Azusa on the verge of history again; Scherf gets an email from Burch Drake, who coached there more than 30 years ago
By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
Former Azusa High School football players have been hanging around lately. Aztecs coach Joe Scherf talks to them in church, has seen them around practice and recently got an email from former Aztecs coach Burch Drake, who coached at the school in the late 60's and was part of the 1974 Aztecs team that reached the CIF-Southern Section Divisional quarterfinals when it was a 32-team playoff format. To continue, click thread
When the No. 3-seeded Aztecs (10-1) take on San Marino (9-2) on Friday at Citrus College in the Mid-Valley Division quarterfinals, the Aztecs will be playing for their first semifinal berth in school history.
Drake, now living in Idaho, emailed to congratulate Scherf and his players.
"Winning league last year and this year, and now going to the quarterfinals for the second straight year has changed the culture around here," Scherf said. "It's kind of neat to see the support from a lot of the old players, especially guys that go back to the 60's, 70's and 80's.
"I read (Drake's) letter to the kids to show them how much support they have out there. He was a legendary coach here. We know there are a lot of people rooting for us. We want to take the next step."
That next step comes against one of the stingiest teams in the division, with an assistant coach on the sidelines named Mike Mooney, a former USC player who was successful earlier this decade coaching his alma mater at Temple City before moving on to San Marino to become assistant
Mooney took a year off of coaching, then returned to join coach D.R. Moreland's staff and has done a tremendous job in helping him revive their program.
The Titans' 42-20 first-round playoff win over Rosemead was the most points the Titans have allowed this season.
They almost knocked off No. 1 Monrovia in a 14-12 loss.
"They look a lot like us," Scherf said. "They have a lot of tough kids, not really big or athletic but they play hard and play with a lot of discipline."
The Aztecs reached the quarterfinals last year and were shut out 17-0, something Scherf has addressed with his players this week.
"We thought we were prepared last year and got shellacked," Scherf said. "We came out flat and made a lot of mistakes we weren't making during the season.
"A lot of our kids grew from that experience, and hopefully our coaching staff grew, too. We want to get to that level where we're competing for semifinal and championship games every year. The more opportunities you have, the more experience you gain from it."
Last year the Aztecs had third-year starting quarterback Adrian Gaeta to lead them. This year it's senior John Chavez, who has thrown for 1,352 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Scherf platooned Chavez with others early in the season, but it has become clear Chavez is the guy.
"The thing is, the kids love playing for (Chavez)," Scherf said. "For some reason, when we had another kid in there (quarterback), the kids got upset with me. I said, `OK, we'll put him (Chavez) back in there,' and they play harder for him. He doesn't get in their face, but his passion and desire make his teammates want to play harder and block for him. It's a special bond he has with those guys, they trust him."
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Miguel Melendez's prep blog
In the Huddle
ESPN
OC Varsity
San Bernardino Sun Preps
LA times Varsity Blog
Daily Bulletin Preps
Whittier Daily News Preps
LA Daily News Preps
Long Beach Press Telegram Preps
Daily Breeze Preps
Dyestat Track and Cross Country
MaxPreps
Rivals.Com
College Level Athletes
sgv , learn how to spell before you talk smack. Let the kids play and keep your comments to yourself.
THAT'S RIGHT! WE MADE HISTORY FOR AZUSA AND THE CITY OF AZUSA! AND I WAS THERE! WHAT A GREAT GAME AND TO BAD THE SCORE WAS CLOSER THEN WE WANTED IT , BUT THE AZTECS DID THEIR JOB AND STOOD FOCUS!
AZTEC PRIDE.
sgv, come'on....you cant compare a team from who they play in weeks prior....you should know each team gets better on a week to week basis....given from your stupid theory, then that means Ucla will beat USC because ucla beat Washington and Sc did not!!! bonehead, at any given night or sat a team can get beat by any team you just cant help it that azusa is doing a good job no matter who they play.....and they had no control over them playing covina, they just played them and Won the game. I dont know what azusa kids did to you but get over it!! no matter what you say you really dont know what kind of kids our at those schools and you never will......commment on that!! and iam sure you will, and it will prob. be a dumb commment too!!!
honestly Azusa is not even playing the goo teams yet. come on think about it. how do they end up playing Covina 2 years in a row. that is very rare. put them against Monrovia or san dimas. They wont even wont handle them like they handled covina. have them play a real team then we see if they are for real till then keep it low until they play a real team or put them against Paraclete and even Baldwin Park you think about it they barely passed Gladstone and Gladstone got whopped against BP. Well lets see what happens and see if they win cause i garentied they gonna lose against a way bigger team
Thanks Jcaz, for the input! Can't wait for the game. Aztecs play hard and hit hard!
Aztec Pride!
Hey Yeah,
Yuck Fou Ese,
Hope You Eat Big Crow!
Re: Yeah said:
Yeah four comments with this one. Aztecs kicked out of playoffs this Friday and get "banged" by the Titans.
SM Titans.
SM by 10.
No "g on the Bingo", wont need to "cheat us to beat us", and many inappropriate worded chants and taunts not fit for small kids in ear shot. Do everyone a favor and sit down and think about how-- what you constantly yell sounds to any college coach that might be scouting your son and how it reflects on your son and ultimately--the program.
I saw the Aztecs play at least twice this year and I can say that they not only are a very good team, but they are the real deal !
I for one and very happy that Fred has given this team so much coverage recently because whenever a SGV team does well in here, then we all begin to shine.
In fact, the Aztecs not only deserve the notoriety that comes with winning, they also belong in the discussion as to who is the best team in the SGV.
This team is now starting to begin to build upon a tradition, and that tradition is winning. Soon that tradition could very well be with them for many years to come.
It all has to start somewhere and I believe that for them, it has begun.
Good luck Aztecs, I’ll be checking the box scores on Saturday morning !
Good luck to the Aztecs!
Not surprising that Chavez is a good and tough athlete. His dad was a CIF wrestling champion at Gladstone.
It should be a good game.
Yeah four comments with this one. Aztecs kicked out of playoffs this Friday and get "banged" by the Titans.
SM Titans.
I am Burch Drake's daughter. I live locally so I am the one in charge of keeping him up to speed on what's happening with "his" Aztecs. He is so proud of the program this year. He says if they win this Friday, he wants to come down for the next game. Either way, he is absolutely thrilled with the season you have had.
Go Aztecs!
It's not surprising that Chavez is a good football player & a tough kid. He comes from good stock. His dad was a pro-boxer and a title holder.Coach Scherf has brought back a pride & tradition to Azusa that has been missing at times. One thing common among Aztec teams over the years is no matter what the score was The Aztecs would bang you. The Azusa kid's are tough players that play hard for their Coach, School, City, & most importantly, eachother. Coach Scherf & his staff have a system that is developing good football players who play with heart. Good luck Aztecs the rest of the way. Don't listen to the haters, win or lose you guys have done us proud.
Congrats for being on the brink of Azusa history. I am rooting for you guys and will be there to support you Friday night. San Marino is a tough team and it should be a good game, but I believe in you guys. I know you can come out on top if you continue to play great defense, offense and special teams. Good luck!