By Aram Tolegian, staff writer
Upon being told about this newspaper’s discovery that he’s the Valley’s all-time leading in passing in career yards and touchdowns, Arroyo quarterback Steven Rivera took things in stride.
“I called him up and told him about it because I was pretty excited,” Arroyo coach Jim Singiser said. “His reaction was `Thank you, coach.’ “We’ve got more to do.”
Rivera’s four-year total of 8,296 passing yards and 91 touchdowns makes him tops in Valley history. His 91 career touchdown passes rank seventh on the CIF-Southern Section list. Rivera needs 179 yards this week against San Gabriel to move into 10th on the Southern Section’s all-time yards list.

Rivera can continue to add to his numbers so long as the Knights’ season continues. To do that, Arroyo has to get past a red-hot San Gabriel team that just shut out Maranatha and standout quarterback Andre Elffers.

Arroyo can take solace in knowing league rival Rosemead beat San Gabriel earlier this season, and Arroyo later beat Rosemead. But Singiser isn’t buying into that.

“I don’t think San Gabriel is the same team they were earlier in the season,” Singiser said. “They’ve gotten on a hot streak. Obviously, they had a helluva defensive effort last week and their quarterback is throwing the ball well.

“You look at it physically, and Rosemead, San Gabriel and us are about the same size. And the roster is about the same size. We’re familiar with them and they’re familiar with us. It’s just a matter of getting down to business on Friday night.”

San Gabriel (7-4) enters Friday game on a six-game win streak. Arroyo (10-1) has won seven in a row since losing to Hart on Sept. 23.