Waiting is over: Le Grand goes for title

LE GRAND -- Daniel Guizar admits sleeping has been a challenge this week.

There haven't been many moments when he hasn't been thinking about today's game.

"It's hard," the Le Grand senior said. "I've been getting five or six hours of sleep. It's hard not thinking about the game. It's all my family has been talking about.

"If I put my headphones on at night, I'll eventually fall asleep."

For Guizar and his teammates, the wait is over. Today at 4 the Bulldogs (12-0) will face Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth in the CIF State Division 4 Championship at the Home Depot Center in Carson.

All the potential distractions are out of the way.

The Bulldogs made the long bus ride on Thursday morning.

Finals week is over.

Now, it's time to play.

"It's kind of like homecoming week with all the hoopla," Le Grand coach Rick Martinez said. "There's a lot of distractions. You've got TV cameras at practice, reporters, but our kids are ready.

"We've got our gameplan in and we're going to get after it."

Both teams have put up bundles of points this season.

The Timberwolves (14-0) have averaged over 46 points per game with quarterback Tyler Stewart passing for 2,245 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Sierra Canyon has a pair of 1,000-yard running backs in Xavier Menifield (1,382 yard and 25 touchdowns) and Danny Jordan (1,021 yards and eight touchdowns).

The Timberwolves have been without receiver Julian Brooks, who has committed to Arizona, for most of the second half of the season because of a foot injury.

Sierra Canyon head coach Jon Ellinghouse doesn't believe Brooks will play.

"He's doubtful," Ellinghouse said. "There is a chance. He tried to do some things (Wednesday) at practice, but it's unlikely."

The Timberwolves haven't fallen off without Brooks, cruising to a Southern Section championship.

"If we play aggressive we'll be all right," Le Grand receiver Zach Moreno said. "We went to Buhach Colony's camp and played Buhach and Livingston. Buhach has their recruits and we went up against them and held our own. If we can do that against them we should be OK."

Moreno and the rest of the Bulldogs offense have also put up some impressive numbers, averaging over 58 points.

Moreno has caught 64 passes for 1,387 yards and 21 touchdowns. Alex Bucio has thrown for 2,344 yards and 40 touchdowns to go a long with just two interceptions.

Guizar has racked up 1,906 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns.

"Looking at Le Grand on film, they're a very talented football team," Ellinghouse said. "They're solid at every position. They've got a good O-line. They have a great quarterback and a really good receiver. We think he's a great player.

"They have a great running back. We have a lot of respect for them. I think it's two evenly matched teams. Personally, I think this is going to be the best bowl game out of the five games this weekend."