Football: Pasadena's McFarland is a man on a mission
(UPDATED 4:10 P.M.) Didn't have much space in the paper for my entire report, but here are some tidbits that didn't make the paper.
Pasadena practiced the last six weeks with about 55 players. It's still too early to tell what they are able to do as far what offense they'll run come fall. But one thing is certain.
"From a competitive standpoint they have great energy," McFarland said. "They're motived and very hungry to do better. We're trying to build consistency and accountability." I asked McFarland if he can be specific about the playbook. He said he first wants to find out what personnel they have before they dive into that. In short, it's still too early to tell. "We're trying to put a good product on the field. We're trying to build a team and compete at a very high level. The results, the wins and losses, will take care of itself down the line. We don't have as much control as much as we like to think we do. But we do know we want a good product on the field and the hallmarks are there. We are trying to get better every day and the only way to do that is develop consistent habits and consistently, on a day-to-day basis, just bring it." McFarland did say he was probably going to run a new system but wasn't sure yet exactly what that will entail. "Seeing them for six weeks is not enough. You have to see how they react in different situations because if you're going to put the football in a guy's hands you have to be able to trust him. We're still trying to figure out exactly what we have and what we'll look like." McFarland said the team was excited about possibly playing on a new field on campus. The field currently is under construction and despite that, McFarland & Co. are cautiously optimistic about the field being complete come Fall. "Right now there's a bunch of tractors and piles of dirt but probably sometime in a week or so they'll lay the first patch of green, and that's when they'll all go 'oOOooOOh' because that's when you start to see the finished product. There's a lot of enthusiasm from players and administrators. It's something that is the culmination of a lot of hard work by people at this school. I know that (Pasadena athletic director) Tony Brooks has put a ton of work to try to make this happy. It's a very very big significant moment for the school. Not only can the players call it a field of their own but have a sense of pride to along with that feeling."
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Just got off the phone with first-year Pasadena football coach Mike McFarland. We were on the phone for about 20 minutes talking about the Bulldogs' plans for the upcoming season. In the conversation, McFarland used the words "consistency" and "continuity" plenty of times; it's becoming clear McFarland wants to change the perception of Pasadena football. What that perception is can be up for debate as I'm sure those over on Lincoln Ave. have their very own definition. Pasadena's abysmal performance last year was the culmination of inconsistency that ended on the field. I'll have more with McFarland in Wednesday's paper, but I wanted to share a few things with you guys. First, McFarland has moved in completely. His wife and newborn are all with him now in Arcadia. McFarland's staff is all in place, too. He kept two assistants from Kevin Mills' staff: Addison Hawthorne (assistant head coach/defensive coordinator) and DeJuan Shamburger (linebackers coach). McFarland's new troops are Mike Harrison, an alum and good friend of McFarland. Harrison will coach the running backs. Matt Smith will coach the defensive line and Hector Garcia will coach the offensive line. What made them both more appealing was they're teachers on campus at PHS.
It's very very helpful. It's a luxury here in that now a days in certain places it's difficult to go out and hire coaches who are teachers. It's a scarcity and with all the economic situation that the state is in from a district standpoint it's hard to hire teachers to begin with. We're very blessed. From a coaching stand piont you have those eyes on campus. They're able to develop relationship with the players (by) having them in class and having a much better representation of what you're trying to accomplish; the message gets sent more effectively. From a reliability standpoint, when you're with walk-on coaches they have jobs that conflict with practices and games. You don't know when you'll have them or be here, and that's the beauty of having teachers on campus as coaches.
Along with the lower-level coaches, McFarland has four coaches on campus; five including himself. Pasadena will throw today at Temple City at 5 p.m. I'll try to make it there today and check out some of the action.
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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. |
PurdueAlum05,
It is hard to say for sure. Change is taking place (as expected)and sometimes change means a "break in" period is required. I am hoping we adjust quickly and are ready by Sept 11 - when we face a tough Arroyo team.
We return 4 of 5 on the O-line. The D line we lose some great kids like Watkins, Swarzbaugh and Montenegro, but have 2 or 3 familiar names ready to step into those slots. Our line will be solid and tough...but sucessful as a group..?Too early to say.
We will have a young team and some inexperience in key positions and be facing a stronger RHL overall, as So Pas, Blair and LC will be in the hunt this year, and no, I don't see M-town breezing through undefeated. Blowouts and easy wins will be non-existent to rare in the RHL this season. There will be some teeth-grinding edge of your seat close games....anyway that is my early perspective.
Goldenarm,
I hope all is well with you. I was wondering how do you think TC will do this year? Is the O-line and D-line strong?
So does anyone know if PHS will be able to play on campus this season? I heard Muir already has its field laid out. Miguel can you get us updates and I'm probably asking for too much but some photos of the progress bveing made on Muir and PHS's new fields.
GOTEAMGO,
That clears that one up.
Passing league - South Pasadena at La Salle today 5pm.
RE: La Salle not playing TC in passing league - the same thing happened last year at West Covina with the four teams. I asked Coach P about it last year. He has a policy of not playing anyone in passing league who is on the regular season schedule. I am sure he stuck to his policy this year.
GA - regarding the lateral to the tackle last year, who threw for a 32 yd TD against TC - La Salle probably had the only OT in the state with a perfect passer rating!
Donk,
No need for apology, your comment came across fine.
Good people at La Salle and a tough year last year, like I've said before I can't see La Salle settling for 2 bad years in a row.
Hopefully the Lancers won't TD burn us on that double pass (from a tackle, no less) like they did last year.
The slowest developing play ever seen....and we bit on it like a school of blind mackerel!
Goldenarm,
I wasnt trying to say that Temple City was dodging La Salle, sorry if it came off that way, I highly respect Temple City.
King and Goldenarm,
La Salle is looking fairly good. They are trying to sort out who will be the quarterback. They have some players who look really good. Mike Alexander, a senior, looks really good at quarterback in passing league. Offensively they look like they are starting to come along, and work out the kinks. There new offensive coordinator really looks like he knows what he is doing. Kishon Sanders looks really good, big kid, probably play more tight end this year, would be my guess. They got a couple of younger guys who got a lot of playing time last year, due to all those injuries, who look like they could have break out years. To be honest the more I see the more optimistic I become, should be an interesting year, cant get much worse!!!!
Goldenarm,
I surely hope so.
Does anyone have a direct line to Huckster? I want to here his opinion. And another empty promise about the dogs wining the tussel!
DONK, YOU ARE MISINFORMED, LA SALLE TOLD US, THEY DID NOT WANT TO PLAY TEMPLE CITY AND WE HAD TO PLAY US TWICE. THEY MESSED UP THE ROTATION THE COACHES WERE SAYING.
doggalum,
I would say that work is beginning to pay off.
Good luck to PHS.
Donk,
Like most of us, I work too much OT, and missed the WC 4 way as a result. I highly doubt TC would dodge La Salle in a passing tourney because we play in Week 5. We play Arroyo week 1 and had no issue playing them last week. I believe the Rams are hungry for max exposure and field time and ANY opponent is a good opponent. Hopefully, the two teams meet in one of the many local tourneys that remain.
How are the Lancer's doing thus far?
JF Mat,
just a spectator nowadays.
Donk-
How did the local team fair out at West Covina the other day?
quick edit, thanks for the article..
"They're motived and very hungry to do better. We're trying to build consistency and accountability." motivated
It's something that is the culmination of a lot of hard work by people at this school. I know that (Pasadena athletic director) Tony Brooks has put a ton of work to try to make this happy. happen
Goldenarm
are you a football coach? just curious
Goldenarm
are you a football coach?
Hey Goldenarm, I recently went to a passing league game at West Covina last week. Temple City was there, La Salle, West Covina, and I can not remember the other team off the top of my head. I heard that Temple City did not want to play La Salle, because they play each other in the regular season. I can understand that, what is your point of view on this, think it matters? I was just bummed because of course as a fan I wanted to see La Salle play someone nearby that I am familiar with...
McFarland brought his crew over to TC today and they won best dressed hands down. Looked like game jerseys.
McFarland is fairly laid back....until something "inspires" him, and then like any motivator...he can cut it loose.
He has their ear....that you can tell.
#21 (possibly Strong Safety) was large, fast and hit the right place at the right time. The corners have some kinks to work out, but who doesn't. They look young as well.
Northview was also in the house.
TC's sophomore QB is coming along well. He locks eyes on receivers and follows them way too long...but hey, QB is a looooooong learning curve. We got a good up and comer with Copping.
Good hot day to watch kids compete and prep for what lies ahead.
So what will become of the sleeping giant of the SGV?