Could there be a shift of power with the area’s mid-major leagues and divisions? The Valle Vista is why I ask, it’s intriguing and tough to call. After watching Aram slobber over Covina yesterday, even I realize how foolish it was to guarantee a West Covina victory over the Colts on Sept. 3. I haven’t tilted enough to think the outcome will change, but it’s moving closer toward the toss-up category. The Valle Vista is tough to call because you hear so many stories about Pomona, its athletes, players that are eligible after sitting out a year, and some that have transferred in. Plus, coach Anthony Rice, after winning two section titles with Colony, has been so quiet this offseason that you know something’s up. You think he’s going to settle for another mediocre year?
Then there’s San Dimas, coach Z quietly saying this team could be special, that it returns five players from its 2009 Mid-Valley Division championship team, including QB Shawn Kennedy, FB Dillon Corona and a backfield Z says could be the best of all. You can’t sleep on San Dimas. No matter how dominant King Monrovia thinks it is, it has nothing on San Dimas. They’re 2-2 head-to-head and each own a title. Sounds more like they got a score to settle. Covina, Pomona, and San Dimas are potentially so good, I’m not sure what league is more top-heavy, the Valle Vista or Hacienda? After West Covina, picking second isn’t easy. You can argue Bonita, Diamond Bar or Diamond Ranch, but none of them are world beaters. That’s why opening week is statement week. If San Dimas beats Bonita and Covina beats West Covina, you can move the Valle Vista ahead of the Hacienda on the area league ranking list behind the Serra, Baseline and Sierra. You could also argue that the Mid-Valley would be on par if not better than the Southeast. Imagine if West Covina and Covina won titles, edge goes to the Mid-Valley right? Fact is, Monrovia is still probably the best of the Mid-Valley. If they go undefeated beating Glendora, South Hills and Covina along the way, it would prove even more the Mid-Valley is every bit as good, if not better than the Southeast? That’s why opening week is so huge, it could answer some big questions right off the bat.