Colony has the talent to win first title under Bechtel
If talent alone won games, we could probably hand Colony the Mt. Baldy League title right now. In addition to the return of electrifying utility man Chaz Nelson and Robert Wagner, a linebacker already with a handlful of scholarship offers the Titans received a pair of transfers who may put them over the top.
The athletic Bryan Harper, a Washington commit who transferred from Carter, is battling for the starting quarterback job with Claremont junior transfer Matt Simko, a 6-foot-3 pocket passer. The battle is so close that head coach Matt Bechtel said he may have to rotate the two. Whoever is throwing the passes will have the services of a pair of track star receivers in addition to the shifty Nelson, who will see time at running back as well.
"Year in, year out we expect to compete for the Mt. Baldy League championship and the Central Division championship," Bechtel said. "That's not being cocky; that's just what we expect."
Harper, who will play cornerback in college, figures to be utilized extensively on both sides of the ball whether he wins the starting quarterback job or not. It is the players protecting the quarterback that most concern Bechtel. The season could hinge on Colony's inexperienced offensive line that returns just two starters.
"I think the league title is going to come down to us and Chino," Colony coach Matt Bechtel said. "I think we have the skill guys to make a run but it's going to hinge on the lines because we're young up front."
Defensively, the holes are up front after Colony graduated all three starting linemen, but Wagner and Eddie Martinez are two of the best linebackers in the Inland Valley and will play in front of a secondary that will include Harper, Nelson and junior Samajie Grant.
About Clay
Clay Fowler has been covering high school sports for six years in California and Texas. He was born in Dallas, attended the University of Texas and worked in Central Texas before joining the Daily Bulletin staff in 2006.
Email Clay here
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