SGV/WHITTIER PREP SPORTS ZONE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2022: DON BOSCO TECH, SOUTH EL MONTE
Tigers look to make noise in the Camino Real; South El Monte looks to become a contender for the Mission Valley League title.
(Photo: Don Bosco Tech HS)
Don Bosco Tech High School
Coach: Raudric Curtis
2021 Record: 4-5
2021 Calpreps.com Rating: -40.9
Number of Returning Players: 12
Number of All-League Players Returning: 5
OFFENSE
Offensive Coordinator: Bob Thompson
Number of Off. Returning Starters: 10
Number of OL Returning: 4
Number of Off Skill Players Returning: 3
Key Offensive Skills Players Returning
Noah Escelara 11 5'10" 155 QB Santa Fe League MVP
Andrew Shahin 11 6'0" 185 HB
Key Offensive Lineman Returning
Jake Ayala 11 6'3" 240 T
Lala Marcedo 12 5'9 230 C
Gabriel Bramejo 12 6'2" 245 T
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator: Daniel Boswell
Number of Def. Returning Starters: 5
Number of DL Returning: 3
Number of Def. Skill Players Returning: 2
Key Defensive Skills Players Returning
Andrew Shahin 11 6'0" 185 MLB Santa Fe League Defensive MVP
Philip Chaidez 11 6'1 220 OLB
Key Defensive Lineman Returning
Isaac Alcantar 11 5'9" 160 DE
Jake Ayala 11 6'3" 240 DE
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER SKILL PLAYERS
Roman Valdepena 11 6'1" 180 WR
Raymond Valdepena 10 5"10 165 WR
COMMENTS FROM RAUDRIC CURTIS: “We bring a good amount of returners from a Santa Fe League Championship Year. Our team has great discipline and chemistry to maximize a talented group that may be small in numbers but have a great mix of size speed with explosive playmakers. We made the playoffs last year and we're looking to build on that success as a program one day at a time.
2022 Schedule (with 2021 season records)
Week 0: at Riverside Prep (4-7, 3-2)
Week 1: (Sat.) vs. Trinity Classical Academy (6-4, 2-2)
Week 2: (Sat.) vs. Maywood CES
Week 3: at Gabrielino (4-5, 1-4)
Week 4: (Sat.) vs Bishop Montgomery (2-8, 0-3)
Week 5: at Mary Star of the Sea (3-7, 0-4)
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: vs. Verbum Dei at LA Southwest College (6-4, 1-1)
Week 8: (Sat.) vs. Salesian (9-4, CIF-SS Div. 10 Semifinalists)
Week 9: (Sat.) vs. St. Monica at Santa Monica College (2-6, 0-2)
Week 10: (Sat.) vs. Cantwell Sacred Heart (6-4, 1-2)
CRYSTAL BALL: Out with the Santa Fe League and into the Camino Real go the Tigers thanks to the releaguing rankings from the Parochial School League Realignment committee. The great thing is that the Tigers have a squad that is ready for the jump. Junior quarterback Noah Escelara returns for Don Bosco Tech, and he’ll have one of his favorite athletes back in junior Andrew Shanin. Shanin also is the captain of the defense and was the Santa Fe League Defensive MVP. The back seven appears to be the big question mark this year and that’s not good when you have Salesian on your schedule. Speaking of the schedule, you have to think that Bosco Tech can post a very good record. The first three games of the schedule will provide a lot of clues on how good this team is. We have big expectations for this team and are projecting them with a very manageable schedule.
Projected record: 7-3
South El Monte High School
Coach: Frank Gallardo
2021 Record: 4-6
2021 Calpreps.com Rating: —33.9
Number of Returning Players: 17
Number of All-League Players Returning: 3
OFFENSE
Offensive Coordinator: Joe Carrasco
Number of Off. Returning Starters: 6
Number of OL Returning: 3
Number of Off Skill Players Returning: 7
Key Offensive Skills Players Returning
Cristopher Vasquez 12 WR, HB
Alexander Ramos 11 TB
D'Angelo Huerta 12 TE
Matthew Medina 10 QB
Key Offensive Lineman Returning
Angel Munoz 12 OC
Nathan Palafox 12 OT
Bryan Valle 12 OG
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator: Joe Carrasco
Number of Def. Returning Starters: 4
Number of DL Returning: 5
Number of Def. Skill Players Returning: 9
Key Defensive Skills Players Returning
Xavier Torres 12 OLB
Joseph Sanchez 12 OLB
Nauh Martinez 12 SS J
Jacob Villalta 11 ILB
Key Defensive Lineman Returning
Aaron Luna 11 DT
Evan Portillo 12 DT
Nathan Pulido 11 NG
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER SKILL PLAYERS
Michael Valencia 10 TB, FS Up from Frosh Team
Tony Aguilar 10 HB, WB Up from Frosh Team
Frank Ramirez 12 ILB
Dre Guillen 10 WB, FS
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER OFF/DEF LINEMAN
Carlos Aguirre 11 OG
Adrian Anguiano 12 DL
Elijah Estrada 10 DL Up from Frosh Team
Izaiah Gutierrez 11 DL Up from Frosh Team
COMMENTS FROM FRANK GALLARDO: “Offensive skills, very talented and young. Offensive line should lead the way. Defense may be the strong point. But like so many other teams depth is a problem. One or two injurys and we have to play a guy who is not ready for Varsity.”
2022 Schedule (with 2021 season records)
Week 0: at Alhambra
Week 1: at Baldwin Park
Week 2: vs. Montebello
Week 3: vs. Bell Gardens
Week 4: BYE
Week 5: at Glendale
Week 6: vs. Rosemead
Week 7: at Gabrielino
Week 8: vs. Arroyo
Week 9: vs. El Monte
Week 10: vs. Mountain View
CRYSTAL BALL: Hope are high with the Eagles this year. We had a chance to watch them in passing league this summer and you can understand the excitement the staff has. The skill guys look good, but they are young. The big issues are the secondary and that’s not good when you have Alhambra, Baldwin Park, Arroyo and El Monte on your schedule. I can see this squad with a 7-8 win season and I can also see it go south for the winter. Let’s check back with team after the Bell Gardens game for any clues on how good this team is.
Projected record: 4-6