By Tim Peterson

(South El Monte) – South El Monte running back/ defensive back Neiko Padilla has transferred to South Hills and will play for the Huskies for his senior season. Padilla officially signed out of the Mission Valley League school last Friday and is already working out and attending classes at South Hills.

“There were a few reasons why but it’s mainly because my Dad lives out by South Hills and Coach Escamilla stepping down here,” Padilla said. “I know they have real good program there. It’s going to real competitive.”

Padilla was the Eagles second leading rusher last year with 431 yards on 61 carries. He averaged over seven yards a pop and scored seven touchdowns. Defensively he had 19 tackles while assisting on 44 others.

Padilla might have been most effective returning kicks. He had over 500 yards in returns and a touchdown – an 87 yard sprint against La Puente. He averaged nearly 27 yards every time he got his hands on a kick off.

Although he is a big offensive threat, Padilla sees himself mostly playing defense for the Huskies.

“It looks like I’ll be playing mostly strong safety and little bit of outside linebacker. I’ve already been working out there. In fact I just got back from today’s workout,” Padilla said.

Having been in the South El Monte program for the last three years and in the city since he was in grade school South Hills might take getting used to.

“It was hard leaving South El Monte. It’s hard not knowing a lot of people out here,” Padilla said. “But the competition is lot harder here and the coaches are real strict. Everything seems so much faster. I think it will help me in my future.”

South El Monte Coach Erick Escamilla stepped down last week citing the need to spend more time with his family. The Eagles are currently searching for a replacement.

“Him resignation was definitely one of the reasons,” Padilla said.

Last year South Hills finished 9-3 overall and advanced to the second round of the playoffs before falling to Southeastern Finals representative Diamond Ranch. The Huskies always have a wealth of talent in the cupboard.

Padilla may have summed it up best when I asked him if he was going to be running the ball. “I think they have five running backs,” he laughed.

Blog about high school football at www.joetorosian.blogspot.com

Joe Strummer told me to tell you..."Erick....Damien's calling!!!!"

oldschoolpanther

with the bs they layed on Backus - I cannot argue against your point that TC is not exactly the pinnacle of coaching opportunities right now.

No one at TC seems to have a clue what they are looking for in the new HC. Except of course, for the "different direction" quote...whatever the hell that means.

yeah nice pic. It seems like I've seen it somewhere before...

Bosco doesn’t rate,

You are correct to say Erik would do great with Damien. In fact, I think Erik would do great as the head coach.

Maybe Erik is thinking of bigger and better things.

As for the Bosco bashing, your obviously speaking of Don Bosco.

GO BRAVES!

Eagle,

We are still a few hundred students away from 2,000. Although our enrollment has definitely increased throughout the years we have yet to surpass the 2,000 mark. I would say we are closer to 1,600 which is considered a small school compared to others in our district.

Why is SD Homer even bringing that up? Have some class dude it isn't about you, Erick did a great job like Eagle20 said, not other coaches except for Urias (2years) and Renya. We could talk about how many passing yards our QB had on you guys, 1200 in 3 games. But it isn't about that, it's about Erick. Other than that, they were just a bunch of kids who didn't know anything.

Renya will probably get the job. Eagle20, sorry but the school has over 2000 kids in it.

Fred
Any thoughts on who will get hired at SEM.

who the hell is carl scott?

escamilla would do well to join what is measuring up as an awesome staff at damien with several former head coaches on staff so why not erick? bishop amat did the same thing last year with great success so again it was a shout out and nothing more. if that offends you so what.

not sure what your point is carl scott. no one is bitter especially after being proved right so there is no need for stones. my house is in order and all my windows are intact.

as far as sending my kids to a real school, bosco ain't damien. never was, never could be and never will be. had several family members and former players go to bosco and other than the gambling, drugs and several acts of random violence ...bosco has nothing for our family. or ever will. besides from the one family that I have to deal with at damien that has bosco roots , no thanks. woneder why they didn't enroll their youngest there after having sucha great experience at Bosco.

the way I've always seen bosco -it's for kids too afraid to go to salesian, think they're better than cantwell or can't cut it at bishop amat and want to stay an extra year in high school and get an AA rather than join their classmates at a major college. who in their right mind gives up a freshmen dorming experience for a worthless AA? Answer...numbnuts at Bosco! laugh at that joker!

my oldest is at USC, (is that real enough for you?) and my second just received his fifth acceptance letter so we'll see where he decides to attend. so far he's five for five with 4 more coming soon.

no one is bagging on anyone, morrison is gone because he never addressed the quality of lower level coaches and it caught up with him. that's not bitterness, that's a fact! gano is in and a welcomed upgrade in both vision and execution. guess I was wrong all along that it would eventually bite him in the butt, but I doubt that.

Go BOSCO???? Bosco ain't sh&t!

Eagle...I don't see a future in admin for Escamilla...you can bet on that one.

SD Homer you have, like your team, no class. Why don't you and your 15 varsity coaches even try to do what Escamilla has done for a school like South El Monte.

A sign of a great coach is when he can make average athletes good and good athletes great. Your school gives you a schedule that allows you to "practice" during school hours, not just after school. Your athletes can afford to have all the training they want and all the supplements they can afford.

You have a booster that gives you whatever you desire and pays for extra coaches.

South El Monte gives the program $900 for the entire year. There are about 1,200 students in the school. Only 40 athletes actually play football. Most do not have any football experience. Should I go on.

I am not sure if you are a parent, an ex athlete or just a pathetic coach. Regardless, get some class.

Eric and his staff perform athletic miracles at South. You and your staff have nothing on them.

So, seriously, post with some class. Nico was a great player for you guys...because I have class. ...I will leave it at that.

I guess you don't remember the ass whooping that our team put on yours the first time we played....

Nico Barbone of San Dimas forced you into retirement buddy! In three games Nico rushed for 978 yards and and 13 TDs. OUCH!!!!!

Love the pic

Erick did a great job there. South El Monte in the Semis? That was great. Doesn't make sense though the kids love him. Maybe he is going to go into Admin.

Erik,
Do what you got to do, Good for you.

Damien Dad,
Send your kid to a real school. Then you can cast stones. For now, sit down, your bitterness is unwelcome!

GO BOSCO

Erik is one class act that will be missed. Enjoy your time with your family and God bless. The SEM job is a good one for anybody interested. I think that I would rather look their than Temple City or Duarte.

Hey how about coming on board at Damien?

Maybe Gano could use some more coaches seeing as he's cleaning house !

Best of luck Erick. I owe many thanks to you , Bill & Vic.
I am sure I will see you soon.

Mark Luera