Dominguez excited about being in new league
COMPTON >> It is a new day, there's a new quarterback and a new league for the Dominguez football team.
The Dons are no longer in the San Gabriel Valley League. They are charter members of the Gateway League along with some familiar teams and new foes.
In the new six-team league, Dominguez will still play three of its perennial football rivals, Warren, Downey and Paramount, and the Dons will also face former Suburban League powers Mayfair and La Mirada, making it an extremely competitive league schedule.
A gauntlet for sure, playing four league games against teams that made the postseason in 2021, but it's a challenge coach Deon Toliver said will prepare his team for the 2022 CIF Southern Section playoffs.
“It's exciting,” Toliver said. “I'm thinking about every (league) game being a playoff game, but I'm ready for it and I think our team is ready for it. We're definitely ready for the challenge.”
Last season, Dominguez finished 10-3, losing 20-19 to Newport Harbor in the CIFSS Division 6 semifinals with a senior-led team.
Dominguez senior LB/DE Ju'waun Love said he is unequivocally ready to lead his team this season.
“Of course, I've been ready,” Love said. “I've been waiting since my freshman year to really be a leader. Since my freshman year, I've been looking up to all the great leaders we've had at this school. It's been a long journey but I'm finally here.
“We have the skill and we have the talent of course. We just need bonding, teamwork and chemistry.”
In addition to the 6-foot2, 211-pound Love's leadership, Toliver said he believes technology will help him level the playing field.
“We've got some new
at Peninsula — Friday, Aug. 19, 4:30 p.m. vs. St. Anthony — Friday, Sept. 2, 7 p.m. vs. Salesian — Friday, Sept. 9, 7p.m. vs. Santee — Friday, Sept. 16, 7 p.m. at Narbonne — Friday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m. vs. La Mirada* — Friday, Sept. 30, 7p.m. at Downey* — Friday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m. at Mayfair* — Friday, Oct. 14, 7p.m. at Paramount* — Friday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m. vs. Warren* — Friday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m. *-Gateway League game
technology that I think would have helped us last year,” Toliver said. “We didn't have the sideline cameras and those things that we can use to make adjustments during the course of the game, so I'm hoping that those things add a couple of points and a couple of victories to our schedule.”
After a 10-win season in high school football, there's no time to rebuild, only retool.
The Dons are expected to center their offense around 6-foot-4, 220-pound sophomore quarterback Aaron Cornett, who transferred to Dominguez from Canoga Park High School.
Cornett said he already feels at home on his new team.
“I like how much fight they have in them,” Cornett said. “I don't ever really see these guys giving up . ... They're willing to do anything to win and I like that about them.”
Cornett does not have any official offers yet but said he enjoyed visiting Fresno State's campus during their spring practices.
“D-I is where it's at and that's where I want to be in the future,” Cornett said. “I'm going against schools like Warren, Downey, Mayfair, La Mirada. It's a crazy amount of competition that I'll be facing but I'm ready for whatever.”
“I expect (Cornett) to be a five-star quarterback when he's done,” Toliver said. “He has a strong arm, intelligent kid. He can move for his size in the pocket. He's tall, 6-4, he can see over the offensive line and he looks like a gamer. I'm just waiting for the first game to happen. I think he's going to go out there and show everybody what's up.”
Love is looking forward to playing against elite quarterbacks like Warren's Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee commit), Downey's Aidan Chiles (Oregon State commit) and Mayfair's Evan Tomich.
“You never know who is in the stands, so you have to go 100% every play, every snap, give it your all no matter what,” Love said. “After a game, you shouldn't even be able to walk, no matter what. Even practice go 100%, because you never know who is watching.”
Q&A with coach Toliver
WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR TEAM'S IDENTITY TO BE THIS SEASON? >> “I want it to be hard-nosed. I think we have a tough line coming back this year, so I want to be a hard-nosed football team, running in between the tackles.”
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO IMPROVE UPON FROM LAST SEASON? >> “Everyone on the team knowing the plays, the team concept itself. Everybody being familiar with what's going on because a lot of guys are new into the program and we always have to start over.”
WHO ARE SOME STANDOUT PLAYERS ON OFFENSE AND DEFENSE? >> “Aaron Cornett. We're expecting a lot out of him this year at quarterback. We have senior OL Freddie Coyt, a three-year starter. We also have Walter Wilson that transferred in from Paramount; a real fast, speedy guy. He won the league in track (in the spring) in the 100. So we're really expecting those guys to really run out here and ball out.” WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR TEAM'S CEILING IS? >> “The ceiling is at the top. Anything can happen. We have a young team and these dudes are going to go out there and run around and enjoy themselves.”
ULTIMATELY, WHAT WILL MAKE THIS A SUCCESSFUL SEASON? >> “Getting into the playoffs . ... Everybody wants to win a CIF-SS championship but getting into the playoffs with this young football team will be pretty successful.”