Darien Johnson, Bishop Amat
Photo by Anthony Watson
La Puente Bishop Amat hasn’t been relevant as a large school power for years, but the Lancers rode back into the limelight Friday when they upstaged Ventura St. Bonaventure, 24-23, in overtime.
It ended a 14-game winning streak by St. Bonaventure (4-1), which had been a favorite to advance to a third consecutive State Bowl game. Of course, the Seraphs – the two-time defending Division III Bowl champion – can still get to the Home Depot Center if they win the Southern Section Northern Division title.
But of greater note is Bishop Amat, which is now 4-0 with a victory over one of the most highly regarded teams in the state. It’s a bit like Huntington Beach Edison beating Anaheim Servite two weeks ago, except more surprising.
It is the signature moment in Steve Hagerty’s two years as coach. Anyone who saw that result coming is wearing a jersey with Nostradamus lettered on the back.
The Lancers were 7-4 under Hagerty last season and finished more than two games over .500 for the first time since the 2001 team went 9-2. Between 2001 and 2008, Bishop Amat was 44-37 and never got past the second round of the playoffs.
Although beaten in the first round of the Pac-5 playoffs, Bishop Amat lost to Long Beach Poly, 21-17. Given that Poly (14-1) went on to win the section title with a senior-laden team, maybe one of us experts should have figured on the Lancers doing some damage in 2009. It appears they showed up with crowbars.
Quarterback Jerry McClanahan returned from that team, as did defensive back Darien Johnson who seems nothing short of the real deal. Johnson has returned two kickoffs, a punt and an interception for touchdowns this season.
In the victory over St. Bonaventure, Johnson returned a kickoff 91 yards and an interception 84 for scores. Junior Jay Anderson carried 26 times for 108 yards and a one-yard touchdown in overtime, which set up Alexander Ragsdale’s game-winning point-after.
It was a big night for Bishop Amat’s special teams. After St. Bonaventure scored on its possession in overtime, Davis Cazares blocked the extra-point attempt. That set the stage for Ragsdale to make good after missing a 42-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
The last time Bishop Amat won a section title was 1995, when Tom Salter’s squad beat Los Angeles Loyola, 14-10, in the Coliseum. It had reached the final in 1994 only to lose to Santa Ana Mater Dei, 28-21, at Anaheim Stadium.
With the victory over St. Bonaventure, Bishop Amat seems poised for a return to glory. If the Lancers really are a player, then the Pac-5 playoffs just got a little more crowded. First, though, the Lancers must get through the stout Serra League that includes Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Encino Crespi and Loyola.
A 1980 graduate Bishop Amat, Hagerty was let go in 2006 by Riverside Poly after going 10-27-3 over four seasons. He also had coached at Riverside North and Lancaster Paraclete. At Paraclete, he inherited a program that had not won a game in seven seasons but won three consecutive section titles under Hagerty’s reign.
When he arrived at Bishop Amat he had a career record of 88-61-3. If his team beats Pomona Diamond Ranch (1-4) on Saturday, it will be Hagerty’s 100th victory.
It will take some doing to top No. 99.
Kearin steps down
It was a newsworthy week in the Serra League. Loyola alumnus Jeff Kearin resigned as coach after taking over from Steve Grady, who retired after winning the 2005 Division I title with a 49-42 victory over Anaheim Esperanza.
Loyola (2-2) has a tough game Saturday against Valencia (4-0), followed by games against West Hills Chaminade (4-0) and La Canada St. Francis (4-0) before beginning league play against unbeaten Bishop Amat.
The Cubs had one of the Southland’s best running backs in Anthony Barr, but he suffered a broken leg in the second week of the season. The combined record of Loyola’s four opponents is 14-4.
Former Cub player Adam Guerra, 24, the defensive coordinator, has been named the interim head coach. Grady will reportedly join the coaching staff in an advisory role.
Kearin said he had not been devoting the necessary personal resources to run the Loyola program and made the decision for the benefit of him and his family.
Not the big time?
The Los Angeles Times reported under the blog headline, “Montana hitting the big time” that a feature on Westlake Village Oaks Christian quarterback Nick Montana and his Hall of Fame father, NFL quarterback Joe Montana, was probably forthcoming in the New York Times. Apparently, the L.A. Times no longer considers being featured on its own pages the big time.
Montana, who has committed to Washington, has averaged 177 yards per game for Oaks Christian, and thrown for nine touchdowns with four interceptions to help the Lions (4-0) to the No. 1 ranking in the state by MaxPreps.
Malcolm Jones has to get an assist, though. It was Jones who rushed for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to break open a seven-point game and give Oaks Christian a 33-13 victory over Venice (3-1). Jones carried 27 times for a school-record 332 yards and four touchdowns. That’s the way to set a record.
Jones had 215 yards in the second half and broke open a 13-6 game with runs of 39, 69 and 30 yards. In case that didn’t register, Oaks Christian – ranked No. 1 in the state – had a 13-6 lead entering the fourth quarter against Venice. The Gondoliers were pesky. After Jones made it 20-6, Venice’s Teondray Caldwell returned the kickoff 98 yards to set up a score that cut it back to 20-13.
Definitely a big time performance, and landing on MaxPreps is pretty special, too.
Not a record-setting performance (but more impressive)
Fountain Valley has enjoyed renewed success this season and when you hear stories like the one the OC Register reported regarding Kyle Middlebrooks, you’re happy to see the Barons’ good fortune.
Over the weekend, Middlebrooks needed 12 yards to break the school’s single-game rushing record of 281 set in 1978 by Willie Gittens (who was quite the player). Asked by Coach John Shipp if he wanted to go into the game to get the record, Middlebrooks declined because the game was a blowout.
That may be one of the most mature decisions I’ve ever heard of coming from a prep player (or an adult). Fountain Valley (5-0) beat San Diego Scripps Ranch, 42-14. Middlebrooks carried 27 times for 270 yards and four touchdowns. He reportedly said he would get the record at a later date. You kind of hope he does.
Ethics issues at Artesia?
A drama has unfolded at Artesia where first-year coach Aaron Craver – a former NFL fullback for eight seasons – was replaced as coach after three lopsided losses, including 36-0 to Huntington Beach Edison.
The Pioneers were outscored 120-22 under Craver, and were beaten by Villa Park, 26-6, over the weekend under the guidance of interim coach Joe Veach.
The interesting part: Craver claims he was fired or, more politely, not allowed to continue to coach; given that he was gone in less than a month, there’s reason to believe him. His main gripe to the Long Beach Press-Telegram, besides lack of support: “You can’t fire a high school coach in the first three weeks . . . without letting his philosophy (take hold).”
But Principal Sergio Garcia told the newspaper that Craver resigned and is quoted: “I wish he hadn’t.”
On the surface, Craver obviously wants to be the coach, so why isn’t he?
At the very least, there appears to be an ethics issue here because someone isn’t telling the truth. If it’s the principal, perhaps Craver isn’t the only one who should be out of a job.
Veach went back to the spread offense that last year’s team (7-4) ran under first-year coach Vince La Rosa.
Birmingham blues
Things continue to go downhill for Lake Balboa Birmingham, which dropped to 0-5 with its 36-21 loss to L.A. Dorsey. Receiver Davontae Perry-Brooks has been expelled from the school for disciplinary reasons. Perry-Brooks told the Daily News he plans to attend North Hills Monroe, and L.A. Valley College next year before going on to a university.
It has been a tough first season for Coach Jim Rose. The school had an embarrassing flap with Sacha Baron Cohen in a promo for the movie “Bruno,” in which he worked out in a thong and shoulder pads for a photo session that included players; the team has been outscored by a two-to-one margin, 211-104; and it is still looking for its first victory since revered coach Ed Croson left for West Hills Chaminade (which is 4-0).
Birmingham was 6-6 last season, 13-1 in 2007.
Perhaps some of the best news of the season is that the Patriots have a bye this week before beginning West Valley League play at Woodland Hills El Camino Real (4-0), where USC-bound running back Trajuan Briggs is expected to finally make his season debut. He has been out with a broken ankle.
Fun with strength of schedule
Ever wonder about that “strength” column in the MaxPreps rankings? It is representative of the strength of schedule because it is the average of the “rating” of the opponents played. But since it’s just a number, how can you quantify what that number actually means, what it actually reflects?
By matching a team’s “strength” with another team’s “rating,” you can get a feel for the opponents being played. It’s a bit like putting a name with a face, except we’re putting a face with a statistical result. For comparison purposes, I only used Southland teams. By the way, these numbers change from week to week.
Top-ranked Oaks Christian, for example, has a schedule strength of 34.3, which matches very closely to La Canada St. Francis (34.2). Second-ranked Huntington Beach Edison has a schedule strength of 35.7, which matches up with Charter Oak (35.6).
So how do the top teams in the Southland match up schedule-wise? Here’s a look:
1. Oaks Christian (34.3) = La Canada St. Francis (34.2)
2. Huntington Beach Edison (35.7) = Charter Oak (35.6)
3. Mission Viejo (27.7) = San Pedro (27.5)/Cypress (27.5)
4. L.A. Crenshaw (37.7) = Temecula Great Oak (37.7)
5. Anaheim Servite (46) = La Habra (46.3)
6. Moorpark (27.4) = San Pedro (27.5)/Cypress (27.5)
7. Gardena Serra (30) = Etiwanda (30)/Newhall Hart (30)
8. Vista Murrieta (30.5) = Woodland Hills El Camino Real (30.5)
9. Fountain Valley (26.2) = Compton (26.2)/Corona (26.2)
10. Corona Centennial (39.3) = San Juan Capistrano JSerra (39.8)
11. Bishop Amat (30.1) = Palos Verdes (30.1)
12. Los Alamitos (18.8) = Bell Gardens (18.9)/Taft (18.7)
13. Redlands East Valley (18.4) = Riverside Poly (18.4)/Ontario Chaffey (18.4)
14. St. Bonaventure (40.9) = Citrus Hill (40.6)
15. Moreno Valley Rancho Verde (22) = Fullerton (22)/Gardena (22)
16. Westlake Village Westlake (23.3) = Santa Maria Righetti (23.4)
18. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (27.1) = Paso Robles (27.2)
19. Lakewood (25.7) = Arroyo Grande (25.6)
20. Norco (38) = Esperanza (37.9)
21. Dana Hills (40.9) = Perris Citrus Hill (40.6)
22. Rancho Cucamonga (20.1) = Temecula Linfield Christian (20.2)/Lake Elsinore Temescal Canyon (20)
23. La Habra (30.9) = San Jacinto (30.9)/Phelan Serrano (30.9)
24. Encino Crespi (30.9) = San Jacinto (30.9)/Phelan Serrano (30.9)
25. Valencia (16.9) = Diamond Ranch (17)/San Bernardino Cajon (17)/Banning (17)
35. Mater Dei (42.6) = Colton (42.5)
A couple of interesting notes: Concord De La Salle, the best team in Northern California, has a schedule strength rating of 49.8, which would match with No. 15 Rancho Verde (50.6).
The only Southland school whose virtual opponent is another top 25 team is Servite, whose opponents average out the same as No. 23 La Habra.
Undefeated Oaks Christian and No. 30 Colton (3-1) would share the same opponent: St. Francis. Other schools that match up against the same program, comparatively: Mater Dei and No. 31 Long Beach Poly (vs. Colton); Dana Hills and St. Bonaventure (Citrus Hill); La Habra and Crespi (San Jacinto/Phelan Serrano).
By the way, Long Beach Poly came very close to matching up against itself; it has a 42.2 rating and a 42.5 strength of schedule, meaning it has faced opponents who are, on average, better.
Eighty is enough
Many teams in the Southland have a bye this week before beginning league play the weekend of Oct. 16, but there’s one match-up there’s just no escaping.
Lakewood (4-1, 1-0) vs. Long Beach Poly (2-3, 1-0) in a Moore League showdown.
Poly has long been the Southern Section standard for success. Not only has it placed more players in the NFL than any school in America, it has also won 80 consecutive Moore League games since 1994. Most people think the Jackrabbits will get their comeuppance on Friday when Lakewood will remove Poly from its throne.
Like Mater Dei taking on Edison, the suspicion here is that Poly will rise to the occasion and this won’t be the walkover that many expect. Even though Poly is unranked in the Southern Section Pac-5 Division, it has faced one of the tougher schedules in the Southland.
Poly Coach Raul Lara has made no secret that opponents should take advantage of beating his team now while the opportunity exists. But you also know he has to be playing that card at practice as a means of motivation. Poly has only four starters on offense, none on defense.
Lakewood, meanwhile, has four Division I college players, quarterback Jesse Scroggins (USC), wide receiver Kevin Anderson (Arizona State), free safety Dion Bailey (USC) and defensive end Justin Utupo (Notre Dame).
Three dots and a cloud of dust
After losing 18 games in a row, Aliso Niguel has won two in a row with its 41-8 victory over Huntington Beach Marina. Joseph Galosic passed for 230 yards and three touchdowns. . . . Santa Ana Saddleback’s 34-21 victory over Santa Ana Century broke a 24-game losing streak. . . . Converted lineman Andy Dean, now a tight end, caught two touchdown passes, including a 35-yard reception in the final minute of Camarillo’s 26-25 victory over Ventura. Dean had six receptions for 201 yards. Now that’s a lineman’s dream. . . . Taft committed 17 penalties for 133 yards in its 14-3 victory over Saugus. The Toreadors (2-2) this week face Gardena Serra (4-0) in a game that could be the best of the weekend. Lucky Radley has been at Crespi, Taft, Agoura and now back to Taft. Now, after finally gaining his eligibility, it appears Radley will make his debut against Serra. . . . Michael Bercovici, a quarterback from Westlake, has transferred to Taft after not getting enough playing time. Bam Goodall has started at Taft for the past three seasons. . . .
Huge Golden League ramifications are at stake when Palmdale plays at Quartz Hill on Friday. Palmdale has won 38 of its last 39 league games, and last year won the league title after opening league play with a 28-7 victory. However, Quartz Hill went on to win the Southern Section Western Division championship over Manhattan Beach Mira Costa, 14-0, after Mira Costa defeated Palmdale in the semifinals, 20-14. Nice trade-off. . . . St. Francis will try to remain undefeated this week against Pico Rivera El Rancho before taking on Sherman Oaks Notre Dame in a game that could tell a lot about how good the Golden Knights really are. Justin Posthuma has averaged 188 yards passing and 56.6 rushing, and running back Dietrich Riley has averaged 25.2 yards per reception. The four-team Mission League should be very interesting this season with Chaminade (4-0), Mission Hills Alemany (3-2) and Santa Fe Springs St. Paul (3-2), but league play is still four weeks away. . . . Is there a MaxPreps curse? No sooner than praise is heaped upon Mission Hills Alemeny coach Dean Harrington for turning the program around that it gets beaten by North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake, 24-20. Maybe Harvard-Westlake (3-0) has something this season. After Alemany sensation Malcolm Marable went 80 yards for a score on the first play, he gained only 74 over the next 20 carries. Harvard-Westlake’s Nicky Firestone passed for 292 yards and two touchdowns, and he also made two interceptions while on defense. Next up for Harvard-Westlake is Chaminade. . . .
Moorpark (4-0) and Newbury Park (4-0) meet in an important Marmonte League game on Friday. Moorpark won last year, 27-14. They are two of the three Marmonte League teams that are undefeated through four games. Statistically, Moorpark has the worst offense (30.2 points per game) and defense (13.7 points) compared to Newbury Park (40/14) and Westlake (45.2/21), but has victories over the two best teams among their collective opponents, Chula Vista Eastlake (3-1-1) and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (4-1). . . . In the City Section, Arleta (3-1, 1-0) faces Sun Valley Poly (3-1, 1-0) in an East Valley League game. Arleta has averaged 56.3 points this season, Poly 46.3. . . .
Shortly after being inducted into the Encino Crespi Hall of Fame on Saturday, former All-American swimmer Ron Smith died from an apparent heart attack. He was 47. Among his other notable accomplishments, the former Utah State star was a top competitive bass fisherman.
Recruiting
Anthony Brown, a 6-foot-4 senior guard from Huntington Beach Ocean View, has committed to Stanford. He was the Southern Section Division IV-AA co-player of the year. . . . Jordan Coleman, a 6-foot-4 guard from Calabasas, has committed to Hawaii. . . . Christian Yelich, a shortstop/first baseman from Westlake, has committed to Miami. He reneged on his commitment to UCLA as a sophomore.
And finally
Is there anyone else who thinks that we all might find football a little more interesting if Oaks Christian and St. Bonaventure were in the Serra League? Orange Lutheran had been in the same position as those schools, small but exceptionally successful. OLu was moved into the marquee Division I (now called the Pac-5) and have thrived, even winning the inaugural State Division II Bowl title. St. Bonaventure is in the Northern Division (Division IV) and Oaks Christian is in the Northwest Division (Division X).
Martin Henderson began covering Southland preps in 1993 for the Los Angeles Times. He contributes to the Orange County Register, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin and San Bernardino Sun, and offers up motorsports opinions at Racescribe.com. You can reach him at southlandpreps@yahoo.com.
