Big Tony Solorzano
Wow, what a week for upsets and blown predictions. But the Suburban was perfect, and only La Serna kept me from being perfect in the Del Rio as well. Now we’re getting into the meat of the season as the playoff picture starts to come into focus.
The Matadores have finished “Camp Cupcake” and have a bye this week before they slog into the final three weeks against the other three powerhouses in the league, Mayfair, Bellflower and Norwalk.
So where do we stand?
In the Del Rio, there’s a three-way tie for first between, Pioneer, La Serna and Santa Fe, but like last week, two of those teams, La Serna and Santa Fe, are facing off for what could be either sole possession of first place or a first place tie with Pioneer, assuming the Titans knock off the Ranch at Titan Stadium on Friday.
Over in the Suburban League, La Mirada and Mayfair are sitting on top of the standings and are meeting on the 29th in a game that probably will decide the league champion, but this week, the Matadores have a bye, while Mayfair faces a potential trap game against third-place Bellflower. Norwalk is a game behind Bellflower in fourth but will have an opportunity to move into third place with a win and a Mayfair win over the Buccs.
WEEK 7
Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010
Santa Fe vs. La Serna (at Whittier District Field, Whittier, CA, Del Rio League)
MATCHUP: The Chiefs called off the dogs against the Condors after getting out to a 30-0 lead last week, but it still kept them on top of the Del Rio standings. This week, they head back to Whittier District Field and face off against one of the other first place teams, the Lancers. The La Serna better hope that Andrew Buenrostro’s pocket protection holds up under the Chiefs’ defensive pressure, if he’s picked off more than twice by the Chiefs, the Lancers will be in trouble.
Prediction: Santa Fe 31, La Serna 21
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Friday, Oct. 22, 2010
Cerritos at Artesia (Suburban League)
MATCHUP: The winner of this game will more than likely end up with a 2-5 record in league, since both the Pioneers and the Dons, along with Glenn, comprise “Camp Cupcake.” Artesia probably will end up on the short end since Cerritos did one thing Artesia couldn’t do, win a game this year.
Prediction: Cerritos 39, Artesia 7
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Mayfair at Bellflower (Suburban League)
MATCHUP: Everything about this game reads like it could be a trap game for the Monsoons. Although the Monsoons are undefeated, they could be caught looking ahead to next week’s showdown against La Mirada and the Buccaneers are just itching for a rumble. If Evan Hunko gets stopped, then the Bucs have a chance at the upset, otherwise, the Monsoon season keeps rolling towards the showdown next week.
Prediction: Mayfair 41, Bellflower 38 (OT)
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Norwalk vs. John Glenn (at Excelsior Adult School, Norwalk, CA, Suburban League)
MATCHUP: Whither Norwalk, how dost they fair? So far they have but one loss in league, but that was to Mayfair, and they’re about to run through “Camp Cupcake” starting with the Eagles this week, but before their close out with Artesia on Nov. 12, they get a chance to play spoiler to La Mirada’s bid at a league sweep, assuming they beat Mayfair on the 29th. But the Lancers have Elijhaa Penny. He’s already cracked the 1,000 yard plateau, and seems destined to be their primary weapon on offense. My money says he’ll crack 300 this week.
Prediction: Norwalk 56, Glenn 6
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Whittier at Cal (at Whittier District Field, Del Rio League)
MATCHUP: There are some serious rumblings down on Mills Avenue from the Condor faithful that the current Condors don’t have the intestinal fortitude to get them over this prolonged slump (poised to become the worst streak in Cal High history should the unthinkable happen Friday, AKA a loss to Whittier). The Cardinals, on the other hand, are rarely competitive, especially with this current losing streak. Their only positive note in last week’s loss at Pioneer is that they held the Titans to only two touchdowns and Tony Botello to 116 rushing yards, his third-lowest output this season.
Prediction: Cal High 17, Whittier 10
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El Rancho at Pioneer (Del Rio League)
MATCHUP: Where Pioneer has Botello as their main weapon, El Rancho’s Troy Campos has four running options, including himself, to gain yardage for the Dons. Not only is staying in first place on the line for the Titans, they’re also playing to earn some long-overdue respect.
Prediction: Pioneer 42, El Rancho 41 (OT)
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BYE WEEK: La Mirada
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