Star-Jibber: Anyone else impressed by Pasadena's 2-0 start in the Pacific League? What to make of Muir?
Discuss anything and everything you want ... Especially football
*Well, when Pasadena said it wanted to go in a new direction, they weren't kidding. Mike McFarland's got the Bulldogs up 2-0 in the Pacific League. Impressive wins over Long Beach Jordan (on the road, mind you) and now at Arcadia has people giving PHS a second look. I sure wasn't expecting PHS to win Friday night, but when am I ever right?
*Muir just can't get a break can't they. They were leading, 14-7. They got a lucky break when Burbank fumbled in the first overtime. And still the outcome was a double overtime loss, on a two-point conversion pass, no less. Still a top 10 team? Uh, no.
*Someone from La Cañada suggested I stay off the Torta Depot. The truth is, I was wearing my oversized polo shirt over a long sleeve XXL shirt. Yes, XXL! That's what I used to be two summers ago when I was hitting the scale at almost 300 pounds, 285 to be exact, but I'm down to 230. Anyway, come soccer season you'll see the new and improved wardrobe of your favorite sportswriter. Calvin Klein, Stafford and of course ... Eddie Bauer. Anyway, I'll be at the Temple City-La Cañada game Thursday if you want some wardrobe tips.
*So is Maranatha finally back on track? The Minutemen are 2-0 in Alpha League action, but those wins aren't exactly mind blowing, but not all that bad either. Still, there is obvious work needed on the offensive side. No passing touchdowns from Cody Keith against Kilpatrick? But lets be fair. Keith did score three TD's on quarterback sneaks. Lets see how this unfolds.
*Rule of thumb: Go with San Marino when they play San Gabriel. I learned my lesson. I'm gonna just go right ahead and say it, Isaac Valdez is not playing like the superstar he was last year. We know he's talented. Nobody can argue that. But the offensive prowess is lacking this season, and who knows if early season injuries to star receiver Alex Lopez contributed to the shortfall. San Gabriel should turn things around come Almont League action.
*If you have suggestions for "Athletes of the Week" be sure to e-mail me. We always like your suggestions for those. Also, if you have a student-athlete with a good story to tell e-mail me a Thursday feature suggestion. You know me, I like writing tear-jerkers.
*Is Notre Dame-St. Francis next week's Game of the Week? No question about it.
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About this blog
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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. |
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Philly B,
Aint no jinx!!!!!! Only a Muir person thinks like that right now!
RHL Fan
You were doing so well until you said overhyped pasadena team???? So they're gettin a lil bit of love this year, they should be, probably a little more than san marino and their "5-0" record. I still think miguel thinks the titans are a squad to be reckoned with behind T.C. and Monrovia. Well L.C. will prove that theory wrong, but first the cats will have their titan lunch first. Pasadena should get respect, other than monrovia and I guess SF, what team in the area could even handle any team from Long Beach???? Dont worry ill wait.....Exactly!!! Arcadia lost to a pasadena team that they should of been losing to a long time ago, based on the speed and talent that the city of pasadena has. I dont hear bout housing and transfers new york, lets be real pasadena as a city has all the talent in the world, but sometimes lack the execution.
But any anonymous that says the Monrovia-SM game should be game of the week, should just turn off their computer right now!!! Cuz U obviously dont know anything. Now that I set those novices straight,
Goldenarm,
"The Miracle on Huntington Drive " LOL That was too funny man.
HOT ROD
I hope all the hype your putting up for the pacific league actually happens, because I think you would agree that it would be that much exciting for your league. And PHS has their last away game against burroughs??? The rest are home games?? I hope phs can pull it threw and put a lil excitement in the tussle this year. And muir better knock off the teams they should be and find an offense because I hear that is where they're struggling. They gotta start putting up some points on offense and special teams. I know they're rebuilding but they should still be competitive in their league, it looks weird not having the stangs not in the top ten
Huckster,
Im with you all the way, I want pasadena to actually play to their potential they've always had. and if you can rank muir in the top five without a win, you gotta rank a phs team that has 2wins in their league(no matter who it is, if they're pretenders it'll show in their league record in two weeks) But as far as you winning the pacific???? Until you take out burroughs in which Im hoping you do. Ima need you to quiet that storm. Cuz its way to early for all of that especially with only one respectable win against LBJ. Yeah everyone is talkin bout monrovia, but we've knocked out two No.2 ranked teams. One in a cripled rosemead team, and another a good squad in San Dimas. I know ur excited but just DONT JINX IT FOR THE BULLDOGS YA DIG
i Think I set everything that needed to be set straight LOL
Is there not a single Titan fan with at least average sized huevos out there to dispute this??
RHL Fan
You're right, Arcadia has not been very impressive this year (They haven't been for years). I was not implying that Arcadia should be the game of the week. On the contrary.
My point was that San Marino should not be one of the teams in the game of the week (especially against Monrovia) because of their weak schedule. It's a mismatch that would turn into a boring game. The game of the week should be two strong teams with strong schedules (like St. Francis - Monrovia).
Actually, the SM - Monrovia game would end up being like the Arcadia - St. Francis game (40-0) a blowout!!
Hey Anon, why are you or anyone still talking smack about Cody or his Dad. Leave them alone! Both of them are good people, and what Dad would not try and help his Son out if possible. As a High School Coach I see it all the time. The Schilz family was even MORE involved. MHS is not having a banner year, we all know that so lets be quiet and get through it.
Leave them alone and get your own life.
He knows his stats, he knows the details.
"Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorius triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
T.R
Yet another RHL game I want to see, but can't due to Clete's schedule....arrggh!
I commend the Titans for their hard work this season, but in no way do I see them beating Monrovia. They have a lot of weapons, skill, and size over SM. They'd have to knock a couple big cats out of the game to even think about staying close with them.
I'd say 35-13 Rovia! Light the "M" boys!
After last season when SM came traveled to TC 8-0 and got flattened by a sky high Ram team, then pummeled by Monrovia and finally whacked by Paraclete - the lightbulb of their weak schedule had to finally explode in the Moreland/Mooney world.
Mooney has their line at least thinking to be "physical" this year, which has not been a problem against some of the competition the Titans have faced.
The only real adjustment I've heard is a good one. Titans now play Rosemead week 3, beginning 2010.
I don't think San Marino will fold up and run scared from Monrovia. The Titan film room probably has a $4,000 dollar electric bill and Butterfinger wrappers all over the floor. I'm sure they saw something or think they saw something in all that film and will try like hell to exploit it.
On the other hand, Monrovia simply needs to block and get a seam for one of many individuals coming out of the backfield...and start on their merry way at 10-12 yards a carry. I hope the Titans play as fierce as they can and give M-town a challenge, but in the end it will require The Miracle on Huntington Drive to knock off this year's Monrovia team.
Arcadia Alum,
San Marino definitely does not have a hard schedule, but Arcadia had a not so impressive win over a weak Glendale team and a lost to an overhyped Pasadena team. What has Arcadia done?
210love and Titan
You have got to be joking? San Marino and Monrovia as game of the week! First of all, that wouldn't even be a game, it would be a massacre. Second, the only reason SM is 5-0 is because of there WEEEAAAAAAK schedule. SM has played; Gabrielino 1-4, La Salle 3-3, Hoover 1-4, Cantwell-Sacred Heart 3-2 and San Gabriel 2-3(they only beat them by 1 point, 14-13). Give me a break, SAN MARINO!!!!!
Monrovia should play either La Canada or Temple City for a far better match-up for the game of the week. I know they are 2-2, but their schedules have been tougher than SM.
210love, since when does the game of the week need to be two local teams? I would much rather see two strong teams play (ex: Bishop Amat and St.Bonaventure) than two mismatched local teams.
When is the athletic dept. and Muir alumni going to step up and ask to get new coaching staff at Muir. The coaches dont even care about the kids all they care about is win and losses.They had several good seniors last year with good GPA's and none of these coaches even try to help these kids move on to college campuses to play football. I am very glad that Muir is 0 and 5 and I hope they continue loosing until they get real coaches that can help kids move onto college. I hope the principal at Muir can open her eyes and notice all the things that are going on with this football team. Lets go PHS
Cody Keith seems like a great kid. I feel sorry for him. His father is pulling out all the stops trying to get D-1 coaches and recruiting analysts to watch his game film, and poor Steve Clarkson can only put so much spin on his recommendations. After 5 games he's completing 42% of his passes with 3 td's and 6 picks against abysmal competition. I'm sure the head coach is enjoying Dad breathing down his neck every week trying to get him to run more plays to perk up the kid's stats and make the family-financed film more compelling. When it's all said and done, Cody will be a preferred walk-on at Wake Forest, which will gladly take another huge chunk of change from Pop to let Cody get beat up on the scout team for a few years.
Muir is terrible! They have no guts and that’s why they can’t capitalize on the other teams’ misfortunes! I seen them play and there is no passion from the kids out there playing. You can blame the coaches, but there is not one coach in America that can teach or give you courage and heart! PHS gave them some players and they still can't do nothing! I don’t see them making the playoffs! They will lose to “CV” which will be the last playoff spot available. So the Stangs, will not be going to the playoffs since 1988 and that was because “Brownfield” the AD at the time didn’t fill out “Famous Amos” paper work correctly to CIF!
For PHS to win the Pacific they’re going to have to stop playing dumb football! The kids are acting like they don’t know what’s going on out there at times particularly “special teams”! That might be due to coaching and not watching films letting kids see the continuous little mistakes! I know! I know! I say it every year, but Pasadena will put a BRUTAL whipping on the Stangs this year! I used the word “BRUTAL” because PHS plays with heart and passion! Them kids are out there hitting on that field and I mean some violent physical $hit!
Miguel & others,
Keep your stinking rankings to your selves, because they don’t mean a thing! Muir could go 0 – 10 and you gentlemen would rank them 2nd! I’ve been to a couple of other area games and I know damn well they couldn’t beat Pasadena High School! So keep your STINKING rankings to yourselves! The Dogs will win the Pacific unranked!
some thoughts on Monrovia at San Marino....
1) If Benny Hung is injured and unavailable...San Marino's light grows dim to dimmer. BH is a reliable, hard runner, good blocker and possibly even more valuable as a linebacker.
2) Forgatch if given time, can find Yortsos, Myers, Do - and is passing much better this year. Problem is, he won't have time to find them. SM knows this and will likely short drop Forgatch and throw quick.
3) To move the ball on Monrovia, you must block, block, block. This means each offensive player must execute and "handle" his man 70% of the time, minimum.
It is unlikely San Marino has the trenchmen to do this over 4 quarters. The unsung foundation of Monrovia is their defensive line play.
SUMMARY - M-town will penetrate and disrupt the Titan backfield. San Marino will make plays, but have difficulty maintaining their "proven" run attack against the front/linebackers of Monrovia. Forced into throw situations, Maddox's crew will feast on any poorly thrown balls.
To beat Monrovia - requires you make them uncomfortable - this means regular 3rd and long....and MUST pass situations for Bueno. In reaching the first down - Scrambles cannot be allowed to replace a legitimate pass completion. Of course, making this scenario actually happen, requires a gambling, extremely aggressive defensive team in the first place.
I am not sure such a unit exists in the RHL and maybe beyond.
San Marino will be prepared to play, but defensively I cannot see them forcing 3 and outs on M-town. Offensively the Titans will be hard pressed to move the front line of Monrovia, and will hitting short gains on the ground.
Only a disinterested, looking ahead, over confident Wildcat team could lose...and no way Maddox allows that atmosphere in the M-town locker room this week.
M-town by 14.
WHAT A GREAT WEEK FOR AREA FOOTBALL
It counts now....and the RHL will immediately take shape when the victors of SM/M-town and TC/La Canada games emerge.
The same could be said of the MVL as Arroyo/Rosemead start things off.
It is outstanding what Coach McFarland has done at PHS, and you could see it taking shape way back in passing league. Sure it is about talent, but sometimes team building, confidence and a positive practice field make all the difference.
Muir/Arcadia - must win game for both squads.
So many more.
I agree that Monrovia will beat SM but i went to the SM game and saw SM's quarterback (Forgatch?) who looked good and knew how to lead his team down the field especially with his WR (Yotsorts?) and they didn't even have their all league running back so i think it may be closer than people say but the cats will deffinately come out on top. Should be game of the week!
Monrovia vs. SM shouldn't be close. I scouted the SM San Gabriel contest and was very impressed with #4 and heard #21 is a stud who didn't play. Anyone know why?? The running game was pedestrian at best without #21. The O line was having a difficult time with the much smaller San Gabriel players. The QB played well but always targeted #4 when he was in a jam.I believe number #4 will get his touches but not enough to compete with M-towns horses. Monrovia 42-14 before the fourth quarter begins and then the backups get some experience and P.T.
Who is Maranatha playing this week? St. Alice's Girls School for the Blind?
Of course Maranatha is "back on track". Have you seen their schedule? They haven't beat a team with a positive calpreps record. A school of 685 students, like Maranatha, needs to get out of the Alpha League and stop playing teams with 180 to 450 kids in the entire school.
Mon vs SM should not be Game of the Week!
Cats are gonna roll right thru and over the Titans.
Game of the Week should be between two Teams that are
equal in talent.
SM is just a tune up for CIF for the Cats!
"Pacific League" is correct...
PHS at Burroughs on Thursday
That's because on Friday Burbank is hosting Glendale at Burroughs.
SM and M-town are two successul AREA teams with so far undefeated records enough said.
Titan are you serious about Monrovia being the game of the week? Notre Dame has been the big bully in the SF ND rivalry, and this year SF actually has a chance to knock off the big bad Knights from Sherman Oaks. Finally we get to see how good SF really is. Miguel what do you think? Can SF finally beat Notre Dame. And a side note, if you want to see one of Southern California's best hs band then you must go to the game just to watch ND's band. They are amazing.
Monrovia vs. SM should be game of the week...easily.
Monrovia at San Marino has to be the game of the week
MaxPreps has the Burroughs/Pasadena game being played on Thursday
The difference between PHS's 2-0 and Muir's 0-2 league start is who they played. Muir lost 2 games (by a total of 4 points) to 2 teams that will probably finish in the top half of the league standings.
Next week they start to see some common opponents. Muir plays Arcadia and PHS plays Burroughs.
HOT ROD is right, Friday's PHS game with Burroughs is HUGE. And Muir should be able to get some confidence (and some wins) in the next 4 weeks.
So after week 2 the Pacific League looks like it might end this way in November...
1. Burbank
2. Burroughs
3. Crescenta Valley
4. Muir
5. Pasadena
6. Arcadia
7. Hoover
8. Glendale
Miguel, how can you not be going to the san marino-monrovia game? Its a battle of the unbeatens
PHS students and grads are making noise. I'm not a trash talker - I just tell it like it is. There's a "BIG" game Friday Night At B. Burroughs, who are the CALPREPS highest rated team in the Pacific League. Our Dogs have to play mistake free football to beat BB.
PHS is 3-2 with 2 league wins. Burroughs (Friday night) is the last away game on schedule, so the rest of the season is all at the new field at "Victory Park" on Campus.
Muir Plays The Next 4 Games against the BOTTOM of the PACIFIC LEAGUE (Arcadia, Hoover, Glendale, CV) so they might be fighting for a playoff when the TUSSLE comes around. Don't write the Donkeys off just yet...