every year in the SGV. Now with Golper, his type comes around every decade or so in the SGV I haven't seen a LB that good in the SGV since Lester Towns of PHS '95. Golper is very highly regarded on a national level as well. He was invited to the army game and also an all star game in Hawaii.

Good luck to both young men.

The SGV does have some talented, tough kids - lets push for more of them getting a shot a ANY next level.

trojan fan

first off, i am pretty sure that arcadia is not "ducking" the panthers. they played pretty good preseason teams last year against st. francis, monrovia, and lynwood that would probably all beat your panthers. Coach Dimalante would never back down from a team.

second, how are you going to tell MoneyTalks to stop running his mouth when you are talking up Tra to be a god, and totally bashing on Golper who is by far the better athlete. Get your facts straight buddy

I am NOT BASHING Golper . I just think ALOT has been made of the kid who has yet to PROVE ANYTHING .His team @ AHS was mediocre @ BEST.Best wishes & I will NOT make another comment regarding Golper .BOTTOM LINE he will be @ UCLA & Tra @ P.C.C. ....

Fight On
TM

Trojan Man,

You are correct in saying Golper has yet to line up to play in the Pac-10.

He suffered a devastating knee injury requiring surgery along with a broken toe which he played on in his senior year. Sometimes, athletes never come back from significant injuries. Sometimes they do.

I don't know if you can truly judge him from what he was as an athlete in his healthy junior season to him now.

I think the Golper-bashing is absurd. What's the point?
The bottom line is that with a limited number of scholarships, a football coach does not make the offer unless he feels the kid has a lot of potential. This goes beyond athletic ability. It also includes the mental and emotional toughness required to go from High School Star to practice/meat squad, but the character to stick with it and reemerge as a starter in a couple years. That's the same type of character that is shown when a kid does not commit stupid penalties or lose focus in a big game.

Sumler is a strong player, but bashing Golper does not make Sumler look any better.

$$$ Talks ...

Golper has YET to play in 1 Pac 10 game . So stop running your mouth . Only time will tell how good Golper is @ a Pac 10 School .And the comparison is LEGIT . Line em up & Tra WILL CRUSH MOST LB's ! Ask anyone & come out Friday night & watch Tra ...

FIGHT ON
TM

$$$ does talk ...I am well aware of that.

Golden Arm: I am afraid I gave you bad info on No. 20 at SP, he graduated. we have a returning running back that is quick and slippery, No. 5 Howard Serrian, he should provide some outside running speed, and has good set of hands. Colliau will be replaced at WR with a bunch of novices from the JV team, so hopefully this summers passing leagues will allow Bednarski and his new receivers to gain some confidence. SP may be going with the spread offense this fall.

Reason: Sad but true, many of these HS athletes do not take the grades and classroom stuff seriously, until its too late, and they realize that the NCAA is serious about grades and SAT scores. Hopefully some of the local talent can get their academic acts straightened out at the JC level and then move on to D1 or D2 schools.

But Tra Does NOT HAVE THE GRADES. He IS NOT A D-I PLAYER. YOU HAVE TO BE GREAT ON THE FIELD and at least marginal in the classroom, he couldnt even do that! Now Koffler tries to pump him up. Sorry should have dont that during class, maybe you could have gottin him out. Gopher put in the work on the field and in the class, that is why he is a D-I athlete and others are going to JC if he even finishes that. you have to go to class in JC to

If Tra Sumler had grades HE WOULD BE D1.

Ability wise a WAY BETTER ATHLETE than Golper . Sorry facts are facts .Tra may not be D1 as a RB BUt with ability as he has SOMEWHER on the field ! Don't take it personal guys , Golper may be a nice kid, but I am not that impressed . If you have not seen Sumler play , I HIGHLY suggest watching him . People made a big deal about San Dimas kids & RHS & Tra HUMBLED them VERY QUICKLY ! Also ask any mid valley team . RHS 2008 was LEGIT ! RHS 2009 is still in question ...

Fight On
TM "NOT oldschool panther

DC at Oaks Christian?

It has been a while from checking out the BLOG. Well, I am back to coaching and looking forward at this coming season.

Coach DAWWGER

Miguel,

Ex-UCLA folk I know disagree with your take that Golper will see "significant" field time this season.
I hope they are wrong, but the Bruins look pretty well stocked in the linebacking corp.

I hope TG shines at UCLA and is not affected by the toe/knee bang-ups he has endured. I still remember watching his efforts at a couple combines...what a rock, well prepared and always focused. A class rep from the SGV.

Regardless of the outcome, I like the fact TC has the Mead on the schedule.

It is a prime league prepartory game, because it is one game you better be ready to give back what you get or expect zero respect in return.

As far as Arcadia dodging the Panthers, bring forth some facts that support it - or toss that crap into the pile labeled complete bullshit.

Arcadia ducking Rosemead?

I've never even heard of them trying to set a game up. Sumler running over Golper? Spot on with that one (what in the world?).

Who knows how Golper will ever be with the knee injury he sustained.

Akil Harris was an absolute beast.

Dietrich is a 5-star talent in my opinion and he will show it this year. If Dietrich specialized in one position he would be, but because of the fact he can play OLB, SS, FS, CB, RB, WR, H, pretty much every position on the field, he doesn't get that 5th star I believe. Dude is ridiculous.

Oldschoolpanther aka trojan man,

Arcadia has never backed down from playing any top teams anywhere. You have to understand that arcadia plays in a league that has 8 teams. They are limited to 3 non league games so I imagine it's difficult. I am glad arcadia finally has monrovia. Like I said, arcadia doesnt back down from comp. In the past they played, Upland, Rancho Cacuamonga, and other great teams.

Stang Fan,

Do those 6 Stangs know that the Godfather of the HoF game was Dr. Brownfield? We need to reinvigorate this game. I played in this game alongside 5 scholarship guys from Muir and three scholies from Arcadia and I think a couple from PHS, just to mention a few.

Why are those guys so attracted to the other game(s)???

Amen to that NY...

I love trips down memory lane. Prior to the Cal-Texas game and Cal-Florida game, the big game was the Shrine Game that matched Northern Cali vs. Southern Cali. Unless a kid made that game, he would play in the HoF.

I'm all about giving as many kids as possible another chance to play. I just wish the HoF game would still attract all the local all-stars.

Observantcat-

I knew Akil was a stud . I didn't know he was a 5-Star, though. What you posted is out of the UCLA media guide I believe. Todd's Media guide bio will probably contain much of what was in the UCLA Spring Football media guide. Things were very different back in 1999 when Akil graduated. It was only Rivals back then, right? Scout didn't even exist if I recall although Prepstar and a few others remain the same.. Now there are a zillion combines and numerous rating services.

I would love to see Dietrich jump to a 5 star. But I think Scout only gives a 5 star to the top 50 nationally and Rivals probably is about the same. Dietrich's RR rating on Rivals is a 5.8 , which is what Todd's was . I am not sure that rating changes much because it is largely based on the combine performances as well as film review by their evaluators. Let's hope Dietrich has an injury -free year. Todd breaking his big toe in the second game and then wiping out his knee at the end caused him to miss nearly 4 games his senior year when he had not missed a game the previous two seasons as a Varsity starter.

I don't think rivals or scout were even around when Harris was at MHS. So how could he of been a 5 star player.

Just a little Bio to back up the Hype on Akil Harris

(HIGH SCHOOL � Lettered three years in football as a tailback for coach Steve Garrison at Monrovia High � A SuperPrep All-American � Ranked 10th (tied) among running backs by the National Recruiting Advisor � Rated the No. 18 running back in the nation and the No. 14 player in the California/Arizona/Hawaii region by SuperPrep � A PrepStar All-American who was rated the No. 5 running back in the Western Region � Cornwell All-American � Member of Long Beach Press-Telegram National 100 � Member of Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West squad with eight votes � Member of Tacoma News-Tribune Western 100 � Listed as the Top Prospect in the West Region by Blue Chip Illustrated � Member of Orange County Register Fab 15 second team � First-team All-State selection by Cal-Hi Sports � Named second-team All-CIF Southern Section � Selected All-CIF Division X � All-Rio Hondo League Offensive Back of the Year � L.A Times All-San Gabriel Valley � Pasadena Star-News West San Gabriel Valley Player of the Year � As a senior, he rushed for 2,660 yards (West San Gabriel Valley all-time single season record) and 32 touchdowns on 278 carries � Had a single-game best of 400 yards and six touchdowns vs. South El Monte � Selected to play in the annual California-Texas Shrine All-Star Game � In SuperPrep�s pre-season issue, he was rated No. 32 nationally among running backs and No. 23 among all players in the California/Nevada/Hawaii region � PrepStar pre-season All-American � As a junior, he rushed for 2,037 yards and scored 23 touchdowns � Also caught 12 passes for 421 yards and five scores � As a sophomore, he rushed for 1,029 yards and 12 touchdowns � Team made two consecutive Division X championship appearances in 1997-98 (runners-up each year) � Three consecutive Rio Hondo League championships (1996-98) � Three-year team record of 31-5-2 � Undefeated in league for three consecutive seasons (14-0-1).)

Dadof3

Akil Harris was recruited to UCLA as a 5 star athlete. I think his stats spoke for themselves which caught the eyes of several pac 10 and even some Big 10 schools. Every game of his senior year he had at least 4-5 scouts reserving a seat to watch him play.

Stang fan, any new news about the 2009 stangs ?

Dad of 3,

Dietrich is in the early process of the ranking. I feel he has shown enough to warrant that fifth star. And you're right about how nobody has been a SGV 5 star player. Even the great Desmond Reed was a three star athlete.

The Stang Fan is right that there are a slew of guys who could be labeled the SGV's best player. It's only an academic exercise at this point because you don't have a measuring rod of seeing them in the same game or a series of games or even a combine. Sumler is a terrific player who has the talent to be a Major D-1 player and should get there if he does what it takes at the JC level, both academically and athletically. FWIW, Golper received a 4-Star rating by both Rivals and Scout. I am not aware of anyone ever anointing or claiming him to be a 5-star. Indeed,I am not sure the SGV ever has had a 5-star rated guy at least in the last 10 years or so. As good as Dietrich Riley is, he is rated 4-star by both Rivals and Scout.

I have heard from a very good source that Arcadia has been ducking the Panthers for the last couple of years. I know that Muir steps up to plate but the Apaches continue to run their mouth like they will play the Panthers.

Speaking as a UCLA fan, the Bruins have signed many a player that are not D1 caliber over the years! That thrown in with the Karl Dorrel years, and you have a mess! I wouldn't necessarily anoint Mr. Golper a five star linebacker; those guys tend to end up on the other side of town.
In regards to Tra being the best player in the WGV, you can't ever determine that, only argue and give opinions. In addition, you could argue outside of D1 football, JC ball is the next competitive with all the non-qualifiers! Lastly, Tra may not be the best, but i would take his competitive spirit, toughness, and savvy over anyone!

Speaking as a UCLA fan, the Bruins have signed many a player that are not D1 caliber over the years! That thrown in with the Karl Dorrel years, and you have a mess! I wouldn't necessarily anoint Mr. Golper a five star linebacker; those guys tend to end up on the other side of town.
In regards to Tra being the best player in the WGV, you can't ever determine that, only argue and give opinions. In addition, you could argue outside of D1 football, JC ball is the next competitive with all the non-qualifiers! Lastly, Tra may not be the best, but i would take his competitive spirit, toughness, and savvy over anyone!

Btw, Koffler's high praise of Dunlap just goes to show you how much talent is at Muir, considering Dunlap was Muir's 6th or 7th best player.

Sorry all about the double post. I pressed submit and it did not register right away and I wrote what I wrote before to resubmit, kinda of, sort of, but couldnt remember it all.

Trojan Clown Man,

Todd Golper is a D1 kid who would crush JC kids like Tra Sumler. When you play for a PAC-10 school, you are legit, and one of the best around. You made a horrible comparison to say the least.

Trojan Clown Man,

Todd Golper is a D1 kid who would crush JC kids like Tra Sumler. When you play for a PAC-10 school, you are legit, and one of the best around. You made a horrible statement to say the least and should be banned from blogging. Darryl.

TM,

Interesting. Duck the Panthers because they "hit too hard?" Trust me when I tell you, I REALLY respect Koffler and the Rosemead program, but schools "ducking" the Panthers? I just don't see it. I wouldn't even put them in the top 5 WSGV programs of all-time, which would include Muir, SF, TC, Arcadia, and Monrovia in no particular order. And THATS "just a fact!"

Dooley's toughness was evident against TC last year, he never quit, even after he needed help just to get to his feet in the 4th quarter. He took a heap of abuse and kept coming. I wish him well Saturday.

One of SP's problems last year is they threw too much, primarily because they lacked a run game of any substance. I think SP will bring a better run game this year, making a more serious scoring threat when Bednarski does choose his throwing opportunities....rather than those opportunities often being desperation attempts.

I was told quick #20 from last year is returning...making an excellent target out of the slot for Bednarski.

Yes, he was. But don't forget Conor B, too. If I was making a top 10 list of top returning QB's he would be on my list. As you know, I only made a top 5 list.

Miguel, I know that there were not too many highlights of SP football last Fall, but Steven was one of them!!

BigFatFan: Thanks. It took me a while to find it, but alas...

Miguel, nice photo of SP's Steven Colliau.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Lets not get carried away, TM. To say Sumler would run over Golper (in capital letters, no less) is disturbing. Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to see that matchup but remember, Golper is a DI kid and could see significant time at UCLA this upcoming fall. Think the Star-News should launch a team of reporters to investigate the water in the city of Rosemead. You aight, TM?

Miguel,

Tra would RUN OVER Golper ! PERIOD. Arcadia & ALOT of others have CONSISTENTLY ducked the RHS Panthers in pre season games for years... they alwyas say " RHS hits too hard ! " I am not just saying this because I am a Panther...JUST A FACT !

Stang Fan,

Great to see you in the community. You know I keep these football threads going just for you and Goldenarm, right?

I think Koffler's statement pertains to those involved in the HOF game. I would agree, Riley and Golper could make a strong case for the Best in the West and definitely best in the whole SGV. But for HOF purpose, I don't think anybody is within reach of Sumler.

Koffler should ABSOLUTELY feel that way AND say it publicly. Hell, if it wasn't for Sumler the Mead would NEVER have made it as far as they did. Sumler IS one hell of a player.

With that said, we must remember that many of the SGV's best ARE NOT in the HOF game and should be considered as the SGV's best player.....namely:

Todd Golper
Reuben Thomas
Sheldon Price
Brandon Sermons
Bowens (Amat)
Myles Campbell
Marcus Graves
Graham Vickers
Tyree Mills
Brent Seals

and not to mention this past year's top underclassmen:

Dietrich Riley
Mitchell Crockum
Adam Muema
Dennis Rufus
Jordan Canada

Personally, I'd go with Riley as the "best player in the whole SGV," but I'm not mad at Koffler for pumping up his boy and creating a little buzz for this week's game.

LET'S GO WESTSIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!