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Champion - Kanye West


Pictures From - Friday, July 18 Only ...Couldn't Make it Saturday...Sorry Southeast I did not get any Pix of you guys, Maybe next time..


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By RON GUILD, Sports Editor 24.JUL.08

Garfield High Schools philosophy the last few years has been simply to line up and play smash-mouth football.

Considering the defending City Invitational Division champion Bulldogs return a superb running back duo in Franky Diaz (1,372 yards, 18 touchdowns) and Sergio Macedo (1,158 yards, 13 TDs), there would seem to be little incentive for change.

But Garfield coach Lorenzo Hernandez has plans to diversify the offense this fall and has been using the summer passing tournaments to install some new looks.

Some of that was seen during the East L.A. College Shootout 7-on-7 Passing Tournament this past weekend in which the Bulldogs reached the semifinals.

Were going to mix it up a little more, put in some motion, use more running backs, Hernandez said.

Diaz, Macedo and fullback Omar Hernandez (463 yards, three TDs) are just the tip of a deep running back depth chart. Damian Guzman, a speedster up from the frosh-soph, and fullback Julio Silva, also up from the frosh-soph, give the Bulldogs even more weapons in the backfield.

Were very deep at running back, Hernandez said in a bit of understatement.

The key to becoming more balanced is 5-foot-4 quarterback Patrick Vargas, who took over the starting duties the last five games and directed them to the lower-division title. Though, he was only 8 for 31 for 189 yards in that time, Hernandez is expecting more production in 2008.

Considering the Bulldogs, 11-3 in 2007, open against City Division champ Birmingham and later face Southern Section power St. Paul, it would figure theyd need to open up the offense some.

Hernandez also had his team in the Crenshaw Tournament earlier this summer.

I wanted them to see speed, he said.

The defense is in good hands with three returning all-stars in Roy Fonseca, Lanny Delgado and Dominic Lam manning the secondary.

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Roosevelt showed off All-City quarterback Jesse Diaz and his fine receiving corps while advancing to the semifinals of the East L.A. Tournament. Compton defeated the Rough Riders to advance to the title game.

Diaz, who threw for 2,460 yards as a junior, and junior receiver Manny Ayon figure to be a dangerous combination this fall.

Diaz (6-2, 210), a 3.7 student, is drawing recruiting looks from a number of schools, including UC Davis.

Hes everything you want in a kid, Roosevelt coach Javier Cid said. Hes smart and a good leader. Colleges like him, although theyd like him to be a little taller. Right now, hes got mostly Division I-AA schools after him.

Cid said Diaz, whose supporting cast including three returning three-year starters on the offensive line, will do more than throw the ball this year.

He has the ability to run the ball, so hes going to be a double threat, Cid said.

In center/middle linebacker Ralph Ortega, the Rough Riders have a force on both sides of the ball.

Hes going to be a pulling center, hes that quick, Cid said of the 6-1, 230-pounder. Hes very physical. He went to the UNLV camp and they really liked him.

Based on its performance at the East L.A. Shootout, the City Section�s Eastern League looks like it is going to have plenty of quality depth.

Garfield and Roosevelt both reached the semifinals, with Roosevelt scoring a quarterfinal victory over Dorsey. Huntington Park got as far as the quarters before losing to Compton and South East was competitive.

Dont forget, neither of these teams won league a year ago.

The defending champion is Jordan, which returns All-City quarterback/defensive end James Boyd, a USC commit.