Star-Newbie Melendez talking up the East-West Hall of Fame game ... No way the East loses again

30th HALL OF FAME GAME
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Bassett High
WHO: East (coached by Northview's Jim Arellanes) vs. West (coached by Rosemead's Matt Koffler)
LAST YEAR: The West snapped the East's six-game winning streak last year, winning 34-14 behind South El Monte wide receiver Tommy Cogburn, who stole the show with three touchdowns.
SERIES: East leads, 17-10-2

Practice: The Beasts from the East are practicing Monday-Thursday at 3:30 p.m., at Northview. Drop by to check it out.

Miguel Melendez says: Alright guys, you've asked for it so here it is. The 30th Hall of Fame game is Friday night and as the game approaches we'll be bringing you reports from the East and West practices. Both teams already have been practicing in preparation for the 30th anniversary of the senior game, and once again, the East appears to have a star-studded roster for Arellanes. Charter Oak quarterback Chris Allen, the Tribune player of the year and Southeast Division MVP, will be joined by Chargers teammates Tyler Perri (DT), Evan Williams (DE), and Kiely Rycraw (WR) - all of whom won a section title the last time they played. "Those Charter Oak kids are the real deal," Arellanes said. "They're as good as advertised. They obviously have been coached well. Their knowledge of the game is unbelievable, and they have been flying to the football with a passion." The East is loaded in the backfield with Bishop Amat's Deshawn Gaisie, Rowland's Brandon Stansell and San Dimas' Daniel Joseph, who has transitioned well from the Winged T to an I formation.

Miguel continues ... Call it a dis or call it motivation, but If memory serves me right, it was the folks over on the East (cough cough, Robledo) who predicted San Dimas would handily beat Rosemead in the quarterfinals. Uh, no. Rosemead came out burning on all cylinders and took care of business and reached the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division finals. Koffler said he's looking forward to Friday's game and the West has practiced like it's a championship game. "I know on our side we're approaching this game like it's going to be very physical," he said. "I'm not sure what's going on on the other side, but our practices are very physical; that's the way we coach and that's the only way we coach. We're not slowing down just because it's an all-star game. We're picking up the pace and showing the rest of the San Gabriel Valley how we do things at Rosemead."