Aram understands that his first story of spring football should be about the team you talk about and discuss the most, Bishop Amat

By Aram Tolegian, SGVN twitter.com/ChemicalAT
Most local high school football teams don’t begin spring practice until May 7, but Bishop Amat is entering its second week of spring ball as it prepares for a long summer of competition at several key spots, and of course, the passing competition circuit.

For Amat, the key this spring and summer will be finding replacements for leading passer Rio Ruiz, leading rusher Jalen Moore and leading receiver Adam Sanchez. It’s a tall order for coach Steve Hagerty and his staff, but that doesn’t mean this spring is anymore important than those of the past.

“Every spring we have is important,” Hagerty said. “We’re fighting to get on top and we’re not even close right now. That’s really the thought here: How do we bridge that gap that appears to be widening between us and the Pac-5? So every spring has been really important. We’re trying to get things taught and be able to execute, because that’s how we survive.

“I wouldn’t say it’s more important. I think there’s adequate people to fill those spots. We just need to get them coached up and taught up, but I like what I see so far.”

Hagerty reported there are only three quarterbacks in the program at present. The leader to take over for Ruiz is junior-to-be Koa Haynes, who was pressed into action last year after Ruiz suffered a knee injury.

Sophomore-to-be Anthony Camargo, who is 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, piloted Amat’s freshman team to an 8-2 record last year and will have a spot on the varsity roster
this fall.

What exactly Camargo’s role will be still is up in the air, but he could be used at quarterback in short-yardage and goal-line situations. The other quarterback in the program is a sophomore-to-be and looks like he’ll be the starter for the junior varsity.

“Koa is right now ahead of the other two,” Hagerty said. “Camargo is going to special. I don’t know where he pans out, but he can play.”

Dionza Blue, who some thought may have been the team’s feature back two years ago before Moore burst on the scene, finally will be the feature back. The question for Hagerty is how to balance Blue’s time between offense and defense.

“I would think Dionza carrying the ball is probably a lot clearer (than anything else),” Hagerty said. “But he’s also our starting strong safety and he’s one of our best football players on the defensive side of the ball. I don’t know if he’ll exclusively carry the ball, but he looks like he’s really gotten strong and faster. We really like what we’re seeing.”

Amat has 131 players across all grades out for spring practice. Hagerty estimated at least a half-dozen key contributors from last year’s freshman team will earn a spot on the varsity roster.

“I love the feel, the competition and camaraderie,” Hagerty said. “The kids are working real hard and I just like where we are right now.”

Former stars returning to Amat

On Saturday, Amat will host its alumni flag football game as a fundraiser for the school’s alumni scholarship fund.

Past Amat football greats will square off beginning at 2 p.m.

Confirmed for the game are Daylon McCutcheon, Kory Minor, Joey Getherall, Donnie McCleskey and Jonathan Cornell. Hagerty is hopeful some other big names who haven’t fully committed yet also will participate.

Below: Dionza Blue at a Rutgers spring football practice.

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Swimming and Track Finals this week

League finals for swimming and track are this week. Here is what I have so far
SIERRA LEAGUE
Swimming finals Thursday at Mt. SAC, 3 p.m.
Track finals Wednesday at Chino Hills High, 3 p.m.
VALLE VISTA LEAGUE
Swimming finals Friday at Baldwin Park, 3:15 p.m.
Track finals Thursday at Nogales, 3:15 p.m.
HACIENDA LEAGUE
Swimming finals Friday at Las Flores Park, 3 p.m.
Track Finals Thursday at West Covina High, 3 p.m.

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CIF transfer rule expected to pass

From the L.A. Times: With the Southern Section, Central Section, City Section, San Francisco Section and Sac-Joaquin Section all endorsing a proposal to revise CIF transfer rules, it appears a mere formality that the State Federated Council will approve the revisions at its meeting on Friday in Milpitas. “Based on the what the votes have been at the section level, all indicators show it’s going to pass,” said Roger Blake, set to succeed Marie Ishida as the CIF executive director.

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17th Annual San Gabriel Valley All-Star Baseball Game returns to Mt. SAC on June 4 …. Nominations please

The 17th annual San Gabriel Valley All-Star Baseball Game is returning to Mt. San Antonio College, and will be played on June 4 at 7 p.m. Nogales High assistant Don Montanez and Temple City head coach Barry Bacon are in charge of this year’s game.

NOMINATION FORMS:

Attached is the San Gabriel Valley All-Star Nomination Form that coaches need to fill out and submit to Montanez or Bacon to be considered for the game.

All nominations are due by May 14!

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Nominate players for San Gabriel Valley All-Star softball game at Mt. SAC on June 3

The seventh annual San Gabriel Valley Senior Softball All-Star Game is returning to Mt.
San Antonio College. The game will be played on Sunday, June 3 at 6 p.m.
There is a $5 admission and parking is $2. To nominate athletes for consideration email South Hills softball coach and all-star director Scott Fisch at sfisch@cvusd.k12.ca.us The North and the South have 3 wins apiece.

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