Season in review: Monrovia … Grade: A


Anthony Craft gives Monrovia fans something to be excited about in ’11.

Record: 12-2
Biggest win: 38-8 over Whittier Christian in CIF final.
Worst loss: 35-34 to San Dimas in OT
The Good: The Wildcats took an entire football program off the hook by being the first team in school history to win a CIF championship. Monrovia was previously 0-9 in championship games. But beside the Rio Hondo and Mid-Valley Division titles, the Wildcats proved they could overcome adversity, and that’s something that was in question up until Dec. 12.
The Bad: It’s nitpicking, but this team was good enough to go 13-1. It should have beaten San Dimas in Week 3, but there are some who feel that without that defeat, Monrovia never would have developed its championship character. I can buy that.
The Ugly: Wildcats fans will shed plenty of tears at graduation this June, because that’s when legendary QB Nick Bueno leaves the school for good. Bueno has been the face of the program for three seasons and now comes the task of replacing a rare talent like him. It won’t happen, but that doesn’t mean the ‘Cats won’t be just fine at QB next fall.
Sad to see you go: QB Nick Bueno, LB Derrick Johnson, WR Jay Henderson, DB Charlie Cimmarusti.
What to look forward to: Ellis McCarthy TE/DE is back, he will be one of the top recruits on the Left Coast and the best defensive player in the entire Valley. QB George Frazier is supposed to be a good one, but he’ll have huge shoes to fill. K Mason Bryant will be one of the top kickers in the area. Anthony Craft is another WR/DB talent ready to break out.