Wildcats Make Final Preparations in Scrimmage Vs. CV

There was no final score, but there were plenty of interesting points to take from Thursday’s scrimmage between visiting Crescenta Valley and defending CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division champion on Thursday at Monrovia High School.

Good Situation to Have

The Wildcats appeared to be settled on junior at quarterback earlier in the summer. But fellow junior Blake Heyworth, a transfer from St. Francis, has emerged as a challenger to Frazier, who is expected to be highly recruited as a linebacker.

Heyworth also recently cleared his final hurdle when the CIF-Southern Section offices approved his hardship waiver this week making him eligible to play for the Wildcats this fall.

“Tonight was the determiner of where we’re going from here. We’ll look at the film,” Monrovia coach Ryan Maddox said. “I think they’re both truly good quarterbacks. I think it is a matter of who is making the fewest mistakes. Both can play. We are comfortable with both of them.”

Tailback Luxury

Maddox also has the luxury of having two players that are capable of gaining lots of yards on the ground in Marquise Bias and Ramirez rushed for 851 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore before missing all of last season while attending continuation school.

“We have to two talented backs which is a good weapon because we can continually rotate them,” Maddox said. “They do different things well. Marquise just runs hard. He hits the hole well. De’Shawn is lightning quick and he’s hard to tackle. You’ll probably see both of them on the field.”

McCarthy Everywhere

Monrovia's 6-foot-4, 305-pound senior , who is one of the most highly recruited players at any position in the nation, showed versatility in the trenches Thursday.

McCarthy initially lined up at defensive tackle, the position he is projected to play in college. He also played as a defensive end and showed outstanding quickness going around his opponent.

McCarthy also lined up at tight end.

“He’ll play all over the defensive line. Teams are going to game plan him,” Maddox said.

Maddox said he will not play McCarthy on the offensive line.

“We’ve got to a point to where we don’t have to play our linemen both ways,” Maddox added. “We find that it helps keep them fresh for the fourth quarter.”

Kalfani Slightly Injured

Defensive back Jelani Kalfani injured his shoulder in the scrimmage and did not finish. Maddox said he expects Kalfani will be available to play next week in the season opener against Glendora next Thursday night.