Tim Peterson
Friday November 26
Rosemead (8-3, MVL # 2) at Village Christian (7-4, Olympic at large) – Glendale High
The key obviously for Village Christian will be stopping Matt Fregoso. The senior running back has rushed for over 1300 yards in his last four games. But what if the Crusaders can hold him to say 100? Do the Panthers have anybody else they can rely on to step up?
Village Christian’s offense revolves around Amjed Aboul-hosn who can run and catch passes out of the backfield. Kyle Custer also makes things happen at quarterback.
Village Christian has enough to move on.
Village Christian 28 Rosemead 21
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Covina (10-1, Valle Vista # 1) at Whittier Christian (10-1, Olympic #1) – Whittier College
Flip a coin. It’s that close. It’s just too bad these two teams had to hook up so early. The Colts and the Heralds have both lost only once all year and rolled in the first round of the playoffs.
Quarterback Billy Livingston and running backs Gevontray Ainsworth and Vinny Venegas are all dangerous for Covina but Whittier Christian counters with Stephen Anderson, Grant Escobar and Cameron Stanley. And of course there’s Rudy Robles and Jeff Worthy defensively.
The Heralds’ tough Olympic league schedule has prepared them well for the post season. In case you didn’t notice all three Olympic teams advanced. That and a solid defensive effort will carry them through. Don’t take it to Vegas though. This is no slam dunk.
Whittier Christian 24 Covina 17
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Maranatha (8-3, Olympic # 2) at San Dimas (7-4, Valle Vista at large)
All of the second round Mid-Valley match ups are intriguing but this one might be the best. I know San Dimas can score but can the Saints score enough to hold off the Minutemen? If you haven’t seen Andrew Elfers yet now’s your chance. As a sophomore he’s been incredible for Maranatha.
It should be a back and forth affair. The scoreboard operator will be busy. Where Maranatha has the advantage at quarterback, San Dimas has the edge in the running game with Theo Darlington, Dillion Corona and company. Also Jordan Taylor is back from an injury and scored the winning touchdown last week against Arroyo.
San Dimas escapes with a victory.
San Dimas 35 Maranatha 31
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Schurr (7-4, Almont #1) at Monrovia (9-2, Rio Hondo #1)
Last Meeting: 1976- Monrovia 14-7
All-Time: Monrovia 5-0
Schurr surprised a lot of people by not only beating, but dominating, Baldwin Park 31-7 last week in the first round of the playoffs. The Spartans did everything right on offense, defense and special teams. Aaron Cantu threw for over 300 yards thanks to a couple of huge plays from Chris Jordan on screen plays. The defense shut down Mario Rodriguez and company but Monrovia is a different kettle of fish.
Nick Bueno, Jay Henderson, Anthony Craft, Luke Williams…pick your poison. They’re all dangerous. And of course Ellis McCarthy, who was just offered a scholarship by UCLA, is a beast on the D-line.
The Schurr faithful won’t like this. Neither will Albert “Rhino” Perez. But I’m going with M-Town. Rhino can use it for motivation.
Monrovia 31 Schurr 24
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