Spring Football: West Covina looking bigger, stronger, faster ... but are they better?

By Aram Tolegian, staff writer
It's his strongest team ever. It's his fastest team ever. So why won't West Covina High School football coach Mike Maggiore call next season's Bulldogs his best team ever?
"There's a little thing called football skill," Maggiore said. "This is the strongest and fastest team I've had, but that doesn't make a football team great. But it should help us out. When the Bulldogs begin spring practice next week, Maggiore will have more than 50 players on the roster who can clean 200 pounds in the weight room. He'll also have 10 who can bench more than 300 pounds.
When you combine that kind of power with the type of speed the Bulldogs have in track star and running back B.J. Lee, it's easy to see why West Covina is expecting big things in the fall.
"This team, it's just a lot of guys who are stronger than we've ever had," Maggiore said. "We should be pretty physical."
The Bulldogs are one of the favorites in the Southeast Division now that Charter Oak has moved on. But before Maggiore and Co. can even entertain the thought of a CIF title, they have to figure out a way to win the new Hacienda League, which features Diamond Ranch and Rowland, among others.
That process starts next week when the Bulldogs will work out Monday through Thursday for spring preparations.
Maggiore has also added a spring passing game against powerful Monrovia, which is one of the favorites in the Mid-Valley Division.
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DON'T FORGET THE NEW QB THAT WEST COVINA WILL HAVE NEXT FALL THE 6'1" FRESHMAN COMING IN THIS FALL,AND FROM WEST COVINA ,KEEP A EYE ON THIS KID , HE IS A STEVE CLARKSON FINALIST AT THE AIR 7 FINALS IN SANTA BARBARA OVER THE WEEKEND THIS KID HAS ALL TOOLS TOO TAKE THE BULLDOGS ALL THE WAY HE THANKS STEVE CLARKSON AND THE DREAMMAKER GROUP FOR ALL THE HELP WORKING WITH HIM,AND GETTING HIM READY FOR THE NEXT LEVEL,AND WILL HAVE THE MIND SET AS A YOUNG QB READY TO GO INTO HIGH SCHOOL AND LEAD THE BULLDOGS.
New York,
Don't know but I'd like to see that happen too, would be a good series in these next few years.
HuskieBro, don't get too excited, you'll
be one & done each year until cif drops you back into our division. With all those transfers you guy's have over there you should have had a couple more titles these past few years, at least
for the most part West Covina does it with kids in their own district. They do more with less talent than you guy's, Its amaizing how many key starters South Hills had these past couple of years that were out of district kids and it's not only in football, from what I understand
the whole starting infield of that great baseball team you have over there are West Covina kids.
Dan,
When do you think Maggiore and Maddox will renew our matchup?
WHAT A JOKE?
The new leauge will be amazing! such great match ups! Im just glad we wont have such a cupcake leauge anymore, beating west co all the time gets old.... now with CO in leauge we will be ready for scrappy teams in the playoffs like D.R. much respect you guys wanted it more. So the Bullpups not playing well enough this decade has earned them a spot in a weak sauce division. Jokes on you
Bulldog Buddy, [Charter Oak Fan] Nice try imposter, anything to toot your own horn, and by the way, your right, the last time we won CIF your Charter Oak team was in a different division but it didn't matter cause we still beat you guy's in week 9 that year. Lets see
how you do in your new division with all your West SGV talent gone.
Wat ay Yoke,
You obviously fear this upcoming season. CO is where you guys belong, with the big boys. Let the little schools breathe for a while we watch CO this year. BTW, why haven't you guys scheduled power teams to play in the last few years? I am just curious. Its easy for and SYFL team to beat a Pop Warner team. (read between the lines if your capable)
huskybro,
You just better worry about the new league your in . WC semed to have your number lately and by the way DR could say the samething to you guy's . Maybe with them out of the way you have a chance. Oh forgot you still have CO and some new ones to worry about . Have fun in your new league and division.
Did I hear (as I was reading) Diamond RANCH??
Pretty impressive merits over there at WC. Fast, Strong, potential CIF Champs, what more can you ask for. I just hope the coach isnt tooting his own horn. DR is the least of your worries this year. Bonita is returning some studs, Rowland cannot be looked over and lets not mention playoffs and the NEW SE division. Should be interesting.
If i'm not mistaken El Rancho of all schools kick WESt Covina's AZZ last year. Nuff said, i i hate the Ranch. WC cant be that much improved.
As a West Covina fan I am just happy to see Charter Oak leave our Division because every year they seemed to always ruin our season and leave us disappointed by beating us to a pulp. Maybe this year now that the Chargers are gone our dreams will finally be fulfilled. Remember the last time we won C.I.F. Charter Oak was above us in Divisions. Good riddance Charter Oak and good luck to West Covina!
No matter where your school goes we will always look down on yall Bull pups. Huskies baby only 3 wins in a decade against us! we stay heads up 7up! lol
Didn't see any overselling at all from Maggiore,
actually it was a wise responce he gave to the tribune, throw out a couple of teasers such as the strenght and speed of the team which should get the fan base interested, which in turn should fill in a few more seats next season, but at the same time he has the humility to admit that it all means nothing if you can't put it together on the field. Sounds pretty straight forward and honest to me.
BigDog, WC & Diamond Ranch should be a real good game, from what we have coming back I like our chances, but you never know from year to year. Also don't overlook Rowland and Bonita, this will be a tough league to win. The division may be easier with only 4 leagues and the loss of South Hills and Charter Oak, but the Hacienda league will be an up hill climb all the way.
Football fan
Maybe they should change the color of there helmets to white.That mite give them the edge there going to need to beat Diamond Ranch.
Take a page out of Lou Holtz play book and "UNDER SELL" your team and "OVER DELIVER"
Weiss had it the other was around and so do many coaches...not smart !
At least he didn't go with 'WHITE HELMETS"...
Really! Who is going to be able to stop WC. They are too solid all around. Nobody!!!!!!!!!!!!