Football: How will the Rio Hondo League unfold?
Above: Will anybody sneak up on the Monrovia Wildcats? Me thinks not.
There's a better chance of me landing in the moon than anybody knocking off Monrovia for the Rio Hondo League championship. That being said, there are no assurances from second on down. Temple City (4-3-1, 2-1), La Cañada (4-3, 2-1) and San Marino (6-2, 1-2) are going to have quite the battle. With the remaining games left this season, here's what I think we all expected would happen before the start of the season: La Cañada loses to Monrovia, beats South Pasadena; San Marino beats Blair, loses to Temple City; Temple City beats South Pasadena; beats San Marino. Now, because La Cañada beat San Marino last week that kind of threw off the rest of the league. There are a few scenarios that can play out, but the most obvious people thought would unfold would have Monrovia, Temple City and San Marino headed to the playoffs. All eyes will be on South Pasadena-Temple City and Monrovia-La Cañada. The team with a decent chance at pulling off the upset in Week 9 is South Pasadena. The Tigers held Monrovia to 14-first half points. A Temple City loss would wreak havoc and put the Rams, Spartans and Titans all at 2-2. Then La Cañada beats South Pas in Week 10, putting them at 3-2. If Temple City beats San Marino, the Rams are 3-2, and they move represent the RHL at No. 2 because of its tiebreaker over LC, which would finish third. A San Marino win puts them at 3-2 but would finish third because of its loss to the Spartans. This, of course, will only play out if the Rams lose Friday night, but don't count on it.
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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. |
As a dude who likes to throw the ball, out of the I and play action, Reno appreciates a solid run game. Make no mistake Reno is no Markham QB. Reno ain't no guard, pitching the rock back and leading up the hole. Thanks New York, Bloomington and Markham didn't need a 2 minute offense; they might score in 3 plays. The Inglewood team that beat TC in 2000 rushed for over 5,000 and set a state record. They had three 1,000+ dudes, including a 5'6" dynamo who nobody could find. A wall of Inglewood green and then POP! There goes the ball down the sideline. Tustin was good at this offense with Deshawn Foster (UCLA).
While we are on the topic: I noticed in the Bishop Amat highlights of the 2008 Crespi game, BA lined up in an unblanced double-wing on some successful plays...
In 1994 Bloomington set a national scoring record with the offense.
In 1995 Monrovia implemented it during week 10 and 11, a bit late in the season...no week #12....A good lesson to hone your core package going into the playoffs.
Haha. Hightower I like your input on this!
Philly,
Thank you for inviting me to discuss. First of all, the Double-Wing has nothing to do with the Wing-T. It is a common misconception. I am referring to Don Markam's version of the Double-Wing. It is by definition double-tight (a wing lines up behind the tightend) with two wings and a sniffer full-back. Markham did this because he liked the angles it allowed for running student body right and student body left.
Also, just a play on your semantics. It is not EASY to beat. It might seem SIMPLE to beat, but it is certainly not easy.
Somebody might tell you that the only true tendacy to key is the fact that the center will always block back in against an even front.
The Wing-T is very different and is predicated on misdirection far more so than the double wing. I think of the double wing as more of a pitch/power offense.
The other thing that makes the double-wing difficult to stop in high school is the fact that defenders are not allowed to chop down lead blockers.
This offense does a great job of outnumbering the defense at the point of attack. I think this will make a come back once every defense gets built to defend the spread. Then double wing teams will have a physical advantage.
I definitely don't advocate this offense any more than any other offense, unless your team has average talent. Then, I would suggest giving it a try because you can at least control the clock and keep games close.
Reno knows offensive football. The Delaware Wing T and the Double Wing are TWO different Offenses. While both are power and misdirection oriented, the schemes are vastly different. San Dimas runs the Del as does Maddox's old haunt, West Covina. The Del has a WR and easy to pass out of. The Double Wing that PHS is running now is Old Marrkham stuff; get everyone in the crowded box and bust out with some speed. The Double Wing is World War I trench warfare (block down, kick out, lead up thru the hole) compared to the "air force" spread stuff. Colton (?), Inglewood, and Dominguez have used the Double Wing to CIF championships.
Im glad im not the only one that doesnt see the upset of the rams.
Goldenarm,
T.C. will always have good lineman play. no matter what offense tc runs. I know earlier in the season the line has been criticized, and everything like that, but you're absolutely right, the success over night t.c. has done couldnt be possible without the lineman. simple as that. I think that would be a good look ruckle in the wildcat formation. but dont know if he has an arm or not. As far as the wingT stuff goes. Isnt that what La Canada has been running for ever and ever, dont know bout this year, but thats all they use to do i believe. i think it was the double wingT but im sure guru new york might have better knowledge on that. I like two tight ends but that wingT stuff can be beat easily, i actually remember beating LC and they didnt know what to do cuz our linebackers were meeting their running backs at the line of scrimmage
Dont see South Pas pulling an upset over TC. With all the scouting i'm sure south pas had of SM they primarily stayed in a cover 3 look when we went spread which is an advantage for the offense with 4 vertical routes which SM scored twice on once to yortsos and once to winston. If south pas is to have a chance they have to be able to mix up there coverages to put there defense in a better position for success. There quarterback being back helps but dont think they will be able to keep up with TC's offense if they play mistake free
Philly B
I would love to see some "power" run sets, dbl tight end, Wing T or Ruckle going Wildcat. It would add a dimension and let our kids flex some muscle.
We have come a long way in a short time. How these changes work as the pressure and competition ramp up - we will soon know. No doubt our coaches and kids have worked hard - we look nothing like the TC of last year on offense.
Having 4 experienced hard working senior lineman to build around is something few people credit in the big picture. Without that, none of the other stuff gets off the ground.
Go Rams.
It is time.
Well Im glad SM is finally getting the picture, but i hope it doesnt stop their. Honestly I know smith has an arm and hes elusive, but why dont they use him more like we use bueno???? Ive seen the kid, hes got moves and in the open field he can take off on you. And with ruckle, i dont see why T.C. doesnt pass for 200yds and rush for over 250yds.??? But even with South Pas's QB back I cant see the tigers pulling off an upset on the road!!!!
hsfan
In my opinion, T.C. is the better TEAM!!! I know everyone wants to give south pas a lil hope, thats cool, im glad they have their starting QB back, but I dont think that will be enough. T.C.'s DB's are good and their pretty tall, but i dont know how fast they are. but It'll be a good game, but i dont know if south pas will play 4qtrs, like tc will. plus like goldenarm said its all about whose D will keep fighting.
Bob Anon,
You are not the only one, it is all around ulcer time, except the cure is not antacid, but preparation.
Even though we beat up So Pas last year, they were still in the game until the late 3rd, when their young line simply tired under relentless pounding. #7 was doing his thing, and Bednarski was spraying throws everwhere....but it wasn't till the 4th when things were obviously in TC's favor.
The year prior TC pulled it out only on the athleticism of Williams Do, who crushed the Tigers hopes by running back a late 4th quarter kickoff for
a touchdown. That game easily could have gone to So Pas.
There is no doubt we can score. Unfortunately, with this "quick six" offense comes our penchant to turn the ball over when mistakes are made. If our defense ups the aggression - we should be able to get a win on Friday. However, I would expect So Pas to play their best game of 2009 against us.
Ever the pessimist, I fear South Pasadena upsets La Canada.
Hopefully Coach Yoder motivates the team in that final game. I am confident he can get them ready to play.
Titan Sports Fan
its going to be an interesting last week of the season for sure. TC/SM should be game of the week for week 10 in my opinion but not sure who else is playing around the area. The game will be close and hard fought and could go either way but think it will come down to who wins fourth quarter cuz i dont see either team running away with it.
phillyB,
im going to agree with goldenarm on this one. as last week proved with la canada beating san marino, south pas is still waiting for that breakaway game. they know whats at stake. they know what theyre capable of doing. these loses dont go unaccounted for. trust me on that. sure overlook south pas, but go to a game and you will see a good team hungry for a win. TC is a great team, without a doubt, and should be favored to win, but its a team game. the better TEAM will pull away with the W. south pas's 3rd string qb was in last week and managed the team pretty decently. south pas has weapons, we'll just see if the playcalling exploits them.
hahaha
that kid in the middle happens to be one of the best DB's in the area but it is a bad pic
Thank you Miguel for finally giving the South Pasadena team some credit. For the past few games the passing game has faced several setbacks. Injuries including starting QB Bednarski have now been healed. This puts the, unfortunately still unproven, offense at full steam. After two big lopsided losses in a row South Pasadena is hungry for a win. Expect a hard fought game in Temple City on friday night.
Exactly,
a three way flat footed tie for second place. TC SM and LC.
That is what I call entertainment!
Meanwhile, enjoy the half time speech from Friday Night Lights to get ready for the coin flip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYN4jnA8fKs
Hey Reaperxxx Dude,
Tie breaker #1 is head to head. If all 3 are 3-2 w/ LC over SM, SM over TC and TC over LC... then a coin flip even before Friday nights # 10 game. Two are in; one is out as the weak Montview League (8 schools) has 4 automatics.
Can we please get a new Monrovia picture up there. The kid in the middle is not exactly in a tough posture...
It will be Monrovia in a walk, as the ying and yang of the Rio Hondo League match up. Monrovia that lives by the run and La Canada that lives by the pass.
La Canada's O line was the difference in the SM game plus a well timed screen pass or two at exactly the right time. SM failed to get any pass rush all night long giving Moore time to pass without pressure.
Having seen both teams up close in action, I dont think that Moore will have the same luxury of time he had last week.
Don't look for lightening to strike twice, since LC could have easily lost the game, but 3 SM turnovers in the first half took away what easily could have been a 21-0 1st half lead. While Moore and his receivers are talented, they will need to continue living under a lucky star to get by Monrovia.
A SP upset is sooo far fetched that it is not even in the cards. If TC were to lose to SP it would be likely TC would not be going to playoffs for the first time in a long long time. M 1st, LC 2nd, SM 3rd.
But here is the most interesting scenario of all.
M wins out for 1st (I am not a M fan, but it is clear they will win out, get used to the idea)
SM beats TC
Then you have
M 1st
SM TC and LC sitting at 3-2 with no real tie breaker
resulting in 4 teams to CIF, or a scene right out of Friday Night Lights, a three way coin flip..
That is what I am hoping for, just for the pure fun of it.
PhillyB,
sm already has shuffled rosemead onto their 2010 preleague schedule.
were lc or sp to upset - it would really throw a grenade into the playoff picture. la canada is a better fundamental football team than they showed against tc - iam glad we got that game behind us. San Marino may have underestimated their opponent.
With C Bednarski back behind center it gives SP a spark and added offensive capabililty. We need to play smart D this week...our secondary has improved, but I am sure SP has seen plenty of film of us getting beat deep. It really is all about D.
I would love to see 250 yds on the ground.
hsfan,
as much as I would love to see a whole big shuffle in thr RHL, I dont see South pas going into T.C.'s house and pulling off an upset on thier homecoming night!!! I just dont think south pas has the weapons to knock of T.C. yeah the tigers held the cats to 14 1st half points and..... whats was the final score?? exactly my point.
Heres how the the RHL should play. Monrovia beats LC, the spartans will fight hard, but our defense will be too much for moore to find an open receiver and our DB's will not allow moore to throw all all night. T.C. should and better beat South pas, thats all i know. Monrovia, T.C. and LC. T.C will beat i repeat will beat San Marino no doubt in my mind! That will end up leaving San Marino out of the playoffs and thinking about beefing up their schedule next year. I will be shocked if that doesnt happen how i predict. The SP-TC game will be a good one as well as the cats-spartans showdown, but in the end both teams are rollin on all cylinders and i dont think either LC or Sp has it in them for an upset.
south pas pulls upset