Nobody knows for sure how improved Damien is or exactly how many transfers, or impact transfers the school has acquired, but my source from Paraclete says that junior running backs Travion Boykins and Uriah Trailer both transferred from Paraclete to Damien and are certainly capable of helping the Spartans. They would have started and been the primary backs on a Spirits team that won the East Valley Division title and finished 13-1. As sophomores, Boykins rushed 29 times for 260 yards and two touchdowns (8.97 yards per carry) and Trailer rushed 28 times for 285 yards and a touchdown (10.18 yards per carry). Here’s what my source said about them: “They’re two great kids who I know will be able to help right away if Gano can muster up a decent line and scheme. A bit diminutive but shifty, strong and fast.” With Charter Oak junior defensive lineman Alex Hernandez and Glendora sophomore quarterback Gage Pucci also at Damien, the Spartans certainly seem to be addressing off-season needs to get more athletic and talented.

Claremont High school is hosting a big 7 on 7 passing tournament that starts Friday and runs through Saturday. The teams, pools are below.
Pool Play
Pool 1: Perris, Claremont, Gabrielino, Santa Fe, Webb (Friday, 8 a.m.)
Pool 2: Viewpoint, Charter Oak, Northwood, Palmdale, Villa Park (Friday, 8 a.m.)
Pool 3: Summit, Glendora, Crespi, St. Bonaventure, La Salle (Friday, 2 p.m.)
Pool 4: Culver City, Burroughs, St. Francis, Cathedral, Etiwanda (Friday, 2 p.m.)
Pool 5: Esperanza, Silverado, Muir, Chino Hills, Southeast (Friday, 2 p.m.)

Top 16 teams return on Saturday for the championship tournament, which begins at 10 a.m.

Thought I would pass along this email, which reads in part: I have recently launched a free social media website designed to help High School athletes get recruited. Athletes have the ability to create profiles, upload videos, link press clippings, upload photos and fill in stats to help gain exposure during the recruiting process. For more info contact Tim Curran at 440-537-9410

By Steve Ramirez Staff Writer
PASADENA — Dietrich Riley can remember being 10-years-old and receiving advice from someone who was older than himself.
Saturday was his turn to relay what he learned to today’s youth.
Riley, a former St. Francis High School football standout who is expected to start in the UCLA secondary this fall, was one of several players, former players and coaches who took part in the NCAA Football Youth Clinic at Robinson Park.
The two-hour event, one of several held throughout the country this month, was hosted by the Tournament of Roses Rose Bowl Game and featured more than 300 boys and girls, ranging from ages five to 14.
“It’s definitely great giving back to the community,” said Riley, who played in 11 of UCLA’s 12 games in 2010. “It’s great to see all the children having fun. I wasn’t fortunate to have something like this when I was growing up. The city of Pasadena is doing a lot of great things, and I’m glad I was invited out here, because there is no place I’d rather be.”

Continue reading “Riley helps out at Rose Bowl Youth Clinic” »

Someone pointed out that on the 20th anniversary of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, we missed our chance to post this video after the Saints won their first football title ever in 2009, 20 years after the movie debuted in 1989. So, with the prep news slowing in late July and with a Saints coach named, “Bill,” here’s what you missed

Keeping up with the hectic summer schedule, Chino Hills won the Santa Fe Line competition over the weekend. … Also, in case you didn’t check Aram’s blog, he has a complete round-up of Diamond Bar’s victory over Azusa in the championship of the San Gabriel Valley shootout. In the video below, Aram talks to winning Diamond Bar coach Ryan Maine.

The 2011 Tribune PrepXtra Football Preview Magazine, which includes team pages on all 36 teams in our coverage area, is coming along nicely and should debut on Tuesday, Aug. 30, just two days before the season-opening Smudgepot, Bonita vs. San Dimas, on Sept. 1. We already have shot the cover, which includes four players, and are finally starting to identify the other fun parts of the magazine, such as the top returning QBs, RBs, WRs and defensive players. There is also the 2011 Tribune Preseason-All-Area team, which is the top 25 players by position. To show how way off we were last year, of the 25 preseason choices in 2010, only nine from the preseason team, South HIlls’ Jamel Hart, Charter Oak’s Dennis Rufus, San Dimas’ Allen Brown, Bishop Amat’s Christian Orduno, Baldwin Park’s Demetrius Jackson, Chino Hills’ Auston Johnson, Ifo Ekpre-Olomo and West Covina’s Maurice Dupleasis and Chris Solomon, made the final 2010 All-Area team. We’re looking for the top 25 again for the magazine. Think you can come up with a better list for 2011? Fill in the blanks or share your comments of who should be on this list.

2011 Tribune Preseason All-Area Team
Offense
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Defense
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