When the Monrovia High School football team opens spring practice in two weeks, head coach Ryan Maddox will have an embarrassment of riches at the running back position.

Things were already looking up for the Wildcats’ ground attack with the return of last year’s second-leading rusher Darione Jones, who ran for 977 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Coaches were also expecting the emergence of sophomore-to-be Cameron Johnson, who was a dynamic runner for the Wildcats’ freshman team last fall.

But then came the arrival of Kurt Scoby, one of the top running backs in the state, who landed at Monrovia after several other brief stops this offseason.

Local fans will remember Scoby for what he did as a sophomore at Charter Oak in 2011. He played part of last season at St. Paul midway through his junior season.

Scoby is academically eligible to play, according to Maddox and is taking classes to catch up on his course load. Maddox said the final hurdle will be to get Scoby cleared with CIF.

Monrovia appeared to be in store for a rebuilding year after graduating a dynamic senior class. It now looks like the Wildcats won’t skip a beat given Scoby’s arrival.

“We’re excited about it,” Maddox said. “It’s just exciting to have two quality backs and athletes. I can imagine you’ll see some pretty creative sets.

“They will be a big part of the offensive packages and probably a part of the defensive packages as well.”

Although it’s early, Maddox said he can envision both Jones and Scoby playing linebacker on defense.

Fans can get an early look at Monrovia on May 18 at the Charter Oak Passing Tournament.

AJ Gass, who was already dean of students, was named varsity football head coach on Thursday. He replaces Troy Thomas, who left Servite to become head coach at Crespi (again).

Aram’s take: Pretty great video. We should start doing that over at the good ole SGVN. Just have a coach flow. As for the hire, I have no clue what to make of it. SO if you’ve got a take, feel free to fire away.

IMPORTANT: Please note that the committee was tasked with putting forth THREE proposals to be voted on at the re-leaguing meeting held on May 13. The proposals are due by Friday, Apr. 26 and the ad hoc had its final meeting Tuesday, Apr. 23 and here are the THREE proposals, in no particular order, that will be voted on. (The first proposal was reported here last week as merely an “idea” that has now been adopted as a official part of the proposal). The new leagues would be in place starting with the 2014-15 school year.

It’s important to remember that the ad hoc committee is made up of a principal and an AD from each existing league, for a total of 12 people. The ad hoc can be viewed as a consensus of the league opinions and therefore holds weight. But given that the voting is now majority (50 pct. + 1) and not 2/3s vote, the ad hoc may have less pull. And also, individual schools can put forth their own proposals for vote, but again, it’s hard to see an individual school winning a vote, especially over what the ad hoc suggests.

Ad hoc committee members: Jim Cronin (Alta Loma principal), Dave Masucci (Etiwanda AD), Suzanne Steinseifer-Ripley (Diamond Ranch principal), Ralph Harris (Rowland AD), Jackie White (Sierra Vista principal), Chuck Shore (Gladstone AD), Cary Willborn (Ontario principal), Chris Brown (Chaffey AD), Kathie Wiard (Charter Oak principal), Rick Dutton (Claremont AD), Claudia Karnoski (Covina principal), Bruce Alley (Nogales AD).

AGAIN, NO PARTICULAR ORDER.

Proposal

Baseline: Etiwanda, Los Osos, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Chino Hills
Sierra: Ayala, Claremont, Glendora, Chino, Bonita, Diamond Bar
Hacienda: Los Altos, Diamond Ranch, Walnut, West Covina, South Hills, Charter Oak
Mt. Baldy: Chaffey, Colony, Don LUgo, Montclair, Ontario, Alta Loma
Valle Vista: Covina, Nogales, Northview, San Dimas, Wilson, Rowland
Montview: Duarte, Gladstone, Azusa, La Puente, Baldwin Park, Sierra Vista
Unnamed League: Garey, Pomona, Ganesha, Edgewood, Bassett, Workman

Proposal

Baseline: Ayala, Etiwanda, Upland, Los Osos, Rancho Cucamonga
Sierra: Colony, Bonita, Chino Hills, Claremont, Chino, Glendora
Hacienda: Charter Oak, D-Bar, South Hills, Los Altos, Rowland, Walnut, West Covina
Mt. Baldy: Chaffey Diamond Ranch, Ontario, Don Lugo, Alta Loma, Montclair
Valle Vista: Baldwin Park, Covina, Northview, Wilson, Nogales, San Dimas
Montview: Azusa, La Puente, Duarte, Sierra Vista, Gladstone
New unnamed league: Garey, Pomona, Bassett, Workman, Edgewood, Ganesha

Proposal

Baseline: Chino Hills, Bonita, Etiwanda, Los Osos, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland
Sierra: Ayala, Colony, Diamond Bar, Claremont, Chino, Glendora
Hacienda: Charter Oak, West Covina, Diamond Ranch, Los Altos, South Hills, Walnut
Mt. Baldy: Chaffey, Alta Loma, Ontario, Don Lugo, Montclair
Valle Vista: Wilson, Covina, Nogales, Northview, Rowland, San Dimas
Montview: Azusa, Baldwin Park, Duarte, Sierra Vista, Gladstone, La Puente
New unnamed league: Edgewood, Garey, Pomona, Bassett, Ganesha, Workman

Aram’s take: One of the proposals you see here will be enacted.

Crescenta Valley High School’s bid to join the Rio Hondo League beginning with the 2014-15 school year, thus creating a domino effect that would have led Arcadia and Hoover to seek the same thing, was voted down on Friday when the Foothill Area held its re-leaguing meeting at Hart High.

Thus, the Rio Hondo League and Pacific League will remain the same for the next four-year cycle of league play. Elsewhere during the meeting, the area voted to send Marshall from the Alpha League to the Mission Valley League in a move that has soured the Mission Valley League, which vowed to appeal.

As far as the Rio Hondo League and Pacific League were concerned on Friday, the bigger story was what didn’t happen, rather than what did.

Last week, the Rio Hondo League agreed to a proposal that would move Crescenta Valley from the Pacific League to the Rio Hondo and get rid of Blair, which has put a weight on the league with its struggling athletic programs.

That proposal prompted Arcadia to propose that it would also like to join the Rio Hondo League if Crescenta Valley was voted in. The Rio Hondo League was not in total agreement about the proposal, with San Marino opposed to the idea.

That number must have grown in recent days because when Friday’s motions to put proposals to a vote were made, the Rio Hondo League decided against going forward with its Crescenta Valley proposal.

“There wasn’t a united decision from the Rio Hondo League anymore as far as adding a team or two,” La Canada athletic director Craig Franzen said. “It was just the best option at this point for the league. If the Blair problem gets worse, you have another opportunity in four years to do something.”

With schools given the opportunity to put forth their own proposals for a vote, Crescenta Valley went forward with its bid to join the Rio Hondo League despite the idea no longer having support from the league. The proposal did not gain enough votes.

With Blair staying put, the Rio Hondo League must again cope with a league mate that could not field a varsity baseball team this season and sent out a varsity football team last fall that was shutout in every league game last season by an average score of 62-0.

Another option for the Rio Hondo League would have been to add Marshall. Instead, the Eagles were voted into the Mission Valley League, which immediately made clear that it will appeal that decision to the CIF-Southern Section.

Marshall would join current Mission Valley League teams Arroyo, El Monte, Gabrielino, Mountain View, Rosemead and South El Monte to form a seven-team league.
“In my opinion, all the other proposals — Crescenta Valley, Arcadia, the Rio Hondo League — were all just posturing so they didn’t have to take Marshall,” Arroyo varsity football head coach and athletic director Jim Singiser said. “Obviously, geography was not an issue because you have to pass every Rio Hondo League school to get to a Mission Valley League school.

“Neither was school size (an issue) because I think Marshall may be a better fit size-wise in the Rio Hondo League.

“We will appeal and see what happens. If it sticks, so be it. I know a lot of people over there and they are good people.”

Workman High School announced Friday that it has named Eric MacIntyre as its new varsity football head coach.

MacIntyre leaves Antelope Valley, where he was the head coach for the past two seasons to take over a struggling Lobos program that just saw former head coach Scott Morrison leave after three seasons to become the new head coach and athletic director at nearby La Puente.

“I was looking for something closer to home,” said MacIntyre, who lives in San Gabriel. “There were a lot of jobs out there, just not a lot of work. Really what sparked my interest was meeting the athletic director and vice principal.

“They were both really good guys. We had a very informal long talk about football. They just seemed like the kinds of guys I wanted to work for.”

MacIntyre was 9-12 in his two seasons at Antelope Valley. He was one of 25 applicants Workman received for the open position.

“He has the pedigree,” Workman athletic director Vic Perdomo said of MacIntrye. “He’s from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame where he played and coached and was part of a few championship teams. And at Antelope Valley, from where they were, he really turned it around.”

MacIntyre expects to have a full-time teaching job on campus in the fall and will begin work on building a coaching staff as very few, if any, of his assistants from Antelope Valley will be on staff at Workman.

La Mirada WR Dallis Todd gave a verbal commitment to Oklahoma last weekend following a visit to Norman. Todd has offers from just about major football power in the country.

Diamond Bar WR/DB Cordell Broadus picked up an offer from USC on Thursday. Broadus is getting heavy interest from several Pac-10 schools. (Do not correct me and call it Pac-12).

Northview’s Javon Taylor signed a letter of intent earlier this week to play next season at MidAmerica Nazarene University (NAIA). Meanwhile, teammate Northview Roy Torres signed with Benedectine College (also NAIA).

An ad hoc committee for the Mt. SAC Area on Tuesday drafted an idea that would change the complexion of the Hacienda League in a way not yet heard during this round of re-leaguing proposals.

The new idea would put Charter Oak, San Dimas and South Hills in the Hacienda League along with current Hacienda schools West Covina, Walnut and Los Altos.

It’s important to remember that Tuesday’s meeting of the ad hoc committee was merely a brainstorming session. The committee is made up of a principal and an athletic director from each of the six leagues that comprise the Mt. SAC Area. The six leagues are: Montview, Valle Vista, Mt. Baldy, Baseline, Sierra and Hacienda.

The group will meet again next Tuesday to finalize the three proposals they will put forward at next month’s area meeting, which will all but make official the new plans for the area. In the past, the ad hoc committee had considerable power but given that individual schools can now make proposals, the influence is less.

The remainder of the league ideas are as follows:

– Los Osos, Etiwanda, Rancho,Claremont, Glendora,Colony
– Ayala, Bonita, Chino, Diamond Bar, Chino Hills, Upland
– Chaffey, Don Lugo, Ontario, Montclair, Alta Loma, Diamond Ranch
– Baldwin Park, Covina, Nogales, Northview, Wilson, Rowland
– Duarte, Gladstone, Azusa, La Puente, Sierra Vista, Workman
– Garey, Pomona, Ganesha, Edgewood, Bassett

Aram’s take: Now we’re cooking with oil. This is an outstanding idea and hopefully they stick with it and turn it into a proposal.

Athletic directors from the Hacienda League met Monday and drafted two re-leaguing proposals that both recommend Bonita High School be moved to the Sierra League beginning next school year with the 2014-15 school year.

In one of the proposals, Rowland would also leave the league and be placed in the Valle Vista League. Rowland would be replaced by Charter Oak to form a six-team league that includes West Covina, Diamond Bar, Diamond Ranch, Walnut and Los Altos.

Under the second proposal, Rowland remains in the Hacienda and along with the original five schools listed above to form a six-team league.

The athletic directors’ draft will have to be approved by principals from the league later this week and then submitted for a vote at the Mt. SAC Area meeting on May 13 at Walnut Valley Unified District headquarters.

Bonita officials have come to grips with the fact that the Hacienda League will likely get its way and have the Bearcats shipped out. What they’re hoping for next is to avoid being placed in the Baseline League. Trouble is, there’s a groundswell of opinions throughout the area that the best scenarios drafted by other leagues work best if Bonita does join the Baseline.

“I guess our motto at this point would be ‘anywhere but the Baseline’,” Bonita athletic director Eric Podley said on Monday. “I understand that we’ve had some success in our league and that some people believe that success has been sustained enough for us to go into a more competitive situation.

“We’re not opposed to going to a more competivie situation, but we don’t believe the Baseline League would be competitive. We’d have a little bit more dificulty competing in that situation.”

Bonita’s strong showing across a wide array of sports has prompted other schools in the Hacienda League to suggest the Bearcats be sent out. With about 1,850 students, Bonita would be, by far, the smallest school in the Baseline League and asked to compete with large institutions like Upland, Rancho Cucamonga and Etiwanda.

The Sierra League seems to be a better fit for the Bearcats and if a CIF-Southern Section mandate that Damien/St. Lucy’s be moved out of the Sierra League and be placed in a parochial league, then there would be an open spot. However, Charter Oak and South Hills have both asked for relief from the Sierra, and if granted, the league could have an entirely new complexion next fall.

There have been rumblings of a football-only league being proposed in the area that would look considerably different than the leagues other sports play in, but there was no movement in that direction at the Hacienda meeting of athletic directors on Monday.

Gage Pucci, who played quarterback at Damien for the past two seasons, transferred to Rancho Cucamonga last week.

Pucci threw for 1,498 and 15 touchdowns last season, but also had 17 interceptions. Given that Rancho graduates last year’s starter Adam Friederischen, Pucci looks to have a decent chance to be the Cougars’ starter this fall.

But Rancho coach Nick Baiz said the competition is wide open and probably won’t be determined for quite a while.

“Everyone on our team is going to have a chance to compete,” Baiz said. “we’re nowhere close to naming a starter right now. We’ll have some good competition, though.

“I haven’t even seen him (Pucci) throw yet. It would be extremely premature to comment on him.”

Also in the mix, according to Baiz, is last year’s freshman and JV starting quarterbacks. Rancho begins spring practice on Apr. 29 and will host its own passing tournament on May 18.

As for Damien, this makes just about entire the team a rebuilding project for new head coach Mark Paredes. With Pucci, at least Paredes had QB figured out, but now that changes.

Aram’s take: This looks like a well-calculated move by the Pucci group. And kudos to them for doing their due diligence and going somewhere where there’s no returning starter to sweat. Rancho is a big-time program, but has lots to replace in terms of skill guys. The Cougars do always have a great talent base, so they could simply reload. For Pucci, he had a decent set of skill players to work with at Damien, but not much in the way of a offensive line. That probably changes at Rancho and maybe with a better overall supporting cast we’ll see the best there is to see of Pucci. As for Damien, Paredes is really going to have to work his magic.

Arcadia High School will request that it be transferred from the Pacific League and placed in the Rio Hondo League effective for the 2013-14 2014-15 school year when members of the Foothill Area have their re-leaguing vote next Friday at Hart High School.

The Apaches’ request is contingent upon Crescenta Valley also leaving the Pacific League. Crescenta Valley wants to either join the Rio Hondo League or form a whole new league altogether. Crescenta Valley is also interested in bringing in another school or two from the Glendale Unified School District to the Rio Hondo League. Hoover, currently in the Pacific League, has also made it known that it would like to join the Rio Hondo League.

The schools that currently make up the Rio Hondo League only have one proposal, and that’s to bring in Crescenta Valley for Blair, which is reportedly down to 600 students and barely fielded a varsity football team and did not field a varsity baseball team this year. The league is not unanimous, though, with San Marino preferring not to add Crescenta Valley.

Elsewhere, there are several scenarios being bandied about for Marshall, which is currently in the Alpha League. Marshall has been suggested to either go to the Pacific, Rio Hondo or Mission Valley League. The school is reportedly evenly content with going to either Rio Hondo or Mission Valley, but the Mission Valley has requested that Marshall be put in the Rio Hondo due to competitive equity, geography and enrollment.