(Cover by Pat Cherry–www.blackheartart.com–)

By Grip Teague

Sports Editor, Media Valley News

Anthony Ledesma, El Monte’s starting quarterback the last two seasons, has transferred to Temple City. The deal—pardon—the transfer, pending for several weeks, is now confirmed with a verified change in address. Ledesma officially withdrew from El Monte early this morning.

“We have nothing but good things to say about Coach (Dan) Valencia and El Monte,” said Carlos Ledesma, Anthony’s father by phone. “But with my job change and our need to move, Temple City High School makes the best sense.”

“I’m really sorry to see Anthony go,” Valencia said. “I’ve known this was coming, didn’t want it to happen, but family needs to do what’s best for family. We wish him well, and Lions football is going to be just fine.”

The El Monte administration said it will not protest the transfer.

Ledesma’s arrival serves as the final piece to Temple City’s strong off-season. After landing sophomore wide receiver, Johnson Jones out of Pasadena and center, Ivan Jakes out of Cathedral, TC HC, Paul Crew scored big with the veteran quarterback.

“Thrilled beyond measure,” said Crew. “The most experienced quarterback in the program, before Ledesma’s announcement, was Joey Prine. I like him, I like his future, but he’s only going to be a sophomore. Ledesma’s got twenty-two consecutive starts under his belt. That’s a lot of reps in football games that count.”

Ledesma passed for 2,877 yards and 25-touchdowns as a junior a year ago. In two seasons as a starter for the Lions, he threw 47 touchdown passes.

“No doubt about it,” said Crew. “He (Ledesma) takes us to another level.”

There will be more on the fallout of this move in tomorrow’s “Read The Blitz.”

(Joe Torosian’s first follow up to “Tangent Dreams” will be released soon. Joe can be reached at jtbank1964@yahoo.com…and followed on Twitter @joet13b)