SGV/WHITTIER PREP SPORTS ZONE: 2023 FOOTBALL PREVIEW: SCHURR, MONTEBELLO
Schurr appears to be the team to beat in the Almont while Montebello could be a team in transition in 2023.
Schurr High School
Coach: Dave Ramos
2022 Record: 6-5
2022 Calpreps.com Rating: -17.4
Last Six Year Calpreps.com Avg. Rating: -7.8
Number of Returning Players: 20
Number of All-League Players Returning: 7
OFFENSE
Offensive Coordinator: Carlos Arredondo
Number of Off. Returning Starters: 4
Number of OL Returning: 1
Number of Off Skill Players Returning: 3
Rushing yards: 1,418 yards
Passing Yards: 767 Yards
Key Offensive Skills Players Returning
Fabian Escamilla - Sanchez 12 6'1 175 WR 2021 All League (Scholarship Offer Pending)
Elias Navarro 11 5'10 170 RB 2022 All League
Joseph Alvarado 11 5'10 165 QB
Key Offensive Lineman Returning
Alfredo Rodriguez 11 5'10 275 LG 2022 - All League
Joshua Picazo 11 6'0 265 LT
JD Escobar 12 5'10 190 OT / TE 2-year starter
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator: Raul Sanchez
Number of Def. Returning Starters:
Number of DL Returning: 1
Number of Def. Skill Players Returning: 4
Key Defensive Skills Players Returning
Branden Ruiz 12 5'7 155 DB 2022 All League / All CIF
Caesar Aguila 10 5'9 155 DB 2022 All League
Key Defensive Lineman Returning
Michael Brown 12 5'6 190 DT 2022 Almont League DPOY / All CIF
Joshua Picazo 11 6'0 265 DE
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER SKILL PLAYERS
Audo Richert 11 5'8 165 LB / WR
Christian Breazeale 12 5'11 165 QB Transfer from California HS
Erick Henderson 11 5'11 180 LB / TE
Mateo Carrasco, 10, 5-8, 150, RB Transfer from Cathedral
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER OFF/DEF LINEMAN
Alec Safaryan 12 5'10 265 OG
Jayden Morago 10 5'8 185 DE
Tyler Gallardo 10 6'2 280 DT
COMMENTS FROM COACH RAMOS: “We have a solid mix of Senior starters and some really solid underclassmen. Our seniors have worked will hard in the weight room and on the field getting themselves ready. We have competed against great competition all spring and summer to help get us ready for some very skilled teams that we will face. Our strengths should be our running game and the ability to stop the run game. Our biggest weakness will be our lack of depth, it's been hard keeping numbers up since the shutdown season. I feel we should have a solid League schedule and that we will be slightly favored to win it this season.”
2023 Schedule (with 2022 season records)
Week 0: at South Pasadena (10-3, CIF-SS, Div. 11 Semifinalists)
Week 1: vs. Campbell Hall (9-3, CIF-SS Div. 11 Quarterfinalists)
Week 2: vs. Arroyo (9-4, CIF-SS Div. 12 Semifinalists)
Week 3: at Baldwin Park (10-3, CIF-SS Div. 10 Semifinalists)
Week 4: vs. (LA) Franklin (10-1, CIF-LA City Section Open Div. 1st Round)
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: at San Gabriel (League) (11-4, CIF-SS Div. 13 Champions)
Week 7: vs. Bell Gardens (League) (7-4, CIF-SS Div. 11 1st Round)
Week 8: vs. Alhambra (League) (4-7, CIF-SS Div. 13 1st Round)
Week 9: at Keppel (League) (0-10)
Week 10: at Montebello (League) (6-6, CIF-SS Div. 12 Quarterfinalists)
CRYSTAL BALL: As with many of the teams in the area last year, we almost had this team pegged correctly. We projected them to finish with a 5-4 record and (with a last-minute game pickup) the Spartans finished the regular season at 6-4 mark with a second-place finish in the league standings (with Bell Gardens the league champ) and a 1st round appearance in the playoffs in Div. 11. A lot of the success could be attributed to departed running back Efrain Martinez (graduated) who handled most of the heavy lifting for Ramos and company. This year it looks as if OC Arrendondo (Schurr alum) is going to sprinkle in a little passing game to the base veer offense with the arrival of QB Breazeale (31-53, 335 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT) from Cal High. He just got fully cleared from CIF, so all systems appear to be on go for a first start against legit playoff contender So. Pasadena from the Rio Hondo. We like what we saw in spring practice and at the El Rancho Passing League Tournament. He’ll fit in nicely with the offensive scheme in Sparty Country. Elias Navarro, first-team All-League (19 carries, 228 yds, 2 TDs), appears ready to pick up the baton from Martinez and carry the ball on a full-time basis. We like what we see with the men in the trenches as it appears as if the OL/DL average 270 pounds - which is exactly what Ramos wants in developing a punishing running game. Interesting that only one team on this season’s schedule didn’t make the playoffs in 2022 (Keppel). The best part about it is that it’s not loaded with powerhouse teams. So. Pasadena and Baldwin Park should give the Spartans legitimate tests in the preseason. We make this team the even-money favorite to win the Almont League and make a huge run in the playoffs. Could this team be one of my Surprise Teams for the season? You’ll find out soon enough. For now, we’re looking for a big season from the school on 820 N. Wilcox Ave.
Projected record: 8-2
Montebello High School
Coach: Pete Gonzalez
2022 Record: 6-6
2022 Calpreps.com Rating: -20.8
Last Six Year Calpreps.com Avg. Rating: -7.5
Number of Returning Players: 30
Number of All-League Players Returning: 2
OFFENSE
Offensive Coordinator: Andre Ortega
Number of Off. Returning Starters: 5
Number of OL Returning: 2
Number of Off Skill Players Returning: 3
Rushing yards: 1,234 (102.8 Avg Per Game, 3.5 Avg Per Carry)
Passing Yards: 1,635 yards (136.3 Avg Per Game; 15.6 yards per completion)
Key Offensive Skills Players Returning
Julian Silva, 12, 5-10, 175, RB
Noah Gomez, 12, 6-2, 220, TE/WR 1st Team All-League
Key Offensive Lineman Returning
Brandon Maytorena, 12, 5-9. 230, OT
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator: Pete Gonzalez
Number of Def. Returning Starters: 4
Number of DL Returning: 2
Number of Def. Skill Players Returning: 3
Key Defensive Skills Players Returning
Nick Patel, 12 5-10, 150 FS
Krictoff Gutierrez, 12, 5-10, 215, LB, 1st Team All-League
Key Defensive Lineman Returning
Anthony Marroquin, 12, 5-9, 205, DL
Andrew Arreola, 12, 6-0, 220, NG
COMMENTS FROM COACH GONZALES: “Strengths: Team Works Hards, we have good focus and hold each other accountable. Weakness: We need more experience. League will be very balanced and competitive.”
2023 Schedule (with 2022 season records)
Week 0: at Baldwin Park (10-3, CIF-SS Div. 10 Semifinalists)
Week 1: at Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary (9-2, CIF-SS Div. 10 First Round)
Week 2: vs. South El Monte (4-7)
Week 3: vs. El Rancho (6-5, CIF-SS Div. 10 1st Round)
Week 4: (Thurs) vs. Santa Fe at Pioneer HS (0-10)
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: vs. Keppel (League) (0-10)
Week 7: vs. San Gabriel (League) (11-4, CIF-SS Div. 13 Champions)
Week 8: at Bell Gardens (League) (7-4, CIF-SS Div. 11 1st Round)
Week 9: vs. Alhambra (League) (4-7, CIF-SS Div. 13 1st Round)
Week 10: vs. Schurr (League) (6-5, CIF-SS Div. 11 1st Round)
CRYSTAL BALL: We didn’t project a record for the Oilers last year because we didn’t get a questionnaire returned. We are very grateful to coach Gonzalez for turning one in this year. Last year, the Oilers made the playoffs and made it to the quarterfinals in Div. 12. The big challenge for Gonzalez and his staff is to find a replacement for departed QB Valdivia (1,560 yards, 18 TDs). It appears as if the competition is still being conducted with no starter named as of this current time. Another challenge is finding a replacement for leading rusher Raul Gonzalez (1,121 yards, 13 TDs). Silva (34 carries, 186 yards, 8 TDs) appears to be the incumbent choice to the being the starter at the position. With an offensive line that is light in experience, this could be an offense that is a work in progress. Noah Gomez (15 receptions, 182 yards, TD) is a legitimate target at the WR position but it gets a little thin after that. On the defensive side of the ball, only four starters return from 2022 and that is a huge challenge for DC Gonzalez to get all everyone on the same on opening night against a pass-happy Baldwin Park team. Oiler fans should take some comfort in the fact that the schedule is not a punishing one. Baldwin Park and El Rancho should give them a test, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Santa Fe improves dramatically and delivers a loss to the Oilers. Montebello should be fine in league and make the playoffs without any drama. They might be my third choice in the Almont League title race. They’ll be fine at the end of the day.
Projected record: 6-4