Is this the best defense in Charter Oak history?

Is this the best Charter Oak defense in history? I’m not so sure, the 2009 defense led by Keith Smith was darn special. That team shutout the entire Miramonte League and beat Diamond Ranch 21-0 in the title game. The Chargers only allowed 10 points per game that season, the same as this years group. However, you have to give the 2012 squad some love, the schedule they’re playing is much tougher than in 2009.

South Hills coach Albert Rodriguez is getting ready for Damien on Thursday. But he had this to say about Charter Oak after last week’s loss.

“Charter Oak is by far head and shoulders above everyone else (in the Sierra League). There’s no question about it. Their defense is the best I’ve seen in the last few years and their offense is starting to click, which is dangerous. It’s high school football and anything can happen, but I don’t think anyone (in the Sierra) is going to touch them. It’s going to be a dogfight for the last two playoff spots.”

By Aram Tolegian, SGVN
The Charter Oak High School football team’s defense is having such a good season that veteran head coach Lou Farrar has to stop and think for a minute when asked if he’s ever had a better stop unit in his 40-plus years at the helm.

“I’ve had some good ones and they rate right up there,” Farrar said. “The linebacker corps is about as good as they get. Those guys are getting real comfortable playing together. I don’t know how they stand in terms of points given up, but they do a good job.

“I think up-front wise, they’re as good as anybody we’ve ever put out on the field.”

The Chargers have held all seven opponents to their season low in points this season and will be looking to make Ayala the eighth on Friday night when Charter Oak visits the Bulldogs in a key Sierra League game. With a win, Charter Oak (6-1, 2-0) takes a mammoth step toward a second straight league title and all but assures itself of making the playoffs.

Going by records, Ayala (5-2, 1-1) could be the Chargers’ last real test in league with games still to come against Claremont (3-4, 1-1) and Damien (2-4, 0-2).

“They’re trying to fight for a piece of a league championship,” Farrar said of Ayala. “This game for them puts them in a three-way tie. This is a big-time game for both of our teams, league-wise.”

Ayala had its league title hopes dashed a bit last week when city rival Chino Hills beat the Bulldogs, 49-34. Comparative scoring would tell you that Ayala’s loss to the same Chino Hills team that Charter Oak beat 41-13 would make the Chargers a considerable favorite on Friday.

But Farrar isn’t buying it.

“One game has no bearing on another game, especially in high school,” Farrar said. “The three kids who played so well last week could all have the flu this week and play like poop. There’s no relationship.”

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