City Championships
1955 - South Gate HS - Joe Seminano
1959 - Huntington Park - Ray Vemoy
1979 2A Jordan HS - Henry Washington
1980 2A Jordan - Henry Washington
1981 2A Garfield HS - Vic Loya
1984 2A Roosevelt HS - Ken Fujinaga
1985 2A Roosevelt HS - David Endow
1988 3A South Gate HS - Gary Cordray
1994 3A Bell HS - Henry Santiago
2007 Invitational Garfield HS - Lorenzo Hernandez
Week 9: Eastern League Games
vs.
Bell Eagles vs. Poly Parrots Friday, November 6, 2009 Frosh/Soph 4pm Varsity 7pm Bell High School
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Jordan Bulldogs vs. Huntington Park Spartans Thursday, November 5, 2009 Frosh/Soph 2:15 pm Friday, November 6, 2009 Varsity 2:15 pm Jordan High School
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Roosevelt Rough Riders vs. Garfield Bulldogs Friday, November 6, 2009 Frosh/Soph 4pm Varsity 7:30pm East Los Angeles College
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South Gate Rams vs. South East Jaguars Friday, November 6, 2009 Frosh/Soph 4pm Varsity 7pm South Gate High School
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WaveNewspapers.com: L.A. Jordan preview September 2, 2009
Jordan High School’s Deshawn Beck (1) is one of the City Section’s most versatile players. He was an All-City selection as a junior. (Marinmedia.org photo)
By RON GUILD, Sports Editor Story Published: Sep 2, 2009 at 2:44 PM PDT
Despite the graduation loss of All-City quarterback/defensive end James Boyd to USC, Jordan (7-5) is probably the team to beat in the Eastern League.
There’s still plenty of returning talent for the Bulldogs, beginning with versatile De’Shawn Beck, who played wide receiver last year and could take snaps at quarterback this season.
Rudolph Drayton (6-3, 200), a middle linebacker and quarterback, and two-way lineman Trayronne Archer (6-1, 320) are also back.
Patrick Wooten was All-City as a freshman linebacker and recorded a remarkable 150 tackles. Receiver Raymond Ford is another key returnee.
Coach Elijah Asante cites speed, intelligence and competitiveness as strengths of the team. Replacing key players is a concern. So is depth, considering the Bulldogs suited up only 26 players for most games a year ago.
WaveNewspapers.com: Bulldogs have a youthful look September 2, 2009
Garfield High School quarterback Jonathan Lazo hands off to a running back during preseason drills. The Bulldogs open the season Friday against Birmingham. (Photo by Gary McCarthy)
By RON GUILD, Sports Editor Story Published: Sep 2, 2009 at 2:00 PM PDT
Though coach Lorenzo Hernandez characterizes his Garfield High School football team as young, he is quick to point out, the kids will be all right in time.
First, the Bulldogs must survive a rugged preleague schedule that begins Friday with City Division I power Birmingham and its standout tailback Trajuan Briggs (USC commit). St. Paul, L.A. Wilson and a road trip to Paso Robles follow.
Then comes the competitive Eastern League, which includes the likes of Jordan and Roosevelt. Garfield shared the title with those two and finished 6-5 a year ago.
“We are young, but we should gradually get better as we get experience,” Hernandez said. “By the time league comes around, we should be able to compete for a league title.”
In Garfield’s favor is that many of the players saw extensive action a year ago as backups.
Among the key newcomers is senior quarterback Jonathan Lazo, who did not play football last year. Still, Hernandez likes who he has taking snaps.
“He has a rocket for an arm,” he said.
Lazo has some pretty good receivers around in wideouts Bobby Vargas and Andrew Rodriguez, as well as tight end Andrew Salas (6-4, 205).
Hernandez is excited about new tailback Jonathan Lopez (5-9, 180). Garfield has had a series of 1,000-yard rushers in recent years and Lopez may eventually rank with any of them, according to the coach.
“He could be as good as any we’ve had in the past,” he said. “He is capable of putting a team on his back.”
The offensive line is a bit on the young side, although senior tackle Santiago Sanchez (6-1, 240) is a returning starter. The anchor though is junior center Richard Torres (5-8, 230), up from the frosh-soph team.
As young as they are, Hernandez feels they will grow into a solid unit.
Defense is where Hernandez has fewer concerns.
“I’d say our strength is defense, especially the defensive line,” he said. “We’re pretty big on the D-line.”
Jose Victoria (6-1, 270) and Alfonso Valdez (5-10, 205) are returnees among the down linemen. Moses Saucedo (5-10, 180) is a returning starter at end.
Hector Cazales, a returning starter, headlines the linebacking corps.
Hernandez is high on sophomore linebacker Jonathan Valles (5-10, 190), a talented player and scholar-athlete (he was a 4.0 student last year).
“He’s an impressive kid who is very talented,” Hernandez said.
WaveNewspapers.com: Riders still on the offensive September 2, 2009
Roosevelt High School football coach Javier Cid barks instructions during a practice session. The Rough Riders are preparing for Friday’s season opener against Alhambra. (Photo by Gary McCarthy)
By RON GUILD, Sports Editor Story Published: Sep 2, 2009 at 1:54 PM PDT
It might be assumed the Roosevelt High School football team would take a step back this year after losing two-time All-City quarterback Jesse Diaz to graduation.
But that may not be the case, according to coach Javier Cid.
With Brandon Sifuentes, Diaz’ backup a year ago, moving into the starting spot and a veteran group of receivers and running backs surrounding the senior quarterback, the Rough Riders may be just as potent as a year ago when they went 10-3 and shared the Eastern League title with Jordan and Garfield.
The first chance to see if Cid is correct is Friday when Roosevelt hosts Alhambra in the opener.
“I feel the passing game is better than expected considering the loss of our three-year starting quarterback,” Cid said. “I feel the running game is going to be stronger than expected, as well.
“I think we’re going to be able to score a lot of points. My main concern is how well we defend the pass. That doesn’t mean I think we won’t get the job done. We’re just untested right now.”
Sifuentes eased any fears the coaching staff might have had with a strong summer in the passing leagues. Though not as big as the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Diaz, or the possessor of as strong an arm, he compensates with accuracy.
“He’s a good leader and he’s smart,” Cid adds.
A talented corps of receivers also helps.
Manny Ayon is a returning All-City performer and Tino Lomeli, also a returning starter, gives them a deep threat. Returnee Brian Torres and junior Jonathan Mariscal, MVP of the freshman team two years ago, are also in the rotation. Mariscal is the fastest of the receivers.
Additionally, running backs Jesse Lira and Elgin Rosales return with plenty of experience. Lira is a good receiver out of the backfield.
Cid likes what he has upfront.
Tackles Ramon Barraza (6-2, 260) and Angel Barrera (6-0, 245) anchor the line. Barraza is the first player Cid has coached who was invited to the Nike Combine, an invitation-only event for college prospects.
Chris Moreno (5-11, 300) moves from the defensive line to offensive guard. He moves well for his size, according to the coach. Zach Rivera (5-11, 245), a four-year varsity performer, is the center. He also starts on the defensive line and is the long snapper.
Ronnie Lazo, a converted linebacker, and William Linares are the defensive ends. Rivera and returning starter Jovanny Mejia are the tackles. Junior Jeffrey Simon and Jonathan Toledo add depth to the line.
Juniors Rene Garcia and Richard Martinez, who each had a couple of starts a year ago, are the outside backers. Filling the middle linebacker spot (previously held by All-City pick Rafael Ortega, now at NCAA Division II Minnesota-Crookston) will be either George Avila or Steven German.
Safety Armando Perez, who led the team in interceptions with three a year ago, is back to lead the secondary. Enrique Barragan and Kevin Rios are the other safety candidates.
Victor Gomez, Aaron Hernandez and Manuel Mendoza are the leaders for the cornerback spots.
“I think we’ll do just as well, if not better, than we did last year,” Cid said. “We’re definitely a playoff team. Jordan and Garfield are the two favorites in league. After that, it’s Huntington Park and Roosevelt. South East and Bell are right there, too.”
CalHiSports.com: Eastern Leaguers Named to All-Pre-Season Team
August 20, 2009 4:00 PM
The L.A. City Section, which is made up of schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District, has produced some of California's most legendary talent. McElhenny, Garrett, Lofton, and Elway are just four of the names that nearly all football fans know on a one-name basis that got their start at a L.A. City school. L.A. City Section title contender Taft of Woodland Hills leads the way with four players, but watch out for Crenshaw, Narbonne, Carson, San Pedro, Westchester, and Jordan. All those schools place more than one standout on this talented 30-man team. Next stop in Southern California is the all-Orange County team.
By Ronnie Flores, Senior Editor
Offense
OT -- Trayronn Archer (Jordan, Los Angeles) 5-10, 328 Sr.
This space-eater is yet another talented two-way lineman on this year's team. As a junior, Archer was named second team All-City by coaches for his work protecting all-state QB James Boyd and helping the Bulldogs advance to the L.A. City Section quarterfinals. He was an All-City choice as an offensive lineman, but as a nose tackle, Archer recorded 39 tackles, 22 assists, one sack and two fumble recoveries.
Defense
LB -- Patrick Wooten (Jordan, Los Angeles) 5-11, 165 Soph.
As a first-year player, Wooten was left off last year's all-state underclass team for good reason. He was deserving, but he was only a freshman! We recall a few freshman (such as the New York Giants' Steve Smith) earning all-city honors in basketball, but the younger brother of former Bulldogs all-state player Ricky Thenarse probably would have been named state freshman of the year if such an honor existed in football. In a game we watched against Esperanza of Anaheim, Wooten was the leading tackler and he finished the season with 104 solos, two interceptions, two caused fumbles and five fumble recoveries.
WR/QB/RB/DB/KR -- DeShawn Beck (Jordan, Los Angeles) 5-9, 150 Sr.
A repeat selection, Beck will be this year's jack-of-all-trades for Jordan coach Elijah Asante, who relied on USC freshman and 2008-09 Div. I State Athlete of the Year James Boyd in that role last season. Last year, he spelled Boyd at quarterback, but this year he'll spend a majority of his time on offense under center, according to Asante, after catching 72 passes for 1,141 yards and 15 TDs as a junior. This four-year letterman can also run the ball, play in the defensive secondary (4 INTs for 148 yards) and showed what he could do at last spring's Nike Combine at nearby L.A. Southwest College. Beck clocked a digital 4.49 forty, a 36.5-foot Power Ball toss, a 36.5 inch vertical jump and a 4.11 20-yard shuttle, good for a 108.30 SPARQ Rating, the best at the event.
Honorable Mention
OL -- Ramon Barraza (Roosevelt, Los Angeles) 6-2, 230 Sr. DB -- Raymond Ford (Jordan, Los Angeles) 5-10, 145 Soph.
CalHiSports.com: James Boyd Named D1 State Player of the Year July 11, 2009 by Senior Editor Ronnie Flores Contributing: Paul Muyskens, Harold Abend, Mark Tennis, Steve Brand
State Division I Athlete of the Year: James Boyd (Jordan, Los Angeles) Sr.
It was a close call between Boyd, Reggie Wyatt and eventual winner Tyler Gaffney for State Athlete of the Year honors. When it comes to Div. I athletes only, Jamaal Franklin and Tyler Honeycutt also deserve mention, but it's too hard to overlook Boyd's accomplishments on both sides of the football and his raw numbers in basketball. The 6-4, 215-pounder led the state in passing, throwing for 4,266 yards with 44 TDs. He also rushed for 608 yards and two scores. On defense, where he will play at USC as a defensive end, Boyd had 104 tackles, eight sacks and forced 10 fumbles, recovering two. Against Santa Ana Mater Dei, Boyd threw a state record 73 passes, completing 38, for 446 yards and three TDs, while on defense he recorded seven tackles and forced two fumbles, recovering one. Against Div. III bowl champ St. Bonaventure, Boyd threw for 378 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 55 yards. He added 23 tackles and three sacks on defense. In basketball, Boyd averaged 23.8 ppg and reportedly led the state by pulling down 22.4 rebounds per game. Danny Williams from L.A. Fremont (2004-05) was the last athlete from the L.A. City Section to be honored in this division.
Eastern League Helps West Win 605 All-Star Game June 6, 2009
WaveNewspapers.com: Even in this class, Boyd manages to stand out February 19, 2009 Jordan High School's James Boyd is part of another stellar recruiting class at USC. (Photo by Gary McCarthy) By RON GUILD, Sports Editor
Story Published: Feb 19, 2009 at 3:45 PM PST
USC coach Pete Carroll had his usual star-studded recruiting class, but even he had to point out the uniqueness of one recruit _ Jordan High School quarterback/defensive end James Boyd.
All the 6-foot-5, 230-pound Boyd did as a senior was pass for a state-best 4,266 yards and 44 touchdowns with only 17 interceptions, and record 106 tackles and 11 sacks on the other side of the ball. The City defensive player of the year as a junior was the City and Wave Newspapers player of the year as a senior.
“James Boyd is an extraordinary kid,” Carroll said during the news conference announcing the class. “Talk about a dynamic football player and athlete. To know he was an MVP in his league as a quarterback, and also caught passes and ran the ball and played wide receiver and tight end, and was an extraordinarily effective defensive end and rusher.
“And he is leading his league (Eastern) in scoring and rebounding (in basketball). He’s an extraordinary athlete. We’ve never had a guy who could do that much coming to play defensive end here.
“I look back to all the guys we’ve had that have played so well and try to think of Kenechi (Udeze) being a quarterback or Lawrence Jackson being a leading scorer in basketball. This is a very skilled athlete and we’re really pumped about him that he’s coming and looking forward to all the things he brings. He’s a very well-rounded athlete.”
LATimes.com: [Garfield's Delgado is] underrated, and overlooked, by football recruiters February 8, 2009
Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times Garfield's Lanny Delgado makes a long gain against Roosevelt in the annual East L.A. Classic game.
Talented, accomplished players who don't fit the physical mold colleges are looking for often fall through the cracks on letter-of-intent signing day. Case in point: Garfield's Lanny Delgado.Eric Sondheimer 5:50 PM PST, February 8, 2009
On letter-of-intent day, there were slick news conferences, big celebrations and lots of picture taking to capture the moment of teenagers' officially accepting college football scholarships.
For Lanny Delgado, a two-time All-City defensive back at Los Angeles Garfield High, Wednesday started with trying to fix the family computer, followed by a trip to the laundromat to wash a uniform, then an appearance in a soccer match, where he scored a goal in a 3-2 loss.
"I didn't even know today was letter-of-intent day," he said.
He didn't have any reason to pay attention, because no coaches offered him a scholarship.
"He didn't know, because no recruiters have talked to him and no one has shown any interest," Coach Lorenzo Hernandez said.
They didn't notice or didn't care that he more than held his own covering USC-bound De'Von Flournoy in two games last season.
"He's a good player," Flournoy said. "He plays with a lot of heart. He didn't back down, which I respected the most."
At 5 feet 11, 150 pounds, with 40-yard speed of about 4.6 seconds and grades that saw him receive an A in AP calculus and an A in trigonometry, Delgado would seem a good candidate to help a college football program.
"I'm still puzzled," Hernandez said. "This is a guy with a 3.6 GPA and played solid defense."
Unfortunately, there are lots of successful high school players who go unnoticed or unappreciated by college recruiters. Another is Josh Brannon, a running back at Garden Grove Pacifica who rushed for 2,175 yards and scored 22 touchdowns but had no takers at the next level.
People can place blame on lack of exposure or failure to impress at camps or combines, but the bottom line is football recruiters know what they want, and if you don't fit into their mold, it will create obstacles to reaching the next level.
"I'm dedicated and convinced I can take on a higher level," Delgado said. "I'm fast enough, I'm quick enough and I'm strong enough."
Hernandez keeps making phone calls and sending out tapes, hoping someone will see something special in Delgado, a three-year varsity standout.
Perhaps Delgado, Brannon and others who didn't sign letters last week will get a chance to play after enrolling at a college as a walk-on or making it through the junior-college ranks.
It's frustrating, but opportunities come to those who don't give up.
WaveNewpapers.com: Two-Way Terror: Boyd named Wave Player of the Year January 15, 2009 Jordan High School’s James Boyd, who led the state in passing yardage and touchdowns and excelled on defense, as well, is the Wave Newspapers Player of the Year. The USC-bound quarterback/defensive end threw for 4,266 yards and 44 touchdowns.
By Ron Guild
Story Published: Jan 15, 2009 at 9:23 PM PST
(Story Updated: Jan 15, 2009 at 9:23 PM PST )
Two-way players are hardly unusual in high school football.
Backs and receivers on offense commonly move to the secondary on changes of possession. Fullbacks often turn into linebackers when they go on defense.
Then there’s the case of Jordan High School’s James Boyd, a two-way performer with a unique twist.
Not only does Boyd stay on the field when his team goes on defense, he moves to the line as a pass-rushing end. He does both with uncommon excellence.
As Jordan coach Elijah Asante said of the Wave Newspapers 2008 Player of the Year, “He plays two positions that are polar opposites and is able to do it. He goes from the cerebral position of quarterback to the smash-mouth position of defensive end just like that.”
Boyd, an All-American and all-state selection headed to USC as a defensive player, put together mind-boggling numbers while leading Jordan’s 26-man roster to a share of the Eastern League title and the first upper-division playoff victory in the history of a school that has been in existence since 1925.
Here are just some of the senior year statistics compiled by the 6-foot-5, 225-pound three-year starter:
He completed 280 of 450 passes for a state-leading 4,266 yards and 44 touchdowns. The yardage total ranked third nationally.
Operating primarily out of the shotgun in Jordan’s spread offense, he also ran the ball 84 times for a team-leading 608 yards and two touchdowns.
From his spot at defensive end, he was in on 104 tackles, 73 of them solo, and had eight sacks.
Along the way, he had outstanding individual games.
He threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-20 loss to State Division III champion St. Bonaventure.
He launched a state-record 73 passes for 446 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-32 loss to Southern Section power Mater Dei the following week.
He threw for 424 yards and six TDs against Bell, for 368 yards and four TDs against South East and an eye-popping 578 yards and eight scores against South Gate.
Boyd’s career numbers were 8,575 yards and 74 TDs passing, the yardage third-best all-time in City history behind Palisades’ David Koral (8,964 yards from 1999-2000) and Wilson’s Ron Cuccia (8,804 from 1975-77).
The maturation process was even more impressive for someone who went through his share of ups and downs the last three seasons.
Asante, tabbed the Wave’s Coach of the Year, threw him in there as a sophomore against some of the toughest competition in Southern California (Edison, Esperanza, Dorsey) and the results were not always pretty.
In addition to the yardage, there were interceptions, lots of them, and not many wins (three) as a 10th grader.
The next year there was a league title, playoffs and 2,499 yards passing. He also had 72 tackles and 11 sacks, earning City defensive player of the year honors.
But emotional displays led to more than one suspension, including the first half of the playoff loss to Taft his junior year.
“It’s been a constant, on-going job of keeping his emotions in check,” Asante said. “I had to bench him a lot, but it’s all about being accountable and responsible. I had to punish him like he was the worst kid on the team. I couldn’t show any favoritism.”
Asante cited Boyd’s sophomore year as an example.
“He’d throw an interception and come off the field crying,” he said. “He was an emotional wreck. The second year he got the big head. This year his demeanor was calmer. He never missed a practices or was even late to practice.”
Boyd took on more of a leadership role.
“He had a lot of fire as a senior, but it was contained,” he said. “As the maturation process grew, he took on a lot more responsibility.”
It was all about winning for Boyd.
“He has a great will to win. He sacrificed his body and never worried about his stats. He had a historic effort against Mater and the three touchdown passes he threw against St. Bonaventure was the most they gave up all year. He threw a touchdown pass in every game this year.”
Asante feels Boyd ranks with the best the section has ever produced.
“He’s one of the legendary players in City history,” he said. “I’ve got to put him up there with all the great ones like Michael Alo, Freeman McNeil, John Elway and Ron Cuccia.
“He’s one of the all-time greats. How many can say they were the City defensive player of the year as a junior and the overall City player of the year as a senior?”
Asante has repeated as Coach of the Year after directing the Bulldogs to a 7-5 record and a share of the league title.
The record may appear lackluster, but few teams in Southern California played as challenging a schedule as Jordan. Nor did they have to play the entire schedule on the road because the home turf was being dug up to build a new one, set to open in the fall of 2009.
On consecutive weeks, the Bulldogs faced Esperanza, St. Bonaventure and Mater Dei. While all resulted in losses, it toughened them up for league and beyond.
Jordan won a hard-fought game over Fremont in the first round of the City playoffs, the first postseason victory in the upper division in the history of a school that opened in 1925.
The season ended the following week with a 39-20 loss to Crenshaw in the quarterfinals.
Asante’s philosophy is, to be the best, you’ve got to play the best.
“We relish this kind of schedule,” he said. “It makes us stronger. We’re trying to emulate the programs like Esperanza. Playing them has helped us grow.”
Jordan's James Boyd named to L.A. Times' All-Star Team January 12, 2009 James Boyd, Los Angeles Jordan, 6-5, 230, Sr.: City Section player of the year had 104 tackles, eight sacks and two fumble recoveries at defensive end. He also passed for 4,266 yards and 44 touchdowns. Has committed to USC.
LATimes.com: Sportswriters name Jordan's Boyd Player of the Year December 16, 2008
James Boyd, L.A. Jordan's quarterback-defensive end, has been selected the City Section player of the year by a panel of sportswriters.
The 6-foot-4 Boyd passed for 4,266 yards and 44 touchdowns. He also had 106 tackles and eight sacks.
Bound for USC, Boyd helped Jordan reach the quarterfinals of the City Championship Division playoffs and did some of his best work against such quality teams as Mater Dei, St. Bonaventure and Esperanza.
Here's the complete All-City team:
Player of the Year
James Boyd, Jordan
First team Offense
QB James Boyd, Jordan, Sr. QB Josh Moten, Narbonne, Sr. QB Barry Heads, San Pedro, Sr. QB Jesse Diaz, Roosevelt, Sr.
RB D.J. Morgan, Taft, Jr. RB DeAnthony Thomas, Crenshaw, So. RB Trajuan Briggs, Birmingham, Jr. RB J.R. McConico, Venice, Sr.; TE Morrell Presley, Carson, Sr.; WR DeShawn Beck, Jordan, Jr. WR Anthony Denham, Wilson, Sr. WR De’Von Flournoy, Birmingham, Sr.; OL Nicholas Alexander, Crenshaw, Sr. OL Jorge DeLeon, Reseda, Sr. OL Eddie Williams, Arleta, Sr. OL Nelson Ramirez, Taft, Sr. OL Justin Jackson, Narbonne, Sr.; K Donald Jarrin, San Pedro, Jr.
First team Defense
DL Alonzo Lefridge, San Pedro, Sr. DL Michael Metcalf, San Pedro, Sr. DL Gabe Vallejo, Arleta, Sr.; LB Hayes Pullard, Crenshaw, Jr. LB Tim Tucker, Narbonne, Sr. LB Robert Franco, San Pedro, Sr. LB Jonathan McNeal, Venice, Jr. LB Nick Bruce, Taft, Sr. LB Rafael Ortega, Roosevelt, Sr. LB Anthony Uribe, San Fernando, Jr.; DB Lanny Delgado, Garfield, Sr. DB Rashaad Reynolds, San Fernando, Sr. DB Byron Moore Jr., Narbonne, Sr. DB Sean Parker, Narbonne, Jr. DB Corey Hughes, San Pedro, Sr. DB Delvon Purvis, Jordan, Sr. DB William Hernandez, Franklin, Sr.; P Malcolm Chapman, Dorsey, Sr.
Second team offense
QB Jonathan Rojas, Wilson, Sr. QB Adrian Diaz, Franklin, Sr. QB Bryan Choto, Arleta, Jr. ; RB Tim Wilson, Canoga Park, So. RB Rashon Harper, El Camino Real, Jr. RB Preston Oliver, Marshall, Jr. RB Davion McGee, Locke, Sr. RB Melvin Davis, Narbonne, Jr. RB Omar Sanchez, Arleta, Jr. RB Joseph Deguchi, San Pedro, Sr. RB Daniel Lopez, San Fernando, Sr. RB Trevion Johnson, North Hollywood, Sr.; OL Raul Quintero, Franklin, Sr. OL Timote Tonga, Birmingham, Sr. OL Trevize Strickland, Dorsey, Sr. OL Vincent Barbosa, Fairfax, Jr.; TE Benjamin Weischedel, San Pedro, Sr.; WR A.J. Little, Chatsworth, Sr. WR Noel Grigsby, Crenshaw, Sr. WR Albert Sandobal, Arleta, Jr.
Second team defense
DL James Brock, Crenshaw, So. DL Josh Harmon, Chatsworth, Sr. DL John Fifita, Birmingham, Sr.; LB Dominique Echols, Fremont, Sr. LB Gabriel Soto, Garfield, Sr. LB Kris Bass, San Pedro, So. LB Patrick Wooten, Jordan, Fr. LB Dawan Marzett, Westchester, Sr. LB Eric Velazquez, Huntington Park, Sr.; DB Eric Hunter, Jordan, Sr. DB Chris Hill, Carson, Sr. DB Cole Martinez, Wilson, Jr. DB Drayron Ballard, San Pedro, Sr. DB Jarrett Tryon, Taft, Sr. DB Oliver Johnson, Taft, Sr. DB Marcus Andrews, Crenshaw, Sr.; P Sergio Macedo, Garfield, Sr.
LATimes.com: Garfield beats Roosevelt, 26-7 November 14, 2008 Garfield High School football players celebrate their win over Roosevelt in the East L.A classic at East L.A. College.
By Austin Knoblauch November 15, 2008
Quarterback Patrick Vargas completed 17 of 28 passes for 220 yards, throwing for two touchdowns, as Garfield rallied from a first-quarter deficit to defeat rival Roosevelt, 26-7, in front of more than 25,000 fans at the 74th annual East Los Angeles Classic at East Los Angeles College on Friday night.
Garfield (6-4, 5-1) took the lead for good early in the third quarter when Vargas connected on a 23-yard touchdown pass to receiver Lanny Delgado.
ABC7.com: Garfield & Roosevelt Battle in the East L.A. Classic November 16, 2008
LATimes.com: What makes the Garfield-Roosevelt rivalry so special? November 5, 2008
A little over a month ago, I asked everyone in the blogosphere what was the Southland's greatest rivalry. Some people accused me of asking a dumb question. And I'll admit I had an obvious answer in mind, because how could anything top the annual East Los Angeles Classic?
Some folks might think playing for smudge pots or leather helmets is great, but the storied rivalry between Garfield and Roosevelt is arguably one of the nation's greatest high school events. The game typically draws about 20,000 fans (about twice as much as Servite-Mater Dei), pitting neighbor against neighbor in a community that shares a unbreakable bond with its respective team.
But I want you to tell me why this rivalry is so great. Is it the history, the community or just great football? I'll be heading out to East Los Angeles College on Nov. 14, and I want to get a feeling as to what this game means to people who've actually been apart of it. Free feel to use the comment board to post your thoughts.
Also, who's the favorite to win this game? Roosevelt leads the all-time series (39-26-7) and proved its definitely one of the City Section's best with its upset over Jordan a couple of weeks back. Of course, Garfield's season-opening triumph over two-time defending champions Birmingham was very impressive.
I'll leave you with some video highlights of the 2006 game:
LATimes.com: Patrick Vargas tells a great short story November 13, 2008 Despite being only 5-foot-3. the Garfield quarterback has earned the respect of his teammates and will lead them against arch-rival Roosevelt on Friday.
Eric Sondheimer November 14, 2008
It's a startling sight, seeing Los Angeles Garfield football players line up after a game to exchange handshakes with their opponents and watching the reaction when 5-foot-3 quarterback Patrick Vargas finally greets his pursuers.
"I shake hands, they look down at me, and it's shocking to them," he said.
Their stunned response: "Are you the quarterback?"
Patrick Vargas will be the starting quarterback when Garfield plays Roosevelt High School on Friday.
The fact Vargas is playing, let alone completing passes and usually leading his team to victory in a sport that typically favors the physically imposing indicates how special his story is.
Tonight, he'll become the smallest quarterback to start in the 74-year history of the East Los Angeles Classic, a neighborhood game matching Garfield and Roosevelt at East L.A. College that's expected to attract a crowd of close to 25,000.
Vargas, a 150-pound senior, is an A student who uses intelligence, cunning and instincts to succeed.
His father, Ray, who coaches the quarterbacks at Garfield, said, "As a parent, I fear for him. As a coach, I root for him."
Roosevelt Coach Javier Cid, a former Garfield assistant, watched Vargas growing up, remembering him as a tiny 9-year-old running around the field and preparing for the day he'd get to put on a Bulldogs uniform.
"If he would be 6-3, he'd still be great," Cid said. "The fact he's his size is even more amazing."
Vargas welcomes those who underestimate him.
"I've been playing Pop Warner football since I was 7," he said. "I was the smallest out there and just adjusted. Now I'm in high school, I had to adjust again. I'm not afraid. This is just a passion I love to do."
To see how Vargas operates on a field where he comes up to the chin of many players is a sight to behold. He has a simple strategy in trying to release his passes.
"I place it like it's a window," he said. "When the receivers are running their routes, there are little areas where the linebacker shows weakness, so I hit them in that area."
Many of his passes are timing patterns. At the line of scrimmage, he examines the defense and picks out a target. He retreats on the snap and fires the ball long before anyone can reach him and usually before his receiver has made a final cut. If all goes well, the ball will arrive at the same time the receiver reaches his spot, leaving the defensive back helpless.
"It's just a lot of practice," Vargas said. "They have me practice sometimes with my eyes closed."
It's a family affair for Vargas, whose younger brothers, Bobby and Danny, start at receiver and fullback.
"Our mom is laughing, yelling and screaming her heart out," Vargas said.
His line is determined to protect him, and teammates don't take kindly to comments some defensive players like to make.
"They call him midget," center Edgar Rosales said. "They call him all kinds of names. It gets me motivated because I know he's capable of doing anything."
The student body at Garfield found out how big a heart Vargas has when he helped the Bulldogs upset two-time defending City Section champion Birmingham, 29-28, in the season opener. Vargas completed 13 of 17 passes for 144 yards and three touchdowns. With that victory, football players became celebrities on campus.
"It was better than winning the City Invitational championship," Vargas said.
"The whole off-season, our goal was to shock the world and shock the City. We knew beating Birmingham would do it. You could see the joy in everyone's eyes and faces."
And now Vargas gets to start in a game that will probably draw the largest high school crowd of the season in Southern California. It doesn't matter that Roosevelt is 8-1 and Garfield is 5-4. Records mean nothing in this rivalry game. It's homecoming for both schools, with alumni coming from around the nation.
His counterpart at quarterback, Jesse Diaz, is equally impressive, with a 3.8 grade-point average, more than 1,700 yards passing and just one interception for Roosevelt.
Diaz is 6-2, a giant compared to Vargas, but both are examples of how high school sports can bring out the best in individuals. Vargas has dreamed of this moment.
"It's something I wanted to do all my life," he said.
LATimes.com: James Boyd is a double threat for L.A. Jordan September 23, 2008
James Boyd, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound senior, will move to defensive line at USC next year, but at L.A. Jordan High he's a dual threat quarterback and standout at defensive end.
(Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
The USC recruit, who is 6 feet 5 and 230 pounds, plays quarterback for his high school team but will be a defensive end for the Trojans.
By Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer September 24, 2008
James Boyd is a quarterback celebrated for his superior size, sturdy arm and uncanny elusiveness.
All of which should make the L.A. Jordan High standout a valuable USC freshman next season.
At defensive end.
The 6-foot-5, 230-pound senior is a rare hybrid, combining agility and precision with heft and brute strength. He primarily plays quarterback and defensive end for the Bulldogs but also has unnerved opponents at other positions.
"He might even be a better nose guard because he's so disruptive and his instincts are so quick," Jordan Coach Elijah Asante said. "He vexes the center and the quarterback is thinking about him coming across that line."
Boyd has also played receiver and linebacker for the Bulldogs (1-2), who will need their versatile star to thrive on both sides of the line Thursday night at Santa Ana Stadium against Santa Ana Mater Dei (2-1), ranked No. 5 in the Southland by The Times.
Boyd will be the third future college teammate of Mater Dei's Matt Barkley to face the Monarchs quarterback in four weeks, following Morrell Presley, a tight end and defensive end from Carson, and Vontaze Burfict, a linebacker from Corona Centennial.
But, unlike the others, Boyd will have a chance to outshine the reigning Gatorade national player of the year at his own position.
"At the end of the fourth quarter, that's when we're teammates," Boyd said. "Until then, I'm coming after him."
Boyd has been playing quarterback and chasing them since Pop Warner, where his girth made him a natural defensive lineman. When his coaches got a glimpse of his arm strength, they decided he should also play quarterback.
Boyd says he receives quizzical looks from those who hear about the combination.
"People don't understand how I do it," Boyd said.
Then there are his coaches, who can't imagine utilizing him any other way -- especially on an undermanned Jordan team that has only 26 players.
"You usually don't have a guy that big that can play such a physical position and then play a skill position. That's what makes it different," Asante said. "I'll say once every 20 years you'll see something like that."
Though Boyd has no position preference -- "Both are fun," he said -- his mother, Helen Boyd, says he favors defense.
"On the defensive line," she said, "he can take his frustration out."
Boyd must have been completely relaxed, then, by the end of Jordan's 42-15 victory over L.A. Locke on Sept. 5. He had 14 tackles, including two sacks, plus one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles. He also passed for 301 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 74 yards.
"He presents problems for you no matter which side of the ball he's on," said Locke Coach Wayne Crawford, who used two players to block Boyd when he lined up on defense. "I fear him more on defense because he's pretty much unblockable."
Last week, Boyd nearly engineered an improbable rally against No. 6-ranked Ventura St. Bonaventure, leading the Bulldogs back from a 24-0 halftime deficit with three third-quarter touchdowns during an eventual 38-20 defeat. He also had 23 tackles, leaving his teammates once again shaking their heads in admiration.
"He's just an athlete," senior receiver Delvon Purvis said. "Put it that way."
Asante says he has no doubt that Boyd, who has completed 62.4% of his passes for 909 yards and seven touchdowns with five interceptions, could play quarterback at the next level.
Boyd says he'll miss playing every down at USC, where he is expected primarily to be a defensive lineman but could also be used at tight end and linebacker. An agreeable sort, Boyd says he just wants to help wherever he's needed.
"If I was big enough," he said, "I'd play O-line and block for them."
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James Boyd, L.A. Jordan's quarterback-defensive end, has been selected the City Section player of the year by a panel of sportswriters.
