Off and Running: Bulldogs backfield has bite
By Aram Tolegian, Staff Writer
The West Covina High School football team is running its way to a CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division championship. What type of running? Well that depends on which ball carrier of the several that Bulldogs coach Mike Maggiore has to choose from is handling the rock. There's speedster Beejay Lee. Then there's bruiser Aaron Salgado. There's also Jimmy Frazier and Charles Tucker, who combine a little of Salgado's bruising style with a hint of Lee's speed. Last but not least, the star of the group is Chris Solomon, who has breakaway speed, good power and cutback ability. With a group so talented, it's no wonder that West Covina (12-1) will take on Bonita (12-1) for the division title at 7 p.m. Friday at Walnut High. (To continue, click thread
"We kind of knew going into the season that we were going to be strong at running back," Maggiore said. "I've never coached a group of guys like this. You maybe get one or two of them that are good at one time. As a coach, you're extremely comfortable giving the ball to any of these guys."
Solomon has gotten it the most this season, and he's made defenses pay to the tune of 1,790 yards and 20 touchdowns. Only a junior, Solomon has become the Bulldogs' go-to back and he's delivered in the biggest games.
In West Covina's first game against Bonita, Solomon ran for 190 yards and three touchdowns. He also took a kickoff back 98 yards for a score. Lee added 78 yards and two touchdowns in that game, and also took a kickoff back for a touchdown.
"I knew we had a lot of running backs; we always called ourselves the USC of high school football," Lee said.
"But I didn't know we were going to be this good. For all of our running backs to be this good, it's incredible. I didn't expect this to happen at all."
For a team that prides itself on the run and doing things with brute force, the Bulldogs can pile up points so fast that you'd think they were a finesse passing team.
Against Diamond Bar, the Bulldogs had six touchdown drives that took less than a minute. That night, Salgado joined Solomon in running wild; the 5-foot-9, 195-pound sophomore had 136 yards and two scores.
"I'm just trying to protect the middle and make sure that Chris and Beejay get their eight-to-10 yards per rush," said Salgado, who typically finds himself being a lead blocker.
"I'm usually just trying to get the first down on third-and-2 or third-and-4, but if anything were to break out like in the Diamond Bar game, then that's just good line play right there."
To a man, every West Covina back says none of their success would be possible were it not for the horses clearing the way in front of them. West Covina's offensive line has grounded opposing fronts so well that the running attack averages a staggering 340 yards rushing per game.
"This year's offensive line has been outstanding," Solomon said. "Last year I thought was going to be our best offensive line, but this year's line has shown me they're way better than last year's line."
As with any great offense in a championship setting, there will be no secret as to what means West Covina will use in order to beat Bonita and hoist its second CIF title in seven years. All of West Covina's opponents have known what's coming, but none has been able to stop it. Solomon wonders whether Bonita's second chance will be any different than the first.
"Bonita knows what we run," Solomon said. "We are a run-first team. It's going to be run, run, run, pass.
"But can Bonita stop it?"
59 Comments
Leave a comment
Links
Tribune Prep Sports
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
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
Just a fast hello and also to thank you for discussing your ideas on this web page. I wound up in your blog right after researching physical fitness connected issues on Yahoo… guess I lost track of what I had been performing! Anyway I’ll be back as soon as again within the future to check out your blogposts down the road. Thanks!
Thanks for the information... appreciated... been reading for awhile, and just wanted to let you know I continue to enjoy your writing.
I believed it was going to become some dull old publish, but it seriously compensated for my time. I will post a website link to this web page on my weblog. I am positive my guests will discover that pretty helpful.
Appreicate your thoughts, I'm not always in agreement, but you do cause a peron to think... keep blogging!
It's not often that I search for something and actually find useful information... glad I found you... keep writing!
Great Info! Every once in a while I find something interesting...
Another interesting post! This is one of the few blogs I can return to on a regular basis.
It really is wonderful infomation for me,thanks really very much! Hope do a thing a lot more like th is!
Thanks for the information... appreciated... been reading for awhile, and just wanted to let you know I continue to enjoy your writing.
Hey, thanks for sharing... I always look forward to reading your posts... one of the few blogs I still follow!
Every once in a while I find something worth reading when I'm surfing the internet. Bravo... thanks for creating real content here...
First time I've visited your blog... good find! Thanks.
I'm getting a javascript error, is anyone else?
Sick! Just received a brand-new Pearl and I can now read your blog on my phone’s browser, it didn’t work on my aged 1.
Very good observations! Maybe adding some pictures will make the blog post more interesting!
What I wouldnt give to have a debate with you about this. You just say so many things that come from nowhere that Im fairly certain Id have a fair shot. Your weblog is terrific visually, I mean people wont be bored. But others who can see past the videos and the layout wont be so impressed together with your generic understanding of this topic.
I believed it was going to become some boring previous publish, however it definitely compensated for my time. I will submit a hyperlink to this page on my blog. I'm positive my website visitors will locate that really useful.
I believed it was going to be some boring aged publish, but it truly compensated for my time. I will post a website link to this page on my weblog. I am sure my visitors will discover that really helpful.
I tend not to understand until the end of what the heck is written here, because I do not know English so well. You'll be able to write it more clearly? Check Best way to lose weight.
This was a actually incredibly superior post. In theory I’d like to create like this also - getting time and actual effort to make a fantastic piece of writing… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and by no means seem to obtain a thing done.
Please tell me that youre going to keep this up! Its so good and so important. I cant wait to read additional from you. I just really feel like you know so a lot and know how to make people listen to what you have to say. This weblog is just as well cool to become missed. Fantastic stuff, seriously. Please, PLEASE keep it up!
I admire the useful information and facts you offer in your content articles. I'll bookmark your weblog and also have my kids check up here often. I am quite positive they'll discover lots of new things here than anybody else!
Valuable thoughts and advices. I read your topic with great interest. But really, you would do a lot better to use only half what the soap box says.
Stunning blog post. Ive added it by now.
How is it that just anybody can write a weblog and get as popular as this? Its not like youve said something incredibly impressive --more like youve painted a pretty picture over an issue that you know nothing about! I dont want to sound mean, right here. But do you really think that you can get away with adding some fairly pictures and not genuinely say something?
I'll gear this review to 2 types of people: current Zune owners who are considering an upgrade, and people trying to decide between a Zune and an iPod. (There are other players worth considering out there, like the Sony Walkman X, but I hope this gives you enough info to make an informed decision of the Zune vs players other than the iPod line as well.)
As a Newbie, I am always exploring online for articles that can benefit me. Thank you
Pretty insightful submit. Never believed that it was this simple after all. I had spent a very good deal of my time looking for someone to explain this subject clearly and you’re the only 1 that ever did that. Kudos to you! Keep it up
Good to be browsing your blog once more, it has been months for me. Nicely this write-up that i've been waited for so lengthy. I require this article to complete my assignment in the school, and it has exact same subject together with your post. Thanks, wonderful share.
:)
Took me time to read all the comments, but I really enjoyed the write-up. It proved to become Extremely helpful to me and I am certain to all the commenters here It's always nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained I'm positive you had fun writing this article.
Hiya! You some form of pro? Nice message. Can you inform me the way to subscribe your weblog?
Great post and straight to the point. I am not sure if this is really the best place to ask but do you folks have any ideea where to employ some professional writers? Thanks in advance :)
You completed various nice points there. I did a search on the matter and found most folks will have the same opinion with your blog.
What I wouldnt give to have a debate with you about this. You just say so many things that arrive from nowhere that Im quite sure Id have a fair shot. Your blog is wonderful visually, I mean people wont be bored. But others who can see past the videos and the layout wont be so impressed with your generic understanding of this topic.
I have been exploring on the net trying to find some ideas tips on how to get our blog coded, your present design and design awesome. Did you actually code it your self or did you employ a coder to get it done wants?
I agree with you guys 100%.
Fantastic article! I’ll subscribe correct now wth my feedreader software package!…
you really give a new inspiration for me and hopefully useful in people's lives in the future.
This is really a extremely beneficial read for me, Have to admit you might be 1 in the most effective bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.
I Like You[url=http://www.tekbuz.com]Tekbuz.com|Breaking News|Free Online Games|Forex|Videos[/url]
Thanks my friend for this really great information. iam happy to hear about this reality
Throughout the great design of things you actually receive a B- just for hard work. Exactly where you confused me was first on all the facts. You know, it is said, details make or break the argument.. And it could not be much more true at this point. Having said that, allow me say to you what did work. Your article (parts of it) is actually rather convincing and this is possibly why I am making an effort in order to comment. I do not make it a regular habit of doing that. 2nd, whilst I can certainly see a leaps in reason you come up with, I am not really confident of just how you appear to connect the details which help to make your final result. For right now I shall yield to your point however trust in the future you actually connect your dots much better.
Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your article seem to be running off the screen in Opera. I'm not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I thought I'd post to let you know. The design look great though! Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Kudos
every guy looks scared....
We absolutely love your blog and find most of your post's to be just what I'm looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content in your case? I wouldn't mind composing a post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write in relation to here. Again, awesome weblog!
CC's not in the SGV or else I would've thrown them in there too! There's a big difference between being great and a STAR running back. You don't even need logic for that. All I said was a simple fact, because if you can't start at your own school then it's not worth mentioning. No need to hype up a kid too much when he is already doing really well in his current role as a leader and QB! Especially, when what was stated was not true.
GO WC!!!
Huskies,
I never specifically stated CO, SH, BA. Obviously those schools have talented backs of their own in Hart and Moore. Please use some reading comprehension before twisting around a point someone else has made. Johnson would not even start at rb for Corona Centennial wile you're at it. My point is that Johnson is a solid runner and would be a great rb for a lot of sgv teams. Use your own logic in figuring out which teams those would be.
SGV,
That was weak, now why would you call out a couple kids like that? Tucker and Fraizer are both very hard working, with great team attitudes, who each have had several big moments during the season. Tucker would have been an SGV star if he hadn't blew out his knee and missed his junior season last year. Think Jalen Moore but with more speed. Tore three ligaments in that injury, his knee still hurts till this day, along with an early season shoulder injury and a high ankle sprain from the Diamond Ranch game. Despite all this, this kid has had some tough physical runs during games and is at every practice wether in clothes or in pads, and guess what? He's back again and ready to go this weak.
That's a joke!!!!
YOu could never ever beat a D-1 team...
Where were your USC running backs when you played Amat or Mater Dei?????
They should've added La Habra to the Sierra League! Would've been fun. Also Tucker and Frazier do get the ball here and there, without Tucker/Frazier and Salgado WC would be at about 220 YPG, which is a lot less than 350 YPG...
BTW... Johnson would not start at RB with CO, SH, or Amat........ or WC!!!
Yawn, totally agree.
When is La Habra going to be moved out of the Southwest Division?
It's pathetic how they allow that sham to continue. Those other teams have NO shot against a much stronger program like La Habra.
Those kids need to be playing in DI.
Tucker and Frazier should not even be in this pitcure. They have no impact at the running back spot. Who gets the ball when a 1st down is needed?
i rather watch the mid valley finals than this one boring its like watching La Habra play for their fourth straight cif championship
Great Job Bonita, We just keep on playing for CIF championships!
It’s always better to be playing in them than watching, right bigdog, Nothing boring about that.
To all the coaches in all Bonita Sports programs;
Great job! It’s nice that you have created a culture of winning with class.
To the student athletes;
Have fun!
Go Bearcats!
Go Bulldogs.
Let's not forget to mention qb George Johnson. He makes huge plays with his feet and is a big part of West Covina's rushing attack. He would be a star rb on a lot of teams around the sgv.
To all the Bulldog football players...play hard and take it all in. Whatever happens on Friday, we are all proud of you and what you've accomplished. Thank you all for a GREAT season! To the coaches, thanks for all the dedication not only to the program but to our boys individually. God bless you and may God bless the Bulldogs on Friday night! GO BULLDOGS!!!
Fred,
Just doesn't seem like play-offs not having BA,CO or DR in the mix this time of year.Its a little boring not so mush West Covina but Bonita well what can you say? Fred i don't think your even excited about this game!