La Mirada Blog
Articles by Raymond L Ledesma
Suburban League Football Week 5 Recap; Week 6 Review
Suburban League Week 5
Week 5 Review: League is well under way and there were no surprises at all this past week. At this point, teams are starting to distance themselves from the rest of the pack and the league championship push has turned, in my opinion, into a three-horse race, with the Mayfair Monsoons out in front. The Matadores and the Lancers feel they have something to say about that.
Week 5 Results
Norwalk had a Bye.
Mayfair 46 John Glenn 24: The Eagles looked like they were going to end the Monsoons streak early, as they jumped out to a 10 point advantage. The Monsoons regrouped, and showed why they are the defending eight-time league champions. The Eagles bright spot was Niua Niumataevalu, the talented Junior TB/ MLB has been a punishing force on both sides of the ball. This was evident on one of his runs, as he broke several tackles and sprinted down the sideline and finally was run out of bounds after a 35 yard gain. Dominique Small for Mayfair was not to be out done as he shredded the Eagles defense for over 100 yards rushing. He leads a very talented crop of TB’s for Mayfair.
La Mirada 42 Cerritos 20: The Dons still have the losing streak going and again, they are really getting tired of the streak. And it is still lingering over their head. The Matadores came and pounded the Dons early and often. It was clear from the beginning, that this was an overmatched Cerritos team. However, the Dons have two ultra-talented under classmen on their roster. Sophomore QB Marquis Moss who is a threat to go to the house every time he touches the ball. Also, their TB Aaron Francis is a hard running junior who is the only other true threat that the Dons possess on offense; and he is a stud on defense as well. QB Daniel Poncedeleon couldn’t be outdone as he led an aerial assault against the Dons secondary; he threw for 135 yards and two TD’s and didn’t play much in the second half. He looks like the most lethally accurate QB in the Suburban League.
Suburban League Football Week 4 Recap; Week 5 Review
Suburban League Week 4
Week 4 Review: League has started and there were no surprises at all. The games were not that close, although the La Mirada vs. Glenn game looked like a slugfest-for about a half. Then the Matadores took control, although I don’t think that Glenn looked like its old self. They didn’t fold, and they played hard till the end; and I think they earned some respect from the Matadores.
Week 4 Results
Norwalk 58 Bellflower 7: This game was truly one-sided, as the visiting Lancers let their ground game steam-roll the Buccaneers. The Lancers offense looked unstoppable, as the Buccaneers defense seemed to be overmatched. The Buccaneers now try to regroup as they get ready to play 0-4 Artesia. The Lancers ground attack is one that truly has been dominating, and no one has been able to hold it in check. They are led by wingbacks Adrian Gonzales, and Billy Moore. They are steady with the hard running FB’s Adrian Cortez and Elijhaa Penny. The Lancers ride high into their bye week as they get ready for their cross town rivalry game with the Eagles of John Glenn. 
La Mirada 41 John Glenn 24: The Matadores offense had great field position in the first half and they capitalized on mistakes by John Glenn. They led 14-7 at the half, and when the third quarter started they had possession until Matt Haltom fumbled the ball. The Eagles had a golden opportunity and they didn’t capitalize on it, as they only came away with a field goal. The Matadores then reeled off 27 unanswered points. The Eagles however would not go quietly as they stormed back for 14 more points including a 95 yard pass from QB Jose Escobar to TB DJ Bernard. After the game, it could be seen that the Eagles had made too many mistakes to win, but they had earned a little respect. For Coach Wilson, who is trying to turn a team that has been in the Suburban League dungeon into a winner, this shows that he is headed in the right direction.
Suburban League Football Week 3 Recap; Week 4 Review
Editors Update: Recently, Artesia High Head Coach Aaron Craver either resigned, or was fired. Craver claims he was fired and school principal Sergio Garcia is saying Craver resigned.
Week 3 Review: Well, I was right on picking five of the seven winners from this past weekend games. I thought that the Dons of Cerritos would finally pick up a win. This was not the case. I feel really bad for those kids; a lot have been on varsity for the last three years including this year, and have only one varsity win. That is just awful.
Week 3 Results:
Norwalk 33 Paramount 8: This Game was a blow out from the start. The Lancers moved from their traditional Double Wing attack in the second half, and went to a Triple Power I formation that had 5'11'' 275 FB Davion Edwards, 6'2'' 240 FB Adrian Cortez leading the way for Elijah Penny, who is 6'2'' 245, and he showed break away speed on a 60 yard gain that took Norwalk's offense to the two yard line, before he punched in the TD. Paramount was their own worst enemy on their first drive when they committed five penalties and where forced to punt. It was downhill from there.
La Mirada 38 La Serna 17: The Matadores beat another team in the area, by trouncing the Lancers of La Serna. QB DanielPoncedeleon was lethally accurate as he picked apart the Lancers defense. Coach Moschetti has these boys playing well and they are rolling full steam ahead. Senior TE/DE R.J. Lujan made his presence felt on both sides off the ball as he had two sacks on defense and had a TD catch on offense. He has really stepped his game up while senior Keith Coty is out with a knee injury.
Glenn 55 La Quinta 14: The Eagles got back in the win column against a team that seemed over matched from the start. The defense forced four turnovers, including three INT's with Jose Escobar, Clinton Greenway, and DJ Bernard each hauling in one. D.J. Bernard was electric in this game as he had five TD's (three rushing, one receiving, and a punt return). The Eagles also debuted a new face on offense, a bruising back in MLB Niumataevalu, who seemed to enjoy punishing those that got in his way. Sophomore Vincent Watkins made the catch of the night with a defender draped all over him; he leaped over him, and made a catch right on the goal line.
Suburban League Football Week 2 Recap; Week 3 Review
Week 2 Review: Well, I was right on picking five of the six winners from this past weekend’s games. I thought the John Glenn Eagles would soar high and go 3-0 for the first time in almost two decades. Whoops! The other teams in Glenn’s district are rolling right now. This is the last week before we get into league play and all of the teams are looking to fine-tune themselves and gear up for the playoff push. I will re-examine my predictions from the beginning of the season and I will update them next week.
Week 2 Results:
Norwalk 32 Pacifica 14: The Lancers look like they have found another pair of running backs in senior Adrian Gonzales and Junior Billy Moore as both looked unstoppable in shredding the visiting Mariners defense. I look for them to continue their tear into league.
La Mirada 35 California 20: This game was a huge game for both schools, and the crowd size was evident. Cal High’s side was almost sold out and that was amazing especially for a Thursday night game. The game was a slugfest. Unfortunately for the Condors, they made the first mistake, and the Matadors capitalized by going 29 yards for a TD. QB Daniel Poncedeleon looked like a Division I QB, and the connection of him to Julian Matta works really well for them. They hooked up for an 80 yard catch-and-run for a TD.
H.H. Wilson 35 Glenn 14: The Eagles looked like a team that walked into the half with a lead and came out not knowing how to play football. The only thing more atrocious than the way they played the second half was the officiating. In this case, it had nothing to do with bad calls, but their inability to protect players. Several skirmishes broke out during the game, and not one official intervened. The bright spot for the Eagles was D.J. Bernard taking a bobbled kickoff 93 yards back for a TD. Their MLB Niumataevalu looks like a beast; he seemed to be everywhere.
Suburban League Football Week 1 Recap; Week 2 Preview
Suburban League Week 2:
Week 1 Review: Well, I was right on picking five of the seven winners from this past weekend’s games. I thought the Matadors would put up a terrific fight and pound the Highlanders. Oops. Well someone got pounded, and it wasn’t the Highlanders. On the other hand, everyone else got hammered in league. Bellflower is still scoreless two weeks in and no points. The Norwalk Lancers are proving to be a force as they have amassed 121 points in two games. I look for a lot of teams to get back on track this week and continue their winning ways.
Week 1 Results:
Norwalk 58 Los Amigos 6: Norwalk got its double-wing attack rolling by steam-rolling the Lobos up and down the field. They have a three headed monster on offense led by senior wingback Adrian Gonzales, junior wingback Billy Moore, and senior fullback, two-way stud, Adrian Cortez.
La Habra 54 La Mirada 13: La Mirada really never got itself on a roll and instead tried to hang on for dear life. Any ideas of them becoming an area power again, right this minute, where halted by a stingy Highlanders defense. QB Daniel Poncedeleon played as well as he could, and diminutive running back Matt Haltom ran hard; but it still was not enough. They look to rebound this week against California High School of Whittier.
Glenn 38 Pioneer 3: The Eagles ground game got rolling as TB Brandon Kelly ran through, around, and over any Titan in his way. When the dust had settled, he had 25 carries for 257 yards. They also have a versatile athlete in Junior D.J. Bernard; he scored 4 different ways. He started things off by hauling in a 60-yard TD catch, and then he picked up a blocked field goal and raced 89 yards to the house, untouched. Then he jumped a route and returned it from 38 yards out. Finally he took a handoff and scored from 28 yards out and put a move on a Titan defender that would make any Madden gamer jealous.
Suburban League Week 0 Recap; Week 1 Preview
Suburban League Week 1:
Week 0 Review: Well I was right on picking five of the seven winners from this past weekend games. There was no shortage of close games. It started with La Mirada vs. St Paul on Friday night, and it came down to the final few minutes with the visiting Matadores prevailing. Then, to round out the first week of games, Glenn held off a furious comeback by the host Santa Ana Valley Falcons at the Santa Ana Bowl on Saturday afternoon.
Week 0 Results:
Norwalk 63 South El Monte 3: Norwalk got its double-wing attack rolling as they rolled passed South El Monte.
La Mirada 15 St. Paul 7: La Mirada suffered a few injuries, but they look to continue their charge toward another league title. Backup Shane Blood stepped in and helped lead the Mats to a huge victory; the school's first against St. Paul.
Glenn 28 Valley 26: The Eagles showed grit and determination as they fought themselves to a victory. They were led by QB Jose Escobar who looked very comfortable in the pocket, threw for 3 TDs, and added another rushing.
Montebello 14 Bellflower 0: The host Buccaneers never got themselves on track as they fell to the visiting Oilers from Montebello
Chino Hills 30 Mayfair 6: The Host Huskies could have made the lead larger if not for a few miscues during the game.
Beckman 31 Cerritos 13: Cerritos is still searching for their first win in over 12 games. They looked over-matched in this game.
Edison 36 Artesia 0: The pioneers speedy offense was neutralized by the attacking defense of the host Chargers.
Week 1 Preview:
Suburban League Preview-Week 0
Mayfair: The Monsoons have been everyone’s perennial pick to win the Suburban League and there is ample reason for that. As the consensus pick, they have won 8 league titles in a row. Well, it all starts this week for them against a tough Chino Hills team. I look for Mayfair to get the ground game working early and let Hunko take his shots deep off of play action. The Monsoons will be on the road at Chino Hills Friday September 4th, 2009. Kick-off is 7pm.
Week 0 Prediction: Mayfair 28 Chino Hills 24
Norwalk: The Lancers look to be firing on all cylinders as they gear up for a showdown with South El Monte. The Lancers will need to get their running attack led by wing-back Adrian Gonzales to get going if they are going to be successful. I look for this to be a battle early, but expect the double wing attack to smother and run through, over, and around the Eagles of South El Monte. The game will be at South El Monte. Kick-off is slated for 7pm.
Norwalk 46 South El Monte 21
Artesia: The Pioneers are a small group but they are used to playing iron man football as they did it all of last season. They will be looking to get coach Aaron Craver his first win of the season when they travel to take on the Chargers of Edison High School in Huntington Beach. This will be more than a challenge for the Pioneers. The Chargers have several highly ranked prospects including center Roman Sapolu who has orally committed to Oregon State.
Edison 48 Artesia 14
La Mirada: The Matadores are back and they are hungry for the season to start. The atmosphere around the program is different this year; the kids are buying in that they have the athletes to compete. One of the most anxious Matadores to get out there and play is Matt Haltom he has not played in a varsity game since his sophomore year. I look for the Mats to come out throwing and give St. Paul a run for their money. This will be a clash of two different offensive philosophies when these teams take the field for battle on Friday. The Mats will look to throw, while the Swordsmen will look to pound the ball on the ground. I see the St. Paul ground game being the factor they will eat up some clock and keep the talented Mats offense on the sidelines
St Paul 28 La Mirada 24
John Glenn: The Eagles travel to the Santa Ana Bowl on Saturday at 1pm to take on the Santa Ana Valley Falcons who are led by the diminutive Running back, Darius Nacoste. He has run for almost 3,000 yards and he will look to pad that total against the Eagles. But the Eagles, I hear, have an answer in the form of 6’3’’ 245-pound middle linebacker Nu’a Niumataevalu, who is hungry to destroy ball carriers after being out for a year. This one should be an offensive shoot-out and whichever team’s defense can get the most stops in this one, wins. I look for the Eagles to clip the Falcons wings in a close one.
Glenn 35 Santa Ana Valley 31
Bellflower: The Buccaneers are rolling full steam ahead and they are really looking to start the season off on the right note. They will have the advantage of the confines of their home stadium when they battle the Oilers of Montebello on Friday at 7pm. They have a good mix of Veteran players, and they are also counting on the influx of their sophomores to help them be successful. Look for the Buccaneers to spoil Head Coach Pete Gonzales’ first game with the Oilers. Look for sophomore Travis Newberry to run all over the Oilers in a route.
Bellflower 42 Montebello 14
Cerritos: The Dons look to start their season off on the right foot, however they are traveling to Beckman of Irvine, a team that will be tough to beat. The Dons are hoping that they can get their offense unhitched as they try and make use of ultra talented sophomore Marquis Moss. I think that Beckman will be too much for the Dons, as they extend their losing streak.
Beckman 49 Cerritos 6
Final Thoughts: This should be a good weekend of football and it will definitely be a lot of fun to watch as we gear up for the long haul. Good luck this week to all of the players. I wish you all much success; and stay injury free.
2009 SUBURBAN LEAGUE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Around the area, high school athletes are getting ready for a tremendously grueling two-week period in which their bodies will be put to the test.
It's the start of football season, and every team has the same chance to be a league champion, make the playoffs, and earn a Division Championship!
However, the fact remains that everyone's chances really, are not the same. So let's get right into it, I am going to break down each team in the Suburban League, and give you a prediction for each of their first games of the season. At the end of this column I will predict the expected order of finish.
Mayfair: The perennial favorite, they have been league champions or had a piece of the league title for the last nine years. They are always a tough team to contend with; and this year they are loaded at the running back position with two 1000-yard rushers coming back from last season.
Keith Harvey is the smaller of the two backs but don't let the size fool you he has good quickness; Dominique Small is the bigger of the two backs. Both of these backs fit the traditional Mayfair running back in the mold of past running backs Jimmy Manley and Derek Driscoll. They are quick to hit the hole and in a blink, can cut it back and go to the house.
There are questions in the secondary this year for Mayfair. They lost two of the areas more talented DB's from last year's team to graduation. They will be guided by Evan Hunko, a big QB who was able to win the starting job his freshman year and was poised for a break-out year last year, before an injury curtailed his season.
In pre-league, they play Pac-5 members Los Alamitos, and Lakewood who are led by super talented QB Jesse Scroggins who has orally committed to USC.
Prediction: Look for Mayfair to repeat as league champs, but it's going to be a close race. They will be looking over their shoulder at Norwalk and La Mirada. I look for them to start the year off 1-3 as they play one of the toughest pre-league schedules
Norwalk: Coach Jesse Ceniceros walked into a dream job last season. He returned a 1000-yard rusher and a good group on defense, and a team that had the experience, size, and speed.
This season looks to be a little of an enigma. They no longer have the services of powerful pint sized RB Jose Guzman; he graduated leaving many on the campus wishing he had one more year.
They return two all-league members on the offensive line including #24 Adrian Gonzales. At one of the wingback spots, he saw extensive action last year in the Paramount game when Guzman was suspended. He does not have breakaway speed, but the kid, minus his 150 lb. frame, runs hard.
Norwalk also returns Senior QB Dominique Diaz who took over last season before their deep run into the playoffs.
The person that I am most anxious to see line up in that purple and gold is a former RB from La Mirada, Davion Edwards. This kid is a hoss. We are talking 5'10'' and probably 225lbs. He is going to line up at the FB spot for them and can really balance that double wing attack that they run. Don't be surprised if they ride his enormous shoulders past Mayfair for a league title.
Prediction: I think that of all the other teams in the Suburban League, Norwalk is going to be able to challenge Mayfair. They should start the season 2-2 and end up 4-2 or 5-1 in league. They will make the playoffs.
Recent posts
