SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2024 - Bassett, Bosco Tech
Bassett and Bosco Tech will be on the prowl for a playoff spot in 2024.
Bassett High School
Coach: Jonathan Bowman
League: Miramonte
2023 Record: 5-5
2023 CalPreps Rating: -43.9
2024 Calpreps Preseason Rating: -61 (5th Best in the League)
Number of Returning Players: 35
Number of All-League Players Returning: 4
OFFENSE
Offensive Coordinator: Jon Bowman
Number of Off. Returning Starters: 4
Number of OL Returning: 2
Number of Off Skill Players Returning: 2
Rushing yards: 1,531 Yards (7.0 Yards Per Carry, 153.1 YPG)
Passing Yards: 703 Yards (13.0 Yards Per Completion, 70.3 YPG)
Key Offensive Skills Players Returning
Giovanni Guerrero, So, QB 5-9, 135 lbs - 2nd Team all-league
Caesar Ramirez, Sr, 5-7, 175 lbs
Chris Kleinfelter, Jr, 6-0, 160 lbs
Key Offensive Lineman Returning
Gabriel Vargas, Jr, T, 5-10, 300 lbs - 1st Team all league
Edgar Gastelum, Jr, C, 5-10, 240 lbs
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator: Jon Bowman
Number of Def. Returning Starters: 3
Number of DL Returning: 1
Number of Def. Skill Players Returning: 2
Key Defensive Skills Players Returning
Caesar Ramirez, Sr, 5-7, 175 lbs, OLB/Edge
Key Defensive Lineman Returning
Gabriel Vargas, Jr, 5-11, 300 lbs - 1st Team all league
COMMENTS FROM COACH BOWMAN: “We were 8 plays away from either being 10-0 or 2-8. I learned in my first year that Bassett kids are tough and will fight for every inch. The offense will revolve around a mobile QB and a bruising running game. The offensive line is huge, with four guys 300 lbs or more and two third-year starters. The running back is a tank, and we have a decent receiver. We think the defense is solid, especially up front. With a year behind us, the kids are starting to understand how the scheme works and are disciplined. We aren't very good at 7 on 7, but that's not our thing. The weakness is inexperience, and it's a race for time; will they all be ready by mid-August? League is very balanced, it will be a dog-fight.”
2024 Schedule (with 2023 season records)
Week 0: (Thurs.) vs. Glenn (6-4)
Week 1: at Mountain View (6-4)
Week 2: (Thurs.) vs. Westminster La Quinta at Bolsa Grande HS (6-4)
Week 3: vs. Rosemead (2-8)
Week 4: (Thurs.) at Pioneer (2-8)
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: at Garey (5-6, CIFSS Div. 13 First Round)
Week 7: vs. Workman (0-10)
Week 8: vs. La Puente (8-3, CIFSS Div. 14 First Round)
Week 9: at Duarte (6-5, CIFSS Div. 14 First Round)
Week 10: vs. Ganesha (7-3)
CRYSTAL BALL: This is the second year coach Bowman will lead the Olympians, and there is a sense of optimism. As he mentioned in his assessment of 2023, Bassett was eight plays away from winning for a 10-0 record. It always helps to have a returning QB, and the Olympians have one in sophomore Giovanni Guerrero (a 2nd team AL selection). That’s a big offensive line that Bassett will be fielding this year, and the best part is that Vargas (5-10 300) will be back for another year after 2024. The big question will be on defense, where young talent will be all over the field, which means there could be some hurt burn during the early season. Several winnable games are on the schedule, but our computer models have this team finishing with a below-average record. Let’s see how this develops.
Projected Record: 4-6
Bosco Tech High School
Coach: Adam Uballez
League: Camino Real
2023 Record: 4-6
2023 CalPreps Rating: -46.5
2024 Calpreps Preseason Rating: -67.6 (5th best in league)
Number of Returning Players: 4
Number of All-League Players Returning: 0
OFFENSE
Offensive Coordinator: Alex Madrigal
Number of Off. Returning Starters: 4
Number of OL Returning: 2
Number of Off Skill Players Returning: 2
Rushing yards: 2,111 Yards (6.1 Yards Per Carry, 211.1 YPG)
Passing Yards: 298 Yards (14.9 Yards Per Completion, 29.8 YPG)
Key Offensive Skills Players Returning
Roman Valdepena 12th, 6'0, 175.
Key Offensive Lineman Returning
Aria Jon Parvinjah 12th, 6'0, 285.
Marcedes Williams 12th, 6'0ft, 242.
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator: Adam Uballez
Number of Def. Returning Starters: 3
Number of DL Returning: 2
Number of Def. Skill Players Returning: 1
Key Defensive Skills Players Returning
Roman Valdepena 12th, 6'0ft, 175.
William Herrera 11th, 5'6, 180.
Key Defensive Lineman Returning
Aria Jon Parvinjah 12th, 6'0, 285
Marcedes Williams 12th, 6'0ft, 242.
COMMENTS FROM COACH UBALLEZ: “We are young this year, but our young men are smart and hardworking. Our Strength right now is that we have a great group of young men who are willing to put in the work. As always, we will rely heavily on our offensive line. Our Weakness is the lack of numbers that we have this year.”
2024 Schedule (with 2023 season records)
Week 0: at Glendale (5-5)
Week 1: (Thurs) vs. LA Wilson (6-5, CIFSS Div. II First Round)
Week 2: (Sat.) at Pasadena Poly (4-6)
Week 3: vs. Temple City (3-7)
Week 4: vs. St. Monica (11-4, CIFSS Champions)
Week 5: vs. St. Bernard (No Record)
Week 6: vs. Bishop Montgomery (5-6, CIFSS Div. 14 First Round)
Week 7: at Mary Star of the Sea (3-7)
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: vs. Verbum Dei (0-10)
Week 10: vs St. Genevieve (2-7)
CRYSTAL BALL: One of the more high-energy coaching staff in the area will have a lot of work in front of them in 2024. One of the biggest is finding a running back to replace Andrew Shanin, who rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2023. Roman Valdepena will counted on to carry the heavy load for the Tigers, and his progress will be watched closely. What is nice is that BT has a couple of returning linemen, which is nice to have in your hip pocket. The back seven on the defensive side of the ball will be under the watchful eye of Tiger fans early in the season. The schedule is challenging for Bosco Tech as several teams figure to give them all they can handle. Most of our computer models have the Tigers with a four-win season, and I can easily see that in 2024.
Projected Record: 4-6