There’s no mass exodus at Santa Fe, despite what you may have heard

The Santa Fe High School football program is doing just fine, thank you very much.

Those were the sentiments of Chiefs head coach Dave Pierson late Friday morning when asked about rumors that several top players were leaving or had left the program in the wake of the recent departure of defensive coordinator Romeo Pellum.

“There hasn’t been a single player who has checked out of Santa Fe,” Pierson said. “Not as far as I’m aware of and I’m at practice every day.”

Pierson said he wasn’t allowed to go into detail about Pellum’s resignation at the instruction of the school. Pellum, a 2007 Santa Fe graduate, played defensive back at Washington State and recently returned to the area as Santa Fe’s defensive coordinator. This would have been his second season.

“As far as Coach Pellum coaching at Santa Fe, it is true that he is no longer coaching at Santa Fe and that he resigned,” Pierson said. “I’ve been instructed not to comment on it.”

There were concerns that after Pellum left, several key players, including standout receiver Dylan Thomas had either left or were considering doing so. Pierson quickly put those worries to rest by saying Thomas and others are still with program.

Santa Fe looks to be on the verge of a big season. The Chiefs have a talented roster and experience returning in key spots. Santa Fe finished second in the Del Rio League last season and opens this season on Aug. 25 with a road game at Cathedral.

Charter Oak school official: We will sign off on QB Matt Takata’s transfer to La Mirada

A Charter Oak High School official said Wednesday that the school will sign off on, aka not stand in the way of, quarterback Matt Takata’s transfer to La Mirada.

That doesn’t quite yet mean Takata is a full go for La Mirada. Whatever transfer paperwork the Matadores and the CIF Southern Section have to clear up with each other still remains. But this certainly is a big hurdle cleared.

La Mirada is hoping to have Takata ready in time for it season opener at home against Orange Lutheran on Aug. 25.

Is West Covina football teetering?

If it feels like it was just yesterday that the West Covina High School football team was the toast of the town, that’s because it was. Sort of.

The Bulldogs won CIF championships in 2010 and ‘11, reached the semifinals in 2012, and frankly, at that point, nobody was doing it better locally. But as the 2017 season beckons, West Covina looks like a program at a crossroads.

As we all know, public school football programs are a house of cards. Reversals of fortune happen all the time. Great today, average tomorrow, toiling the day after that. Talent is in high demand and willing to go anywhere if the hometown school shows any sign of struggle.

That’s why this season looks like one of the most important in school history READ MORE

Is he or isn’t he?

St. Francis head coach Jim Bonds confirmed Tuesday that Crespi transfer Darius Perrantes has won the Golden Knights starting QB job. Now the question is will he be eligible when the season starts?

Perrantes is currently listed on the CIF website as a sit-out-period player with eligibility for football beginning on Oct. 2. Bonds expects he’ll have his starting man, however, when the season starts after the school submits a new filing with CIF for a valid change of residence.

This St. Francis offense could be something special … remember, Bonds is the QB Whisperer and working with a talent like Perrantes should produce some amazing results.

QB/DB Matt Takata leaves Charter Oak for La Mirada …

Matt Takata, who played defensive back and quarterback last season for Charter Oak, has transferred to La Mirada, according to Freddie J. Robledo.

Takata was possibly passed (no pun intended) in the CO quarterback competition by Jalen Palacios. He may face some turbulence via CIF by transferring this close to the season. But it should be noted that he began his career at Santa Fe and La Mirada is very good at getting transfers eligible.