Should Darien Johnson be more involved with the Lancers offense, or is that asking too much?

Let's face it, Darien is putting up the most points this year. He should be playing on offense. No offense to anyone who has a senior on any team, but if there is a freshman or sophmore who can get the job done then so be it. Unfortunately too many teams at AMAT tend to start or keep their seniors because they are seniors. And while yes, they paid their dues this is not participation ball. It is not fair to the underclassmen who can come in and get the job done. I say play Darien as much as we can if it is going to help us win. I agree with an earlier comment about last year, if only we played some of those kids both ways last year.....

I love Amat, however, I learned to live with the politicking in Amat Sports. Hag's has his frosh kid starting at wide receiver and this kid has not made one catch in 5 games and has dropped all passes thrown his way, some for easy TD's. There are kids better than Hag's kid that play on the reserve team. My kid is a starter on the 5-0 frosh team, so no, he is not one of the kids that is getting cheated. I just feel bad for the other better players who are being overlooked because their parents aren't head coaches or brown nosers.

There has been such a hoopla regarding who the best players are or who should be playing where and who should be starting over who and the whole problem is that you need to get rid of the politics and favoritism at BA and just put the players that earn the playing time in regardless of how much influence one person has over the other. For example,there is a very nice and talented kid that was put into a starting position in last yrs BB varsity as a freshman and it's not only.my opinion but several other folks could not understand why. Though a very good prospect there was no way this young man should have started.over some other kids especially Srs. Talk about a fix and disaspointment for the kids that had worked so hard for 3 years.He wasn't that over powering to take another kid as good or better at the time then was. The boy granted is a good prospect but he still needs to grow and needs maturity. Nieto said from the start that he would never start a freshman on varsity, but then again witnessing how he coached the team against San Dimas, I guess should answer some of this discussion. That is yet anoher issue for another time. Some will defend him and that's your prerogative. I have absolutely nothing against this guy but give me a break. It looks like Hagerty is doing the same. I guess that is why the offense is what it is. Now don't get me wrong I love BA I also love the kids that go there. Again I just call them like I see them. .

There has been such a hoopla regarding who the best players are or who should be playing where and who should be starting over who and the whole problem is that you need to get rid of the politics and favoritism at BA and just put the players that earn the playing time in regardless of how much influence one person has over the other. For example,there is a very nice and talented kid that was put into a starting position in last yrs BB varsity as a freshman and it's not only.my opinion but several other folks could not understand why. Though a very good prospect there was no way this young man should have started.over some other kids especially Srs. Talk about a fix and disaspointment for the kids that had worked so hard for 3 years.He wasn't that over powering to take another kid as good or better at the time then was. The boy granted is a good prospect but he still needs to grow and needs maturity. Nieto said from the start that he would never start a freshman on varsity, but then again witnessing how he coached the team against San Dimas, I guess should answer some of this discussion. That is yet anoher issue for another time. Some will defend him and that's your prerogative. I have absolutely nothing against this guy but give me a break. It looks like Hagerty is doing the same. I guess that is why the offense is what it is. Now don't get me wrong I love BA I also love the kids that go there. Again I just call them like I see them. .

Amat 73 they will come to play and play hard, I know that. Too much respect and appreciation for DR and their staff to comment one way or the other. Let's hope for a great game and no injuries before league. Hope to see you there.

Did you really have to ask ? Now we get stuck with a novel coming our way.

My Friend Sparta,
Seeing as you have a pretty good insight on DR and I know your thoughts on AMAT, what is your take on Saturdays match up.

Believe it or not, I am not in anyway disputing anything that you, or any other blogger put out there regarding this thread. In fact, I can see both sides of the argument.

I guess that in the end, the only thing that I would venture to say is that there is obviously an option out there for this kid and perhaps that option should be utilized in a way that best helps this team Nothing more and really, nothing less.

After all, all of this stuff makes for good press and let face it, it did take up a full thread on this blog, so at the very least, it got allot of hits and more than it’s fair share of responses (unlike the swimming, volleyball or ice hockey threads…just kidding)

Anyway, perhaps Fred put this out there because (lets face it) Amat is the big story this week.

Oh and BTW, believe it or not, Johnson isn’t the only player that has the ability to be utilized more often here, and in different ways. In fact, hasn’t anyone noticed that Rio Ruiz has been playing at a multitude of positions all year long ?

First off we saw him as a wide receiver, then he played in the back field, then we see him as a defensive back. In a way, Rios is sort of like a fish out of water, because he really should be playing quarterback somewhere, but of course he cant. I guess that the problem for him here, is that for Rio, he is such a talented player that you really have to play him on the varsity level somewhere. In other words you need to use him where he can give this team another dynamic. Just like with Johnson.

FYI, From LA Times

* The most underrated player is receiver-defensive back Darien Johnson of La Puente Bishop Amat. He has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, returned a punt for a touchdown, returned an interception for a touchdown and caught a couple touchdown passes. "He's unbelievable," St. Bonaventure Coach Todd Therrien said.

also

* Finally, the game program that is heavy enough to be used as a dumbbell is the 172-page program put out by Bishop Amat. It says, "Blue collar attitude," on the cover, and you need to be a blue-collar worker to be strong enough to pick it up.

Old Switcheroo/sgv coach,

If YOU were paying attention, IF Jay Anderson goes down, why wouldn't Shay or Moore go in at RB? DJ would continue in the role he currently has.

Good points SGV Coach!

I MEAN ANYTIME....Bring more than your mouth

FC, i have called you out several times on this blog, and when i do i leave my name. I'm not the only one who has a beef with your endless rants. Dont go pointing your soft paws at me everytime someone throws a rock at you. Anytime you wanna sort things out,....

Let's look at it another way. Last year San Dimas had two running Backs, Joseph and Barbone, on some level it wasn't the best idea to ask with one was better. If anyone remembers last year it was a mess get saying Joeseph was doing better.

Damien had two QBs in Betance and Guillen and that didn't work out too well. Sure Betance got reps but he had 3 seasons and three summers to "earn" the job and didn't... so what did it do for the team but split an already fractured squad even more.

How about CO Santiago vs Thropay...do you get the most out of the soph or do you allow for the junior to rep out one year. Has Fred "opened" that QB situation up for discussion?

Last year Bishop Amat actually handled this very situation about as good as CO did with Carreon and Allen so Amat has dealt with this before....you should know Jcaz...Hags is on rite on top of personnel decisions...and the team respect his calls.

As far as Reggie and Lendale...both played offense all the time...the question wasn't putting in a Tatupu in a fullback...which would apply better to your argument.

One other thing to remember..if Anderson goes down at RB....you have Johnson...if Johnson goes down at RB...who plays corner and runs back KOs...Anderson? Chew on that for a second.

Whew ! I think that folks are making this out to be allot more than what it was intended to be. Having said that, I guess that I’ll just go ahead and throw in my two cents worth, and see if this gets a few folks riled up a bit.

Anyhow, does anyone in here remember that famous USC game against Texas where Pete Carol didn’t have both his Thunder and Lightning in the back field for that now famous running play? Well if I am not mistaken, one of the critiques that was thrown out there the following day, was that “if” he had put both of those guys in there, that it would have opened up another dimension for that play. In fact, if I am not mistaken, having both of them in there would have made it much harder for that defense to have focused on only the one guy who ultimately ended up with the ball.

By having you’re best guys in there, it gives you’re team a dynamic that makes things much more difficult for you’re opponents. Well, anyway, the way I see it, this debate is allot like that USC game in that any additional threat that this Amat offense can throw out, is always a good thing.

Keep in mind that while we all know that this Amat defense had been playing outstanding football over the opening part of this season, we also realize that the offensive had had to really struggle against non PAC5 teams. Unfortunately, as so many of the bloggers in here have openly stated, Amat has indeed had difficulty in opening up that offense this year. You just can’t ignore these facts.

Interestingly, many of the comments in here so far have had many folks saying that they would rather not have him in there as much. Many bloggers have stated that we should wait to see these other backs have their break out games. Well, while I for one in fact believe that this will one day happen, I do not believe that we should limit ourselves to only what we are presently utilizing. I mean, why not use him more ?

Consider this. Success can sometimes be an interesting burden to a team. For example, what if you’re kid has spent all this time being that number one guy, then out of no where this other kid comes along and outshines them all ! Would that not be problematic for you, if you are a parent of a kid who is being affected ? Would you really want see this other kid shine like that ?

Look, I am not the first one to say this, but everything in life is based on completion. At USC they have a thing called competition Tuesday, and if I am not mistaken, who ever earns the starting job for that particular week, on that particular day, is the guy who gets in there in the next game. Maybe that is the way it ought to be even here at Amat.

Anyway, I am not the guy who makes the decisions for this team, and neither is Fred, so the fact that this thread is out there, and that people are simply asking these questions are legitimate and they should be address in an open forum like this.

To quote my friend 73 here, “don’t get you’re chonies all up in the air here people !!”

eat my choneys...what? better yet where was I wrong

1) the amat coachig staff is 11-4 not even fred or guru or your dumb ass thought of that before putting CO as #1...that was stupid and I told fred so.

2) Hagerty has a former nfl player and former all cif all everything working with DJ...don't you think if anyone thought it was a good idea DMC would know and make his position felt...so why ask the question..I mean is anyone asking which QB is better at CO?

3) SB was a big game ..and yet DJ and Amat played it the same..solid team's plan for the season not the next game..last last year's idiocy with Guillen and Betance...what did Betance do...3 TDs and 6 INTS? ..was it worth it?

4) it's wrong to seocnd guess success...see if your coward ass played you'd know that. I have a damien dad tell me almost every time that guillen should be replaced for ramirez...are you kidding me? Guillen has been nails...that's what passes for football knowledge at damien sometimes...no offense but dads that know usually agree dads that don't usually gossip..and that's why last year was a joke,,nuff said

5) I have never been run out of anywhere unless I was throwing blows and that hasn't happened...not even in the 5th Quarter ...so what are you talking about? run out...stay with that thougt if it makes you feel better

6) I like to see games from two places..the sidelines or he opposte side of the coach I admire...hence he BA/Damien game...matter of fact I do that for Coach P from Glendora as well...and if your punk ass played you know why

7) as far as doing Fred's job...having the Guru is trash...that's my opinion...the man knows what...how to kiss ass? I've asked him on a couple occassions questions and he's lost...sorry Jaime...but that's my opinion...you're a SH and now Schurr homer...fair enough? but when you back hand the SGV an dthen come back and do it again...all cred is lost.

8) As far as "being run off"...seriously...get some help. I go to practices...no run off no confrontation...matter of fact I get along great with everyone now...every one...last year's parents are g.o.n.e. and the water's fine...WHY...beacuse it wa always about the kids...okay?

9) A few days ago I heard for the umpteen time from parents..."I wish Gano was here two years ago".and a 100 variations of that sentiment...parents arent stupid. They know Gano was a hug upgrade on all levels

10) My beef was always the same...treat ever kid equally, fairly and honestly....separate your feelings between parents and their kids...hire competent lower level coaches and address the inadequacies of the program...as in 180K for a decent weight room...shouldn't be hard with cars that cost 300K dropping ff kids

Unless you've been under a rock...all of number 10 came to be and everyone ...that's everyone is happier, more united and the kids love playing football again.1-4 AN NO ONE IS COMPLAINING...WHY ?

Do yourself a favor and borrow your mother's nuts and leave your name, not so we can fight but at least so you don't look like a slimy coward is all.. My fighting days are over...how many 50 year olds still fight? Besides what am I fighting for...your ignorance?

Tell me something that makes football sense instead of ahole nonsense. All the crap that people talk here and I'm your dog? Where were you when DB kids were being dragged thru crap? Youre a loser and now you're making this blog go backwrds...wasn't it good for 4 MONTHS!!!..well I guess you're back.

That at boy Corona! Go ahead and tell Fred how to do his job. It's so easy to forget how you simply know it all, thanks for being there and showing us all the way. I wonder how the Damien crowd takes in all your BS? Oh wait, you don't go to Damien games anymore, and if you do, you sit on the other teams side. That's just too funny. Run out of your own bleachers huh smart guy? I keep hearing that, but I can't believe it.

sgv coach, your points are well taken and your perspective is one i had not considered. i would venture to say fred hadn't either.

This football would be a lot more fun if we could just text our votes in like Dancing With the Stars. Then the coach could put in the player with the most votes.

WOW "what happened to working the angles"... WOW!

tcbruin and fredj.
Please don't trivialize this by saying it is "just a question". It is a bad question.
Don't use Darien just because he is playing well right now! This is a fire starter. Amat won as a team, and will continue to win as a team, but with "your question" you are changing the focus of that concept.
tcbruin "this question". That's all it does but set up for second guessing!
fredj. It's no different than what goes on else where! Really! I don't mean to sound condescending but ... really? If everyone else is doing it then I guess it's okay! Wow!
Last week it was Wallace and this week it is Darien. They are not professionals, adults or men. They are high school kids and you are making it more difficult for them to be just that.
It is not just a question. It is an irresponsible, misuse of the media. You have the power to control this blog. Just because the language is clean and the grammar is correct does not mean that anything goes.
To see my point further, I would recommend you spend one week with the coaching staff at Amat or any other winning program and see what they go through to prepare for one game. Spend time with all the players as well, and see how they spend their time. Then take a look at your question and see how fair or innocent it seems.
Amat expects certain players to make big plays, but the reason they win is because everyone is doing their job. Don't make this about one player. Whether it's at Amat or any other school, don't trivialize the other player's efforts.
This is bad, and if you can't see that. Oh man, this is really bad!!!

Really let's you see how litlle bloggers know about football and how easily they revert to asking questions that have already been debated at lenght by the coaches all summer long.

Fred don't you think "that" staff already broke down the pros and cons....how about "this" game specifically? Don't you think going into the SB game , during the game, at halftime and down the stretch Hags and Co "knew" what they would do?

When I saw DJ run the KO aganst Damien I thought...this is what Rocket Ismail looked like in high school! Man ran without fear full speed and never broke stride...really as good as any I have ever seen.

The coaches can maximized DJ with very specific plays that ca break a team down and keep Amat in the game without wearing him down, hurting the defense and most importantly hurt DJ's chances of doing what he will do at th next level...get better every week..which had been his calling card since last year...every single week ..:HE'S BETTER"

AMAT IS 11-4 DURING HAGS TENURE WITH MAJOR WINS AGAINST O LU, CREPSI AND NOW ST. BONNIE'S...THAT'S NOT LUCK THAT'S GETTING BETTER AND STRONGER...WAIT...WASN'T THIS GOING TO BE A REBUILDING YEAR FOR BISHOP AMAT??? ACCORDING TO GURU AND FRED AND ANYONE ELSE NOT ON THE COACHING STAFF????

Fred stop depending on that idiot Guru and see the team for yourself...heck it only talks one practice to know what's going on...if you want I'll help you, lol. When I seen the All Star practices ne year with Aram near by I was stunned at what he saw and didn't see...that's just being honest.

Anyway Fred you dropped the ball on the CAR POOL KIDS FROM AMAT LAST YEAR (great story about commitment, friendship and loyalty)...so why not do a story on UCLA player Sermons (DR) & Price(BA) and USC players McMahon (DHS) and Harper(DHS) going ino the Bishop Amat/Damien game...opps...you dropped eh ball again...okay ...how about before the USC/UCLA game...There's also a kid from Duarte at UCLA and Covina's Harris...a group picture would be nice and probably an inspiration for the local kids....wait..is taht "another" good idea????

Fred you're slacking.... So many more stories out there and all we have to read is that JA Guru's back handed compliments and smug SH "observations....Blogging Tribune...Sports stories Daily Bulletin.

Thats right,
He can do it all, he can run, catch, throw the ball and he will paint the HOUSE! He is better than BOOBY MILES, you just watch!

Coach Disney,

Figured you were either being sarcastic... or just COChargarefan incognito! Go read his posts and you'll see why some are a little "uptight"

BTW, hows Mickey and Minnie?

smallcity, Jay Anderson is already one of Amat's impact players. Trust me, this guy is for real! Come to the game Saturday, he won't disappoint you and I agree with your post!

I recall reading a quote from DJ in which he said Coach Daylon McCutcheon told him he can't take even one play off. I can't see DJ doing much more than he does now. If he does, how will he NOT take a play off.

I know this is a DJ thread, but someone mentioned Jay Anderson. I watched him play as a freshman and I can tell you that he was developed both physically and mentally well beyond his years back then. I also mentioned back then that he would be a college div I player and I still believe it. He will be next years impact player for Amat.

Great one Coach Disney,

lots of laughs on that.? Hardly, Dont hate because the young man had a great game and he does not play for your team..by the way which team do you follow? I thought so another hater. Freds question was legit.

So called "coach" why are you here when you should be breaking down film and getting ready for your next game friday. Let me guess you coach Pop Warner. Coach this !
n!nn

Coach Disney, you are a funny person. You need to chill. It's just a question. No one is saying Johnson is the only person on the team. People are just recognizing that he's a good player. But you're funny. Just watch him, Jay Anderson, Jerry McClanahan, and the rest of our playmakers Saturday night! Enjoy the show!

sgv coach,

RELAX!

This is JUST a question. NO 2nd guessing going on here by the question.

BTW, which Amat coach has been coaching for 30 years?

I think they should run the occasional "Wildcat" formation, and let him play LG, and QB, that way he can block for himself, and run up mad yards every game. And while we're on the subject, having him do all the FG, and punting work is a must also. Of course with him back there, every fourth down will be a fake, because let's face it, the kid is a man-child who can't be stopped by normal high school athletes. Matter of fact, can we just petition the NCAA right now to pencil him in for the Heisman trophy as a high schooler?

SGV coach, with all due respect, it's just a question. It's no different than what goes on everyday in roundtable sports discussions.

SGV COACH,
Based on that post you have earned the caps.Great post maybe you should become the new and improved Guru. You know how newspapers are they will do anything to sell papers and the same goes for the blog but to sell advertising .

Darian Johnson was a couple of inches short of picking off a pass and taking back for a touchdown in that game against Poly last year. If that goes for a touchdown the Lancers win that game. He is a special talent and just went into a zone in that St.Bonnies game. He could do no wrong. He even made the tackles that had to be made that nite. It was a total team effort but Darian Johnson just had his best game of his HS career that nite and who better to have it against then a Highly rated Team. His stock has grown 10 fold after that game and teams will be on the lookout for him, which brings me to Jay Anderson, Jay will have his breakout game soon as well, I mean he is just so shy of coming up popping that big big run off tackle, you watch and see Jay Anderson will go for 200+yards and multiple touchdowns soon, it is a matter of time , you can just see it waiting to happen. Credit that offensive line they are really coming around, and still are not at their full potential yet, but you got to hand it to them they played their a--es off against St. Bonnies. Here is hoping I see another Amat win and breakout game for other players this Sat. at Ganesha vs Diamond Ranch. Could this be the game Jay Anderson gets into Zone and could do no wrong, I see it coming.

this is an interesting thought. more on offense? one would think, based on last year, that johnson playing any offense is a major shift in philosophy for the coach, which indicates that that is not the amat way. also, amat's running back corp looks very good, so if he was to play more offense, wouldn't it be at receiver? #4 is really good as well as the other two young men i've seen run the ball for the lancers. don't know, just some thoughts.

This decision should be left to the coaches, and not be put up to debate. This thread is irresponsible. The coaches have worked with the team day in and day out for the past year and a half since they arrived on campus to get to this point. They have a handle on what is best for the team. Why add undue pressure to an already stressful situation?
When you are winning, it is not a time for celebration. It means you have to work harder, be more focused and have more intensity so that the winning continues.
Every season, a team has to forge a personality of it's own. Chemistry must be developed between returning players and the new additions which can only develop on the field, in the weight room and paling around with your team buddies. This is a critical part of any teams success, and it is a continuing process the deeper you get into the season. Most teams ignore this and fall way short of their potential!
As well as this team has played, it is still working that out. There are facets of this team that still need to grow. They are coming up on the toughest part of their schedule, and they will jell, and they will play even better than they already have.
No one except them, have the right to call the shots! We are not in the trenches everyday working with those 15, 16 and 17 year old young men. Besides it's their season, not ours! Those players have the right to live it without interference from anyone outside the team. We as adults had our chances.
These coaches have worked relentlessly for years on their craft (some almost 30 years), applying all that they know for the benefit of their player's, the team's and the school's success. They have earned the right to be left alone to work their craft. They are putting together a potentially wonderful season and now this.
This is bad and it is unfair! Bishop Amat football has provided so much for this newspaper. Why would you do this?

Pros and Cons of it:

If DJ is used more in the offensive scheme of things Hagerty could be 1.)Increasing the percentages of him getting injured (defensive catalyst,kickof,punt returns and now more touches on Offense)more touches equals more punding, 2.)Not being as aggressive and maybe winded on Defense not to mention the wear and tear going into the 4th quarter.

=============================================

With his blazing speed, DJ, in more End around situations coming off the reciever spot. Also would Hagerty ever consider using him in a Wildcat situatuion. Explosive as he is This could be a Rob Peter to pay paul situation. I think Hagerty smells the idea and will implement DJ more into the offense as league approaches. To do it now would risk the injury you dont want heading into league. Come league it is the new season and it is all out.

Cant play your full hand of cards right now Fred, you should know this.

Amat is fine with where they are playing Darien, but it wouldnt hurt to have him in the back field from time to time to mix it up and keep the defense guessing. Every team Amat plays from hear on out know about Darien and will RESPECT his talent.
I think Jay Anderson is doing a great job and he should have a 200yd game very soon. Anderson must have over 500yrds for the season so far?

IMHO think had we used DJ and Sheldon Price on offense against LB Poly last year, we would have beaten them.

DJ is playing in the right SITUATIONS.

Jay Anderson/Shay/Moore in the rushing department are doing JUST fine.