Mayfair, La Mirada lead way as spring season begins
There are four high school football teams in the Suburban League and, once again, the cream of the crop seems to be rivals Mayfair and La Mirada.
The Monsoons in 2019 won the league title with a 3-0 record, a title that — for all intents and purposes — was earned with a league-opening 14-13 victory over the Matadores.
Mayfair’s other two league victories were 41-0 over Norwalk and 49-14 over Bellflower.
None of these teams got a chance to duke it out in the fall of 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. But they will get in a shortened season this spring. That season begins Friday. plays baseball. Moschetti plans to use both of them.
“We’re going to play both kids a lot,” he said. “I’ve never done it before. I don’t know how I’m going to break it down, whether it’s each series, a quarter, whatever it is. But they’re both going to play a ton.”
Key returning players include senior linebacker John Lawrence, senior two-way linemen Austin Ritto, Brandon Hurtado and Ramon Diaz and tight end/defensive end Shaun Grayson, who recently signed with UNLV.
Thaddues Dixon ran for 1,018 yards and 15 TDs for La Mirada in 2019, but he graduated, so the running back duties will go to Isaiah Martinez and Anthony Gonzalez, both of whom saw time in ’19. Martinez had 395 yards and four TDs on 83 carries for a 4.8 average.
Moschetti has established a credo for this shortened spring season.
“We’re going to try to play as many kids as we can because these kids have been through hell for the past year, he said, referring to the pandemic, “and they’re finally allowed to be around each other. We’re going to compete our (tails) off and try to win every game. I mean, that’s what playing sports is about.
“But there’s also an aspect of, you know, these kids have been away from campus for a year and haven’t been able to play baseball, basketball, whatever it is. We want to play everybody and have some fun.”
The Matadores open March 18 at Orange. Moschetti expressed fingers-crossed optimism that the games will be played this season.
“I’ve seen the last week or so it looks like there’s been some cancellations of games,” he said, alluding to positive COVID-19 tests as the cause, “so, hopefully, we can get through the testing aspect and everybody comes out unscathed.” this season. Top returning players include senior wide receiver/ defensive back Gary Morrow, junior wide receiver/defensive back Nieko Saunders, senior linebacker Tiron Sanders, senior defensive back Jordan Clark, sophomore two-way lineman Dominic Womack, junior defensive back/ wide receiver Chad Ballard and senior defensive back/running back Reyneil Roberts.
“We’re young, but hungry and coachable,” coach Woodie Grayson said. “We’re off to a late start because we shut down in the fall with the rise of the COVID numbers. But I’ve been pleased with the effort and attitude of the team.”
He’s happy about these games being played.
“I’m excited that the seniors will get a chance to play a season, and definitely encouraged by the young guys,” Grayson said.
“We’re missing a few players that didn’t return from the shutdown, work and financial issues at home. But it’s just an opportunity for someone else to play a bigger role.”
Top newcomers are sophomore two-way lineman Gio Vasquez, junior two-way lineman Arnold Mares and junior wide receiver/ defensive back Keon Hicks.
Bellflower opens March 19 against Mayfair.