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By RON GUILD, Sports Editor 04.DEC.08
Finding anything separating City Section Invitational Division semifinal opponents Roosevelt and Franklin high schools is not easy.
Mainly because, No. 2-seeded Roosevelt, which hosts the 7 p.m. game Friday, and No. 3 Franklin have more in common than they don’t.
Both take 10-2 records into the contest. Each won their respective league championship — Roosevelt the Eastern, Franklin the Northern.
They also have a common opponent in Wilson (9-3), which is playing at top-seeded Arleta (12-0) in the other Invitational semi Friday. That doesn’t provide many answers, either, since Roosevelt and Franklin each defeated the Mules by a single point.
Offensively, there are plenty of similarities between the Rough Riders and Panthers. Each has an All-City quarterback operating spread offenses with the capabilities of running and throwing.
Adrian Diaz has already surpassed the 2,000-yard mark in passing for Franklin, a 28-8 winner over West Adams in the quarterfinals. Running back/defensive back William Hernandez is one of the more talented and versatile athletes in the City.
Other Panther threats are receivers Anthony Quiroz and Erik Duarte and running back Enrique Macias.
Roosevelt is led by quarterback Jesse Diaz, who has thrown for 1,974 yards and 19 touchdowns with two interceptions.
A big reason the Riders have improved on the 6-5 mark of a year ago is the ability to run the ball effectively. Diaz only threw four times, completing one for 15 yards, in the 25-11 quarterfinal victory over El Camino Real.
The team rushed for 342 yards with Jonathan Alatriste running for 115 on 12 carries, Jose Guillen running for 65 yards and two TDs on 11 attempts and Elgin Rosales gaining 60 yards and a score on three carries.
“Last year, we passed the ball more, but this year we’re doing both,” Roosevelt coach Javier Cid said. “That’s why Jesse’s stats are down. But we were only 6-5 last year. Now we’re winning and that’s because we can run the ball.
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He feels that’s why he feels Franklin is such a threat, as well.
“In the past they’ve been known as a passing team, but this team is balanced,” he said. “They can run and throw the ball.
“They are a very well-coached team with some kids who are pretty good athletes.
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Source: WaveNewspapers.com
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