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These teams take tough road to top

By RON GUILD, Sports Editor 04.SEP.08
If the top two football teams in the Eastern League have anything in common, it would their scheduling philosophy.

Both Jordan High School coach Elijah Asante and Garfield’s Lorenzo Hernandez figure a rugged schedule in the beginning is only going to pay dividends down the road.

It did for Jordan, which survived the likes of Esperanza and Edison early on to win the Eastern championship and advance to the City playoffs. This year, the Bulldogs face a gauntlet that opens with Locke Friday, then continues with Esperanza, St. Bonaventure and Mater Dei.

Garfield, the defending City Invitational champ, opens at defending City Division champion Birmingham Thursday, then takes on St. Paul, Wilson and San Pedro down the road.

“We want to see how we compete against the upper-echelon level teams,” Garfield’s Hernandez said. “It’s going to help us once we get into league.”

And, according to Hernandez, the Eastern League has never been better from top to bottom.

“Jordan is going to be the top dog,” he said. “They gave us a good battle in the passing leagues. Huntington Park and Roosevelt are sleepers, South East has a great running back.”

Jordan returns a large group of three-year starters, including All-City quarterback and defensive end James Boyd, who has commited to USC. Boyd passed for 2,499 yards and 23 touchdowns. He had 72 tackles and 11 sacks from his end spot.

Receiver Delvon Purvis and safety Eric Hunter are other key returnees for Jordan.

Garfield brings back a potent running back tandem in Franky Diaz (1,361 yards, 18 touchdowns) and Sergio Macedo (1,155, 13).

It also has a standout secondary that features Roy Fonseca, Lanny Delgado and Dominic Lam.

Roosevelt returns one of the City’s leading passers in Jesse Diaz, who threw for 2,460 yards and 18 scores as a junior, and a good corps of receivers. The best of the bunch is Manny Ayon, who caught 43 passes for 746 yards last year.

South East has an All-City running back Senen Carson (1,300 yards in 2007) to build around. Hernandez predicts he’ll gain 3,000 yards this year.

Huntington Park, which upset two-time defending Invitational champion Eagle Rock in the first round of the playoffs, will again be in the playoff picture.

Returning from a 7-6 club is quarterback Arnulfo Murillo (6-3, 220), who played wide receiver a year ago. Also back are tailback Hector De La Rosa and running back Erick Velasquez. Fullback Carlos Hernandez (5-5, 230) also returns.

Providing experience on the offensive line are Albert Gallegos and Abel Raygoza.

Junior Jorge Rios could take over at tailback. Christian Ramirez is a junior wide receiver who could contribute.

South Gate was 0-10 a year ago, but looks to improve under new coach Reginald Grant, a cornerback for the New York Jets in 1978.

There is talent on the Rams roster, the best being wide receiver Josue Valdez and his twin brother, Felipe, a defensive back. Josue, who caught 30 passes for 300 yards and three scores as a junior, is getting looks from a number of college programs.

Irving Villasenor, a backup last year, steps into the starting role at quarterback.

Offensive tackle Ricardo Najera (6-1, 290), linebacker Steven Iberra (5-11, 240) and defensive tackle Michael Duarte (6-0, 400) are other top returnees.

Strong safety Jose Cercero (6-2, 240) has been an impressive newcomer.

At Bell, co-coaches Frank Medina and Ramon Ochoa are looking for a turnaround following a 1-8 season.

Francisco Rodriguez is back at quarterback and Antonio Williams returns at running back, so there is some experience in the backfield for the Eagles. Rodriguez had six scoring passes, but was intercepted 10 times a year ago.

Other returnees include Jonathan Valdivia at defensive back, Julian Leon at running back and Juan Lucero at middle linebacker and fullback. Lucero goes 6-3, 260.