Damien knocked down, but not out, hoping they becoming a second-half of the season type team
Above: Damien hopes there are more chest bumps in their future.
By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
First-year Damien coach Greg Gano is no fan of moral victories. But after staying close with Rancho Cucamonga, arguably the best team in the Inland Empire, and going toe to toe with the San Gabriel Valley's two best teams in Bishop Amat and Charter Oak in consecutive weeks, Gano is feeling all right for a team with a 1-4 record. "I'm not happy we're 1-4," he said. "It could be worse. We could be 0-5. It's a two-edged sword. We have been playing some tough football against great teams. Those leadership plays you need to make at the end against good teams we haven't made yet. But that will come, the real-part of the season is just getting started."
Damien led Charter Oak 12-7 at half before losing, 23-20, on Friday. A week earlier, the Spartans gave Bishop Amat all they could handle before losing, 29-20.
"We had a great opportunity to beat Bishop Amat and then they turn around and beat St. Bonaventure," Gano said. "What does that say about us?
"I felt like we had Charter Oak on the ropes, too. It's one thing if you're getting beat by 35 points, that's discouraging. But it's not the case with us. We have been in every game except for the (St. John Bosco) loss."
The Spartans have a much-needed bye week before opening the Sierra League against the two favorites, Chino Hills on Oct. 16 and Glendora the following week.
"We get to start a new season," Gano said. "We can do very well, that's what I told the guys.
"We could be more physical. We need to finish games better, but the main thing is that our kids keep fighting. They haven't quit despite how tough it is to play hard and lose close games. That tells me what I need to know about this team."
Damien will keep Bishop Amat on the nonleague schedule next year but will drop Rancho Cucamonga and St. John Bosco, Gano said.
"Rancho is in our division, there is no sense playing them," Gano said. "We might also get Charter Oak and South Hills in our league (if voting goes through in October), so we will probably schedule other area teams."
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Spartans,
Do you think if the record was 4-1 you would be getting mor that 12 hits on this thread or is Spartan Dad the voice of the silent majority.
Just because spartan fans are not commenting on this blog, doesn't mean they are unhappy with the job Gano & his staff are doing. I have been to all 5 of our games, & we have had a huge turnout in all of them. The negativity you hear on these blogs about Damien is misconstrude, meaning other people outside the Damien family are posting some of these blogs. I am sure there are a few Damien parent's that are not happy, but perspective is
the reason for the negativity. I am a football guy & I see things differently than the next guy. For instance, losing to Amat & CO back to back by a total of 11 points is not a win, but I was happy with the game plan & the way the kids never gave up. We have yet to lose to a less talented team. Gano & his staff have only lost 1 game that you could consider a bad game.(SJB) Gano has schemed his ass off! Wait for a couple of years to judge his accomplishment's. If you can't wait, at least wait until the season is over. Look at the way those kids play for him & his staff. They know the right guy was hired, & that is why they will continue to work their asses off for him.
I have no reason to defend Gano, I just know a coach when I see one. So don't think that Gano is without followers. 90% of the parent's I talk to are all aboard with Gano & his staff. Alot of kids from surrounding areas are interested in Damien because of Gano.
It has been 4 days and only 10 hits and only 2 are from fans of the program. Where are all the loyal followers and the multitude of people that are happy with Gano and the way the program is going. Could a 1-4 record and the 1 win being over Claremont have anything to do with the silence. Man old FC had you people more fired up than Gano does. Maybe he should be your head coach at least he gets your attention.
Damine .... No Change....
Where do you come off, saying LVL got "studs" that Gano lost out on? FYI: LVL lost to Webb 88-0 a few weeks ago. There were NO studs on that LVL team.
You need to take note of the intangibles that help to build a team and program. Pull you head out, and objectively observe Damien this year. It is night and day from the last few years.
I write this thinking you have some sense. If you really believe what you posted previously, you might not have any.
I agree with Spartan Dad. We may not have the wins on our side quite yet, but there is a huge difference in how these guys are playing this year. Our pre-season schedule is awfully difficult...we all have high hopes for the season. And really??? you think the crowd is not behind them? Last year @ the 1st game, the stands were packed.... then it dropped off significantly each ensuing game. We have had 2 home games, and each one has seen a packed stadium... what are you talking about? Also, The Pit has never been so charged up. I know many boys on the team, and they are 100% behind Gano & staff. Even the JV team is excited about the next few years. Has Gano made a difference? Definately yes. Has Damien Football made a 180 degree shift yet? No, not quite yet.... but don't take us for granted.... we will return again!
Gano has had the whole off season to turn this program around. Even when he was still the AD at LA he would be over at Damien coaching up these kids. How can you expect Damien to win with these kids, no talent. That comment is coming from the current staff. Gano has already started backing out of his current schedule. He needs a softer schedule to pad his record. Next he is going to attempt to recurit. The reason why I say atempt is that he lost out on a few studs over at LVL, they opted to transfer to other schools. It is real simple Damein 08' started 1-3, 09' 1-3. What has Damein really got with Gano.
I can't understand the negative views toward Coach Gano after the first half of this season.
The team is more aggressive, the offense is much more productive, and the kids are playing as a team.
The schedule is (and has been) extremely tough, and the kids take up the challenge.
If you want to feel better about the program, think about where it was the last two years.
Finally
I have seen 3 of your games this year,I have been absolutely shocked at the (lack) of support or spirit in the stands.At the Amat and Charter oak game, especially the Amat game there was a huge difference in the support and noise from Damien and the other two schools, so I know what your talking about.And thats really to bad, because in a short period of time Gano will having them playing with a different attitude and (winninng).
good luck to you guys
Finally a vote of confidence for Gano. It's taken over 24 hours for someone from Damien to finally come on here and give the program some backing. Come on Damien boosters and parents let's see the thread get up in the hundreds. Now is the time to show support for the program and the direction it is heading . To all of Sparta where are you. Like Spartan Dad said don't wait for the titles and then say I told you so ,now is when you are needed.
Watching The Spartan's this year is much different
than in years past. Yeah we are 1-4, but it is a much different 1-4. If you are a Damien follower, you need to relax.If you must make a judgement this year, then wait until the season is over. I am very excited about our future. This team is not done this year either, by a long shot. Pay close attention to how hard this team plays, the kid's have not given up, so don't give up on them. Coach Gano is a top notch coach with a staff that has more championship rings than any staff in the SGV. This is a work in progress & Gano has to change the culture from top to bottom. If you want to be negative, go ahead, that is your parogitive, but don't jump on the band wagon when Gano has these kids deep in the playoffs. I am proud to be a Spartan Dad, & will back Gano & this Staff no matter what. We finally have a proven winner as our head coach, so let's
give him a chance.
Its was obvious Gano would back down with the schedule next year! Just excuses from a 1-4 coach!
This guy' ego can't take it!
IF Damien is serious about keeping Amat on the schedule for 2010/2011, who else does Amat keep/add to it's non-league schedule: Charter Oak, DRanch, West Covina? Does Amat go out and schedule Servite, St. John Bosco, others?
"We had a great opportunity to beat Bishop Amat and then they turn around and beat St. Bonaventure," Gano said. "What does that say about us?
Nothing, it says nothing about Damien. They didn't play that team, Amat did. They had their chance against a mediocre St. John Bosco team and was blown out. Hagerty finished 7-3 in the first season. Gano is 1-4 so far.
"Rancho is in our division, there is no sense playing them"
Tell that to Servite, Edison, Crespi. Yes there is good sense. Seeding in the playoffs for one and competing against the best another.
Looks like Gano is ready to schedule Mountain View and Arroyo. You want to compete against the best. There is only one school to go to.