Thursday, September 1st
Bonita vs San Dimas (Citrus College)
San Dimas leads series 21-18-1 (overall, includes 1999 CIF)
Last meeting: 2010 Bonita 41-20
A year removed from reaching the CIF Southeast Finals, the Bearcats enter “The Smudgepot” with Tanner Diebold starting a quarterback. On the other side of the field, the Saints enter the season with high expectations with Shawn Kennedy getting the nod under center.
Look for Bonita to have some growing pains early on offensively, while Garrett Horine will anchor the defense against a strong running attack in San Dimas. A strong receiving corp is headlined by Austin Venegas and Horine.
It will be no secret that the Saints will run the ball with Dillon Corona being the featured back.
OUTLOOK: San Dimas 21-17
Diamond Bar at Ayala –
Ayala leads series since 2001: 7-2
Last meeting: 2009 Ayala 43-10
Series has been lopsided during the last three meetings between the clubs with the Bulldogs outscoring the Brahmas 112-10.
Much expected out of Diamond Bar after a stellar passing league season.
Henry Omana looked like the real deal at quarterback and George Katrib is ready for a breakout season.
Running back Jamal Clayton looks to give the Brahmas a boost in the running game.
Sierra League became tough for Ayala finishing 4-6 last season.
Tevin Campbell will cause havoc for Diamond Bar defense with his duel threat capabilities.
Diamond Bar 28-20
Saugus vs Burroughs (College of Canyons) 7:30pm –
Saugus leads series since 2001: 4-2
Last meeting: 2010 Saugus 26-20
Defending Pacific League champs begin on the road for the second consecutive season at COC. This season will be much different for the Indians who will not be able to host any home games and will play at Glendale HS.
Zander Anding returns at the running back position and will be asked to take pressure off new quarterback Eli Peppmuller.
Defensively, Kody Jensen will anchor the front-seven after finishing with 82 tackles in 2010.
The Centurions return both 750 yard rushers in Jared Cabral and Tyler Watt. Cabral also can throw the ball as he finished 2010 with 665 yards.
Burroughs 28-21
Artesia at Huntington Park – Huntington Park 35-0
Friday, September 2nd
Diamond Ranch at Chino –
With the bulk of the rushing yards now in college, it will be Andrew Fischer’s job to continue the tradition set forth by Chase Price and Jacoby Carter.
Jacob Ardron returns on the defensive side after a 76 tackle season.
The Cowboys dropped a heartbreaker in the quarterfinals of the Central Division playoffs to La Quinta last season after going 10-0 during the regular season.
Sean Molles returns after a 26 touchdown season and accumulating 2,343 yards through the air. On the ground it will be Xavier Browne trying to repeat last season’s 1,275 yard performance.
Chino 35-14
La Mirada at St. Paul –
St. Paul leads series since 2007: 2-1
Last meeting: 2010 St. Paul 24-17
To say the Matadores lost talent to D-1 schools last season is an understatement. La Mirada is still the team to beat in the Suburban as they have two-straight league titles and have yet to be beaten in that span.
Andy Gramajo returns on both sides of the ball for the Matadores. Josh D’ambra will lead the defensive line after registering 4.5 sacks last season.
The Swordsmen will be much improved with much of its offense returning. Paul Telles will start at quarterback and hand off to Michael Ortega. St. Paul also returns 16 starters on both sides of the ball from 2010.
St. Paul 35-21
Mayfair at Downey –
Aaron Brown and Jerry Smith will supply the running based attack. Brown finished last season with 605 yards.
Some experience in the receiving corp with Aaron Minor and Keenan Wright getting some touches last year.
Biggest question mark will be at the quarterback.
The Monsoons will get a look at D-1 talent right off the bat as the face the Vikings and wide receiver Jabari Ruffin.
With an experienced signal-caller in Dallas Lopez, it could be a long night for a revamped Mayfair defense.
Downey 28-20
Muir at San Gabriel –
Muir leads series since 2010: 1-0
Last meeting: 2010 Muir 46-12
Andy Guerrero gets the nod to start for San Gabriel to start at quarterback for head coach Jude Oliva.
Alex Villalobos is a good weapon on the receiving end as he led the team in receptions. Carlos Purser will provide some sure tackling in the linebacker position. Big question for the Matadors will be if they can match the team speed of Muir.
The Mustangs have two Division-1 players in Tairen Owen and Kevon Seymour. Owen will look to run the ball often against San Gabriel. Seymour will give fits as well at either quarterback or wide receiver.
Both teams do need to come out of the gate quickly.
Muir 35-21
Norwalk vs Los Alamitos (Excelsior Adult School) –
Los Alamitos leads series since 2010: 1-0
Last Meeting: 2010 Los Alamitos 34-0
Beginning the season against Los Alamitos will set Norwalk up later during the Suburban League. The Vikings will have a new backfield with Rashad Penney being featured. The quarterback situation is a little bit of coin flip with either Jerry Panuco or Babby Favela getting the nod. Gus Guzman and Billy Rogers will have something to say about how the defense performs with their leadership in the linebacker corp.
The Griffins still have a familiar look for Norwalk to look at with Cody Paul slated at the running back position. Dylan Lagarde returns at the quarterback spot. Los Alamitos finished the season with a loss to Crespi in the Pac-5 opening round game.
Los Alamitos 35-7
Pasadena at Alemany –
What a way for Pasadena to start the season. With a tough Pac-5 team that continually churns out D-1 prospects. With that said, this will be a good gauge of what the Bulldogs have for the 2011 football season.
Brandon Cox has had a year to get familiar with OC Mike McKay and the entire summer was spent getting timing down with his speedy wide receivers. A running game is there for Pasadena with Cleo Bates returning.
With the Warriors it was a banner year with a semifinal appearance against Servite and a 12-1 record in 2010.
The big play guy for Alemany is Cameron Washington. He saw limited touches last season and that bodes well for the Bulldogs who face a young Warrior team.
Alemany 42-14
Santa Fe at Hamilton –
Jack Mahlstede’s last hurrah begins in the state of Arizona against 2010’s #1 ranked Hamilton. To say that this will be the best team the Chiefs face all year is an understatement.
The defense is stellar and that doesn’t change with the usual suspects back as Christian Mahlstede will play double-duty. Romeo Prado and Johnny Altamirano will key the defense in their return.
The offensive side sees flashy Joey Davis and Aaron Zaragoza sharing time at the running back and receiver position.
The Huskies extended its winning streak to 41 after defeating Mountain Pointe on Friday evening.
Santa Fe will have to contend to versatile slot back Kendyl Taylor and quarterback Blake Kemp.
Mahlstede will have to deal with a great secondary in Reggie Daniels and Cole Luke.
Hamilton 42-7
Burbank at Warren – Warren 21-17
Cerritos at Gabrielino – Gabrielino 17-10
Don Lugo at Walnut – Walnut 24-10
El Rancho at Los Altos – El Rancho 28-0
Nogales at Rowland – Nogales 17-7
Pacifica at Bellflower – Pacifica 35-7
Valley vs Glenn (Santa Ana Stadium) – Valley 21-7
Bonita Vista vs La Serna (California HS) – La Serna 21-17
Saturday, September 3rd
West Covina vs Covina (Covina District Field) –
Covina leads series since 2001: 1-0
Last meeting: 2010 Covina 27-21
Marquee match-up to end the Zero Week with the CIF Southeast Division Champion Bulldogs and the Covina Colts doing battle at Covina District Field.
Both teams have a great running attack with West Covina featuring Chris Solomon and Aaron Salgado, while the Colts Geovontray Ainsworth is just as dangerous.
Covina does have the edge at the quarterback position with Billy Livingston looking to have standout game. The “Dude” Vinny Venegas will be tough to defend against as well but watch for Bulldog DB Lonzell Barnett to shadow him.
Covina 21-14
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