ALMONT LEAGUE PREVIEW
By Andrew J. Campa, Staff Writer
ALHAMBRA — The 2009 Almont League campaign may very well be a season of change.
Perhaps the biggest story heading into Friday’s Week 0 games involves Alhambra High School’s Gil Ruedaflores calling blackjack, as he announced he will retire at the end of this year — his 21st season.
“It’s been a great pleasure to have coached at Alhambra,” Ruedaflores said. “Hopefully, we can have a strong season.”
The Moors (5-5 overall, 2-3 and tied for fourth in league) are definitely a contender for the crown, which would be their first since a tri-league title in 2006, thanks to steady quarterback Darian Cazarin.
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The senior threw for 2,209 yards and 24 touchdowns and will challenge San Gabriel’s Isaac Valdez, Bell Gardens’ Joshua Adame and Mark Keppel’s Evan Bachmann as the league’s top passer.
A big part of Cazarin’s success will come from his ability to hit big-play senior receiver Mitchell Crockom.
The 6-foot-3 cousin of famed Pasadena quarterback Tyron Crockom hauled in 36 passes, 791 yards and six scores last year.
Crockom, along with Schurr’s Angel Sanchez and Carlos Arredondo, are arguably the league’s top three receivers.
While the Moors boast a potent passing attack, one troubling concern is the team’s inexperienced offensive line.
The running game, led by tail back Vailele Peko, also needs to be effective enough to worry opposing defenses.
As for the defense, Ruedaflores’ 5-2 unit allowed 24 points a game last season.
The linebacking core of Brandon Wilson and Dominic Gonzalez hope for growth.
Ruedaflores’ imprint can also be found at San Gabriel.
Former Moors coach Keith Jones has molded San Gabriel (5-6, 3-2 and tied for second in league) into a yearly contender, thanks in part to the organized chaos of Jones’ Veer option.
“I think the veer offense is difficult to plan against,” Jones said, “especially in high school with only a week to prepare.”
As with any healthy offense, a strong signal caller is needed.
Filling the master choreographer position is Valdez, who passed for 2,754 yards and rushed for another 615 yards.
The league’s offensive MVP also had 22 total touchdowns.
While the Matadors graduated receiver Marcos Villalobos (1,114 yards), they return Mark Covarrubias, Fabian Amaro, Steven Park and Arthur Brown.
Amaro and Brown combined for 932 rushing yards and 14 scores out of the backfield.
The difference for San Gabriel this season, in comparison to past years, is the Matadors have a complementary defense.
San Gabriel returns seven starters including Brown (linebacker) and Amaro (defensive back), all-league first-teamers.
If one team can challenge Alhambra and six-time league champ Schurr, it’s San Gabriel.
Real change, contends Jones, will happen when someone topples Schurr.
“Until someone knocks them off their perch, they’re the favorites,” said Jones, whose team defeated Schurr in 2007 to split a title. “We think we have a good chance.”
While Alhambra and San Gabriel are contenders, Keppel finds itself rebuilding again.
The Aztecs’ silver lining, though, comes in the form of underrated senior quarterback “Sunshine” Bachmann, a returning second-team all-league honoree.
Bachmann will play for his third coach in three years in Bobby Madrid.
The Keppel alumnus is pining to break the team’s 37-game losing streak.
Madrid is optimistic because he has a few talented players including senior Edson Gomez (formerly Edson Pena), a wide receiver who will split time at linebacker and defensive back.
Aztecs offensive coordinator Chris Arias compared the 5-9, 175-pounder to former receiver Michael Edwards, who led Keppel to three victories in 2005.
The Aztecs’ back field includes seniors Demise Gutierrez and Fabio Sanchez and fullback Abe Padua.
The defense will look for big plays from unheralded tackle Victor Schneider and promising end Josh Castellenos.
“We’re going to go into each week looking to win,” Madrid said, “just like every other team. A win would be a nice change around here.”
andrew.campa@sgvn.com
