San Gabriel Valley League teams set for unlikely season
Paramount is the defending San Gabriel Valley League champion in football, having won the title with a 5-0 record in 2019. But the Pirates will be without head coach Matt Howard for this spring campaign as he recovers from a kidney transplant.
However, since it appeared for a while there would not be any football until at least this fall because of the coronavirus pandemic, interim head coach Anthony Morelli — a longtime assistant and close friend of Howard’s — looks to continue the program’s winning tradition.
Warren, which went 4-1 in 2019 and Downey, which went 3-2, figure to give the Pirates a run for their money. A shortened season with no playoffs is in the offing.
First, the new quarterback replacing the very gifted Kingston Hala is going to be sophomore Jelani Parker (5-10, 212). Asked what he likes about Parker, Morelli had a few words, but they spoke volumes.
“He’s confident in his abilities,” he said.
Back at his running back position will be sophomore James “Bo” Thomas (5-8, 200), who rushed for 569 yards and seven TDs while averaging 6.3 yards per carry as a freshman.
“He had a heck of a year,” Morelli said. “He’s able to break tackles, he’s got great speed.”
Returning to protect Parker and open holes for Thomas are offensive linemen seniors Angel Santibanez and Walter Horne. Senior Carlos Cornell, who did not play in 2019, is also in the fold.
Senior Matt Torres, a linebacker, will help out on offensive line as well.
“I think we’re going to have a really solid offensive line,” Morelli said.
Brandon Neal returns as a defensive end; he will also run the ball on offense. Junior Anthony Veasley will also play on the defensive line.
Junior Xavier Williams, a cornerback/wide receiver, also returns. Sophomore Walter Wilson is another player to watch at wide receiver.
Paramount opens March 26 at home against Downey.
Coach Kevin Pearson is very high on new quarterback Niko Iamaleava, who is just a sophomore.
“Yeah, he’s special, man,” Pearson said. “I don’t say this about many kids because I’m not a, you know, I don’t exaggerate about kids. He’s going to be a big-time player on Saturdays and he has everything. There’s really not any weaknesses to his game, pretty much. His arm talent is off the charts.” Pearson expounded. “Being coach of two U.S. Army games and coaching all these guys in camps I did over the years in L.A. and Oakland, this kid’s arm talent is just as good as anyone I’ve seen for his age,” he said.
Other key returning players include offensive linemen senior Peteru Umi, senior Joseph Perez and junior Aldrin Hernandez, senior wide receiver Kyle Miller, senior running back Jahsiah Sheffield and sophomore linebacker EJ Smith.
Warren (7-4, 4-1 in 2019) will have six freshmen on varsity, two of them will start.
The Bears will host Dominguez on March 19.
Coach Jack Williams lists eight players as his top returners. They are senior running back/defensive back Jacob Skobis, senior two-way lineman Nick Vargas, senior defensive lineman David Reyes, junior offensive lineman Diego Gonzalez, senior quarterback Chris Hernandez, junior linebacker Andrew Garcia, junior linebacker Jailen Dozier and junior wide receiver/defensive back Joseph Robinson.
Offensively, Williams said he will use both Hernandez and junior Noah Paez at quarterback.
Over at Lynwood, the Knights (2-8, 0-5 in 2019) will not be able to field a team for this spring season. Dominguez went 2-3 in league in 2019, Gahr was 1-4.
Returning players for Dominguez include senior defensive lineman Taniela Mateialona (6-4, 265) — a three-year starter — senior running back John Williams, junior cornerback/ wide receiver Takhari Carr, junior quarterback Kylon Bias, junior wide receiver Cieonta Davis and junior wide receiver/cornerback Ormaine Arnold.
Over at Gahr, the Gladiators return senior quarterback RaShaad Willis and senior running back Johnny Robinson IV.