No. 1 in the SGV Tribune ... unranked in the Inland Division ....
The Tribune's clear cut No. 1 in the area isn't ranked in its own division.
ANOTHERT DISCLAIMER: I usually don't comment on the CIF polls because they're pretty much a waste of time. But around this time of year, you have to start looking. You kinda wanna see what the competition in each division looks like. You want to see who the top teams, aka targets, are. I still can't believe I'm doing this.
MY THOUGHTS: Yep, I was going over the latest CIF polls while trying to get a gauge on how some of our locals will be seeded in a few weeks. Naturally, I started with Damien first - couldn't find 'em. The Spartans are nowhere to be found in the Inland Division rankings. Yep, they're 5-2 and looking like a major threat to Chino Hills. But the Spartans are unranked. You see, this is why I don't like these polls. I have the opportunity to vote in them but I don't because I don't want to participate in something that is faulty. I don't want to vote on teams I don't cover and don't read about and frankly don't care about. But it disturbs me that some of the playoff seedings might be based on them. Damien not being ranked is a joke, because this team has a legit shot at the semifinals.
Inland Division
1. Norco
2. Centennial
3. Vista Murrieta
4. Chino Hills
5. Redlands
6. Corona
7. Chaparral
8. Upland
9. Temescal Canyon
10. Rancho Cucamonga
Another division of interest is the Southwest Division. That's where the Miramonte and San Antonio Leagues are housed, respectively. The SGV has one team, Rowland, ranked in the Top 5. The Raiders are No. 5. West Covina is No. 8 and Bonita is No. 9. Los Altos is among the others receiving votes. Charter Oak isn't ranked. From what I hear on the streets, the top dogs in this division Mayfair, Tustin, El Dorado are very legit. We'll see. Right now, with the way Los Altos has gone sour, West Covina is so unpredictable and South Hills can't catch a break, I'm not confident about the SGV commanding the division. Rowland appears to be the best shot and Charter Oak could do some damage if it keep surging. I still think that WestCo and SH could put together a run. And if I were one of the top dogs and Los Altos somehow made it, I wouldn't want to play the Conquerors in the first round.
You can see complete polls in tomorrow's Tribune.
Comments
Looks like Damien could be the dark horse. They went to CIF as a wild card last year and want to go as #1 representing the Sierra league. A win over Chio and Chino Hills will do just that. They had two tuff losses over St. John Bosco and Los Altos which should have never been, but that's the way the ref called it and you can win or lose to a team but you can't beat the refs. All schools have had some pretty bad ref calls this season and am wondering if they're getting too old to be wearing the stripes. Anyone know a good optician?
Posted by: CU@thegame | October 29, 2006 7:56 AM
Yes, maybe this is the year of the Spartan. It would be nice to get to the Championship game. This has be a long time coming, the fall of 1985 being the last appearance. If this team has the heart that that one did, they'll be there.
Posted by: Michael Fresques | October 27, 2006 9:15 PM
SGV football and Damien Fans...
Nick Davila is a backup QB at the University of Cincinnati. Looks like he went to Chaffey College and then transferred...For more info on this former Damien standout go to...
http://gobearcats.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/davila_nick00.html
As far as Damien winning a CIF Division...Damien has 2 CIF championship trophies in football. The first one was in 1977 and the last one was 1982. So, its been 24 years since Damien has worn a football crown....
24 YEARS!!! ARE YA HUNGRY FOR A TITLE SPARTAN FANS?!?!?!?
Posted by: bluorca | October 25, 2006 11:28 AM
I haven't followed Damien football since Davila was the QB in 2001/2002 but I am certainly rooting for them to make a strong run for CIF this year. When was the last time Damien won CIF?
I hear Davila is the starting QB for some DI college football in the East Coast?
Posted by: SGV football | October 25, 2006 9:00 AM
Who wants to be put on the radar screen prematurely?
Damien's advantage is that they play well, yet the pundits are unaware of their ability.
Games aren't played against sportwriters, they're played against other high schools.
As long as Damien is overlooked, teams facing Damien will not expect much--that is until they're across the sidelines, wondering "Where did these guys come from?"
Posted by: checkingin | October 25, 2006 7:43 AM
Have seen Damien, Chino Hills, Corona, Upland, Rancho Cuc. play. IMO Damien is the best team in this group. Some of the others such as Rancho and Upland have great talent, but have not put it all together yet. Chino Hills is a team that peaks late and they will give Damien all they can handle. I think the current Inland standings are pretty accurate, but I would adjust it to:
Inland Division
1T. Norco
1T. Centennial
3. Vista Murrieta
4. Redlands
5. Corona
6. Chaparral
7. Temescal Canyon
8. Damien
9. Upland
10.Chino Hills
Posted by: AHS | October 25, 2006 7:42 AM
Who wants to be put on the radar screen prematurely?
Damien's advantage is that they play well, yet the pundits are unaware of their ability.
Games aren't played against sportwriters, they're played against other high schools.
As long as Damien is overlooked, teams facing Damien will not expect much--that is until they're across the sidelines, wondering "Where did these guys come from?"
Posted by: checkingin | October 25, 2006 7:41 AM
main reasons, suspect past, 6-1 last year failing miserably at the end. suspect coaching, better this year but.....? and a little inconsistency still shows no domination YET. i know bosco, glendora, but they really do not have a solid QB at either. 06 spartans are a blast to watch though, seriously the best $6 friday nite anywhere.
Posted by: pdognite | October 25, 2006 5:48 AM
As long as Damien plays one game at a time, to the best of their ability, for 4 quarters I think the rest would take care of itself.
Posted by: Damien Dad | October 24, 2006 11:54 PM
I think Damien would take either one of those teams, they are playing good ball right now, & I'm not a Damien fan.
Posted by: Dan | October 24, 2006 7:54 PM
dont worry about it
Posted by: 74 | October 24, 2006 6:56 PM
Sounds like Damien had better be hoping for a Baseline League opponent in the first round, as if that's any great shakes. My real issue with this is that I think Damien is on even terms, if not better than Chino Hills. This looks like a very very very deep division.
Posted by: Aram | October 24, 2006 5:06 PM
norco is a great team from what i hear and i give them credit, Damien should win league this year they have more talent and anything else would be a dissapointment. Chino Hills is a great team but does not have the talent they have had in the past few years. I believe Damien has a good shot at making it to the finals if they have a #1 sead in the playoffs. They should use these next few weeks to work on their discipline on the field and their chemestry. In response to the CIF poll, Damien has not gotten respect in a long time and after the huge dissapointment of last season they shouldnt. Chino Hills has earned the right after last year and this year so far to be where they were, the spartans should use this as motivation to make a statement. I believe that Damien's tough non-league schedule will prepare them for the playoffs. They lost to Bosco by two points and in my opinion Bosco is as good or better then Norco. Thanks for everybodys time listening to my rant
Posted by: spartan05 | October 24, 2006 2:21 PM
I think that the reason why Damien is not in the top ten is simply because they lost to Los Altos. These voters that make up these polls are not aware that Los Altos is a changed team. They only see a Los Altos team doing poorly. But even though this LA team has lost several games, they did in fact beat Damien. The only way Damien is ever going to make the top ten is if they beat Chino Hills. The way things are today, I would not rank Damien any higher than Upland. Here is a breakdown...
1. Norco is 7-0.
2. Corona Centennial is 8-0.
3. Vista Murrieta is 7-0.
4. Chino Hills is 6-1 (Lost only to Mission Viejo 44-7)
5. Redlands is 7-0.
6.Corona is 6-1 (Lost only to 7-0 Riv.North 55-41)
7. Chaparral is 6-1 (Lost only to 7-0 Riv.North 31-21).
8. Upland is 5-2(Lost to San Clemente 21-14 whose only losses are to Mission Viejo and Edison. Upland ALSO lost to 2-4 Etiwanda 28-27 who is not any good at all. This last loss puzzles me as well but Upland DID, however beat Rancho Cucamonga!).
9. Temescal Canyon is 5-2. (Lost only to #6 Corona 38-27 and to #3 Vista Murrieta 33-30)
10. Rancho Cucamonga is 5-2 (Lost only to Bishop Amat 27-17 and #8 Upland 31-24)
By Comparison..Damien is 5-2 (Lost only to 6-1 St.John Bosco...yep they lost to Mater Dei 28-7! MD's victory over SJB does not help the Spartan cause either. And also and more IMPORTANTLY, lost to 4-4 Los Altos 26-24...this is the one that is hurting Damien the most guys..)
Posted by: bluorca | October 24, 2006 1:43 PM
I think those would be good games and there's no way to confidently say Damien loses them both. From what I hear from the Bulletin/Sun guys, Norco is really strong. It's starting to appear very obvious that every round of the Inland Division postseason will be a war. No free passes. Could be some surprises. Very excited to see those brackets.
Posted by: Aram | October 24, 2006 12:36 PM
Ill comment, Damien would lose to both teams hows that. rancho and upland are to big and strong.
Posted by: 1fan | October 24, 2006 12:15 PM
The teams that are ranked deserve to be there. No slight on Damien, but there are other teams with good records in the Citrus Belt and Baseline leagues that are also legit but are not listed, but that is the value of the playoffs. It will separate the weak from the strong.
Posted by: i.e football man | October 24, 2006 12:00 PM
Just wondering.
If anyone has seen Upland and Rancho Cucamonga , How would Damien match up against them?
Damien will play Chino Hills so that's going to happen. But just curious if anyone would like to comment on those match ups.
Both Chino Hills and Damien played against Glendora and if that game is any help maybe this could be Damien's year!
Any comments?
Posted by: Just wondering? | October 24, 2006 12:58 AM
Damien needs to beat Chino Hills and win the Sierra League. The rest will take care of itself.
Posted by: jeffrulerson | October 23, 2006 11:33 PM