Upon Second Review, What About that Schedule?

I was talking to Pioneer coach Ramon Juarez (below) earlier this week when the topic of his team’s upcoming nonleague schedule popped up. Juarez, like many others in the Pioneer program, is aware of the criticism of Pioneer’s yearly easy preseason.

So in 2008, the Titans will take on such opponents as St. Paul (Western Division Champ), Cypress (Southern Division Champ) and Charter Oak (Southwest Division Semifinalist).

But was the Titans’ 2007 nonleague schedule really so flimsy?

Upon second review, the Titans were in the middle of the pack in preseason schedule difficulty strictly going on records alone, which begs at least a couple of questions?

How difficult should a preseason be? And how much does a nonleague schedule matter for league and the postseason?

Here are the overall records and winning percentages of the preseason schedules of our local schools this past season.

1. *Whittier Christian (39-17-1) .690
2. *La Mirada (30-19-1) .610
3. *St. Paul (47-34) .580
4. *Schurr (30-27) .530
5. *La Habra (27-29) .480
6. Pioneer (26-29). 470
7. Montebello (26-30) .460
8. *Santa Fe (25-29) .460
9. *El Rancho (24-31) .440
10. Whittier (22-31) .420
11. *La Serna (18-34) .350
12. *California (18-35) .340
13. *Cantwell-Sacred Heart (21-42) .333

* signifies playoff team

Any surprises?

PS – I heard Coach Juarez was taking over the girls softball team. Maybe he can show off the moves he displayed at a recent Whittier College reunion game. Good Luck coach!

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The Latest Girls Soccer Rankings

Let the Games Begin…

As the Del Rio League season commences this Tuesday, here are the latest girls soccer rankings.


Santa Fe High’s Angelica Silva collides with a Chino High defender during the North Orange County Girls Soccer Tournament at Downey High School Dec. 27, 2007. (SGVN/Staff photo by Leo Jarzomb/SWSPORTS)

1. La Serna (11-3)
Last Ranking: 2

The Lancers offense continues to plow through the opposition. The defense has been inconsistent, however, which may be a concern.

2. Santa Fe (10-2-2)
Last Ranking: 1

The Chiefs defense, led by goalie Shelby Magallon, has been stifling at times. Santa Fe will be tested this Tuesday at La Serna.

3. El Rancho (6-1-3)
Last Ranking: 3

It was another strong showing by the up-and-coming Dons at the North Orange County Classic as El Rancho went 2-1-1. It will be interesting to see how the Dons do as league play unfolds.

4. La Habra (5-3-3)
Last Ranking: 4

Will a large layoff affect the Highlanders, who haven’t played since Dec. 20? We’ll find out Tuesday when La Habra hosts Troy.

5. California (7-5-2)
Last Ranking: NR

Maybe no team was as happy to get past the NOCC than Cal-Hi. The Condors hope a 3-0 win over Whittier Christian will carry momentum over into Del Rio League play.

On the Bubble:
La Mirada (6-6-4), Whittier Christian (6-7-7).

Struggling
Montebello (3-5-1), Whittier (2-4-1).

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Ringing in the New Year With Some Boys Soccer Rankings

Here’s the first Boys Soccer Rankings of the Season.

Here a South Hills defender tries to take down a Cal-Hi striker. The Condors have had a strong start to the season but are they the area’s best team?

1. La Habra (13-1-1)
Preseason Ranking: 1

Wow. Coach Steve Aanderud said the returning champs would be strong this year but I’m not even sure he expected this.

2. California (5-1-3)
Preseason Ranking: NR

The rematch with La Habra never came to fruition. It’s too bad since the first game between these two titans ended in a 3-3 tie.

3. Schurr (6-4-1)
Preseason Ranking: NR

The Spartans have played a tough schedule that has included Long Beach Cabrillo (10-1-1), Mater Dei (9-2-2) and Buena (8-3-3).

4. La Mirada (3-3-1)
Preseason Ranking: 2

The Mats lost a close contest to La Habra (1-0) and tied Cal-Hi earlier in the year 1-1. La Mirada did score a good Suburban League win over Mayfair, 2-0, and await Cerritos on Friday.

5. El Rancho 3-2
Preseason Ranking: 3

Maybe more than any other area team, El Rancho has had to do much subbing early due to the winter break, leaving coach Dominic Picon with little time to evaluate and improve his squad.

On the bubble:
Pioneer (3-1-2), La Serna (3-5-1)

Struggling:
Montebello (1-4), Santa Fe (1-5-2), Whittier Christian (2-8-1).

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Something to think about …

For the football fanatics:
Here’s a pre-preseason 2008 top 5 for area high school football programs:
1) LA HABRA
Defending Southeast Division champions graduate eight of their 10
All-CIF selections from their 13-0 season, but the other two, division
Offensive Player of the Year running back Ronald Hillman and safety
Randall Nygren, along with postseason honors candidate running back/defensive back Joshua Quezada,
are back for coach Frank Mazzotta to build around. Nygren is the likely
heir apparent at quarterback, and the Highlanders’ unbeaten freshman and
junior varsity teams should provide some quality replacements. Add
Mazzotta’s workplace environment and attitude and a well-entrenched
approach to the game’s physical aspects (i.e. hitting), and it all puts
the familiar favorite’s target on the Highlanders’ backs.

2) ST. PAUL
The defending Western Division champions’ only offensive position that
might have been questioned this season, quarterback, returns all of the
participants – starters Paul Lopez and Andrew Canales and backup Chris
Wilson
, as well as Gabriel Encinas, who switched from QB to wide
receiver, and all of whom would probably start on most other area
programs, who will be a year older, wiser and more experienced and
playoff tested. Not a bad starting point. Replacing key lineman on both
sides of the ball will be paramount, but then, that was true this season,
and look how that turned out. The big plus defensively is the return of
coordinator Gilbert Jimenez.

3) SANTA FE
The Chiefs will have been smarting for nearly a year from a
disappointing 5-6 season that featured both promise and frustration,
and that should take care of any motivational concerns. QB is a question
mark, but Alex Flores should begin his junior season with the inside
track. Postseason honors candidate Aaron Turner returns at running back,
and while coach Jack Mahlstede’s 2007 program lacked marquee linemen,
several of the returners have 2008 marquee potential. Santa Fe’s junior
varsity and freshman programs were a combined 7-1 in league play, a
reminder that the Chiefs’ player pool is never empty and rarely shallow.

4) PIONEER
Ronnie Palacios, arguably the area’s best returning quarterback and
speedy running back Matt Botello give the Titans explosive potential on
offense. And coach Ramon Juarez says there is enough talent among
returning personnel and newcomers to perhaps open up the offense even
more than usual. Defensively, many of the players who received
considerable game time out of necessity as sophomores and by earning it
as juniors the past two seasons should be ready as seniors to make some
noise come league play.

5) LA SERNA
Thanks to the return of quarterback Ben Burke, the Lancers head a list
of at least three teams that could break into the Top 5 early on in
2008. A gifted runner and improving as a passer, he will shoulder much
of the offensive responsibility for gaining yards and scoring points.
Replacing graduated players is commonplace, but replacing the special
ones is critical. Coach Margarito Beltran has a challenge in finding
someone to fill the many shoes that were worn by Rudy Jordan, a standout
Running back, receiver, defensive back and return specialist.

Other teams to watch:
California – Defending Del Rio League champion was one of the season’s
bright spots, but losses at too many key positions may preclude Condors
from making it back-to-back titles.

El Rancho – 2007’s Cinderella team. New coach Gene Parsons led the Dons
back from 2006’s 0-10 campaign to a respectable 5-6 record that included
a berth in the Southeast Division playoffs. Program
definitely on move in right direction, but may need more time to become
a true contender.

Whittier – Cardinals return one of the area’s top three running backs in
Daniel Enriquez, which give them a leg up on most area teams. Finding
him a complementary support group will be the key.

Comments?
Please be specific, short and to the point … and kind.

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