Is Joseph the difference maker?
There will be a lot of fuss about San Dimas High School's Nico Barbone going against Rosemead running back Tra Sumler in Friday's blockbuster Mid-Valley Division quarterfinal-round playoff game at Rosemead. But what about San Dimas' Daniel Joseph?
"We've got him on our radar, too," Rosemead coach Matt Koffler said. "We know how dangerous he is."
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Barbone, a third-year starter who is also a valuable linebacker, has returned in dominant fashion after missing a few games because of a hamstring injury.
He missed San Dimas' loss against Northview - the Saints' lone defeat - in a game that gave the Vikings the Valle Vista League title.
But many believe that Rosemead (9-2) and Sumler are the best in the division despite being snubbed by pollsters whose votes left the Mission Valley League champs unseeded, setting up the tough CIF-Southern Section second-round game on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
"It is what it is and we're excited about playing them," San Dimas coach Bill Zernickow said. "Sumler's the real deal, he reminds me of the way Lawrence Phillips (former Baldwin Park standout) used to run. He's big, strong, and he's confident. We'll have our hands full."
While Barbone's the headliner, the Saints' go-to back is Joseph, who along with Erek Brown form the Saints' explosive Wing T offense.
Joseph has gained 1,406 yards and scored a team-high 21 touchdowns, averaging 127 yards per game. While Barbone (958 yards and 18 TDs) gets the tough yards, Joseph, a two-time Valle Vista 100-meter champion, is averaging a team best 11.82 yards per carry.
"We feel the same way as everyone else," Koffler said. "Nico handles the interior hard-nosed part of their running game, but Joseph is scary because of what he can do in the open field.
"You've got guys zeroing in on Barbone, then all of a sudden here comes Joseph around the outside and he's gone. He has the ability to change the game in an instant."
Joseph rushed for 212 yards and two touchdowns in the Saints' 50-33 win over rival Bonita, and he had a career-best 307 yards and four touchdowns in a 56-46 win over Baldwin Park.
In their lone loss against Northview, Joseph did all he could, rushing for 150 yards and three touchdowns while Barbone sat out.
"If you want to call him the unsung hero, we understand that, because he doesn't get all the credit he should," Zernickow said of Joseph. "He battled a calf strain last year but grinded his teeth and played with it.
"It's great seeing him healthy and doing what he does. He's such an important part of what we do, and his speed is something that can't be replaced."
Joseph doesn't mind that Barbone gets most of the attention, although Joseph has been the Saints' most effective offensive player.
"I don't boast or anything, and I'm not looking for attention," Joseph said. "I know what I can do, but it's not about me, Nico or anyone else. It's about San Dimas football."
That's Joseph's unselfish nature.
"One thing you have to know about (Joseph) is that I've never heard him say a bad word," Zernickow said. "Nico being the focal point is fine, it takes some of the pressure of all the other kids. But we haven't lost sight as a football team how important Daniel is to our offense."
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Wowzer!
Perfect post...
Some of us remember those younger days and how much fun it was. Nico was always a special kid while playing in GJAA and its impressive to see what he's done over the last three years.
Good luck to Nico and the Saints.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FANi:
Well if Joesph is a Diamond Ranch Boy because he played Pop Warner there.
The Nico is a Tartan. Nico played on the 13-0 Glendora Junior All American team in 7th/8th grade team. I'm not a proponent of hypotheticals, but imagine Vega/Barbone, Barbone/Young, Barbone/Holmes
Come on People kids grow up and go to school but it would be great to think of.
Im am stunned about this kids quote, "Its Not About Me, Nico, Or Anyone Else."
It is almost as good as the Oregon State's Running Back Jacquizz Rodgers after the USC game
"I did my job, the line did theres, i was able to use my strengths to help my team, it wasnt about me , it was about the task at hand and it was to beat um' and we did and i feel great."
Go Big Vikes....don't know your connection to Coach Z, but your attack on him is unnecessary and whole unwarranted! "Using and abusing"....what does that mean? All Z has done is take an AWEFUL program filled with "soft saints" and momma's boys... and turned it into something his players can believe in. If by "abusing", you mean he expects a lot from his players, then you are absolutely right! He does. And as a result, the program has won more games in the past four years than in the past 15 years. DJ and Nico are both very good running backs, made even better by the system in which they play. You better pray to the football gods that NV doesn't run into SD n the finals, because if SD is healthy...the outcome will be considerably different than the first meeting.
DJ = great high school football player
Nico = great high school football player
SAINTS = GREAT high school football team, and both of them are grateful to be a part of that greatness!
I have never said FEAR THE MEAD . Not my saying ! I say RESPECT THE MEAD ! San Dimas will find out Friday what it feels like when AGAIN RHS brings the wood!
I hope everyonehas a wonderful Thanksgiving !
See you on Friday ...
FIGHT ON
TM
How could anyone print such an article before a CIF game? Does it really matter who's the playmaker is? Last time I checked its about the team and seems Joseph had to remind the so called adults about it.
Billy, you sure haven't learned much since the NV days. Still using and abusing your players.
Feel sorry for both of these kids.
Both are filling there roles on the team. I agree, this is just hype for the game and to sell papers.
But, where would Joseph numbers be if Barbone doesn't miss four games? Less carries? Less Yards? Less TD's? I agree with my hommie from Bonita, Barbone has just done it for three years on both sides of the ball.
joseph....where have you been...do you remember the old days back in diamound bar pop warner..look what your buddys are doing lately..dr panthers...wow just imagine if you would of stayed where YOU BELONG dr.....makes us proud..and dont forget where you came from...WE DR!!!
This quetsion only has merit to a sportwriter looking to sell papers or gets hits on a blog.
From a football standpoint the question makes sense but to the knuckleheads out their it only starts trouble.
Lynn Swan and John Stallworth..who was the difference maker. If you ask the Rams it was Stallworth.
Nico Barbone and Damiel Joseph...who is the difference maker...it's probably Joseph.
Now Daniel Joseph is the Difference Maker...what does that mean other than he's doing his "thing" and fulfilling his role on the team.
Ask Scotty Pippen what it's like when Jordan retired.
Being the "MAN" is different when ther isn't your 'ROAD DOG" next to you making defenses over commit.
In the playoffs SPEED kills...Best of luck to both backs. The fiedl is 100 yards and their will be spots for both of them to win.
Besides what happens to Rosemead if Sumler is "Withemed"?
Besides anything to stop the stupid FEAR THE MEAD entries from Trojan Man...just kidding TM...should be a fun game.
Enough talk I just believe in my Panthers and staff. You Saint fans can say what ever you want I just want to see one hell of a game.
Hands down I believe D.J. is better than N.B. have had several discussions with other area coaches and for the most part agree with me on this.
He's also a very humble kid and an even better track star, can't wait 2 see him running this yr vs Ganesha.
Not tryin to knock N.B. but defensively i don't see what all the hype is about. Ive seen all the films on S.D. and the games where he played he didn't mesmerize me and their defense in general is not that good.
Fred ,
Will YOU go see RHS this year.
Or will you stay on the eastside?
TM
I had the Chance to see San Dimas a couple of times this year, and they are unstoppable.This is a back field to be reckond with.I can't see RoseMead even slowing them down.Size Power And Speed how is RoseMead going to control such a Massive force?????????????? Tra Sumler is a pretty decent Running Back, But if hes controlled RoseMead Is DONE................
first off im not trying to take anything away from Joseph but hes nowhere near the running back NICO is hes good this year but he has one of the best O-lines in the valley NICO did good his sophmore year, junior year, and hes doing pretty good this year but thats just my opinion and just so u know im from bonita
thunder and lightning....Barbone is nothing without these speedy backs....you cant stack linebackers in the middle to stop the run because these guys will burn you on the outside...funny thing is they have the same make-up at the freshmen level...
Wow...
I've been lambasted on this blog for touting the talent of Daniel Joseph. I think he is the most explosive back at San Dimas but he certainly doesn't have the power game that Nico Barbone brings to the table. They work so well together that any defense is at a real disadvantage trying to address the SD running game. The question is "is Joseph the difference maker?"... the answer, in my opinion, he's one of the difference makers... RHS fields a great team and SD will really need to show up and play to their strengths... it will be a fun game to watch. Here's hoping all the players give their best and have an injury free effort.
With No Oaks Christian in the way this year anything less then a championship for San Dimas will be deemed a Choke. Northview beat them, but they were without Nico Barbone, nico plays a big differance on both sides of the ball. What does Rosemead have besides Tra Sumler? Once he is keyed on and he will be, Rosemead will have to go to someone else, at which point there is not alot there. San Dimas wins this game without a problem.
Honestly, I think San Dimas is a little overrated... everyone is handing them the trophy already and just like last year, they look as strong as anyone, then get bounced. I know it's a different team, but still - I have seen them 4 times this year and they were "good" but they didn't look "great". Then again, I thought Muir and Santa Fe were going to go deep in the playoffs, so I guess anything can happen...