Football: Temple City ready for whirlwind of a season

This story is for my boy Goldenarm and the Rams faithful …

Not to get all lovey-dovey, but what better way to explain what Anthony White has done to the Temple City High School football program since his arrival as head coach.

The former Rosemead football star has swept the Rams program off its feet with a revamped coaching staff, new schemes and philosophies.

The players have bought into what White is selling and they’ve responded with a strong commitment.

The varsity team is averaging about 50 players during the summer. The junior varsity has 40 and the freshman team has 30 players, respectively.

Through the process, White has gained the respect of his players, staff and administrators, and his passion and love for the program has become clearly evident.

“Everyone’s excited,” White said. “They know where my heart is and that’s for Temple City and the boys.”

Change is never easy to accept, but White said the support has been pouring from all angles.

“Some people take change better than others,” White said. “My concern is obviously for the kids first. I can’t really concern myself too much what parents think. I have to do what’s best for the boys and what’s best for our program.”

White and the Rams program recently held a fundraiser at Shakey’s Pizza. White said 300 people showed up to show their support.

White’s arrival meant new offensive and defensive schemes, which meant the Rams would play in more passing league games than they’ve been used to in the past.

“Temple City is not known for playing in a lot of passing leagues but since we’re installing a whole new offense and defense I felt the need to get the boys out there and compete to see how they are without pads.”

Expect the Rams to have a balanced attack. That much is expected when a team has such a stout line like Temple City returns this season.

“We’ll try to open the offense up and not allow people to stack the box anymore,” White said.

Temple City started its dead period today and returns to camp Aug. 17. When they do, they’ll get ready for what’s expected to be whirlwind of a season.

Each of the Rams’ games this upcoming season holds an interesting story line.

Against Arroyo, Temple City takes on a team they knocked out early in the season last year and survived a 7-6 victory in the first round of the playoffs.

The Rams will have vengeance on their mind when they take on Alhambra, which defeated Temple City on a last-minute hail mary pass.

“We’ll be hungry for that,” White said.

Then there’s Arcadia in Week 3. The game is being dubbed the “Brawl for the Mall” but “Backus vs. White” might not be a bad way to market that game either. (OK, maybe not).

Former Rams coach Randy Backus recently joined the Arcadia coaching staff as a linebackers/running backs coach.

Enter Rosemead in Week 4.

White, 27, graduated from Rosemead High where he won the Wendy’s National High School Heisman his senior year. And to add to the drama, White’s younger brother, Matthew Fergoso, is on the Panthers’ football team. White also is currently a teacher at Rosemead High.

That, however, could change pretty soon.

Sources confirmed White interviewed last week for a social science position at Temple City High. More interviews will follow. There is an opening for a social science position at www.edjoin.org.

White could not comment about the teaching position, but did say no storyline will be lacking this upcoming season.

Temple City will undergo two-a-days when it resumes camp. Practice starts at 7 a.m. until 10 a.m., lifting from 10-11, lunch from 11-12, team meeting from 12-1, off time from 1-2 p.m. The second practice begins at 2:30 p.m. and goes to 5 p.m. The day concludes with a team meeting from 5-6 p.m.

This will be White’s first “Hell Week” experience as a head coach but said the experience on his coaching staff will make it a smooth transition.

“They’re helping me to succeed,” White said. “The whole situation here has been great. The support I’ve received from the administration has also been great, so I’m ready.”

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