El Monte cheerleaders posing with sign that caused a stir in the Mission Valley League this week …


Here’s the sign that El Monte’s cheerleaders came up with all on their own after reading Fred’s blog. They busted it out for Panthers coach Marc Paramo to see AFTER the Lions beat Rosemead last Friday.

By Aram Tolegian, SGVN

Some hard feelings still lingering over Friday’s win by El Monte High School over Rosemead has prompted principals from both schools to get involved in an attempt to smooth things over.

Following El Monte’s 50-34 win to spoil Rosemead’s homecoming signs were unveiled by the Lions cheer team that mocked Rosemead coach Marc Paramo for comments he made to this newspaper leading up to the game that were later taken out of context on a blog posted on this newspaper’s website.

Further adding fuel to the fire were accusations of some coaches not shaking hands following the game, foul language used by coaches during the game and several personal foul penalties called against Rosemead, including the ejection of one Panthers player.

“I’m not going to take anything away from their kids,” Paramo said. “They kicked our butts. It kind of bothered me that here I am complimenting them and that sign comes up.”

The sign or signs Paramo was referring were estimated to be 20×20-foot signs made by the El Monte cheerleaders and brought out following the game. The signs mocked Paramo’s comments and made reference to “clown comments” and “broken play offense.”

Leading up to the game, Paramo told this newspaper that El Monte’s best play on offense was arguably the broken play, which eludes to the ability of Lions quarterback Brandon Martinez to make something out of nothing.

“I saw the signs,” El Monte coach Joel Sanchez said. “I saw them after we were done and I was talking to reporters. I didn’t think anything of it. It said “broken offense” and that’s pretty much it. I don’t know who got upset or anything because I was being interviewed by the media. By the time I got done, everyone was gone.”

Paramo and Sanchez did shake hands following the game, but that may not have been the case for the assistant coaches.

“He told me good job and said have a good season,” Sanchez said of Paramo’s comments to him after the game.

But shortly after, Paramo was alerted to the signs and did not take kindly to them, feeling that his words were misunderstood and taken out of context.

“I didn’t have anyone make them,” Sanchez said of the signs. “I don’t think they were offensive in any way, and that’s not my call in any way. Whatever they (cheerleaders) make, that’s not my call. I don’t oversee what they write. Obviously, if they said something inappropriate, I wouldn’t be happy with that.”

While administrators tried to calm any ill will on Monday, both coaches were saying the issue was now dead and their focus were on this week’s opponents.

For El Monte, that means a home game against Mountain View. The Lions are 5-2 overall and 2-0 in league. They are bidding for the school’s first league title since 1979. Rosemead is 3-4 overall and 1-2 in league. The Panthers host Gabrielino in a game that will be key to both teams’ playoff chances.

Aram’s take: I cannot understand why El Monte’s coaching staff and/or cheer team would take Rosemead coach Marc Paramo’s quote so out of context. Most coaches I’ve spoken to who have played El Monte AGREE that the most dangerous about El Monte is QB Brandon Martinez on a broken play. For El Monte to take Paramo’s comments and turn it into such a big deal is a bit ridiculous. To me, it’s a real stretch to get offended by what he said and try to use it as motivation.

Pasadena QB Brandon Cox switches from Arizona to Utah …

It didn’t take Pasadena quarterback Brandon Cox to find a new college destination after he decommitted from Arizona last week. Cox announced over the weekend that he is now headed to Utah.

“It was just a mutul agreement between me and Arizona,” Cox said. “Then I took my official visit to Utah during the USC game and met the coaching staff and talked with them and got to know them. I think this is where I’m supposed to be.

Cox’s senior year has been besieged by a stress fracture in his foot that’s cost most of the season. Cox is hoping to return soon from injury, but it may already be too late to get his team in the playoffs.

Pasadena is 1-6 overall and 1-3 in the Pacific League. Cox is still rehabbing the injury and will meet with the coaching staff to decide whether he will be back for the Arcadia game this Friday. At the very least, Cox doesn’t want to miss the Turkey Tussle against rival Muir on Nov. 2.

“This is my senior year and I don’t think any athlete would want to not play his senior year,” Cox said. “I miss my teammates and they’re missing me. I’m trying my best to get back, but at the same time I’m not trying to rush anything because I’m looking forward to my college career.”

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All-Encompassing SGV(N) Top 25 heading into Week 8


The Incredible Reggie Turner is by all himself in race for Hacienda League MVP.

1. Bishop Amat (5-1-1) — Win over CO buys Lancers another week in top spot.
2. Charter Oak (6-1) — Defense holds seventh straight opponent to season-low in points.
3. La Mirada (7-1) — Cruise control until the semis of the Southeast playoffs?
4. Chino Hills (4-2-1) — Showed rival Ayala who’s the boss in strip mall heaven.
5. La Serna (6-1) — Guess they can consider Santa Fe a mild threat now, too.
6. Ayala (5-2) — Got reality checked vs. Chino Hills, now here comes Charter Oak.
7. South Hills (5-2) — Can put the dagger in Damien and help own playoff chances.
8. Monrovia (5-2) — All about bolstering case for top seed in Mid-Valley playoffs.
9. San Dimas (6-1) — Saints should have lots of revenge motive built up for Covina.
10. La Salle (7-0) — Bishop Montgomery game this week likely for Del Rey title.
11. California (7-0) — Finally got in gear to put away pesky Pioneer.
12. Bonita (4-3) — Coach Medrano looking like he will win league title in first season. Nice!
13. Rio Hondo Prep (6-1) — We’re already thinking about a rematch with Mission Prep.
14. San Marino (7-0) — Not sure how to feel about 86-0 win over Blair.
15. Gladstone (7-0) — So much for Duarte slowing down the Gladiators.
16. West Covina (4-4) — Prescription: No more spread. Wing-T 24-7 for rest of year.
17. La Habra (4-3) — Beating Troy won’t win league (yet), but should guarantee playoff spot.
18. Diamond Ranch (5-2) — Still controls own league title fate with Bonita game looming.
19. El Monte (5-2) — Got traditional powers Arroyo and Rosemead out of way in league.
20. Rowland (6-2) — Fightin’ Snyders have mega tests still with DR and WestCo.
21. Northview (5-2) — Only a major slip will keep Vikes from playing for title in Week 10.
22. Muir (4-3) — Pacific champ likely to be determined Fri. when Burbank invades.
23. La Puente (5-2) — Warrirors on a tear since Gladstone wake-up call.
24. St. Francis (3-4) — Barring minor miracle, Knights could drop out for good after Fri.
25. Santa Fe (3-4) — Insanely tough nonleague paying off now.