Football: Bishop Amat has title aspirations

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My advice to teams: Don’t overlook La Puente Bishop Amat. This is a program with Pac-5 Division title aspirations, and for good reason. The new quarterback, junior Rio Ruiz, was probably the best sophomore baseball player in the state last season, and he certainly isn’t playing football just for fun. He wants a championship.

Having seen Ruiz run the bases, it’s going to be interesting if opponents really want him to pass because he has the speed to pick up big yards scrambling.

Ruiz was a standout defensive back and receiver last season. People wonder what kind of an arm he’ll have. I just know he’s as good an athlete as there is in Southern California.

I visited Bishop Amat on Wednesday, and Coach Steve Hagerty talked about players making an impact in the early practices. The Lancers open their season on Sept. 3 against Garfield at East L.A. College coming off a 10-2 season.

-- Eric Sondheimer