DON'T THINK. IT CAN ONLY HURT THE BALLCLUB

As National SIgning Day approached, Diamond Ranch safety Shelton Miles was wavering between scholarship offers from The University of Idaho and The University of Texas-El Paso.

Tuesday the 5-foot-10, 180-pound safety said "it would take a lot" to sway him from UTEP. By Wednesday morning he had been swayed. Miles signed a national letter of intent with Idaho.

“I’ve never seen him as troubled as he’s been the past few days,” Diamond Ranch football coach Roddy Layton said. “I think it was one of those situations where the last coach he talked to, that’s where he was going to go.”

Miles was the only area recruit who was unsure as signing day approached.

Etiwanda offensive tackle Christian Barker cancelled a recruiting trip to Oregon State last weekend, opting to sign with Nevada Wednesday. Oregon State hadn't yet offered the 6-foot-4, 310-pound Barker a scholarship. The Beavers were discussing gray-shirting him, which means he would skip the 2008 season then enroll in school in January of 2009, at which point he would receive his scholarship.

Instead, Barker will play for a Nevada team graduating four starting offensive linemen over the next two years.

Another Division I signing the Daily Bulletin was unaware of before Wednesday was Colony linebacker Bobby Wagner, who inked his letter of intent to Utah State at 2 p.m. Wagner is the 10th player from the Inland Valley to sign with a WAC school.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 6:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Upland quarterback Josh Nunes - who, as of Wednesday, is a year from being able to sign a letter of intent - received the third scholarship offer of his young career. Now on the list with last year's offers from Hawaii and Arizona is Colorado.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound junior was offered by Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins via phone Wednesday morning. UCLA is a school Nunes is interested in and "would love to hear an offer from," according to Upland assistant coach Mike Esquivel.

Nunes completed 57 percent of his passes this season for 2,105 yards with 14 TD's and 5 interceptions.

Academics won't limit the two-year starter's options. The reigning co-MVP of the Baseline League sports a 4.5 GPA and scored a 1900 on his SAT.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Several high school football players from the Inland Valley are expected to sign letters of intent on Wednesday, National signing Day.
Here is the list the Daily Bulletin has compiled:

Matt Baca, QB, Ayala — Northern Colorado (DI-AA)
Christian Barker, OT, Etiwanda — Nevada
Josh Foley, QB, Norco — Portland State (DI-AA - will play WR)
Cory Harkey, TE, Chino Hills — UCLA
Michael Harris, RB, Chino Hills — Fresno State
Kyle Johnson, OT, Norco — Arizona State
Marvin Jones, WR, Etiwanda — Cal
Ryan McMahon, FS, Damien — USC (walk-on)
Shelton Miles, SS, Diamond Ranch — UTEP
Joshua Nakamoto, RB, Norco — Portland State (DI-AA)
Wade O’Neil, LB, Chino Hills — San Jose State
A.J. Pickens, RB, Don Lugo — Arizona State
Tracy Pugh, DE, Chino Hills — San Jose State
John Rabe, DE, Damien — Nevada
Tre’Shawn Robinson, LB, Upland — Idaho
Daniel Simmons, CB, Colony — Washington State
Damion Whittington, LB, Norco — Fresno State
Khalid Wooten, QB, Carter — Nevada (will play DB)

Posted by Clay Fowler at 4:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This scenario is so perfect it probably seems contrived, but you've got to trust me... the drama is real. If Overton's Patriots pick is correct, he'll win the season-long competition. BUT... since the Super Bowl is worth four points, if Lingo's Giants pick is right he'll have come all the way from back from 10 games down to take the coveted title by a single percentage point.

Last Week
Lingo: 7-0
Clay: 4-3
Overton: 0-7

Playoff standings
Overton: 17-16 (52%)
Lingo: 11-17 (39%)
Clay: 7-19 (27%)

Clay's pick
New England (-12) over N.Y. Giants

Overton's pick
New England (-12) over N.Y. Giants

Lingo's pick
N.Y. GIants (+12) over New England

Posted by Clay Fowler at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)