Kickoff 2009: Mission Valley League crowded at the top

The league openers are five games away, and it's not surprising which teams are expected to challenge for the title. Arroyo returns 18 starters and Rosemead, despite the loss of key skill-position players, is poised to regroup.

"The expectations are high," Arroyo head coach Jim Singiser said. "We have most of our players back. We have a good senior class."

That includes quarterback Steven Rivera, who played in every game as a freshman last season, starting 10 of the games. He has one of the best receivers in the valley to throw to in Chris Rodriguez. But the bulk of the Knight's losses were on the offensive line.

Meanwhile, Rosemead has to deal with replacing its quarterback and running back. But the Panthers have a plethora of linemen, which means quarterback Matt Macias and running back Joey Diaz, who was the backup to Star-News player of the year Tra Sumler last season, will have time and holes to bide their time while they get acclimated to varsity play.

"I know we're capable of making the (CIF-SS) finals," Rosemead coach Matt Koffler said. "We'll just have to wait and see."

Those two schools can expect serious challenges. El Monte coach Joel Sanchez took his team for Mammoth for pre-practice bonding. The Lions return one of the league's top quarterbacks in senior Quong Phong, who threw for more than 1,100 yards last season. The Lions also have more players than in the past, giving them some depth. Sanchez said it is one of the closest teams he has had in several seasons.

Both South El Monte and Gabrielino have new coaches. Longtime South El Monte coach Erick Escamilla was replaced by former La Puente coach Ray Hernandez. Harold Sanin, who has been an assistant coach for Vince Lopez at Gabrielino, took over the program in the spring when Lopez was elevated to assistant principal. Lopez was the only coach the school had ever had.

"There will not be much change, which is a benefit to the program," said Sanin, who has practically been with the program since Day 1.

"Vince built the program and will still help contribute."

Ben Macias remains at defensive coordinator, a spot he has had for eight years. The defense returns three prominent linemen and three prominent linebackers.

Hernandez has installed a West Coast offense at South El Monte, but senior Mark Acosta has not played quarterback since his freshman season.

"Our tight ends love this offense," Hernandez said. "It has been hard for the seniors, who are not used to playing it, but they have adapted and picked it up."

Mountain View coach James Wilson has no qualms about the Vikings not being a favorite to win the league title.

"What matters is having fun and enjoying yourself," he said. "We're very young with three returning seniors. What's fun is that they can gel together. The kids will listen to you."

keith.lair@sgvn.com