Pasadena QB Brandon Cox commits to Arizona …

Pasadena standout quarterback Brandon Cox has committed to Arizona, according to a post on his Twitter account.

Cox threw for 2,697 yards and 26 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 562 yards and eight scores.

According to Cox’s tweet, he had just completed a visit to Oregon and was deciding between the two schools before picking Arizona.

Aram’s take: Congrats to B-Cox. He’s part of an absolutely loaded west side of the Valley when it comes to QBs.

East coach Dale Ziola confident his secondary can hold up vs. Guerrero/Rivera QB combo for West …

Aram’s Prediction: West 27, East 21
Why: I just can’t fade the QB tandem of Andy Guerrero and Steven Rivera. I am worried that the East’s sick secondary will make it so the West’s WRs have a hard time getting open, but I think Jude Oliva is a gonna go up tempo and do quick hitters to De’Shawn Ramirez and Alex Villalobos. The East may have a big edge in terms of its run game vs. the West’s front seven. That could be a problem, like it has been in recent years. But in the end, I trust Rivera and/or Guerrero to make enough big plays.

WEST COVINA — There’s absolutely no secret what the West team is going to try to do in Friday’s Hall of Fame All-Star Game in order to get some respect back for its side of the Valley. And, of course, it’s also no secret what the East will try to do to keep its recent string of series dominance in tact.

The top recently graduated high school football seniors will renew the East vs. West rivalry Friday at West Covina High. Introductions are 7 p.m. and kickoff is 7:30 p.m.

When rosters for the game were announced earlier this month, the huge advantage the West had at quarterback was glaring. Tribune Player of the Year Steven Rivera of Arroyo and Star-News Player of the Year Andy Guerrero of San Gabriel combined to throw for 6,669 yards and 67 touchdowns last season.

Now teammates, both quarterback have been very vocal about getting the West back some respect after the East increased its series lead to 20-10-2 with a 7-6 win last season. It’s a sentiment that has obviously trickled down to the rest of the roster.

“I definitely think we have the right approach and attitude about the game,” said West coach Jude Oliva, who led San Gabriel to a 9-5 record last season. “A lot of the kids have a great understanding of the history of this game and know the West hasn’t been successful the last couple years. They’ve come in here and have been talking about trying to end the streak.”

Wisely, Oliva is making no bones about his team’s desire to air it out tonight and ride the arms of Guerrero and Rivera as far as they can. That means a host of West weapons should see plenty of chances to make big plays.

Muir running back Tairen Owens and Monrovia’s Marquise Bias headline the backfield. Monrovia all-purpose threat De’Shawn Ramirez and San Gabriel speedster Alex Villalobos could have huge nights if Guerrero and Rivera have their way.

Trouble is, East coach Dale Ziola said his team is well aware of the firepower the West has stockpiled and will look to counteract it with a talented secondary and fierce pass rush. Ziola led Los Altos to a remarkable turnaround in his first season, taking the program from 0-10 in 2010 to 8-4 last season.

“One of the parents had mentioned that they’re (the West) going to be going no huddle and how we better get in shape,” Ziola said. “The way you stop the no huddle is to force incomplete passes. I think we have the defensive backs to stop routes, get in people’s faces and disrupt timing so much that we can afford to put our linebackers on their quarterbacks.

“Our plan is to keep their receivers where they’re supposed to be.”

It’s easy to see why Ziola is confident in his secondary. Charter Oak’s Herman Akins is a hybrid who can run with receivers or play near the line. Bonita’s Garrett Horine has East coaches thinking he might be the best player on the field. Rowland’s Terry Ford and West Covina’s Lonzel Barnett are so fast and quick that it’s hard to imagine anyone finding room on them.

And when the East has the ball, it will be using its run game to also play defense by eating the clock and keeping Guerrero and Rivera off the field.

“We expect to play very physical,” Ziola said. “They’re talking about speed on the West side, but I’ve seen the size of their defense on their roster and I’ve seen the size of the guys we have and the running backs we have, so we’re going to be a ground and pound football team. The boys we have on this side give us a big advantage to go out and do that.”

The East’s backfield is downright frightening. There’s speed and quickness in West Covina’s Jimmy Frazier and Azusa’s Desmond Reed. There’s a bruiser in Los Altos’ Justin Fa’aola. There’s a combo of speed and physicality in Glendora’s Corey Victoria and Bonita’s Cameron Griffin.

“All the running backs expect to have a good night,” Ziola said of his running backs. “There’s nobody out there expecting to relinquish what the East has done in the past. They’re all expecting to get their fair share of carries and do great things with it.”

If the West is to win, it may have to force a faster tempo than the East wants to play. And there’s no better way of doing just that than by getting Guerrero and Rivera off early and possibly a lead a on the scoreboard.

“They’re both great at passing the ball and using their feet,” Oliva said of his QB tandem “We kind of have a little mixture of run and pass stuff for them depending on what the East is doing defensively. It’s not a surprise, we’ll throw the ball. We definitely have got some guys who can play.”

Bishop Amat to host head coach Steve Hagerty’s “Hit and Hustle Camp” on Friday and Saturday …

Bishop Amat is hosting a youth football camp Friday evening from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday morning from 9 a.m.-noon. Youth entering grades 3-8 are invited to attend.

The cost is $75, which includes six hours of instruction, group photo, hot dog lunch, t-shirt, and certificate of participation.

Contact Coach Hagerty with questions at 626-962-2495, ext. 6001, or email him at bahitandhustlefootballcamp@yahoo.com

NY Giants’ Terrell Thomas to host youth football camp at Chaffey College this Saturday …

Former Rancho Cucamonga Cougar and USC Trojan, and current New York Giants defensive back Terrell Thomas will host a youth football camp this Saturday at Chaffey College for kids ages 7-14.

Thomas won’t be the only NFL’er there. Also expected to help out are: Justin Tuck (NY Giants), Keith Rivers (NY Giants), Ryan Clady (Broncos), Eric Wright (Browns), Thomas Williams (Panthers), Orlando Scandrick (Cowboys), Kevin Thomas (Colts), Josh Pinkard, Gerald Alexander, Will Blackmon and many more!

This camp provides 250 youth, ages 7 – 14 years old, the opportunity to work on their football skills, sportsmanship, and teamwork skills, while building self-esteem both on and off the field. Each participant will receive a T-shirt, refreshments and goodie bag, as well as have the opportunity to meet with Terrell and other NFL celebrities.

The camp is taking LIMITED day of event registrations, but for more information visit Thomas’ website www.terrellthomas24.com

Saturday, June 23, 2012. Ages 7-10 Camp: 9 am- 12 pm. Ages 11-14 Camp: 1 pm- 4 pm

Monrovia linebacker George “G5” Frazier commits to Colorado … Follow me on Twitter @ChemicalAT

Monrovia linebacker George “G5” Frazier gave a verbal commitment to Colorado late Tuesday night.

Frazier, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound middle linebacker and reserve quarterback, recorded 84 tackles, intercepted two passes and recovered two fumbles last season.

Aram’s take: Congrats to G5! Next order of business is getting the other half of the M-Town LB combo, Brett Walsh, committed. That’s coming. Love to see guys like G5 going Pac-12 so we can easily keep tabs on their careers.