If nothing else, high school ballers, learn from this freak accident. It can happen to anyone at any time. Our Scott Wolf writes ….

By Scott Wolf, Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES — USC tailback Stafon Johnson was in emergency surgery Monday night after a weightlifting accident when a weight bar he lifted fell on his throat.

“He’s still in surgery, it’s serious,” USC coach Pete Carroll said late Monday.

A spokesperson at California Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles said Johnson was in “serious but stable” condition. Johnson underwent surgery for more than six hours after being taken to the hospital from the Heritage Hall weight room at USC.

“I saw him when he left here,” USC safety Drew McAllister said. “He might have been in a little bit of shock at first but he looked like he was getting better and better.”

Johnson was working out Monday morning, a routine occurrence for football players on the first day of the week, when he began bench-pressing.

Carroll did not know how much weight Johnson lifted. The bar, according to Carroll, slipped out of Johnson’s right hand and fell on his throat.

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Taking a closer look at how the Top 10 fared in Week 3. New poll released Tuesday.

1. ST. FRANCIS (3-0) — With so much talk and attention focused on Dietrich Riley, opponents are forgetting another stud: Justin Posthuma. He had a huge game over the air and on the ground in leading the Knights offense to a 35-20 win over Burroughs. The only question is, with so much talent on this team is a 35-20 win good enough?

2. MONROVIA (4-0) — Are the Wildcats the No. 1 team in the area? That’s up for debate, but after Monrovia’s 36-17 win over San Dimas, the No. 2 ranked team in the Mid-Valley Division, it’s clear the Wildcats are for real and poised to make a serious run in the playoffs. Really, who can stop Nick Bueno, De’Shawn Ramirez, Derrick Johnson and Justin De La Nuez? They each bring an added element that equates to an explosive offense. It’s a thing of beauty to see how it’s all so well executed. Then you have Josh Lowden and Ellis McCarthy, a 6-foot-5 beast pancaking a poor offensive linemen at a high school near you. Wildcats are a quite the machine, but should they be No. 1?

3. MUIR (0-3) — The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for the Mustangs. Lets see if they are well rested and ready to defend their Pacific League title. Like I said in the Star Picks thread: Muir is 0-3 heading into Pacific League action, and like many of you it’s hard to gauge where the Mustangs stand against their counterparts. But we’ll get an early indication and depending on how Muir fares Friday night against Burroughs, we’ll know if this truly will be a rebuilding year.

4. ALHAMBRA (2-1) — The Moors prevailed, 21-17, over L.A. Wilson. That’s a respectable showing. Joseph Becerra is lighting it up for the Moors. Opposing defense are so focused on Mitchell Crockom they’re forgetting the Darrian Cazarin-Becerra connection. Lets see if this kick starts the momentum Alhambra needs with one game left in nonleague (South Pas, Fri.) before the Almont League opener at Schurr.

5. SAN MARINO (3-0) — De ja vu? The Titans could go 5-0 heading into the Rio Hondo League opener vs. Monrovia, though San Gabriel (Oct. 9) will have something to say about that. San Marino’s smash-mouth football is providing effective results, and you can bet Benny Hung (355 yards, five TD’s) is thus far having quite the ride.

6. ROSEMEAD (1-2) — OK, so we knew this was going to be a tough year for the Panthers, what with a sub-par performance against Monrovia. But to lose 42 zip? Ouch. Not what you’d expect from the Mid-Valley Division runner-up. Nevertheless, that’s what nonleague is for, to find out what wrinkles need to be ironed. We can agree, however, there are more than just a few wrinkles. Rosemead plains out needs a trip to the dry cleaners. Matt Fregoso was the one bright spot for the Panthers last week.

7. TEMPLE CITY (0-2-1) — Well, what can I say that I haven’t already. Ah, yes. The spread offense has become a thorn in the side of the TC fanbase. If nothing else the spread offense has created a deception the Rams exploited against Arcadia. Fake handoff to Max Ruckle and Justin Smith runs for a 6 yard gain. Then 7, 14, 11 and 35 yards, the last coming in a TD. Ruckle carried the ball 24 times for 158 yards rushing. Smith went 19 for 27 with 178 yards passing. Don’t get blinded by the fact you long for a running game: The Rams are improving, they’re still dangerous, but work is still needed. Goldenarm says La Caada is the only team who has a legitimate shot at knocking off Monrovia. It’s time to look in your back yard, Mr. Mayor. The Monrovia-Temple City game will be a showdown I wouldn’t want to miss.

8. SAN GABRIEL (2-2) — Matadors recorded a solid 28-2 win over Contreras. But lets keep it real: It was Contreras. Nevertheless, this was a much-needed win for a seemingly struggling San Gabriel team. The bye is here. Time to nurse those injuries back to health, give San Marino all it can handle before heading into the Alhambra game with a 2-0 league record.

9. BOSCO TECH (3-0) — Tigers had a bye last week, and with a slated Saturday afternoon game, that means I get a chance to watch them play, then head to the mall to buy a new suit for my b-day party that night.

10. LA SALLE (3-1) — Lancers will more than likely be 3-2 after Friday night, but this will be a quality loss. I know. It’s not PC to write La Salle off with a loss, but that’s the edumacated guess here. Then comes Temple City (Oct. 9) before the Lancers meet Bosco Tech for a shot at the Camino Real League championship. Quite the turnaround, eh?

OTHERS TO CONSIDER: La Caada (1-1); Rio Hondo Prep (4-0); Arcadia (0-2-1); Maranatha (1-2).

The Stang Fan — Last week: 16-1-1 … You have any lottery numbers for me?
Melendez — Last week (Total): 12-5-1 (31-33-1, ugh)

If nothing else, the Temple City-Rosemead game will be a chance for people to check out the show better known as the Max Ruckle Show. The senior has unbelievable ankle-breaking speed, and he’s one tough dude, too. Any chance this one ends in a tie, too? Don’t get me started. St. Francis’ Justin Posthuma is the big man on campus this week, but can he lead the Knights to a 4-0 start? The guess is he can. La Salle will get a good test in Monrovia. Talk about beefing up your schedule. Wildcats can’t look ahead and dismiss the Lancers, who are much-improved. La Salle’s win last week came at a price though: Mike Novell and Carlos Morales are injured. So Muir is 0-3 heading into Pacific League action, and like many of you it’s hard to gauge where the Mustangs stand against their counterparts. But we’ll get an early indication and depending on how Muir fares Friday night, we’ll know if this truly will be a rebuilding year.

THURSDAY’S GAME
Arcadia at Glendale, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Arcadia)

FRIDAY’S GAMES
Temple City at Rosemead, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Temple City)
Rio Mesa at St. Francis, 7:30 p.m. — Melendez (St. Francis)
La Salle at Monrovia, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Monrovia)
South Pasadena vs. Alhambra at Moor Field, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Alhambra)
Hoover at Pasadena, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Pasadena)
San Marino at Cantwell-Sacred Heart, 7 p.m. — Melendez (San Marino)
Mountain View at Keppel, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Keppel)
Muir at Burroughs, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Muir)
Brentwood vs. Marshall at PCC, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Brentwood)
Blair at Hacienda Heights Wilson, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Wilson)
Duarte at La Puente, 7 p.m. — Melendez (La Puente)
Gabrielino vs. Pomona at Ganesha, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Pomona)
Flintridge Prep at Malibu, 7 p.m. — Melendez — (Flintridge Prep)
La Canada at Firebaugh, 7 p.m. — Melendez — (La Canada)
Pasadena Poly vs. Webb at South Pasadena, 7:30 p.m. — Melendez (Pas Poly)

SATURDAY’S GAMES
Salesian at Bosco Tech, 1:30 p.m. — Melendez (Bosco Tech)
Maranatha vs. Calvary Chapel at Downey, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Maranatha)

Above: Atta boy, Joshy boy. Josh Lowden introduces himself, though his manners are not up to par. You’re supposed to let the kid hold on to the ball. Not. (Sara Reingewirtz / Staff Photographer)

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY OF FRIDAY’S SAN DIMAS-MONROVIA GAME

FRIDAY’S RESULTS (WITH COMMENTS)

FOR THE RECORD: Not counting the Marshall result, which we’ve yet to receive, I went 10-2-1 on Friday night.

Monrovia 36, San Dimas 17 — ‘Cats are on the run! Maybe there was a reason San Dimas Coach Z wouldn’t divulge his plan to stopping Monrovia’s offensive prowess: He didn’t have one. From Fred Robledo: I never expected this. It looks like like its good times in M-Town again. When I’m wrong, I say I’m wrong. Our reporter Scott French said the Cats will go 14-0.

Temple City 28, Arcadia 28 — Something has to come about after the referees completely blew this one. Will heads roll? Probably not, but someone needs to be held accountable. I thought referees get paid by the game, not by how many quarters are played. If I’m Arcadia I let those checks bounce, but that’s just me speaking out of utter disbelief of what I saw unfold. To let this game end in a tie is an absolute slap in the face to both teams and their efforts in what could have been an instant classic. The game was tied 28-28 as both coaches met at midfield. They agreed to play the overtime. The crowd wanted it. The players wanted it. The coaches wanted. Oh, but not the referees, who seemingly had something better to do with their Friday night. “We don’t get paid for overtime” was their excuse. They jogged off the field to a chorus of boos. Believe you me, I will be following this closely when I get into the office Monday.

St. Francis 35, Burroughs 20 — Knights still on top, continue to roll as Justin Posthuma completed 10 of 21 passes for 190 yards and rushed for 110 yards. Dietrich Riley who? Just kidding, Dietrich.

Crescenta Valley 38, La Caada 35 — Good for the Spartans. I thought they would lose this game, but the final score was a great showing.

La Salle 28, Blair 2 — Not a bad showing for Blair, but as predicted the Lancers were going to be too much to handle. The win, however, may have come at a price. Mike Novell (deep bruise or torn ACL) and Carlos Morales (leg) were injured.

Harvard-Westlake 42, Rosemead 0 — Wow. Lets see how the Panthers rebound next week. Our correspondent said he was impressed with Joey Diaz. Give him the ball!!

Azusa 34, Gabrielino 20 — It’ll be a long year for Gabrielino …

San Marino 42, Hoover 7 — Titans off to another impressive start.

Littlerock 55, Duarte 0 — There was a two-hour delay here after Littlerock’s bus got a flat tire on the way to Duarte. The game didn’t start until 9 p.m.

Maranatha 28, Bakersfield Christian 2 — Great showing for Maranatha. I thought the Minutemen were going to get blown out, but not on this night. This victory was much needed. Josh Jones returned a fumble 70 yards for the Minutemen’s first touchdown and Danny Beckwith added two more to lead the Minutement. They trailed 2-0 before taking a 14-2 lead at the half. This was an even more impressive win since Maranatha was missing five starters. Bakersfield Christian was averaging about 300 yards per game. They were held to 150 yards Friday night. Suffice it to say, the defense came up huge.

San Gabriel 28, Contreras 2 — This should have been a shutout but a muffed punt in the end zone earned Contreras the safety.

Alhambra 21, L.A. Wilson 17 — Joseph Becerra had another great game for the Moors. He stepped up. Mitchell Crockom was kept quiet.

Rio Hondo Prep 28, Boron 20 — The Kares are enjoying the ride back from Boron. Big plays by RHP as they earned their fourth win of the season.

Chadwick XX, Marshall XX — n/a

Above: Arcadia High’s Philip He, 17, is back playing after a serious bout of pneumonia kept him from two months of practice. (Staff Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz)

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

It was supposed be a relaxing weekend in northern California filled with outdoor camping, boat rides and fishing.

The hilly mountains, sparkling lakes and clear blue skies were picturesque on this Fourth of July weekend trip to Bishop.

All was going as planned for Arcadia High School senior Phillip He.

Then came Sunday’s frantic afternoon.

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