CHINO HILLS >> Ayala was the surprise winner in the Palomares League a year ago. The Bulldogs had a new coach in A.J. Gracia. They started a freshman quarterback in Cole McCain and they were only 1-4 in nonleague play.
They regrouped right before league play started and were quite impressive the rest of the way.
Well the dynamic duo that led that charge is returning to lead another. Just how valuable are senior brothers Mason and Max Hura? Well one was named the team MVP and the other was the Palomares League MVP.
Both are starters on both sides of the ball with the 5-foot-10, 175-pound Mason at running back and strong safety and Max, slightly more compact at 5-9, 192, at running back and linebacker.
“They both give you everything they’ve got on every play, whether it’s practice or a game,” Gracia said. “They definitely set a great example for the rest of the guys. It’s a luxury when you have two guys who are not only your best players, they’re you’re hardest working players.”
The two are not twins. Mason is just 16 and actually skipped a grade while Max, 18, was held back a grade — thus the two ended up playing four years of varsity football together.
The two also have a younger sibling Kobie, a sophomore who excels in softball.
The brothers are not much alike when it comes to personality however.
“I’m more outgoing, definitely more talkative,” Mason said. “He’s more reserved.”
Both have been valuable commodities in the three years since arriving on campus. Last year Mason boasted better statistics offensively, with Max faring better on defense.
Mason rushed for 942 yards on 148 tries with 10 touchdowns while Max rushed for 473 on 80 carries and had 14 receptions for 158 yards.
He came up quite big when it mattered most last season in the win over Glendora, scoring the go-ahead touchdown late, then making a key defenisve tackle in the closing seconds to thwart a Glendora scoring drive.
Max was one of the team leaders in tackles with 103 to go with four sacks, two interceptions and 12 hurries. Mason managed a still-solid 79 tackles with a fumble recovery, two forced fumbles and seven hurries.
And yes, they’re competitive.
“If he gets five yards, I want to get seven the next time I touch the ball,” Max said.
“We go back and forth about who has better numbers,” Mason said. “We definitely push each other”
Gracia says when it comes to the brothers, looks can be deceiving.
“By looking at them you would think one is more of a power runner and the other the elusive, speed guy,” Gracia said. “But that isn’t the case. They really do the same thing, despite having different body types.”
Both would like to play college football but have not decided where. They’re slightly undersized so a smaller college is the likely option. Whether or not they go to the same school is the big question.
“That’s something we really haven’t talked about,” Mason said. “Who knows if we will even like the same school. We definitely want to make this year our best if it is our last time playing together.”
Predicted order of finish
1. Ayala: Defending champion will be tough again
2. Glendora: Tartans just itching to get that title back
3. South Hills: Huskies should continue to improve in second year under Matt Bechtel
4. Bonita: Bearcats trying to forget about last season
5. Diamond Bar: Will old Los Altos coaches bring over the Conqueror magic
6. Claremont: Wolfpack looking to improve under new coach Shane HIle
Players to watch
J.P. Andrade, Bonita, Jr., QB: Threw for 2,072 yards and 19 TDs as a sophomore
Victor Arteaga, Glendora, Sr., G, 6-3,290: Might not be a better offensive front around
Michael Chase, Glendora, Sr., OL, 6-4, 270: Three-year starter up front
Andrew Flores, Bonita, Sr., LB-RB, 5-11, 165: Returning all-League selection will be contributor on both side of the ball
Mason Hura, Ayala, Sr., RB-SS, 5-10, 175: Versatile athlete was named MVP of Palomares League as a junior
Max Hura, Sr., Ayala, RB, LB, 5-9 192: All-around skills garnered him team MVP accolades last season.
Drew Johnson, Claremont, Sr., RB, 5-10, 205: Has the tough task of replacing the graduated Duy Tran-Sampson
Nick Lariviere, South Hills, Jr., ATH, 5-10, 165: Recorded 797 yards in receptions, 293 return yards and 82 tackles defensively as sophomore
Bruce Loyola, South Hills, Soph., OT-DE, 6-0, 200: Will have a huge impact for the Huskies on both sides of the ball
Cole McCain, Ayala, Soph., QB: Started as a freshman, threw for 1,435 yards and led team to league title
Reggie Retzlaff, Claremont, Jr., QB, 6-2, 172: Will be playing first full season after sitting out first 5 last year
Addison Shackelford, Ayala, Sr., OL, 6-4, 310: Division I prospect up front and as long snapper
Jovan Thompson, Diamond Bar, Sr., WR-CB, 5-10, 170: Another ofd the key players for the Brahmas who will go both ways
Shane Wells, Diamond Bar, Sr., WR, 6-3, 180: Caught 66 passes, 1,105 yards fior first team All-Inland Valley honors as junior
Bryce Wooldridge, Glendora, Sr., QB, 6-1, 175: Latest in line of great Tartan quarterbacks will lead the way
