Mt. SAC's Corey Allen squares off against a Cerritos defender during Wednesday night's home game at Mt. SAC

Mt. SAC coach Criss Freeman gathers with his team to talk strategy Wednesday night against Cerritos

Ariel Carmona Jr

source: Mountiewire.com

Both Mt. SAC’s men’s and women’s basketball team have been having success in the winter season thus far. The women’s team (21-2, 10-0) opened up the month of November as champions of the Tip off tournament and followed up that early success with a second place finish in the Ventura tournament and a third place spot in the Sequoias tourney.
More recently they swept through the Fullerton tournament over Santa Monica, Moorpark and Cerritos.

In the new year, the team has looked impressive in South Coast Conference play with convincing wins over Pasadena, Compton and Cerritos. They are also ranked No.2 in the state by the California Community College Athletic Association.

The Mounties faced off against Cerritos again on Wednesday night and the outcome didn’t look as favorable early as the Falcons took an early 11-2 lead following great outside shooting by Cerritos’ sophomore guard Adrina Rendon.

Mt. SAC at first looked tentative with their outside jumpers, but climbed back into the game thanks to Ashley Burchfield’s 8 points, and the hot three point shooting of Leticia Galarza who contributed 9 points from beyond the arc, including back to back threes. Mt. SAC led at halftime 29-27 en route to a 59-48 win, their third of the season over the rival Falcons.

After Cerritos nearly tied the game, the Mounties took over with five minutes left in the contest. They outscored the Falcons 14-6, utilizing their defense to clamp down on the Cerritos attack which through the first 23 games of the season had posted an 8-2 conference record and a mark of 18-5 overall.

“I thought we played hard for 40 minutes, I thought the team stuck to the game plan for a large part of it and when we made adjustments they were able to make it work in our favor,” said coach Brian Chrichlow.

Defensively, Chrichlow said the team knew what they had to do. “We put more pressure on the ball, which made it difficult for those girls to get wide open looks and made it difficult for the passers to make those passes. We forced them to put the ball on the ground. We knew they could shoot, but we were able to close them out. We had to stop going for steals and leaving people wide open.”

The men’s team for their part seemed to have an easier time with a 27 point win, as they defeated Cerritos 85-58. The Falcons were coming in after their first conference win four days prior, but the Mounties were true on 48 percent of their field goals in the first half, led by Sophomore Lavelle McDade and freshman Garret Nevels, who combined for 23 points in the first half of play.

Mt. SAC was up 45-27 to start the second half and led by as much as 51-35 at the 7:20 mark of the period. The Falcons struggled from the field all night, sinking a mere 31 percent while Mt. SAC shot 50 percent, including eight 3 pointers. With the win the Mounties improved to 16-5 overall and 7-0 in the conference.

“They came out and played hard, they came out and played like I expected them to come out and play,” said coach Criss Freeman. “We usually do a good job at home, there are things we need to fix if we want to get to the next level and get in the top 5 and put up one of these banners like the women have. They work hard, they are a great group of guys, you can’t ask much more from them, they come out and put the game plan I put out on the board onto the floor for the most part. They play hard, that’s what gets our wins. That goes a long way in basketball.”

Freeman says despite injuries throughout the year, Mt.SAC’s reserves come out and practice hard and he said he was happy to be able to give some of them some time on the court. “To get them as much experience is great, it feels good for their confidence to give them some extended minutes.”

Both teams are on the road again this weekend. They tip off tonight against Southwest at 5 P.M. and 7 P.M. respectively.

Brandon Croom stands ready to deliver a free throw friday night as the Mustangs edged out the Panthers credit: Ariel Carmona Jr.

Ariel Carmona Jr.

The Walnut Mustangs’ varsity boys basketball team were fortunate to have Senior Brandon Croom be a more active participant in Friday night’s Hacienda League win over the host Diamond Ranch Panthers.

Croom was limited to 11 points, two rebounds and a block on Wednesday night in a loss to the league leading Bearcats, but rebounded with a phenomenal game as the Mustangs (15-7, 4-2) continue to fight with Rowland to keep pace with Bonita, edging out the Panthers in the second half of a close contest.

The Mustangs too an early 22-19 at the end of the first period and went on an 8-2 run before Diamond Ranch climbed back into the game as the halftime difference was only 3 points 35-31.

The one key sequence in the third quarter was when Croom was fouled hard going inside, resulting in a 3 point play which put the Mustangs up 43-37 at the 4:15 mark. Junior James Te’s shot was blocked on a subsequent Walnut possession, but Croom rebounded the miss to increase Walnut’s lead to 45-37 with at the 3:24 mark.

The Panthers made an attempt at a comeback in the final period when they hit on a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 50-40, but despite scoring 9 points in the final minutes, repeated misses on long ranged outside shots sealed the win for Walnut.

“We just stayed aggressive. We are very young, a game like this for us, coming down the stretch is very good for us to grow,” said Walnut Coach Josh Cameron, “After graduating 10 guys last year, started a freshmen and played sophomores, it’s good for our guys to play in a game like this.”

Cameron said the key to Walnut’s run in the 3rd quarter after a tightly contested first half was concentrating in getting the ball in the high post, because Diamond Ranch left a gap in their defense in their zone.

“In the 3^rd quarter is where we were able to pull away. We just ran our stuff, got some good looks, we didn’t always make the layups we should have, if we just make layups and free throws, which we don’t do enough, the game wouldn’t have been as close as it was in the end.”

“We tried to just stay in front, rebound the best we could and take care of the ball,” said Cameron, “A credit to them, they played all hard all the way through and they battled in their home court, they fed off the crowd, and they made it interesting.”

Diamond Ranch is now 4-16 overall and 1-4 in league.

Earlier in the day, the Walnut varsity girls team lost 57-29. Coach Huckler’s team is now 5-14 overall and 1-4 in league play.

The Mustangs fall to the guest Bearcats during Wednesday's matchup

by Henry Montemayor

walnut.patch.com

WALNUT – The Walnut High School boys’ basketball team dropped its second league contest of the year Wednesday night, falling to the Bonita Bearcats 55-40.

Ryan Ramirez scored 14 of his game-high 18 points in the second half to pull away from a stubborn Mustang team who was able to hang around until the fourth quarter, when Bonita used a 12-7 run to seal the victory.

Matt Adamo tallied 11 points and a rebound, while Garrett Horine, who had a slow start in the first half finished with 10 points, four rebounds and three assists for the Bearcats.

Trailing 29-19, the Mustangs opened the third quarter with some energy when Garrett Vita connected with Brandon Croom on an ally oop dunk. The two would hook up again on the very next possession to close the gap 23-29, which would be as close as Walnut would get, as Ramirez would heat up, scoring 10 of the 11 points in the third quarter.

“We broke down defensively tonight, communication wise and whatnot.”  Mustangs Coach Josh Cameron said.  “And with us missing some key free throws, and their hitting the big shots when they have to, that was the difference.”

Croom, despite being relegated to the bench because of foul trouble for most of the first half, finished with 11 points, two rebounds and a block.  Matt Chen chipped in with eight points, four rebounds and an assist, while Rob Harrelson tallied six points and two rebounds.

“Brandon (Croom) battled with foul trouble all game long which frustrated him,”  Cameron said.  “Because of that, he was unable to get into any kind of rhythm.”

Walnut (14-7, 3-2) looks to get back on the winning track as they visit the Diamond Ranch Panthers Friday.  Tipoff is at 6:30 pm.

BOX SCORES

BONITA (55) – Ryan Ramirez (18), Matt Adamo (11), Garrett Horine (10), Brandon Ko (7), Dane Hollar (5), Tony Digirolamo (4)

WALNUT (40) –  Brandon Croom (11), Matt Chen (8), Rob Harrelson (6), Jeff Huang (3), Garrett Vita (3), Myles Jackson (3), CJ Besong (3), James Te (3)

Alexis Baron moves the ball up court credit: Henry Montemayor

By Henry Montemayor

baldwinpark.patch.com

The Baldwin Park Braves dropped its second league contest of the year as they fell to the visiting Nogales Nobles 56-50 in a Valle Vista League contest Monday night.

Baldwin Park held the Nobles to only two points to take a 17-2 lead after one quarter.

“They have very good 3-point shooters there,” Baldwin Park coach Marc Hart said. “We did a phenomenal job stopping them in the first half.”

Baldwin Park was led by its do it all junior Alexis Baron who tallied 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a steal. Alex Delgado tallied 15 points, two rebounds, two steals, and an assist, while Drake Gullien added nine points, four rebounds and an assist.

The Braves however were only able to muster 17 points in the second and third quarters, as the Nobles were beginning to heat up, to take a slim 34-33 lead going into the final eight minutes.

James Santiago scored a game-high 25 points (including 13 in the final quarter) to lead the Nobles. He also added two rebounds, two steals and an assist, while Jalen Cosman and Chris Akins each tallied eight points, and Keith Bolden added six points as Nogales would take its first lead of the game with 7:06 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Both teams would trade baskets in the early part of the fourth quarter, but Nogales would pull away with an 11-6 run, capped by Santiago’s two free throws in the final seconds to put the game away. Gullien would score the final two points of the game as time ran out.

“We have a young team, and we made many mental mistakes,” Hart said. “Costly turnovers and costly defensive lapses in the fourth quarter is what did us in.”

Baldwin Park (10-9, 1-2) looks to go back on track as it hosts the Covina Colts Friday. Tip off time is at 6:30

BOX SCORES

NOGALES (56)-James Santiago (25), Jalen Cosman (8), Chris Akins (8), Keith Bolden (6), Jesus Orellana (5), Errol Romney (2), Bert Sheffler (2) BALDWIN Park (50)-Alexis Baron (16), Alex Delgado (15), Drake Gullien (9), Ricardo Higueros (5), Eugene Nierras (3), Edgar Lozano (2)

By Henry Montemayor

source: Walnut.patch.com

Mt. SAC Women's hoops in tournament action against Cerritos photo credit: Henry Montemayor

FULLERTON –Even the best of teams will face a challenge, whether it be a foe who is faster, smarter than, or is evenly matched with you.

Thursday night, the Mt. SAC women’s basketball team met their match in the Cerritos College Falcons as they scraped out a 61-58 victory in the Championship game of the Fullerton College Holiday tournament.

Mt. SAC had an easy road to the finals, winning in double-figures victories against Santa Monica 78-28 and Moorpark College 73-45.

“The girls played extra hard at times today,” said Mounties head coach Brian Crichlow. “They executed well and made free throws down the stretch, very important.”

Leading 59-58, Mt. SAC made a key defensive stop where Danielle Peacon was fouled in the ensuing play.  She  would make the free throws to seal the
victory for the Mounties 61-58, as Cerritos’ final heave to tie fell just short.

Pecon finished with a double-double, scoring 25 points and 15 rebounds.  She also had four blocks and four steals and was named to the all-tournament team along with Ashley Burchfield.  Morgan Mason added 17 points, along with two blocks and four steals to earn the tournament MVP

“I don’t really like playing a team three times in a season,” Crichlow said, “but if we continue to win against them, I’ll take them.”

Andrina Rendon led three Cerritos players in double figures, finishing with 15 points, two assists, two rebounds and seven steals to earn all-tournament honors. Marissa Rendon added 14 points and three steals, while Armelia Patterson tallied 11 points for the Falcons.

Mt. SAC (13-2, 3-0 South Coast Conference) resumes conference play as they host Pasadena City College Wednesday.  Tip-off is at 5pm.

BOX  SCORE

MT SAN ANTONIO (61)- Danielle Pecon (25), Morgan Mason (17),
Arielle George (5), Leticia Galarza (4), Tatiana Parish (3), Ashley Burchfield
(3) Rachel Williams (2) Shawlina Segovia (2)

CERRITOS COLLEGE (58)-Andrina Rendon (15), Marissa Rendon (14), Armelia Patterson (11), Talor Hixon (9), Regina English (4), Angela Pena (2), Dershawna Staves (2), Diamond Roberts (1)
MT SAC MEN FALL TO GAUCHOS 66-65 ON BUZZER BEATER

Darnell Taylor’s 3-pointer from the top of the key with no time remaining helped lift the Saddleback Gauchos over the Mt. SAC Mounties 66-65 Wednesday evening in a non-conference matchup.

Taylor finished with 19 points and five rebounds, including 10 of the final 12 points of the game, but his shot at the buzzer proved to be the stake in the heart of the Mounties who used a 6-0 run of its own to get into position to win the game.

Aaron Brevard added 11 points and two rebounds, while Darren Henchanova tallied nine points- all from behind the arc-along with two rebounds. Alex Worthen-Harris added seven points, including an emphatic dunk which help the Gauchos take a 53-50 lead late into the second half.

Trailing 54-57, Mt SAC’s Darnell Martin stepped up, scoring six unanswered points culminating on a put-back dunk to take the 59-57 lead.  Lavelle McDade
would score the next four points to make the score 65-63 and would make an
important stop as Saddleback threatened to score.

McDade finished with 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Garrett Nevels added 11 points, while Ashton Robinson and Corey Allen each tallied 10 points, including three 3-pointers for Robinson.  Overall, Mt. SAC converted 10 shots from behind the arc.

Mt. SAC bounced back Friday night to defeat San Diego City College to get back on the winning track.

Mt. SAC (9-5) begins conference play Wednesday as it hosts Pasadena City College.  Tip off time is 7pm.

BOX SCORE

SADDLEBACK (66) – Darnell Taylor (19), Aaron Brevard (11), Darren Henchanova (9), Alex Worthen-Harris (7), Miles Green (6), Carlton Hayes (6), Devin Golston (4),  Josiah Thropay (2), Everett Osborne (2)

MT. SAN ANTONIO (65) – Lavelle McDade (13), Garrett Nevels (11), Ashton Robinson (10), Corey Allen (10), Darnell Martin (8), Earvin Ware (5), Taj Spencer (4), Jeffery Nibo (3), Chaz Thomas (1)

Members of Mt. SAC's football team celebrate playoff win against Cerritos on Nov. 26 photo by James Choy

source: Mountiewire.com

City by the Bay, the state champion Mounties are coming for a visit.

It wasn’t easy, but the Mt. SAC football team, two time defending state champions, captured an unprecedented 5th consecutive Southern California championship with a 17-14 victory over Cerritos Saturday at Hilmer Lodge Stadium.

In a rematch of last year’s SCFA championship game, the Mounties (11-1) hosted the Falcons, champions of the Northern Division in the SCFA, but the game figured to be closer than last year’s result when Mt. SAC crushed Cerritos 51-0 en route to an undefeated season and the state title.

Down 17-7 by halftime after Mt. SAC’s Abraham Torres connected on a 30 yard field goal, Cerritos (8-4) fought back in the second half and regained momentum in the game when quarterback Brandon Denker escaped from defensive pressure and rolled out to throw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Lavulo, cutting Mt. SAC’s lead to three points.

Cerritos had scoring opportunities throughout the final quarter, but the Mounties, as they have done throughout the season, came up big on defense when they needed to most as they held the Falcons scoreless through the 4th quarter and just 270 total yards on offense, while also benefiting from two second half interceptions by defensive back Ashtun Williams.

Cerritos faced a 4th and 18 on the Mt. SAC 33 yard line with only 1:50 left in the game, but Williams picked off Denker for the second time in the game and returned the ball into Cerritos territory to close out the Falcons’ final scoring threat. Williams finished with 65 yards on kick returns.

Last week Cerritos dominated Palomar College in the Southern California Football Association Bowl, 45-28, but against Mt. SAC, Denker was limited to 11 of 22 passing and 148 yards, two touchdowns and the two interceptions.

Since suffering their only setback of the season, a 29-26 loss to Riverside on Sept. 24, the Mounties have won eight in a row, including a 34-7 win over El Camino last week in the National Bowl.

Mt. SAC coach Bob Jastrab said he was proud of the way his team fought, not only this week but throughout the year.

“They found a way to win all season and I’m proud of the effort of the coaches and the players, that game could have gone either way and we thank God that we were able to hold on,” Jastrab said.

Running back Matt Botello, who reeled off 74 rushing yards, including a game long 32 yard run to open up the 4th quarter for Mt.SAC was named Most Valuable Player, while receiver Alonzo Agwuenu, who finished with 32 yards and scored Mt. SAC’s first touchdown on the day, received the Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year award.

“It’s great right now, hard work and dedication does pay off,” Agwuenu said, “we’ve been out here 9 months working hard to show them we’re the best team in the conference and the nation, so it feels good to know we’re one step closer.”

Agwuenu added he felt admiration for the Falcons’ effort, despite coming up short of the win.

“They were great, that’s the second best team in Southern California, they did what they had to do, I guess you can say that the winner prevailed on this day but I’m going to give them my own props, congratulations to them.”

Jastrab also praised the Falcons’ play and said he felt the game would be closer than last year’s blowout.

“It’s usually a close game, we knew it was going to be a battle even though we were up by 10.”

“My hat is off to their coaching staff and their players, they started off slow this season and they came on strong, they’re a great football team, I feel very fortunate to have beaten them today.”

“It’s another challenge for us,” remarked Jastrab in reference to Mt. SAC facing San Francisco City in the title game on Dec. 10. San Francisco City College defeated Fresno to advance.

“The job’s not done, we’ve got one more,” Jastrab said.

Mt. SAC football players celebrate first playoff win Sat. Nov. 19

source: Mountiewire.com

The road to another potential championship is set for Mt. SAC’s football team, winners of the National Southern Conference, with a 34-7 home win over National Northern Conference Champions El Camino at Hilmer Lodge Stadium on Saturday in the 2011 National Bowl game.

Coming in with a 9-1 overall record and an unblemished 5-0 conference record, the Mounties went into Saturday’s game as the No. 1 seed, meaning they had home field advantage throughout the Community College football playoffs. El Camino came in with an 8-2 record and 3-2 in the Northern conference and ranked No. 4.

Mt SAC running back Matthew Botello carried nine times for 64 yards and touchdowns of 35 and 12 yards while quarterback Cameron Deen was 24 out of 31 on the afternoon for 267 yards and 3 touchdowns as Mt. SAC built a 20-7 halftime advantage on the visiting Warriors, despite El Camino boasting one of the top defenses in the state.

According to local reports, Deen came into the game having thrown for 2,202 yards, 17 TDs and 10 interceptions this season, but the Mounties had to prove that their young players had progressed enough to overcome a loss to Riverside earlier in the year.

After taking an early 6-0 lead on Botello’s first score, a 35 yard scamper in the first quarter, El Camino aided by a pass interference call against the Mounties took a 7-6 lead with 5:30 to play in the opening quarter. It would prove to be their only foray into the endzone.

The Mounties posted 14 unanswered points in the second quarter and held the Warriors’ offense in check throughout the second half of play.

Sophomore Linebacker Richard Thorpe (Fontana H.S.) was named conference defensive player of the year and said he had to silence his critics with his play again on Saturday. Thorpe had several big sacks and an interception to lead Mt. SAC defensively.

“There was some talk about how I shouldn’t have been conference defensive MVP so I had to show them how it was,” said Thorpe, adding Saturday’s win was just the first step in a detailed plan, “We are just trying to get to Dec. 10 and go up North and beat whoever wins up there because we are trying to get another championship here.”

Deen’s 43 yard scoring pass to Finau Lomu in the fourth quarter was the final dagger as the Mounties rolled.

Mt. SAC coach Bob Jastrab said that Mt. SAC worked on minimizing the mistakes and penalties which plagued the team earlier in the year. “We’ve been stressing not to do anything that will cost you a championship or a football game, because if it does, you’re done.”

Jastrab said his younger players have made strides quickly. “They are not young anymore, they’ve got 10 games underneath their belts and they are playing well. I am proud of them, I am proud of how they’ve progressed and I think they understand the importance of being perfect and not making the same mistakes.”

The National Bowl serves as the semifinals for the Southern California Regionals with the winner facing off against the Cerritos-Palomar winner next week. Jastrab said he was not concerned about which school the Mounties play next, and would concentrate on preparing the team to continue to play well.

“We got them at home, at 1 o’clock, that’s to our advantage there, but they’re still great football teams and we gotta show and play well or go home.”

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on Nov. 26 in the second round game against Cerritos or Palomar, whom the Mounties already beat 27-14 earlier this year.

-Ariel Carmona Jr.

I peered through my front window through the gray clods of a threatening storm on my way to cover the Baseline League football finale the other night, and there they were, piercing through the traffic on Grand and Route 66, the lights, the fabled Friday night lights.

It was to be the final home football game of the season at Citrus College and in the distance I could hear the familiar sounds of drums and the band gearing up for one last gridiron contest.

As I conclude another season covering prep football in the San Gabriel Valley for Patch.com and the San Gabriel Tribune and Pasadena Star News, I take away with me not only the recollections of seeing the play of some of the area’s great athletes showcased for us on a weekly basis, but other fond memories of the fall season that was.

Athletes like Charter Oak’s phenomenal starting quarterback Travis Santiago, Covina’s Billy Livingston and Gevontray Ainsworth out of the backfield weaving through would be tacklers, and Walnut’s Cody Lepp, hauling in passes and touchdowns for the Walnut Mustangs in the Hacienda League.

Some of the area teams did not fare as well as they had hoped, be it because of injuries, inexperience or other factors. Perhaps they didn’t end up with the ultimate prize, a playoff birth or a CIF championship under their belts, but as fans made their way to stadiums across the valley this past weekend, it wasn’t just about the championship games and the league titles they were coming out to see. Some were there to support the kids and players they cheered on not just this season, but throughout their athletic High School careers.

Walnut High’s varsity football team got off to a rough start to the season losing their first four games, and they never seemed to recover in time to make an impact in league play. However, I remember standing in the sidelines during their homecoming game against Los Altos, when on a slightly rainy night, the Mustangs shocked visiting Los Altos and scored their first win. You would have thought they had won a title following the elation that ensued after the 31-14 result.

If they fell short of their championship dreams, it sure as hell wasn’t for lack of trying. As first year Glendora Coach Todd Quinsey told me after Glendora’s final game against Etiwanda, his team was fighting until the final whistle blew, despite being on the short end of the scoreboard. “All we can ask from them is that they compete,” said Quinsey, “And this team did that, fighting to score a touchdown at the end of the game.”

This season, if possible, there appeared to be more of the boosters, fans and faithful making their way to the school bleachers to cheer on their school. It wasn’t just football either, I won’t soon forget sitting in the Diamond Bar High gymnasium for a late season volleyball match between the Brahmas and Bonita.

I had one teacher to the right of where I was sitting, informing me about the team’s achievements throughout the season, and to the left of me: The entire contingency of the Diamond Bar student body supporters, clad in purple, cheering on their team and banging their feet on the bleachers. It was as thunderous and as rowdy as any college game I have been to, with the Bonita faithful returning their challenges from the other side.

On another occasion, I was sitting in the press box covering a game at Arroyo High in El Monte and a little boy, I am assuming related to the coaches or the team in some way, sat next to me calling out the plays and strategy. The refs blew a play and he called them out on it, he wasn’t the only one, the entire stadium could be heard groaning in unison at the obvious mistake.

I was reminded then that sport has that unique position in our culture. It has, and always has had, the power to make us transcend ourselves and to unify as one common element in society. Football and volleyball may just be games we play, but the lessons and the memories learned from being on a team are memories and skills we keep for a life time. Alumni and former players all come out to cheer on their alma matters. For less than what one pays for the typical movie outing, one can enjoy several hours of entertainment at one of these athletic events.

Playoffs are just around the corner, so it isn’t too late to partake in some of the fun and to see some of the area’s best under the lights.

The Grizzlies (3-3) jumped to a 13-0 halftime lead when junior quarterback Stephen Johnson connected with receiver Steven Herber twice on touchdowns of 9 and 6 yards.

Los Osos’ defense held the host Tartans to 76 yards of total offense in the first half, limiting running back Donovan Holmes to 33 yards on five carries.

Glendora quarterback Kyle Kianpour had an average outing, completing 7 of 11 attempts for 34 yards.

Kianpour did manage to get the Tartans in the end zone in the third quarter after Glendora took advantage of a Johnson interception.

With 5:33 to play in the quarter and the Grizzlies backed up deep in their own territory, Skyler Crall picked off a Johnson pass and returned it to the 3-yard line to set up the Tartans’ only score of the game.

Kianpour found Josh Pierce on a 2-yard touchdown pass to pull Glendora within six points of Los Osos.

Glendora couldn’t find an answer for Los Osos’ ground game. Senior running back Koa LaBonta racked up 91 yards on 13 carries in the final quarter and scored on a 5-yard run to put the game out of reach.

“We played really hard, we didn’t play well,” Glendora coach Todd Quinsey said. “We missed a lot of assignments on offense, defensively it was the first time in a while people actually drove the ball on us, especially in the first half. They did a good job of controlling the ball. We had plenty of opportunities. Hopefully we get better.”

Mt. SAC Running back Matt Botello

walnut.patch.com

What a difference a week makes.

The defending state and national champion Mounties may have been down last week after having their 26-winning streak snapped 29-26 at Riverside, but you can’t keep a team loaded with talent down for long, especially one like Mt. SAC that has a big weapon in the backfield in running back Matthew Botello.

Saturday night against the visiting Bakersfield Renegades, Botello finished with 86 yards on 20 carries and helped lead the Mounties to a 41-27 win with touchdown runs of 12 and 2 yards.

“He’s the heart of our football team,” said Mt. SAC Coach Robert Jastrab about the five-foot-seven-inch back from Pioneer High School. “He’s our most consistent player.”

Jastrab added, “He’s the ideal role model. I just can’t say enough about Matt. He’s an example for all our players. He comes ready to work hard every day.”

Botello said that the level of competition at the Division 2 level and playing in the Southern California Football Association Conference for three years has helped mold him into a better player.

“It’s a lot different than high school,” he said.  “In high school I didn’t go through much competition. My senior year my only competition was my brother who was a freshman, so I had no competition until I got here.”

He added his brother Tony, one of two younger siblings and a senior running back at Pioneer High School in Whittier, has been influenced by watching him play, to the point of having developed a friendly family competition.

“He’s broken my team rushing record. I had 254 yards one game and he broke it with 286 last year as a junior. He also broke my season record. I had 1100 and he beat me with 1200 yards.”

This year’s version of the Mounties is a team replete with young players, still trying to learn the complexities of the Mt. SAC offense, but Botello said he relishes his new role as a team leader.

“I don’t mind the leadership role,” he said.  “I know how to lead a team. I know how to be a captain, and how to push them to be better.”

Bounce back quarterback Deen Cameron is still trying to achieve the rhythm needed to consistently perform with his young receivers, something Botello said will improve as the season progresses.

“He’s definitely the team leader,” said Cameron about Botello’s play, “He’s like another quarterback on the team. He runs hard every time.”

Botello said his experience is a big asset.

“It goes beyond learning the playbook,” he said. “A lot of new running backs that came in this year, I have been helping them out a lot. That’s one of the reasons I am also a starter.  I know the receivers. I know what my line is doing. Helping them out has helped them to learn the system.”

Botello is focused on the field and off.

“A lot of the guys who are leaders to me are the guys who got scholarships,” he said. “They are the guys who got the good grades in class. If they can get the good grades and get a scholarship, then I can too. I work just as hard as they do day in and out of practice, just the way they did when they were here.”

He is majoring in kinesiology but said he might become a nutritionist because he wants to work in hospitals helping adults and young obese kids lose weight.

His dream school is Oregon, but Botello said he will consider going to other schools out of state if he gets the opportunity.

“I want to see how many offers I get, and which are best for me and for my family, and that is what I am going to go with,” he said.

Botello said when he is not working out, playing football, or away from the practice field, he likes to spend time with his girlfriend and his family, watching movies on Netflix, bowling, or generally doing what young couples do.

On the field, it’s all about maintaining the level of play the Mounties have grown accustomed to, he said.

“We are Mt SAC and we are known for hard-nosed football, and that’s how we gotta play, fast and hard and strong every play.”