I’m very pleased to present the first-ever Tribune Coaches Poll. This is a top 20 as voted on by the majority of coaches in the area. ALL VOTES WERE DONE ANONYMOUSLY, which was key in getting the coaches to participate. Teams were given a point value in relation to where they were ranked in each coach’s top 20, and first place votes are included in parentheses. Enjoy!

1. Bishop Amat (14) 470
2. Charter Oak (2) 437
3. Chino Hills (7) 423
4. South Hills 373
5. Glendora 357
6. West Covina 356
7. Diamond Ranch 324
8. San Dimas 300
9. Damien 257
10. Rowland 244
11. Bonita 229
12. Claremont 220
13. Ayala 206
14. Azusa 149
15. Walnut 148
16. Baldwin Park 145
17. Arroyo 133
18. Rosemead 116
19. Diamond Bar (1) 68
20. Covina 58

Others receiving votes: Pomona 54, Wilson 37, Bassett (1) 20, Los Altos 18, La Puente 13, El Monte 10, Sierra Vista 9, Duarte 6, Northview 4, Gladstone 3, Workman 2, Ganesha 1.

Coaches reactions …

Steve Hagerty, Amat on being No. 1: We’re flattered the coaches think enough of our program to think we’re the top team in the San Gabriel Valley. I’m fired up, but in a respectful way, it really means nothing. I hope they’re right. I hope they’re prophets and they are absolutely correct.

Lou Farrar, Charter Oak on being No. 2: I think it’s crazy, because I’ve watched us practice for the last week or two. Our kids who are a part of that ranking, they’re graduated. It puts a lot of pressure on our kids. We haven’t tackled anybody or scored a touchdown yet.

Matt Koffler, Rosemead on Arroyo and Rosemead’s rankings: It just kind of shows what maybe people in the coaching world think of the Mission Valley League. I think (Arroyo coach) Jim (Singiser) and I can use that to our advantage. Azusa made their run and I assume everyone is basing it off of last year’s records. Throughout the years, I know Rosemead and Arroyo have been among the most consistent programs in the Valley and we’re going to try and stay consistent and handle our business on the field.