Muir names Antyone “Salmonella” Sims as new head coach …

Muir High School didn’t have to look long or far to find its next varsity football head coach.

The Mustangs promoted assistant Antyone Sims, a 1998 graduate of the school, to head coach late Thursday. Sims replaces John Hardy, who was fired in December after a successful three-year run.

“I’m excited to be the new head coach at John Muir,” Sims said. “I’ve been a lifetime fan and I’ve got my opportunity to be head coach. I’m just overjoyed.

“John Muir has always been a special place in my heart and I just felt like when the opening came up it was my turn to go and interview and hope for the best.”

St. Francis, Monrovia lose key players as transfer season begins

Transfer season in high school football has begun as two local powers found out this week.

The start of the second semester brings, for some, brings with it a new beginning and new school. Such is the case for standout receiver Dylan Crawford, who left St. Francis for Santa Margarita this week, and running back Kameron Johnson, who left Monrovia for Cathedral.

Crawford, a junior, is one of the nation’s top recruits and has college offers from UCLA, USC, Michigan, Notre Dame and Oklahoma, to name a few. He He had 44 receptions for 1,006 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2014.

Crawford’s father said Thursday the decision to leave St. Francis was based on his son’s academics. St. Francis head coach Jim Bonds declined comment.

“Our family has nothing but great feelings for St. Francis and wish them the best in all things,” Crawford’s father Glenn said. “The decision was made to accommodate academic options that would allow Dylan to graduate high school a semester early and allow him to start his life as a collegiate scholar-athlete.”

Aram’s take: Uh … what? This one is a shocker. Some things to keep in mind here: Crawford is close friends with Santa Margarita QB KJ Costello, a top recruit in his own right. But Crawford, unless there’s some sort of craftiness, is risking being a sit-out as far as CIF transfer rules go. Word is that Crawford wanted to graduate early so he could begin practicing with whatever college team he chooses this spring. St. Francis supposedly doesn’t offer its students that luxury. As for St. Francis, this is definitely a big blow. Talents like Crawford don’t come around these parts often and the Knights could have used his services to have another big season. Leading rusher Areg Nazarian is back. Junior-to-be QB Miles Bryant has tons of upside and flashed what he could do in the playoff vs. La Serna. The stage was set for SF to have a monster offense again if Crawford returned.

Charter Oak’s Zion Echols named Offensive MVP of U.S. Army All-American All-Combine Team

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Charter Oak all-purpose threat Zion Echols was named Offensive MVP of the U.S. Army All-American All-Combine Team this weekend in San Antonio, Texas. The event is designed to showcase next year’s top football recruits while this year’s get ready for Sunday’s nationally televised all-star game.

Echols, who already had plenty of recruiting interest, may see his stock really take off because of what he did at Friday’s combine. Bishop Amat’s Tyler Vaughns, a the Tribune’s Player of the Year, was chosen as honorable mention on the All-Combine offensive team.

Echols rushed for 1,141 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. He also had 553 yards and six touchdowns receiving. Echols was named co-MVP of the Hacienda League after helping the Chargers to the league title.