Headlines
Subscribe to our NewsletterPress-Telagram: Eastern League Preview:
Jordan, Garfield have high hopes
By David Felton
Article Launched: 09/02/2008
Two schools are consistently mentioned when talk turns to the L.A. City Section's Eastern League - L.A. Jordan and Garfield.
Jordan is the defending league champion (7-4, 6-0 in 2007) and returns USC commitment James Boyd as both its starting quarterback (2,499 passing yards, 23 passing TDs) and defensive end (140 tackles, 11 sacks, City Defensive Lineman of the Year).
The Bulldogs also return receivers DeShawn Beck, Eric Hunter and Delvon Purvis and have a brutal nonleague schedule that pits them against Esperanza, St. Bonaventure and Mater Dei in consecutive games.
Garfield (11-3, 4-2) won the City Section Invitational title a year ago after a second-place finish in league. Senior tailbacks Frankie Diaz and Sergio Macedo combined for more than 2,800 rushing yards as juniors and senior cornerback Lanny Delgado is a returning All-City performer.
But schools such as South East and Huntington Park also could be part of the mix this season. South East (8-4, 4-2) reached the second round of the Invitational playoffs a year ago and Huntington Park (7-6, 3-3) returns seven starters from a team that upset top-seeded Eagle Rock and reached the Invitational quarterfinals.
At Roosevelt, the Rough Riders (6-5, 3-3) will have senior Jesse Diaz at quarterback. As a junior, Diaz led the City Section in total offense (over 2,700 combined passing and rushing yards, 18 TDs).
Junior running back Manny Ayon averaged 8.0 yards per carry last season and senior Rafael Ortega is a returning first-team all- league linebacker.
Bell and South Gate are looking to rebound from tough seasons.
Bell went just 1-8 a year ago (1-5 in league) but returns six starters and 12 players that played significantly.
At South Gate, first-year coach Reginald Grant is out to turn around a program that went 0-10, 0-6 a year ago.
HUNTINGTON PARK
SPARTANS
Coach: Leroy Wilson
2007 finish: 7-6, 3-3 (T-fourth)
Key returners: Albert Gallegos, C, 5-10, 205, Sr.; Abel Raygoza, OL, 6-4, 270, Sr.; Ricardo Ramirez, MLB, 5-11, 230, Sr.; Miguel Aguayo, OL, 6-0, 260, Sr.; Arnulfo Murillo, QB, 6-3, 220, Sr.; Luis Cruz, DB, 5-11, 165, Sr.; Erick Velasquez, DB/RB, 5-11, 165, Sr.; Hector De La Rosa, TB, 5-5, 135, Sr.; Carlos Hernandez, FB, 5-5, 230, Sr.
Key newcomers: Jorge Rios, TB/OLB, 5-11, 190, Jr.; Christian Ramirez, WR, 5-11, 170, Jr.; Michael Ruiz, DB, 5-10, 155, Sr.
2008 outlook: Coach Wilson, in his 10th season with the Spartans, is excited about a team loaded with seniors and seven returning starters. Huntington Park averaged over 330 yards of offense per game last season, and Wilson feels this year's squad is just as capable. "(The offense) will be equal to, if not better than, last year," said Wilson, who plans to throw the ball more this season. Murillo moves from WR to QB and the Spartans will try to replace graduated RB Eric Cartegena (822 yards, 8 TDs) with Velasquez, De La Rosa, Rios and Hernandez, whom Wilson describes as a "bowling ball" with All-City potential. Raygoza could be a player to watch and will team with Aguayo to protect Murillo. Gallegos is on the small side, but Wilson expects big things from the senior. The defense will be anchored by MLB Ramirez and DBs Cruz and Velasquez. DB Ruiz is in his first year of football, but Wilson has been impressed with his progress. Despite a rash of injuries a year ago, the Spartans beat No. 1 Eagle Rock and North Hollywood in the Invitational playoffs before a quarterfinal loss to University.
SOUTH GATE
RAMS
Coach: Reginald Grant
2007 finish: 0-10, 0-6 (last)
Key returners: Josue Valdez, WR, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Felipe Valdez, FS/CB, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Ricardo Najera, OT, 6-1, 290, Sr.; Steven Iberra, LB/FB, 5-11, 240, Sr.; Jesse Nava, FB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Jose Rivas, KR/PR/RB, 5-7, 160, Sr.; Jhairo Rojas, C, 5-11, 240, Sr.; Robert Shelby, LB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Irving Villasenor, QB, 5-9, 180, Sr.; Michael Duarte, DT, 6-0, 400, Sr.
Key newcomers: Luis Valencia, OT, 6-1, 240, Jr.; Logan Millan, OL, 6-1, 250, Jr.; Jose Cercero, SS, 6-2, 240, Jr.; Rodolfo Carrillo, OT, 6-1, 190, Jr.
2008 outlook: Things can only get better for the Rams, who suffered through a winless 2007 campaign. "It's a whole new mindset," said new coach Reginald Grant, who played CB for the New York Jets in 1978. South Gate is led by the Valdez twins, both of whom have Division I potential, according to Grant. WR Josue Valdez, who caught 30 balls for 300 yards and three TDs a year ago, has gotten attention from Oregon, Hawaii and Cal. The Rams have good size on the OL with Najera, Valencia and Millan. QB Villasenor was a backup last year, but moves well and has a strong arm. On defense, Grant says Duarte moves well for a young man of his size and Cercero brings a big frame to his role as SS. Iberra, who also has excellent size, will play both LB and FB. Grant knows a winning attitude can be just as contagious as a losing attitude and says early practices have been great.
BELL
EAGLES
Co-Coaches: Ramon Ochoa, Frank Medina
2007 finish: 1-8, 1-5
Key returners: Juan Lucero, MLB/FB, 6-3, 260, Sr.; Miguel De La Rosa, OL/DL, 6-5, 275, Sr.; Francisco Rodriguez, QB, 6-1, 245, Sr.; Jonathan Valdivia, DB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Antonio Williams, DB/RB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Julian Leon, RB, 5-9, 165, So.
Key newcomers: Juan Ayala, DB, 5-8, 160, Jr.; David Franco, S, 6-0, 175, Jr.; Martin Lara, DT, 6-0, 280, Jr.
2008 outlook: The Eagles have plenty of size (Lucero, De La Rosa, Rodriguez, Lara) but not much depth, so staying healthy will be the key. Williams is the leading returning rusher (148 yards, TD) and Leon saw a little varsity time as a freshman. Rodriguez threw for six TDs a year ago but must cut down on his interceptions (10), especially for a team that wants to control the clock with its run game. Co-coach Ochoa calls junior DB Ayala "a good cover guy." Ochoa says Jordan and Garfield are the teams to beat, but likes his senior-laden squad. "It's going to be tough but we're looking forward to the challenge," Ochoa said.
