The Scouting Guru's Final Summer Shout Out
The Scouting Guru has been all over the San Gabriel Valley and beyond, and like always, he's offered to share his thoughts, free of charge. Don't hate, enjoy it for what it's worth, which is one man's opinion on the talent in the San Gabriel Valley.
Scouting Guru Says: I don't know if many of you go to cnnsi.com and read Peter King's column once a week - if you don't...you should! It is a great column by the best in the business. This week I've decided to pattern the notes for the month off of his format. That means you'll get "10 Things I Think I Think" and more....
This business of recruiting can be a funny business at times. Just when you think you've figured it out, something just happens that scratches your head. For instance, many in our line of business were really surprised when we got word that Washington State offered Charter Oak RB Brandon Golden. It is something that we continually have to come back too. Schools have to find players that fit their system. For instance, I personally don't think that Kaiser's Josh Shirley will make an impact at USC if he goes there. He just never struck me as a USC guy. And despite the fact that he looked OK at the LB position at the USC Rising Stars Camp, I just don't think that LB is a great position for him in college. If anything, he needs to keep his hand to the ground and play a 7-tech DE. Now, many of my Internet colleagues on Rivals and Scout are convinced that he can play LB. My response to that is....show me that on film. His highlight and game tape fail to show him playing any LB at all last year at Kaiser HS. In our opinion, UCLA has the inside track on getting him. And if the Bruins are smart they play him at DE. Now, in the case of Washington State, if CO's Golden fits into their mold at RB, then they are getting a great kid. And a true sleeper in every sense of the word, since there was no buzz on the kid this spring. But, would you want to go to Pullman and suffer through four years of misery up there? That is what Golden has to figure out...good luck Brandon...I know it's not an easy position.
DAMIEN WILL BE GOOD
While we were checking out the talent at the Bonita Passing League Tournament, one thing became very clear in our eyes, Damien will be good this year. Just loved the way that they are playing hard for HC Greg Gano. They don't have any superstar talent, but they will give teams fits this season. My early season prediction is that they will defeat Bishop Amat this year.
ON THE OTHER HAND
I've had a chance to see Bishop Amat plenty through the summer and here's the deal...their is not a win to be found in the league schedule with the talent that Amat is fielding. SO Notre Dame is just as good this year as they were last year (and we all know BA fans how that went last year). Crespi has one of their best teams in years and Loyola is absolutely stacked this year. And when you fact in that St. Bonaventure could have a team that is better than last year's squad; the wins become hard to find on the schedule for the talent that BA is fielding this year. We mentioned it back in the winter and it bears repeating; if BA gets four wins this year, Steve Hagerty should get Coach of the Year.
10 THINGS I THINK I THINK
1. After reading Eric Sondheimer's column in the LA Times naming only Charter Oak and South Hills as the only teams "to watch" this year from the area, I can't blame anyone for starting their pre-season rankings with those two teams at the top. But both come with questions.
a. Charter Oak -- Offensive/Defensive Line, Quarterbacks and Punter
b. South Hills - Quarterback, Safeties and Punter.
2. I think we all want to see South Hills and Charter Oak play in the finals. But something tells me that one of those two teams is not going to make it. The trouble is finding which team it is.
3. I think Damien will win six games this year for Gano and make a run for the playoffs.
4. Here's hoping that West Covina RB Ricky Johnson plays a full season of football. He needs to be at 100 percent if WC has any thoughts of defeating BA.
5. South Hills will be just fine at the QB position for the next three seasons. It's a pleasant position to be at.
6. I think that CO sophomore QB Travis Santiago will have a fine HS football career at CO. But his size makes him a can't miss baseball prospect.
7. I think that you would have to be absolutely foolish to believe that Citrus College will be competitive against Mt. SAC. Mt.SAC has way too much talent! Sorry FJ! Need any evidence?...Just watch the 2008 game tape.
8 I think the best RB is the area this year is not CO's Muema or SH's Canada. The best RB this year will be Bryce McBride at Mt. SAC. The kid has added 10 pounds to his frame and looks much faster on the field now than he did at Los Altos. He will be playing big time college football next year.
9. I think their will be a new CIF champion in the Inland Division this year. Centennial will take a stumble somewhere this year.
10. After seeing New Mexico State recruit the way that they do, look for them to win a conference championship in two years. They are really hitting the road hard this year.
BOOK RECOMENDATON
Since many of you are going to be on vacation, I highly recommend the book "Arnie and Jack" by Ian O'Connor. It's a great book about the rivalry between the two guys. I love this story from the book. "At the $100,000 Thunderbird, Nicklaus received an oversized cardboard replica of his $10,000 runner-up check before John Derr of CBS and some print guys went into the locker room to question him about the tournament. "You don't want to interview me," a dour Nicklaus told them. "I didn't win." "Yeah," Derr said. "but you finished second, Jack." "I didn't come out here to win checks; I came out here to win tournaments. Here, John, you can have this,' With that, Nicklaus heaved his cardboard check across the locker room and toward a stunned Derr." The next week, Jack won the US Open in a playoff over Arnold Palmer at Oakmont.
Oh and if you have not picked up your copy of Phil Steele's College Football Preview, you are missing out. Its the best preview out there!
FINALLY....
And this goes to any coach in the area. Having worked the USC Rising Stars Camp several weeks ago, if you have an opportunity to work a Pete Carroll camp...do it. It will forever change how you coach any sport. It changed me as a man.
See you on the practice fields in August.
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Hell Hamer...welcome to the blog.
All I know is I saw South Hills at battle of the beach and they were just as talented as ANY of the big O.C. teams out there... QB was a little shaky, but damn... if they get a decent QB they will be unstoppable.
Their OL/DL is head-and-shoulders above almost everyone in the area, too! The 2 Samoan guys are monsters...These guys seriously have a shot at going undefeated this year!
Yes, 08' was a better season for Diamond Bar and Hunter Warren was a BIG part of that. Who is DBAR's starting Qb? It's going to be a LONG beat down season. Good luck DBAR
DB13, i really cant say much about this years team, i havent seen a minute of summer practice,.....we did have a great group of juniors last year who are in critical need of returning....i know some of those juniors were bummed out and frustrated at the end of last season, we all were.....but i hope they have bounced back and plan on being the solid senior leaders that DB must have during this last spooky trek in the Sierra league....good luck men!!!!! The Brahmas had their best season in 5 years in '08, it was a senior loaded team, its time for those juniors from last year to step up and lead.....they have it in them...just hold the fort for one more season!! Their is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it aint no train! :)
IS IT TRUE said:
RUMOR MILL SAYS, SHIB LEAVING DBHS ! STORMING OUT OF DP OFFICE ? CAN THIS BE TRUE.......
Hey Fred is it true? If so great news or Diamond Bar Baseball.
If Coach Denis Paul cared about Diamond Bar's baseball program Eric Shibley would be GONE!
The real SHHS,
Spark south hills has waited for??? S.H. never needed a spark, they have everything they need to win league and CIF without shirley... He'd probably help out a bit, but nobody can know that for sure since he hasn't played in a long time... It's not even a for sure thing that he'll start, both QB's they've had so far have been looking good...
Yes Sparta, it is true to the extent of my knowledge.
I heard this from credible source deep in the Husky IC he yanked open the door into Bogan's classroom, went to his desk to say he changed mind & wanted to play.
Here's the spark that South Hills has waited for and if CIF gets in the way, you do not want to be in the path of ANY Husky player com at you.
Shirley or SANS Shirley we'll be fine and BE more than JUST competitive.
SHHS Insider
Sparta said:
...
And I heard while being there that Shirley is out for football. Is that true? ...
Go Sparta!!
July 22, 2009 10:47 PM
Randy, what do we have coming back from last year? My son just finished with summer ball and the team is motivated to do well. There finally seems to be more athletes on the team. Several players have tackle football experience, as does my son. Any major JV players that could help the varsity?
I AGREE BRAHMA93---- JTC DADDY COACH AND MR NO PERSONALITY ACTS LIKE A KID SHIB,,,,JUST BROUGHT ALOT OF BAD KARMA TO DB,,,, BRING BACK GONZO,,,,
Shipley leaving!? I'll beleive it when i see it! Then and only then will i start coming back to see the boys play again! Here's my take on the DBHS program as it is now...
Basketball>> now that Cameron is gone, and Ty Watkins is at the helm, i can and will vouch that the boys will be cool once they get their system down, just unfortunate that J.T was allowed to run everybody off in the process!
Baseball>> Simple!! Get rid of Shipley, either bring back Gonzalez or look outside for a quality coach who is not tied to the school politics!!
Football>> Coach Martin will and is doing a fine job with the program! Once the lower levels start to round out and we make the move out of Sierra, this program will shine again! Yes, you heard it here first!
RUMOR MILL SAYS, SHIB LEAVING DBHS ! STORMING OUT OF DP OFFICE ? CAN THIS BE TRUE.......
"the playing field"......you know what i meant :)
Brahma93, i haven't seen one minute of summer practice....i'm not over that way hardly ever anymore....this year will be one last tough season, the level field will be leveled once they are out of the Sierra....go out swinging Brahmas!!!!!!!!!
Randy,
So what's your verdict on they guys? I havent seen them this summer,.However, i do like the fact that Martin is the head man.I feel like with some determination, the guys just might pull a couple of suprises this season.....
Give me your thoughts!
Guru/Fred,
What about compiling a list of players that flew under the radar due to injuries last year or playing for smaller schools that will have a break out year this year. I think that would be an interesting list to see rather then the same handful of names pop up every post.
The madness just seems to never end....
Well the dog days of summer have the blog so bogged down I thought I'd try to fire up the blog. You guy's shouldn't take all the bs so serious. At least you Randy, don't get as bent as your pal Frank does like that reply to that mirror poster. Chill until football season and then the real sparks will begin to fly once again.
Hey Bumbling Jack A$$, If this does go down.....i got dibs on you, when me and frank are through.......you sure do sound like an expert when you talk about "blowing"....go figure...
you have to admit, for those of you who remember, those whale hunter blasts were friggin hilarious.....and blue orca, who didnt EVER sign his name, deserved every word of it.....i have been laying low Frank, havent seen much in these last few days, i see your keeping up your normal pace though....you just dont stop....your a beauty....
sure you will.
If you and Randy argee to show up I will referee the event.
great idea ...you going to be there?
sure you will.
Great idea. Let's set up a UFC style match between Frank and Randy and let them have at it. We could get all the bloggers together and others I am sure the people at Damien would buy tickets like crazy and donate the money to the Boys and Girls club of the SGV. Since they both blow a lot of wind on here they might as well put it to good use and duke it out for a good cause. What do you guys think , are you in or you just want to keep talking smack on the blog.
randy, give it a rest.
Frank, why do you let sh*t get to you? And why don't you sign your name to these post you so vehemently throw down? I haven't wrote a thing since the DB thread to you. I am not the MIRROR dude, I am signing EVERYTHING i write to you so "we" have no questions/doubts about what was said.
Josh
And players are still leaving LA, up to, and including this very day. Apparently some of the kids are drinking the Felipe Kool-Aid, and some are not.
Guru,
Unlike others who claim to know you and slam you every opportunity they get, I never said anything because, well, I had nothing to say and actually didn't pay much attention to what you wrote.
Now if you are saying Amat will be lucky to get 4 wins this year, in my book you just opened up a can o' worms with me. When we get to 4 and then 5, you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be one of the first to post on this blog how you got it all wrong. Add to that, your so called "guru" moniker will be in serious jeapardy and then you can hand over the Coach of the Year Trophy to Hags mid-season.
So if you are willing to stand by that statement, get ready to have your stripes torn off like ol' Chuck Connors in Branded.
Stay Out Of It
you just proved my point, you guys cant stand having at least 2 programs ahead of yours, actually 3 !!!
I was talking to some of the kids over at LA, they are talking CIF championship. Am I missing something, this is a .500 team at best. I was shocked when I saw the freshmen team, 40 kids at most and they were all small. Over forty years of tradition gone.
r2d2,
Why don't you go back and read the post again. Spartan parent was questioning Sparta on his take of the passing game . The guru wrote pleanty of negative stuff on Amat and do you see any posts from Amat people. NO, so keep your LA ass where it belongs up in the foothills with all the other rodents.
True Spartan Parent
i was not at the game against sh on tues, but i talked to gano wed night, his exact words, they got us pretty good there real good 7 on 7 but i like my team there attitudes and effort, and we will be fine. so not sure why your popping off at guru when it sounds like hes right on according to gano.just relax and wist it out, dont start getting like amat fans like when anything negative brings out there worst.
when you write "do you think anyone cares"...aren't you really just reaching for some attention yourself? MIRROR IMAGE..isn't that what you do?
OKAY EVERYONE CAN WE ALL STARE AT MIRROR MAN FOR 30 SEONDS....
There!!!! isn't that what you want..."look at me everyone"
I put Jcaz in his place...."I'm awesome"
Look everyone I put Amat in their place..."I'm awesome"
Look everyone I put Frank in his place..."I'm awesome"
Look everyone I told Joe Amat a thing or two..."I'm awesome"
Look everyone i called Fred a "hack"..."i'm awesome"
Look everyone I stood shoulder to shoulder with other haters..."I'm awesome"
Look everyone I figured out THE TEH..."I'm awesome"
Then you put you head down on your pillow and tell yourself..."THEY'RE NOT BETTER THAN ME...THEY'RE NOT BETTER THAN ME...THEY'RE NOT BETTER THAN ME...THEY'RE NOT BETTER THAN ME"...
and then as your fall asleep you giggle to yourself and think...."I wonder what Frank will tell me tomorrow....I like Frank...I sure would like his D in my face...hey like mother like son"
And just like every stalker when caught you'll say the same thing..."I just wanted to get his attention...is that so wrong"
Funny but every time I go see a Damien practice I wonder where all the haters went.... seems Gano and Co have really impressed...I mean really impressed. And I couldn't be happier...it was always about the kids.
Take in a practice some time and like the Le Bron tape fiasco.... the cover up is always worst than the crime....
When I seen Gano's practices and talked with a few preants and former players I wondered how many of them thought...and we fought so hard to keep the status quo?
Most of the time in life...as you will soon learn...things aren't as they seem... as you read, hear or say....things are what they are...you're awesome.. there the attention is back on you!
Fred can you make a DICK FACE thread seeing as you won't block this guy why not at least centralize his "work" and give him even more attention...I mean ...I can only do so much...you're the professional.
jcaz is quickly becoming to Amat what Frank is to Damien. A real pain . Do you really think anybody cares about your jokes , worldly travels , and most of all your analysis of Amat. Get a life and put your ego on hold for a while.
check out week 3 and 4....
Goldenarm said:
Paraclete's 2009 schedule:
2009 Football Schedule
Posted by paracletefootball on Friday, January 30, 2009
LANCASTER, CA - Paraclete head coach Norm Dahlia announced that the Spirits have finalized their 2009 schedule.
Week 0 – Serrano H.S.
Week 1 – @ Pete Knight H.S.
Week 2 – Barstow H.S.
Week 3 – @ St. Paul
Week 4 – Hart H.S.
Week 5 – @ Golden Valley H.S.
Week 6 – Whittier Christian
Week 7 – @ LAB Baptist
week 8 – Village Christian
Week 9 – BYE
Week 10 – @ Valley Christian
Specific dates and times will be annouced at a later date
As Arnie said...they'll be back.
GA
I love how the Guru always discounts the rest of the SGV...it's getting old. James come on...as a former room mate of mine said "Really...Really?"
Four more days gentlemen.
Fred any chance we can get a final tally of all the SGV football players who signed to play somewhere. We always here about Guru's picks but what was the actual signees?
And so it begins.....
Not sure what game you were watching but SH did not shut us down. Maybe you're one of those haters who like to question out kids desire or a hold out parent from last year's team but the Spartan were all over the field making plays. Does your kid even play or did you get your information second hand? Try and keep it positive.
Guru,
I was at the passing game against SH and have to ask you, why do they have questions at safety?
Their one white kid(dont know his name, & sorry for saying it that way) had 2 picks and hit us very hard and the other kid, while young (sophmore I was told), is a good athlete. These 2 along with their corners shut us down. That is a very good group...one of the best I have seen this summer.
And I heard while being there that Shirley is out for football. Is that true? If so, why are these areas of concern?
Go Sparta!!
James
It may occur to you, that alot of bloggers are scratching their heads about YOU!
How many guys will you miss this year? Maybe Fred/Steve could take an in house bet on your mis-Q this year.
How many times will you come on here and make EXCUSES? Seems to me, all the hype is fading away. With you, Forest Gump said it best “Life’s like a box of chocolates, never know what you're going to get"
Fred, just got back from London, but forgot to bring you the goodies this time around.
Wow, the football season is just around the corner. I know I for one, am very excited about the prospect of another great season for the SGV.
There are so many good games scheduled this year begining with the SH-Tesoro game (then of course, the Amat St Bonnie game). Oh, one thing here however, and that is that if SH is as good as the Times says they are this year, then what a game that should be for them !
Yes inded, I know that I for one, am certianly looking forward to being at that game if only for seeing "Whisky Pete" walking up and down the sidelines once again (This time I promise to control myself and not to book a hotel to Vegas right after the game like I did last year).
Ya, i'll be working on a few new jokes this year, but just to let you people know, but I promise to keep it real low key this time around...
Oh, did I forget to say that I am "most certianly" looking forward to all the BS the Guru has to say about Amat (or anyone else for that matter) this time around, and all the crazy stuff that's gonna come back at him, on this blog after his....."observations".
BTW, is'nt it always funny to see the disclamer that Fred puts out there at the top of any of the Gurus comments..."Don't hate," ya right.
Yes inded, it's gonna be fun going deep into the playoffs this time around and winning the Pac5 Championship (did I really say that ?) and knowing all to well that in the end, the Amat program will still be considered the second best team in the SGV after all is said and done.
Wow ! What a splended year this will Be for all of us....
Loved the words on Josh Shirley: don't think he can play LB since you haven't seen it huh? The kid is 6'2”, 230 and runs a 4.5 forty. Give him a red shirt year at SC, (or any of the 30 some other schools that have tried to sign him), and he can play where he wants in 2012.
Dick Bruich would have been wacky to use him differently last year.
LORDY.
I see too, where you are a little concerned about C O's linemen, QB's, and punter. Don't be. Even though Colby is gone, (where did he go anyhow?), the Poage kid is back and he can punt nearly as well. What will be missed are Colby's booming KO's for touchbacks. QB's? What happened to the Santiago/Thropay competition. Things could change, but I thought that gave the Lancers a pretty good start. The O line may start a little thin but they will be by far the biggest big uglies in the Miramonte. Next year is another story. On D, look for the anchors to be the LB's, Smith and Dallen and the DB's, Rufus, Powell, and Golden to have lots of tackles. Clap-on-Clap-off will bring a widebody into the middle while ole Lou trains replacements for Tyler and Evan.
Damien will be great against so so D's. The problem is they only have four of them on the schedule. Guillen looks good in the passing leagues, especially against the likes of Bonita and Walnut and the tall kid who needs a haircut is the real deal, but they'll need a lot more than that to beat the likes of Rancho Cuc, C O, Amat, and Bosco, not to mention Glendora and Chino Hills in league play.
Nice take on the Santiago kid's baseball physique. I'll pass it on to his Dad.
BTW, while you think that you are thinking of writing like Peter King, I think some of it comes across like Stephen King. How can you say in one sentence South Hills has “questions” at QB and then write, “5. South Hills will be just fine at the QB position for the next three seasons. It's a pleasant position to be at. “, a few lines down.
Is that one of those parallel universes S King likes to write about?