Monrovia Football - Fall Camp Underway

The Monrovia Wildcats kicked off fall camp this week and we had a chance to catch up with head coach Ryan Maddox for an update on the program and goals for this camp.

The ‘Cats had a productive summer, lifting and competing in passing league.  The offense figures to be strong with a veteran offensive line anchored by Josh Cano and an experienced stable of running backs led by senior Darrione Jones.  The running game may still get a further boost from big-time transfer, Kurt Scoby, whose eligibility has yet to be determined by the CIF.

The summer passing league was particularly valuable this season with new faces at quarterback and receiver.  Per Maddox, "the receivers are young but they made great strides during the summer.  They got a lot of work in.  We got better in terms of receiver-quarterback timing."  Deshawn Potts takes over at quarterback after serving as a lightly used backup last year.   "Potts is very athletic but comes in having taken very few reps at the varsity level." Potts figures to be busy as he will maintain his safety duties on defense as well.

On the defensive side of the ball the lone question mark is at linebacker where the Wildcats have to replace a trio of All-CIF performers, in George Frazier, Brett Walsh and Ge’Vontray Ainsworth.  Per Maddox, "for the kids coming up there is naturally going to be a learning curve.  That being said they are competing, working hard and will only continue to get better...We have 5 guys competing at inside backer and 4 guys competing outside.  As we put pads on today for the first time it changes the dynamic, particularly at linebacker.  Going forward I expect we'll start to see guys separate themselves".   Logan Craig, Scoby, Anthony Marquez and Fernando Rosas are a few of the individual's competing at linebacker.

The defensive line and secondary figure to be very strong with 4 starters returning along the line as well as 4 defensive backs who received extensive playing time in 2012.

For the remainder of fall camp Maddox and the rest of the coaching staff will be looking for individuals to step up & fill the leadership void left by the 2012 senior class.  Early on Maddox has been pleased with the leadership exhibited by seniors Potts, Cano and defensive tackle, Avonte Moore.

Maddox and the 'Cats ultimately have one goal for the remainder of fall camp, "Improve each day.  We simply need to continue to get better and get ready for week 1."

We look forward to covering the Wildcats as they kick off the season on September 6th at home against the Ayala Bulldogs.