By Clay Fowler, Staff Writer
There were copious game-changing plays during Rancho Cucamonga’s 35-25 victory over Covina Charter Oak on Friday in a battle of defending CIF champions, but here are five of the most important:
Below: St. Bonny’s Devon Blackledge rushed for 1,189 and 17 touchdowns as a junior. The Lancers must do something about him on Friday. He already rushed for 300 yards in a win over Long Beach Poly, and is being wooed by the University of Colorado.
Check out this St. Bonaventure mix from 2007.
Steve and I will go head-to-head throughout the season. Here is our updated records on the Tribskin Pick’em thread.
Robledo: Last week/Total: 13-8/61-21
Ramirez: Last week/Total: 11-10/53-29
Last Week: In three years of doing this, we both have never had a worse week. Steve barely stayed about .500 and I had eight losses. I completely missed on the big three, taking Charter Oak, Monrovia and Damien, who all lost. Other mild surprises included West Covina beating Glendora, and Bonita knocking off unbeaten Baldwin Park. Workman also suffered its first loss.
This week: Calpreps projects St. Bonny as a 24-point favorite over Bishop Amat, which I don’t think will be that lopsided, but the Lancers will suffer their first defeat. Damien and Charter Oak is interesting because both teams are coming off losses and are hungry. Whether you call me a homer or not, Charter Oak did more to lose that game against Rancho than Rancho did to win it, so I’m taking the Chargers again this week. Walnut hosting Arroyo is an intriguing game. After the Mustangs narrowly beat Covina, I like the Knights to bounce back from their loss to Claremont and get a win. The Montview gets going this week, look for Azusa, Gladstone and La Puente to all start 1-0.
Thursday, Oct. 1
Covina vs. Rowland at Covina District, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Rowland); Ramirez (Rowland)
Diamond Bar vs. Troy at Fullerton, 7:00 p.m. — Robledo (Troy); Ramirez (Troy)
Friday, Oct. 2
St. Bonaventure at Bishop Amat, 7:30 p.m. — Robledo (St. Bonaventure); Ramirez (St. Bonaventure)
Damien at Charter Oak, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Charter Oak); Ramirez (Charter Oak)
Azusa vs. Bassett at Citrus College, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Azusa); Ramirez (Bassett)
Duarte at La Puente, 7 p.m. — Robledo (La Puente); Ramirez (Duarte)
Gladstone at Sierra Vista, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Gladstone); Ramirez (Sierra Vista)
Glendora vs. Diamond Ranch at Bonita, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Glendora); Ramirez (Glendora)Baldwin Park at El Monte, 7 p.m. — Robledo (BPark): Ramirez (Baldwin Park)
Nogales at Montebello, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Montebello); Ramirez (Montebello)
Mountain View at Keppel, 7 p.m. — Robledo (MView); Ramirez (MView)
Temple City at Rosemead, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Rosemead); Ramirez (Rosemead)
Ayala at South El Monte, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Ayala); Ramirez (Ayala)
South Hills vs. Northview, 7 p.m. — Robledo (SHills); Ramirez (SHills)
Arroyo at Walnut, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Arroyo); Ramirez (Walnut)
Los Altos at West Covina, 7 p.m. — Robledo (WCovina); Ramirez (WCovina)
Blair at Wilson, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Wilson); Ramirez (Wilson)
Correspondent John Honell is a longtime contributor to the Tribune, and well-known throughout the San Gabriel Valley. He knows the area’s history, coaches, and always seems to have insider information. He will share some of it with his “Touching Base” pieces that will run from time to time.
TOUCHING BASE
by John Honell
Fred has asked me to send my observations on high school sports, hence the name “Touching Base.” I talk to almost everyone and hear things that might not rate a full story in the paper but deserve to be mentioned. Haven’t done this for a while so will tell you my rules. I don’t say negative things about high school athletes. I try and have fun and don’t mind poking it at people and organizations that deserve it. I don’t blog. (my dad told me to never argue with a fool. Others can’t tell which one is the fool) Don’t assume my political party based on what I write. I may take a shot at the Dems one week or Reps another. (I’m an Army vet and on Social Security and Medicare so I have “views.”) I will take any info you want to send me but, you must include your (real) name and a phone number where, and when, you may be contacted. (I won’t publish it). You may email me direct at: touchingbase2@yahoo.com. Hope you enjoy me staggering around the bases. Note: Joe Haakenson, the former Tribune beat writer for the Angels, is currently the sports editor at our sister paper, The Long Beach Press-Telegram. Joe was a wrestler in high school at 98 pounds. That weight class no longer exists for CIF or for Joe. To read John’s Column, click thread
Anything and anyone you want to talk about..
The Refs blew it: According to our Miguel Melendez, who covered Temple City-Arcadia’s 14-14 tie on Friday, both teams had agreed to play overtime, the crowd was screaming for it, but apparently the refs had other plans. “We don’t get paid for overtime,” was the excuse they used, according to Melendez. The refs then jogged off the field to a chorus of boos. I thought you got paid by the game, not the quarters. Ben Bolch takes a closer look in today’s Times Article.
Quoteworthy: “The officials are supposed to be there until the game ends, period. You get paid from when the game starts to the game ends, depending on what those schools agree to.” — CIF spokesperson Thom Simmons tells the Times.
Ben Bolch wrote: Umpire Darren Winkley, who worked the game as part of the crew from the San Gabriel Valley Football Officials Assn., said none of the officials made a comment about overtime pay. Winkley said his crew’s policy was not to allow overtime before league games.
Athletes of the week: Looking for nominations for boys and girls athlete of the week.
This Friday’s game of the week: St. Bonaventure at Bishop Amat. There were others we considered, but this is the game. If you thought Charter Oak had it tough with Rancho, you haven’t seen nothing yet. The Lancers are right where they’re supposed to be, 3-0, with a chance to knock off one of the best teams in the Southern Section at home. Do they have a shot?
Top Teams: After updating the Trib’s Top 20 records, how should the rankings change. This is I can guarantee, there will be some major adjustments.
1. Charter Oak (2-1), 2. Bishop Amat (3-0), 3. Glendora (1-2), 4. San Dimas (3-1), 5. Rowland (3-0), 6. South Hills (1-2), 7. Walnut (3-0), 8. Baldwin Park (3-1), 9. Damien (1-3), 10. Wilson (2-1), 11. Arroyo (2-1), 12. Diamond Ranch (1-3), 13. Workman (3-1), 14. West Covina (1-3), 15. Rosemead (1-2), 16. Los Altos (1-2), 17. Nogales (2-2), 18. Sierra Vista (2-1), 19. La Puente (3-1), 20. Azusa (3-1).
LA Times’ new rankings: Amat gets No. 4 while Rancho Cucamonga’s win over Charter Oak leaves them at No. 7
1. Crenshaw 4-0
2. Oaks Christian 3-0
3. Edison 4-0
4. St. Bonaventure 4-0
5. Lakewood 3-1
6. Servite 3-1
7. Rancho Cucamonga 4-0
8. Gardena Serra 4-0
9. Moorpark 3-0
10. Los Alamitos 3-0
Tonight’s results
Rancho Cucamonga 35, Charter Oak 25 — What can I say that you didn’t see on television. The Chargers were up 14-0 and in control late in the first half when disaster struck. The ten-point switch in the final six seconds on the block punt that was returned for a TD tied the score 14-14, but more importantly sapped the confidence, energy and swagger from the Chargers for good.
Bishop Amat 29, Damien 20 — No doubt the Lancers jump to No. 1 next week heading into the showdown against St. Bonaventure. Any predictions how the Lancers finish the final 7?
Monrovia 36, San Dimas 17 –– I never expected this. It looks like like its good times in M-Town again. When I’m wrong, I say I’m wrong. Our reporter Scott French said the Cats will go 14-0.
Chino Hills 17, Diamond Ranch 14 — You know what the Panthers are doing, saving it for the Miramonte and another late season run. Yeah right.
Rowland 49, Northview 22 — The Raiders continue to pile on the points, third straight blowout win.
West Covina 22, Glendora 21 — The Bulldogs needed this in the worst way and got it, avoiding 0-4 while dropping the suddenly what’s-going-on Tartans to 1-3.
Bonita 9, Baldwin Park 3 — You knew the Bearcats were better than their record indicated, and they proved it against the undefeated Braves.
Azusa 34, Gabrielino 20 — We’re starting to find out the Aztecs weren’t a one-year wonder. Coach Scherf is doing it again.
Walnut 31, Covina 27 — The Colts are obviously much improved from last year, but so too are the Mustangs, now 3-0.
Claremont 42, Arroyo 21 — The Knights suffer their first loss against a tougher-than-expected Claremont team.
Gladstone 10, El Monte 7 — The Gladiators improve to 3-1, and if not for a close loss to Bosco Tech, would be undefeated.
Harvard-Westlake 42, Rosemead 0 — The Panthers are a long way from the Panthers of old. Ouch.
Schurr 42, Wilson 0 — I’m speechless.
Ayala 28, Los Altos 12 — The Conquerors are getting better, but they’re obviously not there yet.
Western Christian 16, Sierra Vista 8 — That’s Upland Western Christian to all of you. The Dons’ good start comes to a screeching halt.
Chaffey 34, Nogales 7 — Not a huge surprise, this is one of Chaffey’s better teams and it showed.
Bassett 28, Mountain View 10 — Is this the Tony Zane magic or what. He shows up and they’re 3-1. Coaching matters.
Brea Olinda 20, Diamond Bar 12 — With the Sierra League around the corner, it looks like another long year for the Brahams.
Montclair 23, Workman 22 — The Lobos first loss of the season is a one-point setback. That’s tough to swallow.
For quarter-by-quarter updates of tonight’s games, click thread.
Tonight’s results
La Puente 35, South El Monte 6 — Ray Hernandez’s return to La Puente wasn’t a memorable one. The Warriors jumped out to a quick lead and never looked back, improving to 3-1 while the Eagles dropped to 0-4.
Tesoro 34, South Hills 21 — The Huskies were shorthanded and clearly outplayed, but still only trailed 14-6 before giving up a touchdown in the final minute of the first half to go down 21-6. In the second half they played them even, it just wasn’t good enough.
For quarter-by-quarter updates of tonight’s games, click thread.