Preview: Another Title Within Wildcats' Grasp

After opening the season with a 1-3 record, a return to the looked far from assured for the football team. Nine consecutive victories later, the Wildcats have fought their way back to the big game with hopes of defending their title against San Gabriel.

"I don’t think we started the year with the same drive and focus as last year," said Monrovia coach Ryan Maddox, who has coached the Wildcats to three consecutive championship games in just four years.

"We scheduled a tough preseason and losing a few games was a wake-up call," said Maddox. "That’s when we understood that it would take just as much focus and drive to defend our title."

Unlike last season, Monrovia (10-3, 5-0) enters this title game as the favorite against a San Gabriel team that has exceeded every expectation and surprised almost everyone.

The Matadors, in search of their first championship, began the season 1-4 under second-year coach Jude Oliva. In September they lost 59-6 to San Dimas. But since Almont league-play began, San Gabriel (9-4, 5-0) has won eight consecutive games, including a 28-27 victory over San Dimas in last week’s semifinal game.

"They've fought through a lot of adversity just like us," said Maddox. "They've probably been the underdog throughout the playoffs so nothing will change for them."

Maddox hopes that the team’s big game experience will provide an advantage in preparation.

"I think we’ll have an easier time dealing with the hype of the game and hopefully we can stay relaxed, but once the game starts we just have to play football," he said. Experience is what it is. It's nice to have, but it won't matter much once the game starts."

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Monrovia’s biggest obstacle will be stopping San Gabriel quarterback Andy Guerrero. Guerrero has been electric this year – passing for 27 touchdowns and 230.7 yards per game while running for 13 touchdowns and 105.5 yards per game.

"(Guerrero) is a dual threat on offense," said Maddox. "They like to spread defenses out so he has room to run, but he can beat you with the pass if you focus too much on the run."

Guerrero's favorite target is senior Alex Villalobos, who has 1,818 receiving yards and an incredible 19 touchdown catches this season. Villalobos' brother, Joey, is second on the team with 635 yards and five touchdown catches.

Fortunately Monrovia has a dynamite pass rush/run defense led by and Brett Walsh (12 combined sacks). Look for the Wildcats to attempt to contain Guerrero without stacking the box in order to leave a full defensive backfield for pass coverage. If the defense can succeed, they may induce Guerrero to increase his interception total of 11. If not, this could be a high scoring affair.

Offensively the Wildcats are coming off of a in which they displayed all of their many weapons. Junior quarterback Blake Heyworth threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns. The Wildcats' leading rusher, Marquise Bias, ran for 100 yards. And caught two touchdown passes, ran for another, and completed a 35-yard pass out of the "wildcat" formation.

Monrovia's use of the "wildcat" offensive alignment allows Maddox to revisit some of the play calls from a year ago developed for former All-CIF quarterback Nick Bueno.

"We don't have quite as large a package as if Ramirez were an every-down quarterback, but he’s lightning quick which makes the "wildcat" tough to stop," said Maddox.

Expect the Wildcats to get the ball into Ramirez' hands as often as possible. Bias will look to wear down the Matador defense and Heyworth will be counted on heavily to distribute the ball evenly to Ramirez and receivers Anthony Craft and Luke Williams.

"Blake’s growth this season has been incredible," said Maddox. "He's a big reason why we’ve gotten better each week."