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MORELAND TOPS WAVE NORTHEAST REGION TEAM
by RON GUILD, Sport Editor Los Angeles Wave

Devon Moreland’s fledgling boxing career will have to be put on hold for the time being, if not forever.

The future of the Salesian High School junior defensive end seems to be on the football field instead of the one he dabbled in previously.

All he did in his first year of organized football was help the Mustangs have one of the most successful seasons in the 51-year history of the East L.A.-based parochial school by recording 21 sacks (state leader Christian Morgan of San Dimas had 24), 45 tackles for loss and 95 total tackles.
It was that kind of production that earned the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder the Wave Newspapers Northeast Region Player of the Year honor.

Moreland, also the Santa Fe League defensive MVP and an All-CIF selection, was a big part of Salesian advancing to the semifinals of the CIF-SS Northeast Division playoffs. It was only the second time the school had advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs.

“He was a big part of our success,” Mustang assistant coach Devah Thomas said. “He’s very physical and has great speed (4.6 in the 40), which helped him get to the quarterback. He has a great knack for getting to the ball.

“He’s a winner and does what ever it takes.”

Moreland, whose interest in sports was limited to time spent in the gym boxing, is now drawing attention from college recruiters for his gridiron skills. Many came to Salesian games to scout senior prospects, only to be drawn to the unknown defensive end.

USC, UCLA, Arizona State, California, Oregon State and Washington have all expressed interest. Since he has been invited to this summer’s Nike Combines at USC and UCLA, even more schools should be added to the mix.

According to Thomas, Moreland was inspired after watching the U.S. Army All-American Bowl all-star game in San Antonio last Saturday.

“He told me, ‘coach, I want to play there,’” Thomas said.

The work ethic of Moreland, a weight-room devotee, will help in that regard. So will his performances at the combines.

Another big year at the high school level and there’s no telling how heavily recruited he will be.
Thomas has set the bar high for Moreland in 2010.

“I expect him to double everything (stat-wise),” he said.

WAVE ALL-NORTHEAST REGION FOOTBALL TEAM

OFFENSE
WR-Carlos Arredondo, Schurr, 6-2, 185, Sr.
One of the state’s leading receivers with 79 catches for 1,191 yards and 12 TDs for the Almont League champs.
WR-Mitchell Crockom, Alhambra, 6-2, 187, Sr.
The heavily recruited Crockom had 43 receptions for 672 yards and 9 TDs.
WR-Mark Covarrubias, San Gabriel, 5-7, 160, Jr.
The Matador standout had 57 receptions for 815 yards and 6 TDs.
OL-Ramon Barraza, Roosevelt, 6-3, 255, Sr.
The 6-3, 255-pounder anchored the line for the Eastern League champs, earning All-City honors.
OL-Albert Perez-Schurr, 6-0, 240, Jr.
The 6-0, 250-pounder was the mainstay of the offensive line for the Spartans, earning All-CIF Southeast Division honors.
OL-Michael Cruz-Salesian, 6-3, 270, Sr.
Cruz, a 6-3, 270-pounder, anchored the line for the Santa Fe League champs. He was All-CIF.
OL-Steven Silva-Cantwell SH, 6-1, 260, Jr.
Silva anchored a line that opened holes for a near-1,000-yard rusher (Steven Lavin) and a 1,600-yard passer (Christian Espinoza).

OL-Chris Salgado-Alhambra, 6-2, 270, Jr.
One of the better offensive linemen in the Almont League provided protection for quarterback Darrian Cazarin.
QB-Cesar Hernandez, Franklin, 6-0, 190, Jr.
He completed 145 of 227 passes for 2,007 yards and 17 TDs and also rushed for 260 yards and four TDs. He was All-City.
QB-Aaron Cantu, Schurr, 6-3, 190, Jr.
Cantu was 169-for-265 for 2,500 yards and 28 TDs for the Almont champs.
RB-Jesse Lira, Roosevelt, 5-8, 170, Jr.
Lira rushed for 1,164 yards and 16 TDs on 163 carries as the workhorse of the Rough Rider offense.
RB-Jonathan Lopez, Garfield, 5-9, 180, Soph.
Lopez led the Bulldogs to the City playoffs by rushing for 1,019 yards and 9 TDs on 167 carries.
RB-Gemechu Anderson, Franklin, 5-9, 180, Jr.
The All-City running back and free safety rushed for 1,034 yards and 13 TDs on 172 carries.
RB-Nicholas Castillo, Schurr, 5-8, 170, Sr.
Castillo rushed for 1,343 yards and 9 TDs on 252 carries.
K-Miguel Rodriguez, Salesian, 6-0, 180, Sr.
Soccer star kicked 11 field goals and was 39-for-40 on PATs.
AP-Manny Ayon, Roosevelt, 5-9, 175, Sr.
Ayon was the most versatile player for the Eastern League champs, seeing action at quarterback and wide receiver. He was All-City. Ayon carried 82 times for 772 yards and 9 TDs, completed 30 of 50 passes for 344 yards and 2 TDs and caught 9 passes for 150 yards and 2 scores.
DEFENSE
DE-Moses Saucedo-Garfield, 6-0, 190, Jr.
Saucedo had 84 tackles (54 solo) and 12.5 sacks. He earned All-City honors.
DL-Zach Rivera-Roosevelt, 5-11, 230, Sr.
The 5-11, 230-pounder had 41 tackles (25 solo) and 6 sacks. He was All-City.
DL-Mark Avila-Schurr, 6-0, 180, Sr.
Avila earned All-CIF Southeast Division honors while leading Spartan defensive line. He had 46 tackles (39 solo) and eight sacks.
DE-Devon Moreland-Salesian, 6-3, 225, Jr.
The Wave Newspapers Northeast Region Player of the Year.
LB-Hector Cazales-Garfield, 5-10, 205, Jr.
Cazales was one of the leaders of the Garfield defense with 105 tackles (67 solo) and an interception.
LB-Andrew Medrano-Lincoln, 6-1, 190, Jr.
Medrano led the way for Lincoln with 85 tackles (66 solo), 2 sacks and an interception.
LB-Josh Williams, Salesian, 6-2, 205, Sr.
The senior linebacker had 110 tackles, including 60 solos, and three forced fumbles.
LB-Gilbert Dominguez, Salesian, 6-2, 195, Sr.
Dominguez had 109 tackles (67 solo), 5 sacks and 2 interceptions. He was All-CIF.
LB-James Becerra, Cantwell SH, 5-9, 190, Jr.
The All-Camino Real League linebacker was in on 98 tackles (58 solo), with 2 sacks and 2 interceptions.
DB-Jonathan Mariscal, Roosevelt, 5-9, 155, Jr.
The shutdown corner ranked among the City leaders with 6 interceptions. He was All-City.
DB-Tyquion Ballard, Salesian, 5-11, 170, Sr.
A standout in the secondary, Ballard had 63 tackles (47 solo) and 6 interceptions. He was All-CIF.
DB-Cole Martinez, Wilson, 6-0, 175, Sr.
Martinez had 55 tackles (16 solo) and 2 interceptions in the secondary. As a wide receiver for the Mules, he caught 42 passes for 617 yards and 7 TDs. He earned All-City honors.

DB-Nathan Ayon-Schurr, 5-8, 160, Sr.
Ayon had 45 tackles (32 solo) and three interceptions. He was All-CIF.

New Info / Highlights:

1) Moreland is a boxer
2) 4.6 speed
3) 225 lbs. (not 215 as reported elsewhere)
4) His gaudy statistics, 21 sacks, 95 tackles, etc. was in his first year of organized football
5) weight-room devotee
6) coach expects him to double his stats next year.

Webmaster wrote:MORELAND TOPS WAVE NORTHEAST REGION TEAM
by RON GUILD, Sport Editor Los Angeles Wave

Devon Moreland’s fledgling boxing career will have to be put on hold for the time being, if not forever.

The future of the Salesian High School junior defensive end seems to be on the football field instead of the one he dabbled in previously.

All he did in his first year of organized football was help the Mustangs have one of the most successful seasons in the 51-year history of the East L.A.-based parochial school by recording 21 sacks (state leader Christian Morgan of San Dimas had 24), 45 tackles for loss and 95 total tackles.
It was that kind of production that earned the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder the Wave Newspapers Northeast Region Player of the Year honor.

Moreland, also the Santa Fe League defensive MVP and an All-CIF selection, was a big part of Salesian advancing to the semifinals of the CIF-SS Northeast Division playoffs. It was only the second time the school had advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs.

“He was a big part of our success,” Mustang assistant coach Devah Thomas said. “He’s very physical and has great speed (4.6 in the 40), which helped him get to the quarterback. He has a great knack for getting to the ball.

“He’s a winner and does what ever it takes.”

Moreland, whose interest in sports was limited to time spent in the gym boxing, is now drawing attention from college recruiters for his gridiron skills. Many came to Salesian games to scout senior prospects, only to be drawn to the unknown defensive end.

USC, UCLA, Arizona State, California, Oregon State and Washington have all expressed interest. Since he has been invited to this summer’s Nike Combines at USC and UCLA, even more schools should be added to the mix.

According to Thomas, Moreland was inspired after watching the U.S. Army All-American Bowl all-star game in San Antonio last Saturday.

“He told me, ‘coach, I want to play there,’” Thomas said.

The work ethic of Moreland, a weight-room devotee, will help in that regard. So will his performances at the combines.

Another big year at the high school level and there’s no telling how heavily recruited he will be.
Thomas has set the bar high for Moreland in 2010.

“I expect him to double everything (stat-wise),” he said.

WAVE ALL-NORTHEAST REGION FOOTBALL TEAM

expony18 wrote:http://www.wavenewspapers.com/sports/81794802.html

evon Moreland’s fledgling boxing career will have to be put on hold for the time being, if not forever.



...


Moreland, whose interest in sports was limited to time spent in the gym boxing, is now drawing attention from college recruiters for his gridiron skills. Many came to Salesian games to scout senior prospects, only to be drawn to the unknown defensive end.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=46304&start=15

Guess he wanted to stay a Mustang. (Does he have a tat?)

He is going to make our secondary much better.

He didn't look 4.6 fast to me on film. Must be covering a lot of ground with that long stride.

PerunaPunch wrote:He didn't look 4.6 fast to me on film. Must be covering a lot of ground with that long stride.

I saw several plays where he was yards behind a receiver or rb and caught up to them.

Keeping him a commit will be a difficult job considering all the other schools after him. I'm sure the coaches will be on it, but I'll breath easier when his signature is on the dotted line.

Webmaster wrote:(state leader Christian Morgan of San Dimas had 24)

DUDE! Let's go to tha San Dimas Mall!! (air guiter)