SGV/WHITTIER PREP SPORTS ZONE: 2023 FOOTBALL PREVIEW: EL MONTE, PIONEER
El Monte is a on a bit of a rebuild while Pioneer is looking for another big season.
El Monte High School
Coach: Hector Spathias
2022 Record: 5-6
Number of All-League Players Returning: 3
OFFENSE
Offensive Coordinator: Jerry Urias
Number of Off. Returning Starters: 2
Number of OL Returning: 2
Number of Off Skill Players Returning: 0
Rushing yards: 2,455 yards (223.2 Yards per Game, 7.1 yards per carry)
Passing Yards: 1,776 yards (161.5 yards Per Game, 14.9 yards per completion)
Key Offensive Lineman Returning
Adrian Torres 12 6'2" 290 LT First team all-league
Noah Barraza 12 5'10" 240 LG First team all-league
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator: Hector Spathias
Number of Def. Returning Starters: 5
Number of DL Returning: 1
Number of Def. Skill Players Returning: 3
Key Defensive Skills Players Returning
Bryan Gomez-Perez 12 5'9" 225 MLB
David Ibarra 12 5'9" 185 OLB
Andrew Paredes 12 5'8" 145 FS
Cristian Jiron 12 5'8" 135 SS
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER SKILL PLAYERS
David Flores 10 5'10" 160 WR/CB
Nathan Jimenez 10 5'8" 165 OLB
Noah Munoz 10 5'10" 150 WR/CB
Aaron Rivera 10 5'8" 200 RB
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER OFF/DEF LINEMAN
Angel Torres 10 5'10" 280 C/DT
Jason Lopez-Torres 10 5'11" 295 G/DT
Humberto Marin 10 6' 185 DE
Yandel Ramirez 11 6' 180 DE
COMMENTS FROM COACH SPATHIAS: “We graduated 20 seniors. This year we have 6 seniors that will start. We are counting on 10 sophomores to start and 14 to contribute. This year’s strength is our athleticism, and our weakness is our youth or inexperience. We also think strength is our offensive line.”
2023 Schedule (with 2022 season records)
Week 0: vs. Pomona
Week 1: vs. Baldwin Park (10-3, CIF-SS Div. 10 Semifinalists)
Week 2: vs. Rio Hondo Prep (7-2, CIF-SS Div. 10 First Round)
Week 3: BYE
Week 4: vs. South Hills (3-7)
Week 5: at HH Wilson (1-9)
Week 6: vs. South El Monte (4-7, Div. 14 First Round) (League)
Week 7: vs. Arroyo (9-4, CIF-SS Div. 12 Semifinals) (League)
Week 8: at Rosemead (4-8, CIF-SS Div.14 Quarterfinals) (League)
Week 9: vs. Mountain View (3-7) (League)
Week 10: Gabrielino (3-5) (League)
CRYSTAL BALL: There was probably no team that was hurt the hardest by graduation in the Mission Valley League more than this team. 20 seniors are gone that include many key players and impactful positions. You know things are uncertain at the skills positions when no player was named as a key offensive skill player in the questionnaire - so it’s going to be interesting to see what happens. Last year, the Lions rushed for more than 2,000 yards and two of those offensive linemen (All-League players) are back for another season. If a running back can be found, he’ll have some holes to run through, for sure. The same thing applies on defense where the defensive line will be the second biggest question in regard to this team in 2023. The back seven seems to be OK - but getting a consistent pass rush will be a huge priority. The schedule is not an easy one as Baldwin Park, Rio Hondo Prep, and South Hills are part of a tough nonleague schedule. The trick is finding those precious wins in league competition. I can see two wins, but three will be tough. The Lions outperformed our expectations for them (projected 3-7, finished the regular season at 5-5) and they’ll have a chance to do it again in 2023.
Projected record: 4-6
Pioneer High School
Coach: Ramon Juarez
2022 Record: 4-7
Number of Returning Players: 31
Number of All-League Players Returning: 6
OFFENSE
Offensive Coordinator: Ramon Juarez
Number of Off. Returning Starters: 7
Number of OL Returning: 10
Number of Off Skill Players Returning: 13
Key Offensive Skills Players Returning
Amiri Resendiz 11 5'10 155 QB 1st Team All-League
Jose Rojas 10 5'10 160 Rec 1st Team All-League
Sean Gamon 11 5'10 180 K 1st Team All-League
Torian Anderson 12 5'7 145 Rec
Key Offensive Lineman Returning
Joseph Iacobucci 12 5'9 230 C 1st team All-League
Eduardo Gonzalez 11 6'0 240 LT 1st Team All-League
Alex Gonzalez 12 6'1 240 RT 2nd Team All-League
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator: Bob Espinosa
Number of Def. Returning Starters: 6
Number of DL Returning: 8
Number of Def. Skill Players Returning: 12
Key Defensive Skills Players Returning
Jose Rojas 10 5'10 160 FS Defensive BacK MVP- 605 League
Elias Alvarez 12 5'10 150 CB
Elijah Chacon 12 5'11 250 LB
Key Defensive Lineman Returning
Juan Magana 12 5'9 250 DT
Rudy Sanchez 12 6'0 240 DT
Jorge Gamino 12 6'2 200 DE
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER SKILL PLAYERS
Andrew Osornio 12 5'7 145 Rec
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER OFF/DEF LINEMAN
Joshua Carrasco 11 5'11 240 DE
COMMENTS FROM COACH JUAREZ: “We should be solid this year with the core of offensive lineman returning and a good group of receivers and QB. Our strength Should be our offensive and defensive lines. We are looking for a running back to replace Rick Langarica who was Co-MVP of the 605 league. We made the playoffs for the first time in 19 years, and we hope to use last year’s success to help us compete for a league title and playoff berth once again.”
2023 Schedule (with 2022 season records)
Week 0: BYE
Week 1: at Costa Mesa (3-7)
Week 2: vs. Bell Gardens (7-4, CIF-SS Div. 11 First Round)
Week 3: vs. Kennedy/La Palma (2-8)
Week 4: vs. Gabrielino (3-5)
Week 5: vs. Ocean View (2-8)
Week 6: vs. Santa Fe (0-10)
Week 7: at Bassett (5-8, CIF-SS Div. 14 Semifinalists)
Week 8: vs. Artesia (1-8-1) (League)
Week 9: at Glenn (2-7)
Week 10: vs. Cerritos (5-6, CIF-SS Div. 13 First Round)
CRYSTAL BALL: We have to admit, we were caught a bit off guard when we got the questionnaire back from Coach Juarez. Once you digest all the information, you can understand why the excitement is back at Pioneer. The Titans will be looking to make huge inroads after making the playoffs last year for the first time in 19 years. QB1 Resendiz (junior) and WR Rojas (sophomore) are back for another season and look for the numbers to be even higher than what they posted in 2022. Three veteran all-league offensive linemen return which is a huge advantage. Nothing wrong with that defense as many all-league selections are back. This is a very dangerous team and when you look at the schedule, it could be setting up what could be a deep playoff run. It is for that reason alone that we are targeting the Titans as one of our “Surprise Teams” of 2023. Let me be the first to jump on the bandwagon!
Projected record: 7-3