Citrus College: Familiar names McDonough, Tucker, Gilmore, Snowden, Stansell, all on board
Citrus College has a lot of local weapons this season, which resembles an all-star alumni game. Remember Covina quarterback Mike McDonough, the Tribune's two-time player of the year, he's now an Owl. They have a backfield that includes West Covina's Isaac Tucker, Charter Oak's Kanaan Snowden, Wilson's Tim Gilmore and Rowland's Brandon Stansell. Will this be good enough to challenge Mt. SAC. Read on ...
Above: Perhaps nobody left it on the field as much as McDonough. Imagine if his teams were competing in the Mid-Valley Division today? Covina might have won back-to-back titles.
By Steve Ramirez
There is a lot of excitement for the Citrus College football team this season.
The Owls have a new coach - former defensive coordinator Ron Ponciano - and a solid recruiting class combined with some good returning players is creating some optimism for Citrus, which is playing in the highly-competitive National Division Central Conference for the second consecutive season. "We just want to compete," said Ponciano, who has replaced Kevin Emerson. "Last year, we just lost our energy, desire. Our goal this year is to just go out and compete."
The Owls have the personnel to climb the ladder in the Central Conference, which last year produced a state finalist and two teams that advanced to the quarterfinals.
The upgrade starts at quarterback, where Byron Ingram has been brought in to run the offense. Ingram is a former Georgia state prep star. He spent one year at Georgia Tech after throwing for 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns during his last two seasons in high school.
"He's going to be our quarterback," Ponciano said. "He's 6-foot-6 and has all the tools."
Also on the roster at quarterback is former area player of the year Mike McDonough, who will take a reserve role this season.
The Owls also have surrounded Ingram with quality options, including a backfield that is expected to feature former area standouts Isaac Tucker of West Covina, Tim Gilmore of Wilson, Kanaan Snowden of Charter Oak and Brandon Stansell of Rowland.
Tucker enjoyed a solid freshman season for the Owls, rushing for 400 yards and a TD.
Stansell and Gilmore ranked among the leaders in the area last season, while Snowden helped Charter Oak to the divisional semifinals two years ago.
"We've got a good, deep mix at the skilled positions," Ponciano said. "We did a good job recruiting and I'm excited to see these guys work together."
The receiving unit looks good with the return of Tyra Waits and Damon Baca, of Ayala. Waits had 35 receptions for 386 yards last season. Baca had 14 for 119. Tucker, who proved to be quite effective out of the backfield at West Covina and last season at Citrus, is also a good option.
The offensive line will be led by sophomore Eric Waltz.
"We finally got some size," Ponciano said. "That's going to be a key for us. We're 300 across. We've got a good group."
The defense will be led by all-conference player and former San Dimas standout Bronze Withem at linebacker. Withem had 90 tackles to lead the team last season. He also had two sacks.
Citrus will also look to lineman Jesse Kirkland, a sophomore out of Chino Hills.
The challenge for the Owls again comes from the Central Conference, which will include three teams ranked among the state top 25 to begin the season.
Local rival Mt. San Antonio, which has advanced to the state finals the past two seasons, is ranked No. 2 in the country and in the state; El Camino is No. 3 in the state and Cerritos is No. 14.
"Like I said, we just want to go out there and compete," said Ponciano, whose team opens the season with a home game against Santa Ana on Sept. 5. "We're trying to get better, and I think you will see improvement this year."
steve.ramirez@sgvn.com
(626) 962-8811, Ext. 2296
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I have never seen sucha s post that could change my point of view. If 4 out of 5 people SUFFER from diarrhea... does that mean that one enjoys it?
Hello. And Bye.
Tough losing your first game of the season. Next time OWLS!
Keep your heads up, season just started.
The decision will not be about this player unless the first two guys get hurt...
Enough Said. Story OVER..
SGVFootballHATER,
Time for a name change. All you do is spout hate and try and convince bloggers you know what you're talking about, when you don't. MSAC will kill lots of teams- no shame in that! MSAC is one of the premier programs in the country, no just the state so why would losing to them be such a disgrace.
JC football isn't always about getting to the next level. There are players who are 2-3 and 5 years removed from high school graduation who just want to get it out of their system. What is wrong with that? Maybe some of them realize they aren't getting any younger or maybe they just feel they have unfinished business out there. Either way they are the ones risking injury, taking the time to practice and truth be told...who are they hurting? No one.
SGVFOOTBALLHATER, you need to take a step back and examine your motives and the reasons why you have a problem. Did you play at MSAC? What are your credentials? My guess is you never reached the player level of the players you dismiss. And if by some chance you did then what does that say about you.
My suggestion is you go to a practice and tell everyone there want a monumental waste of time it is for them to be there...then start running.
Best of luck to all the JC ballers who still get to have fun in the sun.
are we all really talking about McD like he is the next great thing since sliced bread?....didnt PCC already get in trouble for having a player try to play with an ankle lock on or did McD finally get it off and taking off probation?...this guy is a joke...with his record im surprised he didnt go to Mt Sac with all the thugs they got over there OH i forgot he is not 6'6"....by the way...MT. SAC kills Citrus again this yr
I see people still love to give Mike the business. What a remarkable player he was and his back to back Tribune Player of the Year Awards verify his great heart, will and on field accomplishments.
I went to see a Citrus practice with the intention of meeting Aztec Pride and after reading Steve's piece I see it was Mc D that was running the second unit. The 6-6 kid is legit but the defense seemed to beat up the WRs on deep routes and his arm seemed to have WRs dropping passes. Then this short QB comes in and moves the ball at will..short routes, crossing patterns and moving in and around the pocket to buy time. I'm sure the offensive line and WRs appreciated the moving of the chains. I didn't realize I was seeing Mike...if that was him.
Funny but the last time I saw McD he was doing the same thing at the ALL STAR practice his senior year. I'm not saying McD is better than anyone else just reporting what I saw. He moves the chains. Will he pan out at this level? Who knows? I hope he gets his reps...all I know is he will give it his best and play with the heart he has always shown...and thats a credit to him.
Best of luck Mike....I still remember the beat down you gave San Dimas while throwing up on the field and running a 100 plus temperature...just an incredible performance.
Anyone know if anyone else from the Covina team is still playing?
To answer your question Fred, NO, all the names you mentioned will not be good enough to challenge the Sac Dawgs..
Cry me a river?
Come on, why is it human nature to always critize the bad and never the good in people? Yeah I know football blogs can be BRUTAL, but why bring down this player McDonough, when Steve puts up this article on him. This player is out there working his AZZ off in practice, in 100 degree weather trying to earn a spot on the team!
What, your in your nice AIR CONDITION HOME, PRESSING KEY BOARD BUTTONS, so I believe you got it all wrong about (PULLING THE SILVER SPOON OUT)!
Go OWLS!
Danny Boy & Azusa
This isn't HS football. Get use to the critics, and pull the spoon out!
Azusa Pride, good luck to your son and your right about these guy's bagging on the players, no class at all. How has Isaac Tucker [tailback #20] been looking over the summer? How did he do in the scrimmage.
Azusa Pride
They moved the ball on the second team defense.. Dont get ahead of yoruself..
Citrus had a practice game on Friday, and they look pretty good! They have a tall quarterback from Georgia Tech, and he moved the ball pretty good! The defensive line from my perspective, may need some size.
Rauley Zargosa and Steven Arceo from AZUSA are playing for Citrus and it was real good seeing them on the field again!
You people that are bagging on this guy from Covina have no class at all!
Steve thanks for putting up this article up, and i'm hoping you can do it the whole season!
Damn I didnt even realize that Jesse Prieto was going to a JC. I cant believe that an amat player didnt even make it academically to a four year school. That must hit hard amat nation, you guys are starting too look very much similar to the raider nation how you old farts drink your beers out of your monster cans. Pathetic
McD, is better off playing for Burt Reynolds in the Longest Yard Team. A stud at Covina yes, all glory days. College? He is not a next level player at even the Jr. College level so why bother to play?
MCD is way too slow and has no size for this level.
This isn't Covina HS.. LOL
HAVE THE STUD (GLADIATOR) MCD PLAY INSIDE OR OUTSIDE LB AND I WILL BE AT THE MTSAC GAME.THAT GUY CAN HIT !! LETS DO IT !!
Passed by a Citrus practice recently and they have a new QB from out of town. Tall kid with a long release in the Randall Cunningham mode who can run when pressured, throws the ball well but seemed a little hesitant to unload all his arm strength for some reason.
The linebacking crew was tough, especially the kid from Glendora. Funny thing about JC ball, you never know who you'll run into. Seen a Charter Oak kid from class of '05 out there banging heads by the name of Encinas and of course Bronze Withem was doing his thing. This kid could be a great coach some day as he always seems to find the ball, has great instincts and is clearly a natural leader by example.
I do agree the Safety position was in need of some help as time after time players complained about no over the top help. Maybe that's true but as with most JC teams the DL and LBs always look good considering how often they swap fresh bodies in and out during practices. Come on, that won't happen in the real games. OL takes time to jell whereas the D just rears back with no regard to down and distance- either way it was fun to see.
The best players on offense were the RBs. Not sure who was who but the scat back type kid was making some wicked stop and go cuts and some slide moves that were legit.
The biggest surprise was who wasn't there. Best of luck to everyone who still has the fire in them to compete.
Steve:
None of these guys you mentioned except Tucker will start.
Challenge Sac? Wow, they better find some Safties or its a running clock. LOL
For being a defensive guy, Ponciano surley its coaching up on defense. Corners and middle have some great atheltes, but the weakness are pretty clear to see..
Hey Fred:
This player won't even start.. McD couldn't break in over here either!
The guy's so small with no speed.