Big Tony Solorzano
Well, it wasn’t exactly my most stellar week last week as a few of my predictions went the way of Texas’ reputation in college football. However, I still managed to get 10 games so the streak continues. This week, the JDR concludes its non-league season, while the rest of the Southeast Division gets deeper into their respective league schedules. La Serna concludes the bye weeks for the Del Rio League.
Week Five Predictions, COME ON DOWN!
WEEK 5
Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010
Pioneer vs. Garden Grove Rancho Alamitos (at Bolsa Grande High, Garden Grove, CA)
MATCHUP: The Titans managed to escape their game against Cerritos last week with a one-point win, but their non-league finale won’t be as difficult as they face a Vaqueros team who were shut out by those very same Dons. Look for the Titans to head into the Del Rio schedule with something they haven’t experienced lately, a winning record.
Prediction: Pioneer 35, Rancho Alamitos 14
Friday, Oct. 8, 2010
Montebello at Cal
MATCHUP: Who knew that two previously powerful teams in the Almont and Del Rio, respectively, would fall on such hard times this season like the Oilers and the Condors have? If there’s a silver lining with these dark clouds, it’s that Cal has been slowly improving since its season opener against Rowland, which cost the Condors Adam Contreras. As for the Oilers? Well, at least Homecoming is over already.
Prediction: Cal 31, Montebello 21
Fontana at El Rancho
MATCHUP: On paper, maybe a decade ago, this would have been a epic clash of high-flying programs. But we’re a long way from the Fo Hi I used to cover back in the days of the late, great Inland Valley Our Times, and so far this year, the Steelers are going through a feast-or-famine type of performance each week. The Dons, coming off a pounding of Montebello and a bye week, are rested and ready to go into league with a tie atop the leaderboard and a real chance of being a factor in the title chase.
Prediction: El Rancho 42, Fontana 21
Downey vs. Santa Fe (at Pioneer High, Whittier, CA)
MATCHUP: Okay, maybe that heart-breaking loss to Bonita in Week 2 affected the Chiefs’ offense more than I anticipated. The defense, however, seems to have gelled, having held Charter Oak, last year’s Southeast Champs, to only 17 points last week. It would have helped if Justin Rincon could throw for more in one game than he has in the previous four, a combined 131 yards. The Vikings are looking to plunder one more team before they start up in the San Gabriel Valley league, and the Chiefs are looking ripe.
Prediction: Downey 28, Santa Fe 24
Whittier at Salesian
MATCHUP: To paraphrase a line from a song in the 80’s movie “Streets of Fire” the Cardinals are going nowhere fast. Four straight losses and a total of 28 points scored in all four games tell you all you need to know about this week. Add to that, the Mustangs are coming off two close losses to two of the Mid-Valley’s contenders in Maranatha and Whittier Christian. Hide your eyes, Martha, this ain’t gonna be pretty.
Prediction: Salesian 56, Whittier 7
Artesia at Westminster
MATCHUP: In the lone non-league game in the Suburban league this week, the Pioneers are praying for a close game, something they haven’t had all season, and chances are they aren’t getting it from the Lions. Ironically, the Lions came close to beating Marina in week 2, losing by only two points, but everything else has been a blowout. The only sure outcome of this game is that someone will no longer be winless, but other than that, it’s a crap shoot.
Prediction: Artesia 21, Westminster 20
Bellflower vs. Norwalk (at Excelsior Adult School, Suburban League Game)
MATCHUP: Last week, the Buccaneers strung the Eagles from the Yard arm, while the Lancers were swamped by the Monsoons. This week, the Buccos want revenge for last year’s 51-point shellacking at the hands of the Lancers. However, Elijhaa Penny, who had been nursing an injury, is back and looking to test the Bucs’ resolve. All hands on deck for this one.
Prediction: Bellflower 38, Norwalk 35
Cerritos vs. Mayfair (at Bellflower High, Suburban League Game)
MATCHUP: As mentioned above, the Monsoons swamped the Lancers in their league opener last week, while the Dons dropped a one-point loss to Pioneer up at Titan Stadium. Cerritos is hoping for something like their last two games, a win over Rancho Alamitos and the close loss to Pioneer, rather and a repeat of their first two games, blowouts to Tongva Nation and the Gladiators of Gahr High.
Prediction: Mayfair 42, Cerritos 21
Glenn at La Mirada (Suburban League Game)
MATCHUP: Glenn lost by 50 last week, La Mirada won by 50 last week. ‘Nuff Said…
Prediction: La Mirada 63, Glenn 3
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