Football: Monrovia’s Ramirez suspended, off the team

De’Shawn Ramirez, the elusive running back who dazzled fans with his speed and made secondaries look silly, has been suspended from Monrovia High School and the football team.

The junior-to-be currently is in summer school working to become eligible to attend Monrovia High, said Monrovia football coach Ryan Maddox.

“He’s in the process of going through some issues here on campus,” Maddox said. “He’s gotten himself suspended and he’ll start the year suspended. He’s got a process before he’s eligible to play football for us. Whether he’s part of the team or not we’ll see as we get closer, but as of right now he’s not practiced (with us) or part of the team.”

Maddox added that “there’s a chance for him to come back, yes.”

Ramirez, a 5-foot, 170-pound running back/safety was impressive, athletic, physical and not afraid of contact, adding depth to the Wildcats’ stable of running backs.

As a sophomore, Ramirez rushed for 851 yards on 104 carries and scored 10 touchdowns. He broke for runs of 59, 21, 62, 80, 22, 68, 39 and 24 yards, en route to an 8.1 yards average per carry. Ramirez also caught three passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns. He was just as dangerous on special teams, with five kickoff returns amassing 300 yards.

Ramirez was expected to be an integral part of Maddox’s lineup this upcoming season. Maddox said he hopes the suspension ultimately serves as a wake-up call.

“Everybody involved would hope this serves as exactly that,” he said, “and that he realizes that his decisions have consequences, and start making better choices. He’s a very talented football player. He’s a good kid. He just needs some direction and focus.

“All the coaches are trying to work with him, but he’s gotta want to take the necessary steps to get back in the right direction.”

Facebook Twitter Plusone Reddit Tumblr Email

All-Area packages resume this week ….

We ran baseball and softball All-Area teams last week, and we resume with the rest of the sports beginning with track on Tuesday. Swimming follows on Wednesday and tennis on Thursday. The Star-News athletes of the year will follow sometime next week….

Below: Last year’s athletes of the year, South Pasadena’s Steven Colliau and Rio Hondo Prep’s Tiffany Horton.

Facebook Twitter Plusone Reddit Tumblr Email

Friends, family gather to remember coach Brownfield

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM BROWNFIELD’S MEMORIAL SERVICE

By Keith Lair, Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES – There were supposed to be only tears of joy, but when All-Pro linebacker Chad Brown took to the podium at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hill’s Hall of Liberty on Friday night, the tears flowed. Inger Miller, a 2000 Olympic gold medalist, jumped up to the podium to give Brown a tissue.

Brown was not crying because of the loss of his high school coach, Jim Brownfield. Brown was crying because of what Brownfield, who coached the Mustangs football team for 16 years, did for him. And for the thousands of athletes who were in similar shoes.

“He had a vision for you,” Brown recalled. “You did not know what you could do, but he knew what you could do with your life and he wanted you to do the best you could do.”

The athletes were among the roughly 200 who attended a celebration of Brownfield’s life. Brownfield died May 24 after a nearly 14-month battle after having heart surgery. He was 81.

The celebration featured 16 speakers, including athletes who were coached by Brownfield, those who played against a Brownfield team, fellow coaches, National Football Foundation executives and a former Tournament of Roses director. Ricky Ervins, who played for the Washington Redskins, was able to make two appearances on the podium.

CLICK ON THREAD TO CONTINUE READING
Continue reading “Friends, family gather to remember coach Brownfield” »

Facebook Twitter Plusone Reddit Tumblr Email

Football: Talent in SGV continues to rest in the East

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM FRIDAY’S HALL OF FAME GAME

By Steve Ramirez, Staff Writer

BALDWIN PARK – The best talent in the San Gabriel Valley continues to rest in the East. That was made abundantly clear Friday night.

Diamond Ranch’s Gus Viramontes had 208 total yards and threw three touchdown passes and South Hills’ Geoffrey Vaughns had 66 yards receiving and two scores as the East won for the second consecutive year and stretched its series lead to 19-10-2 with a 40-0 thrashing of its West counterparts during the 31st San Gabriel Valley Hall of Fame Game at Baldwin Park High School.

The 40 points scored by the East is the most in the series, and the East registered the fourth shutout.

Viramontes, who threw for 150 yards and rushed for 58 more, earned East MVP. Monrovia’s Josh Lowden was West MVP.

The West looked like it might get the early advantage after Azusa’s Kendrec McDade laid the ball on the ground on his own 37.

CLICK ON THREAD TO CONTINUE READING


Continue reading “Football: Talent in SGV continues to rest in the East” »

Facebook Twitter Plusone Reddit Tumblr Email

2010 Softball All-Area: Forillo’s stellar career ends on top

2010 ALL-AREA SOFTBALL
FIRST TEAM

COACH OF THE YEAR: Jaime Preciado, San Gabriel Mission
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Allie Forillo, La Salle, Sr.
Pitcher: Lauren O’Leary, La Caada, Jr.
Pitcher: Michelle Floyd, San Marino, Fr.
Utility: Katie Clancy, Mayfield, Jr.
Catcher: Catherine Horner, La Caada, So.
Infield: Shelby Gogreve, South Pasadena, Sr.
Infield: Anna Edwards, La Caada, Jr.
Infield: Sterling Shuster, La Salle, Jr.
Infield: Annie Sommers, Maranatha, Jr.
Outfield: Alexis Watanabe, San Marino, So.
Outfield: Jessica Loicano, Temple City, Jr.
Outfield: Colleen McWilliams, La Salle, So.

SECOND TEAM
Pitcher: Lauren Cox, La Caada, So.
Pitcher: Nicole Holguin, San Gabriel Mission, So.
Catcher: Marissa Sanchez, San Gabriel Mission, Sr.
Utility: Mireya Hernandez, Mayfield, Fr.
Infield: Sam Miller, Arcadia, Sr.
Infield: Alashanee Medina, Keppel, So.
Infield: Megan Latta, Pasadena Poly, Sr.
Infield: Erika James, Marshall, Sr.
Outfield: Emily McQuaid, Arcadia, Sr.
Outfield: Megan Martin, La Caada, Sr.
Outfield: Lauren Sanchez, Alverno, Sr.

CLICK ON THREAD FOR STORIES, TIDBITS AND PHOTOS OF FIRST TEAM
Continue reading “2010 Softball All-Area: Forillo’s stellar career ends on top” »

Facebook Twitter Plusone Reddit Tumblr Email