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Early Returns Show Roosevelt Could Have Promising Campaign

By Mario Villegas, Exclusive to EGP

If their showing in the East Los Angeles College high school passing tournament is any indication, the Roosevelt Rough Riders could be a football team to watch again this fall.

Roosevelt lost the championship game of the annual 16-team ELAC Shootout to Coliseum League power Dorsey, 33-25, but not until after the Rough Riders had scored victories over Rosemead, Pasadena, Gabrielino, Locke, Bell and Huntington Park.

“I was very surprised that Alhambra didn’t win the whole thing,” said Roosevelt Coach Javier Cid, whose team opens the season against Alhambra Sept. 4 at home. “They were very impressive and have a very good receiver in Mitchell Crockom.”

But his Rough Riders led by All-City receiver Manny Ayon were very impressive, too. Ayon, who caught 37 passes for 600 yards last season, made several clutch receptions in the final against Dorsey.

Cid and his staff were encouraged with what they saw because the Eastern League figures to be another competitive race between Garfield, Jordan, South East and much improved teams in Bell and Huntington Park.

Roosevelt was 10-3 in 2008 and shared the Eastern League title with Garfield and Jordan.
However graduation did take away three-year starting quarterback Jesse Diaz, the All-City quarterback who passed for over 2,000 yards last season in helping to lead the Rough Riders to a 10-3 record.

Senior Brandon Sifuentes has stepped in and performed well in his new role as starting quarterback.

“I think he’s doing a great job,” Cid said.

A big part of the game plan this season will be to get the ball into the hands of the play-making Ayon.

“We have all of our receivers back except one and we have two of our running backs back,” Cid said.

Senior Jonathan Alatriste and junior Elgin Rosales return in the backfield. Alatriste rushed for 600 yards last season and Rosales had 288.

“If we can protect the quarterback, we’ll be OK,” said Cid, noting that the offensive line lacks experience.

The Rough Riders are also young on defense, but Cid and defensive coordinators Alfred Robledo and Richard Zepeda say the unit is coming together.

“This (the ELAC tournament) was a good learning experience for us,” Cid said. “We handled situations the way we needed and that’s more important than winning right now. This is about learning.

“I feel good about our chances,” he said. “I think we’re going to be all right.”