GAME OF THE WEEK
Rosemead (10-2) at Monrovia (10-2) Live blogging by Andrew J. Campa begins at 7:30 p.m.

Friday's semifinal games with predictions:
Rosemead at Monrovia, 7:30 p.m. -- Melendez (Rosemead)
Maranatha at St. Margaret's, 7:30 p.m. -- Melendez (St. Margaret's)

CLICK HERE FOR QUARTER-BY-QUARTER UPDATES!!

Saturday's semifinal games with predictions:
Paraclete at Temple City, 7 p.m. -- Melendez (Paraclete)
Linfield Christian at Rio Hondo Prep, 7:30 p.m. -- Melendez (Rio Hondo Prep)

On paper, Monrovia and Rosemead high schools look evenly matched. But make no mistake, both teams are different in their own unique way.

Payback will be on the mind of one team and perhaps redemption on the other when the Wildcats play host to the Panthers on Friday night at 7:30 in the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division playoffs.

It's no secret both teams are fueled by a relentless ground attack.

Marquise Williams wearing green for Monrovia and Tra Sumler wearing maroon for Rosemead.

Williams relies on his quickness and ability to exploit open holes while Sumler is a specialist at bouncing off tackles and muscling his way down the middle.

Both teams will attempt to establish the run, and it'll be interesting to see how the oppressed team responds when the holes are nowhere in sight.

Enter the quarterbacks.

Senior Angel Alejandre is averaging 176 yards passing per game and has 2,110 yards on the season with 16 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Sophomore Nick Bueno has held his ground, passing for 1,001 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Those numbers, however, can be deceiving.

"Alejandre is a senior and very good quarterback," Monrovia coach Ryan Maddox said,
"not that our quarterback isn't. We've asked (Bueno) to do less than Rosemead asked
Alejandre to do, but both quarterbacks are very good in the system that they run.

"With (Bueno) we have him do a little less and as he matures we are asking him to do more and more."

"(Bueno) does a good job of scrambling when he goes back to pass," Rosemead coach Matt Koffler said. "He really hurt us in Week 2. He can make some plays but the other running backs, not just Marquise, do a good job for them. We know we're going to have our hands full."

Though Rosemead and Monrovia both are run-oriented teams, the Wildcats rely more on a ground attack than the Panthers do.

But despite the lower numbers than Alejandre, Bueno certainly is more than capable of catching defenses off guard with his deft passing ability. That Bueno's numbers are lower than Alejandre's is by plan.

"Our offense is based on deception and taking what they give us," Maddox said. "we run plays to exploit that, whether it's with our run or pass."

The argument has been made the Panthers are much more physical up front on both sides of the ball.

"I would not agree," Maddox said. "I think they're a physical team but we're just as physical."

The key to coming away with a victory?

"It's going to come down to the team that makes least mistakes," Maddox said.
A lot has changed since Week 2 when Rosemead handed Monrovia a 42-21 defeat, a game in which Sumler did not play the second half after a first-half ejection.

"We've grown as a football team since then and I'm sure they have as well," Maddox said.
Despite the No. 1 seed, Monrovia is aware of the tough task at hand.

Added Maddox, "Rosemead's the most complete team we've played all year."
Despite beating the Wildcats in Week 2, the Panthers didn't earn a seed but at this point of the season it's not a big deal.

"The seeding wasn't a big deal," Koffler said. "We approached every game like it was a championship game because that's what it is.

"Now we're looking at Game 3 in a championship environment."

Now that's a big deal.

That's my buddy Steve Fryer, the face of The Orange County Register. He is not only a great friend but a mentor (In my first summer at The Reg four years ago, Fryer said I reminded him of ESPN.com's Mark Stein, who worked at The Register in his younger days before hitting it big time. Naturally, I almost couldn't breath after that kind of compliment).

Now that I got the Kleenex-grabbing disclaimer out of the way lets get to the good stuff.

Fryer has provided bulletin board material for Orange County teams since even before I was born. And now he's spreading the "love" over to our picturesque side of town by providing "bulletin board" material for Maranatha. It should be noted I've done my fair share of providing bulletin board material for the Minutemen, too.

BUT NEVER ON VIDEO!!!!

Click here to watch video of The Orange County Register's Steve Fryer and Dan Albano discuss the Maranatha-St. Margaret's game in the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section East Valley Division playoffs. For whatever reason, the audio is not as good as they usually are, so throw on some headphones to listen better. Despite mangling Matt Shilz's name in the video, Dan Albano, another good friend, defends Maranatha in the video but in the end votes for St. Margaret's.

Click here to view the St. Margaret's-Yucca Valley quarterfinals box score.

More from OCVarsity (The Register's high school website):

MARANATHA (11-1) VS. ST. MARGARET'S (12-0)
Site, time: St. Margaret's High, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: The top-seeded Tartans can tie Mission Viejo's county-record winning streak of 41 games with a victory. St. Margaret's notched the 14th victory in the streak against with a 21-20 victory against Maranatha in the '06 Northeast Division final. The Tartans also beat Maranatha, 56-14, in Week 2 last season. Last week, St. Margaret's defeated host Yucca Valley, 17-6. The 11-point margin of victory was the smallest of the season for St. Margaret's, who had two touchdowns nullified by penalties. The Tartans are allowing an average of 4.9 points a game. The defense will be tested by Maranatha quarterback Matt Schilz, who has passed for 2,553 yards and 28 touchdowns. Schilz had committed to Kansas State but is reportedly now looking elsewhere. Last season against St. Margaret's, Schilz suffered a broken femur early in the game. Schilz's top target this season has been receiver Terell Cornell, who has 60 catches for 1,019 yards. Maranatha's lone defeat came in the Alpha League to Brentwood, 24-0.
St. Margaret's played last week without standout running back John Murayama (hamstring). The junior is questionable to make his first playoff appearance Friday, Tartans coach Harry Welch said. Fillmore plays Twentynine Palms in the other East Valley semifinal Saturday.
DAN ALBANO/OCVarsity

*This post is not limited to only football. Chime in on girls volleyball, boys water polo, cross country and girls tennis.*

We're a few weeks away from publishing our All-Area team as well as our coach of the year and player of the year. (What do you guys think about a Mr. SGV award? Just a though)
The conversation about who should be player and coach of the year have been discussed here in the office and you'd be surprised if I told you what people are whispering. When I was at the OC Register I had my own criteria for picking my All-County soccer and tennis teams. What criteria should be used here? I'll be making my selections next week but here's your chance to have your say on the Best 11 this side of the 626.

The Sherman Oaks Notre Dame junior quarterback passed for 3,291 yards and 36 touchdowns. He led Notre Dame to an 11-1 record, winning the Serra League title.

He also had a 3.75 grade-point average, which is an important component of the Gatorade player of the year evaluation procedure.

He now becomes a candidate for Gatorade national player of the year. Last season, he led Notre Dame's sophomore team to a 10-0 record.

Click here to read the rest of Eric Sondheimer's story in the Los Angeles Times.

I know what you're thinking.

Are you crazy, Miguel? How can it be an upset when Monrovia is the No. 1 seed?!?!

Well, that has no barring on the question as I'm sure you've all equated when comparing both teams.

We all know Rosemead deserved at least the No. 2 seed, and given the Panthers handed the Wildcats a whoopin' in Week 2, Rosemead has the slight edge heading into Friday's game.

The Panthers bolster arguably a much more physical line on both sides of the ball, as one commenter noted on another thread.

We all know the matchup among the running backs and at this point it seems to be a clear tie among Marquise and Tra. Someone else brought up a very good question: Which RB has a better supporting cast.

Lets start by comparing the QB's:

Angel Alejandre, Sr., Rosemead = 137 completions; 208 attempts; 2,110 yards; 175.8 yards per game; 16 touchdowns; 3 interceptions

Nick Bueno, So., Monrovia = 66 completions; 120 attempts; 1,001 yards; 83.4 yards per game; 10 touchdowns; 3 interceptions

Both teams are run-oriented teams, though the Wildcats tend to run/pass 65-35. The Panthers are not as heavy but the run certainly dominates the play selection.

Should one team find a way to clog the box and shut down the run they'll have to opt for the pass before it's too late. In this instance, the Panthers get the edge, again.

So if Monrovia beats Rosemead, is it an upset?

Yep.

They're back.

Some of the West San Gabriel Valley's best high school soccer players return for their senior seasons. Their junior and sophomore years, too.

It's a time of optimism and a time to build in preparation for the start of league play and the CIF-Southern Section playoffs.

Last year, the best playoff finish was made by La Salle, which reached the quarterfinals.

A look at the Top 10:

NO. 1 FLINTRIDGE SACRED HEART -- It's about the young and old.

The Tologs return eight seniors. They also have eight incoming freshmen on the roster. Only one player from last season's JV team, which went 14-3, made it to the varsity squad this season.

"The best players play, regardless of class," co-coach Frank Pace said. "We have a lot of really good freshmen."

The Tologs, who went 12-7-4 but lost in the first round of the CIF-SS Division I playoffs last season, return a defense that has had 21 shutouts in the last two seasons. That includes Sinead Fleming and Pip Harragin. Fleming has signed a national letter of intent to play at New Mexico next season. Harragin has signed with UC Davis.

Senior Samantha Norton and sophomore Natalie Zeenni, who transferred from Arcadia, are also on defense. Junior Danielle Molina is back at defensive midfield. Junior Dominique Oro returns to goalie, but she is being pushed by two players. Senior Catherine Yonai was supposed to be the starter last season, but she had shoulder surgery and missed the season. Freshman Lindsey Espe is also challenging for playing time.

"We really like competition at every position," Pace said. "It makes our team better."

Among the newcomers is freshman midfielder Tera Trujillo, who is a member of the U.S. Under-15 national team, and forwards Katie Johnson and Breena Koemans.

But they could be struggling to find playing time, even though the Tologs lost All-Area Player of the Year Carter Vettese. Senior Isabelle Johnson is back; she was the second-leading scorer behind Vettese. Senior Bianca Garoian also returns.

Pace shares the coaching duties with Kathy Desmond, who is entering her 14th year with the program.

NO. 3 MONROVIA -- La Canada and South Pasadena have pretty well dominated the Rio Hondo League in recent history, but the Wildcats are ready to change that. Monrovia returns eight starters from a team that tied South Pasadena for second in league last season. Two of those did not play until late in the season because of eligibility issues. This season, grades should not be an issue. "Last year we had a lot of one-goal games," coach Jamie Payne said. "We don't want to lose or tie those games. We want to win them." Lisa Kelley, Rachel Holmes, Grace Kennedy, Vania Ovando, Tyler Shirk, Shannon Brooks, Courtney Burney and goalkeeper Sarah Wallick return. Kelly, Brooks and Holmes are seniors. The other five are juniors. Payne also has a top freshman in Taylor Synold.

NO. 4 LA SALLE -- The Lancers started slowly last season but knocked off powerful La Ca ada and reached the CIF-SS Division IV quarterfinals before losing in overtime in a driving rainstorm. Most of those players return for new coach Edgar Manvel- Yan. "I have some new ideas," said Manvelyan, who has coached club soccer with Pasadena's Cherif Zein and coached the Burbank girls last season. "We're going to play a more entertaining style of soccer." Four key returnees "and a lot of sophomores" highlight the Lancers, who went 10-11-4 last season. They include sisters Sam and Lori Cuerington, who both play forward. Sam is a senior and Lori a sophomore.
Junior Amy Kahr is switching from forward to defense, and sophomore Whitney Tashiro will anchor the middle of the field. Junior Caley Mauch also returns to the roster after missing last season. Manvelyan is also waiting on the club season to end so that freshman Jenna Alper will be available. La Salle and Monrovia played to a 1-1 tie on Monday.

NO. 5 LA CANADA -- The Spartans lost all but three starters from a team that had a world of potential last season but was upset by La Salle in the CIF-SS playoffs. For coach Louie Bilowitz, that's a good thing. "This may be the most fun team I will have had in a long time," the longtime Spartans coach said. "They call this sport `the beautiful game,' and because we don't have one outstanding player, I think we can play like that. Everyone touches the ball." The Spartans lost forward Nancy Avesyan and defender Colleen Boyd to graduation. Sophomore goalkeeper Eirene Kim decided to stick with volleyball and will not play this season. Another starter left the school and another is ineligible. "This is going to be a fun team to watch develop," Bilowitz said. "Maybe it will be the best team I've ever had that plays like a team." Returning is Milly Beebee, who was the No. 2 scorer last season. She is moving to defender. Junior Rachel Ragusa and sophomore Lisa Lim also return. Freshman Haley Austin is currently the goalkeeper and Kelly Clark decided to play soccer instead of basketball this season. She will also be on the defense.

NO. 6 PASADENA POLY -- It's time to see if Chadwick is vulnerable. The Dolphins have been the dominant Prep League team, but Poly coach Pat Gray said he thinks his Panthers have a shot at the league title this season. "The Prep League has always been competitive, and I think it will be even more so this season," he said. "For us, we're still putting the pieces together, and the question mark might be defense." The Panthers have 12 returning players, including six starters, from a team that went to the second round of the CIF-SS Division IV playoffs. Four seniors are back in the starting lineup: midfielder Abby Bogan, forward Megan Jackson, defender Lucy Ana- walt and forward Hannah Wear. Katie Gancedo and Zibby Boyer, who started as freshmen last season, also return.

NO. 7 ALVERNO -- Goal scorers extraordinaire Ameenah Issa and Jessica Capra return. Issa, a senior, had 22 goals and Capra, a junior, scored 20 goals last season for the Jaguars, who won the Horizon League and finished 9-2. There are 12 sophomores and freshmen on the team. The only other senior is Marina Lesse.

NO. 8 MARANATHA -- The Minutemen take a big leap from the Alpha to the Olympic League. "It will be tough, but I think it is good for us," coach Jolie Robison said. "A couple of the teams are ranked, and playing those teams makes you a better team." Robison may have wished her team had toughened up last season when it was undefeated before falling to Torrance 2-0 in the second round of the CIF-SS playoffs. The Minutemen finished 14-8-1. "I think this will make us better for the playoffs," she said. Because it is a five-team league, though, there will be one less guaranteed playoff berth. Five returning starters will lead Maranatha: forwards Kimmie Sommers and Jessica Austin, midfielder Bianca Mercado, and defenders Taylor French and Tayor Ferry.

NO. 9 WESTRIDGE -- The Tigers have 11 starters returning from a team that tied for second in the Prep League last season and played two CIF-SS playoff games. "Our key role players are back," coach Jason Windass said. Anchoring the defense will be returning starter Grace Birkenbeuel, a senior. Also back are senior midfielder Alexandra Regas-Riwerts, junior forward Michele Stathos and senior forward Elizabeth Bridges. The only freshman on the team is Eda Reed, who typically plays forward but may be moved back into the defense.

NO. 10 SOUTH PASADENA -- The Tigers are young, but oh, are they talented. It starts in the middle, where sophomore Tara Aalem plays. She will play center, forward and midfield, and she led the Tigers in scoring last season. South Pasadena, which tied Monrovia for second in Rio Hondo League play last season, has five seniors. The rest are sophomores or freshmen. Among the top players are forwards Aubrey Thurman and Aubrey Gorman. Ashley Rollin, who did not play last season, steps onto the field, and Erika Quinonez will be a key asset. "It's nice that they're young and talented," coach Randy Lilavois said. "We want to finish at least where we were last year, and if we do not, we'll be disappointed."

I can't imagine any empty seats or standing room for this week's showdown when Rosemead visits Monrovia at 7:30 on Friday night in the semifinals of the CIF-SS Mid-Valley Division playoffs.

In last week's quarterfinals, Duarte had plenty of seats available on its home stands while there barely was standing room on Monrovia's side. Must have been cozy over on that side.

But for those who get stuck without a seat or give up looking for parking at or near Monrovia High, be sure to check out our blog for live updates from all-around sports guru Andrew J. Campa who will lend a help while I track down the story, stats and tidbits.

Aside from quarter-by-quarter updates, we'll deliver updated scoring summaries and real-time updates on the comment section. If you have a question leave a comment and I'll hunt down an answer.

Like John Legend's new song, I'm ready to go right now!

To think, the Temple City High School football team potentially could have been a coin flip away from missing the CIF-Southern Section playoffs.
Yes, it was that close.

But Tim Loya, the Rams offensive coordinator-turned-interim coach, made the call, a gutsy call that paid off in more ways than one; it also instilled confidence in the players whose season seemingly was on the line.

Temple City scored in the final two minutes against La Cañada in the regular season finale, but the Rams still trailed, 14-12.

"We knew that a win would get us in," Loya recalled. "But at that point we needed to get the tie to avoid the coin flips."

Loya opted for the two-point conversion.

The rest is history.

Temple City went on to finish second in the Rio Hondo League, and in two days the Rams will play host to Paraclete at 7:30 p.m. in the semifinals of the Mid-Valley Division playoffs.

Temple City is on a magical run, perhaps the "Cinderella" team of these playoffs, yearning for midnight to strike no earlier than a week from Saturday.

The magical ride has been a near indescribable experience for Loya, who took over on an interim basis after head coach Randy Backus was put on administrative leave.

"It's pretty surreal, yeah, that's the best way to put it," said Loya in his first lengthy interview Wednesday morning. "It's happening so fast that you don't really have time to digest it. It's been a fun ride and the kids are enjoying it and playing football for themselves, as they should be.

"They're high school kids, they should enjoy the experience, and that's what matters."

For seven years, Loya has been Backus' top assistant, making the calls on offense.

But despite being thrust into the interim head coach position and earning praise from colleagues for his poise, composure and soft demeanor, it's the behind-the-scenes role that Loya relishes most.

"When I coach I do it for the kids, and that's truly what I enjoy," Loya said. "It's never been about having my name in the paper or a win-loss record, that's never been anything I've ever wanted.

"I feel confident in my abilities as a coach, but there's a lot of other things that go into it."

With Backus out for the time being, the Rams coaching staff has suddenly dwindled to just three. Mike Cable and Marti Valdez round out the rest of the coaching staff.

"Marti and Mike have been absolutely great," Loya said. "None of this would be possible without them. A lot of the credit goes to them."

What makes it even more difficult is that none of the current assistants, including Loya, are teachers or employees of Temple City High.

"Being (Backus) was the only teacher on campus and the defensive play-caller, he mattered more than what you'd actually think," Loya said, "and now that he's gone there's only three of us. That's been more difficult with him not being around."

Despite compiling a 2-0-1 record since taking over and slowly making a name for himself,
Loya has all but ruled out the possibility of taking over the program or being a head coach elsewhere.

"I never wanted to be a head coach," he said. "I've never even considered it for one second. (Backus) is still the head football coach."

The seniors have taken it upon themselves to avoid a let down. And although it happened in the first round against Arroyo and escaped with a 7-6 win, Loya said they turned it around during practice later that week, en route to an impressive 17-0 win over highly-touted Azusa.

"This particular group of seniors have gone through a lot since before last season began," Loya said. "They went through the whole spring and summer without a head coach, then Backus got diagnosed with cancer and missed a couple of games in the season, and some how (the seniors) have never taken a 'Why me?' attitude.

"They've been through a lot in two years and after what happened a couple of weeks ago they're rallying behind themselves, if anything else."

All of last week, leading up to its game against San Dimas High School in the quarterfinals of the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division playoffs, Rosemead football coach Matt Koffler heard it from just about every place he went.
Nico Barbone this. David Joseph that.
All the while the Panthers boasted one of the premier running backs in the San Gabriel Valley in senior Tra Sumler, who was ready to tear up the field with his bruising physicality and elusive speed. But despite routing the Saints 59-22, the running back versus running back debate will continue when Rosemead takes on Monrovia at 7:30 p.m. Friday in a semifinal showdown. The Wildcats, who defeated Duarte 41-21, are led by Marquise Williams, who rushed for 233 yards and scored five touchdowns in the victory. "Those two guys are special," Koffler said, "so I don't think it should end."
But the reality is it will end for one team this week.
And aside from relying on Sumler, who also scored five touchdowns in his team's win Friday, and a balanced attack with quarterback Angel Alejandre, the Panthers will need their defensive line to continue its dominating performance, which hides week after week behind the Sumler shadow. "Our defense has been overlooked all year," Koffler said. "Our defensive coordinator and our defensive line are just phenomenal."
Marc Paramo is the defensive coordinator in his second season with Koffler, who
credits Paramo for a superb defense that limited San Dimas' offense to 22 points after it averaged more than 30 a game. "He deserves all the credit in the world," Koffler said. "When you stop a team that's averaging 30 points a game, that's pretty special."
The defensive line is anchored by seniors Edward Vasquez, Armando Avila and Chris Flores, along with junior Luis Diaz. "Without them it doesn't work," Koffler said.
The Rosemead coaching staff didn't watch Paraclete beat Northview 14-0 in last Saturday's other quarterfinal. "I did not watch it and I did not have any coaches at that game," Koffler said. "We are taking this one game at a time and our main focus is Monrovia, a team we definitely cannot overlook."

NO. 1 MUIR -- In Northwest Pasadena, the rich do indeed get richer.

"I think we will be better than last year," Mustangs coach Gary Johnson said. "We're going for that ring."

That's a lot to back up, considering Muir went 14-0 in the Pacific League, reached the CIF Division I-A semifinals, losing to Mira Costa 49-44, and then advancing to the CIF State Division III Southern California championship game, losing to Magnolia 40-39. The Mustangs finished 28-3.

"We expect great things in CIF and State," Johnson said.

It helps that 6-foot-1 senior center Brittnay Henderson and 5-8 swing Eliza Pierre are back. Both committed to Division I programs during the early signing period; Henderson to Kentucky and Pierre, rated the No. 2 point guard in the country by ESPN, to Cal.

"I definitely think it will help them because they can avoid the hype of who's watching them and what kind of scholarship they are going to get," Johnson said.

The Mustangs also picked up 5-9 junior Taylor Gomez, a transfer from Artesia. Senior Kiarra Day will see ample playing time and Paige Robinson will play point guard. Marty McClendon, a 5-11 junior forward/center, and Taylar Mills, a 6-0 standout hurdler on the track and field team, join the squad.

The Mustangs open the season against Magnolia on Monday in the Troy Tournament.

"We want our revenge," Johnson said, with a laugh. "No, we want to play all the good teams. It makes us better."

Click on thread for the rest of the Top 10

NO. 3 MONROVIA -- The Wildcats have their two best players, Maryum Jenkins and Jasmine Gordon, returning. It's a good omen for the only team to have beaten Blair in Rio Hondo League play last season. Injuries, however, created a second-place tie in league.
Numerous league coaches said the Wildcats should be the favorites to win the title.

NO. 4 FLINTRIDGE PREP -- The Rebels lost only one player to graduation. Unfortunately, it was last season's best player, Courtney Robinson. But Flintridge Prep has four starters back from a Prep League championship team that went 23-6 and reached the CIF Division IV-A semifinals, losing to Laguna Hills. "They're very young, but they have experience," coach Kenny Fisher said. "The year before, we went to the finals and lost everybody, so we definitely defied expectations last year. We need to kind of exploit on last year's experience." All-CIF returnee Megan Musashi, a junior, senior Alina Khodadian and juniors Deanna Watson and Kelsey Merchant are back in the starting lineup.

NO. 5 PASADENA POLY -- Four starters return and the Panthers pick up a freshman who played for the junior national championship team. "We'll be very, very good," coach Kim Weber Hall said. "I know our expectations are high." Michelle Miller, a 5-9 point guard, is among the best freshmen that Hall said she has coached. Combined with returning starters Kelly Pray, Tammy Newman, Julia Brown and Jade Richard-Craven, Poly hopes to make a run at Flintridge Prep in the Prep League.

NO. 6 MARANATHA -- The expectations have become Alpha League and CIF titles. But coach Annie Miller said that's not her philosophy at all. "We focus more on the continuity of the players more than against wins and losses," she said. The Minutemen, 24-6, played league champion Whittier Christian for the Division V-A title last season, losing 37-31. Senior Lauren McGee, juniors Kristina Newkirk and Lauryn Elffers and sophomore Mian Dingle return, but it will be a different Maranatha team, Miller said.

NO. 7 BLAIR -- The Vikings can't sneak up on anybody this season. They won the Rio Hondo League title last season, but they lost standout guards Melissa Fudge and Stephanie Defrance. They also lost their coach. Blair, which went 20-6 overall and 9-1 in league, has Brianna Daniels and Michiko Chavous returning for new coach George Wrighster. Chavous is the team's lone senior. The Vikings' two tallest players are freshmen: 5-11 Zany Brown and 5-10 Ashley Clark.

NO. 8 PASADENA -- The Bulldogs took their lumps last season, starting three freshmen en route to a 7-20 season. Coach Ray Mayberry expects that year of experience to help Pasadena turn the corner. "Our goal is to win 10 games this season," Mayberry said. "We want to be in every game." Six-foot sophomore center Cherisse Turner, 5-7 sophomore guard Taylor Crockum and senior forward Alexis Shibada are expected to make impacts this season. "The problem we had last year was that we had to get the girls acclimated to high school basketball," Mayberry said.

NO. 9 SOUTH PASADENA -- Three returning starters are back for the Tigers, led by senior Nicole Biesek, who was South Pasadena's top scorer and rebounder last season. Biesek, a forward, averaged 12.0 points and 11.8 rebounds last season. She and Kara Yoshihara, a guard, are the team's lone seniors. Sophomore guard Kelsey Lee again returns to the starting lineup. Sophomore center Emma Mitchell, 5-11, and junior forward Kimberly Hu are also expected to make impacts. The Tigers, who were 17-7 last season and tied Monrovia for second in the Rio Hondo League, also have 6-2 sophomore Mercedes Binns coming off the bench. "Everybody has responded, but the question is, can we translate practices to games?" coach Ralph Punaro said.

NO. 10 SAN MARINO -- The Titans barely made the playoffs last season, but they have a lot going for them this season. They have four players who are 5-10 or taller. They have a new coach, David Jensen, who was last season's All-Area coach of the year after guiding Blair. There's senior center Jessica Ecung and two key senior returnees, guard Lauren Oshiro and forward Tiffany Liu.

From Rivals.com

It looks like it's going to be back to the future for Kansas State football.

Matt Schilz has opened up his recruiting after being a long-time K-State commitment.
When Kansas State made its run toward to the Big 12 championship it did it with a dual-threat quarterback and it looks like that's the direction the Wildcats will go under again coach Bill Snyder.

K-State has informed Maranatha three-star quarterback Matt Schilz that a change to a dual-threat system will be made now that Snyder is now the coach, compared the pro-style offense run under former coach Ron Prince.

"After speaking with the new K-State coaching staff and learning they plan to run the option offense, Matt has decided to look elsewhere," Schilz's mother, Staci, said Tuesday afternoon.

"He feels that type of offense is not a fit for what he does best as a pocket passer. He is excited to look at other schools."

Schilz, who is the nation's No. 34 pro-style quarterback, had been a long time Wildcat commitment.

He originally picked the Wildcats over interest from Oregon State, San Diego State, Washington State and SMU. Schilz is having an excellent season and should become one of the West's most heavily courted quarterbacks.

He's led Maranatha to the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section East Valley Division playoffs after a 23-22 overtime win last week against Big Bear. He's thrown for 2,553 yards and 28 touchdowns.

So who is the better running back, Rosemead's Tra Sumler or Monrovia's Marquise Williams? That's like asking what runs better, a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. Both are seniors and led their respective teams to a league championship. But here are how the stats break down on the powerful backs:

Tra Sumler = 229 carries; 2,026 yards; 8.85 yards per carry; 184.2 yards per game; 26 TD's

Marquise Williams = 225 carries; 1,966 yrds; 8.74 yards per carry; 163.8 YPG; 24 TD's.

Williams needed at least three games to get used to the Wing-T, which isn't as easy to grasp. You can make the argument that Sumler did not play the second half against Monrovia, and he also didn't play against Harvard-Westlake as he served a one-game suspension for his ejection in the Monrovia game. Hmmmm...

Paraclete football coach Norm Dahlia was kind enough to take some time off and speak with me to talk some football.

As you know, the Spirits visit the San Gabriel Valley again this weekend when they take on Temple City at 7:30 p.m. in the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division playoffs.

Dahlia didn't straight out say it, but they're reading the blog from way up in Lancaster. He said he's been to Temple City and knows how loud the crowd can get out here.

On paper, both teams arguably look evenly matched with the exception that the Rams throw the ball a lot more than Paraclete.

This game could go quick with potent running backs at each team's disposal. The key to winning Saturday's game?

"Just staying consistent and lack of turnovers," Dahlia said. "The turnover battle is the most important battle in the game because it's a huge momentum changer, especially when we're playing at Temple City and I've been there in the past and the fans rally around the team."

I told Dahlia I was at the Paraclete-Northview game and commended his large contingent on the other side of Covina District Field, and that's when I found out Dahlia does indeed read the blog.

"I thought it was kind of cute that someone mentioned we brought half the desert," he said. "We have 800 students at our school and we are competing schools of (bigger) size and our parent following is huge with a lot of our sports so we trust that our parents are going to travel, that's been a tradition."

Dahlia was alluding Goldenarm's comment when he wrote in the Saturday Morning Quarterback Postgame thread, "Paraclete had major fan support last night, 1/2 the desert was in the stands."