Monrovia's No. 1 Ranking Highlights Preseason Football Polls

Monrovia made history last year when it beat Whittier Christian last year to claim its first ever CIF-Southern Section divisional football championship in school history.

Flash forward one year later, and the Wildcats are poised to pick up right where they left off. Thursday afternoon the CIF-SS office releases its preseason rankings for the 2011 football season and the Wildcats are ranked No. 1 in the Mid-Valley Division.

“I’ll be honest that’s kind of the way it works," Monrovia coach Ryan Maddox said. "The CIF champion from the year previous is ranked no. 1 so it’s that’s just kind of the way they work it.

" … It’s a preseason poll it doesn’t mean a whole lot. … We want to be highly ranked, but it’s on the field play that really matters. So that’s really what we’re more focused on."

The Wildcats' ranking isn't much of a surprise. Dispite losing the Mid-Valley Division Offensive Player of the Year in quarterback Nick Bueno, the 'Cats are loaded. All-CIF defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy anchors the defense and Monorvia coach Ryan Maddox boasts plenty of dynamic playmakers on the offensive side of the ball capable of replacing Bueno.

Running back De'Shawn Ramirez could end up becoming one of the best backs in the area, and wide receivers Luke Williams and Anthony Craft will be there on the outside to stretch the field.

Monrovia begins its season Sept. 9 against Glendora.

A pair of San Gabriel Valley Patch teams garnered preseason rankings in the Southeast Divison. Arcadia (6-1 in the Pacific League last year) beings the year No. 4 in the division, while league rival Muir is close behind at No. 6.

The Apaches' first game is Sept. 9 against St. Francis, who begins the year ranked No. 8 in the Western Division. The Mustang's start the season Sept. 2 at San Gabriel.

Of all the suprises to come from the rankings, perhaps there isn't one bigger than La Salle's No. 5 ranking in the Northwest Division. The Lancers went 0-10 last year, but for some reason the voters have faith that La Salle is headed for a rebound year. The Lancers are confident they're on the right course, we'll certainly find out Sept. 2 against Village Christian.

South Pasadena was among the other teams receving votes in the Mid-Valley Division. The Tigers went 6-4 last year and open the 2011 season Sept. 9 against San Gabriel.

Below are the full polls:

MID-VALLEY DIVISION
1. Monrovia (Rio Hondo)
2. Covina (Valle Vista)
3. San Dimas (Valle Vista)
4. Whittier Christian (Olympic)
5. Maranatha (Olympic)
6. Village Christian (Olympic)
7. Arroyo (Mission Valley)
8. Bell Gardens (Almont)
9. Baldwin Park (Valle Vista)
10. Azusa (Montview)
Others: Montebello (Almont); South Pasadena (Rio Hondo); Pomona (Valle Vista); San Gabriel (Almont); La Puente (Montview); El Monte (Mission Valley).

SOUTHEAST DIVISION
1. West Covina (Hacienda)
2. Bonita (Hacienda)
3. Mayfair (Suburban)
4. Arcadia (Pacific)
5. Santa Fe (Del Rio)
6. Muir (Pacific)
7. Diamond Ranch (Hacienda)
8. Walnut (Hacienda)
9. La Serna (Del Rio)
10. Diamond Bar (Hacienda)
Others: Norwalk (Suburban); Burroughs/Burbank (Pacific); La Mirada (Suburban); California (Del Rio); Crescenta Valley (Pacific); Burbank (Pacific).

WESTERN DIVISION
1. Chaminade (Mission)
2. Arroyo Grande (PAC-7)
3. Dominguez (San Gabriel Valley)
4. Serra (Mission)
5. St. Paul (Mission)
6. St. Joseph/Santa Maria (PAC-7)
7. Atascadero (PAC-7)
8. St. Francis (Mission)
9. Culver City (Ocean)
10. Rio Mesa (Pacific View)
Others: Adolfo Camarillo (Pacific View); Oxnard (Pacific View); Beverly Hills (Ocean); Buena (Channel); Cathedral (Mission); Santa Monica (Ocean).