MidValleySports.Com

 

All Games are at 7:30 PM unless otherwise indicated

Thursday November 17

San Marino (7-3, Rio Hondo # 2) at San Dimas (8-2, Valle Vista # 2) at Citrus College

Common Opponents: San Dimas 31 Monrovia 14, Monrovia 43 San Marino 7

San Dimas will do what it has done all year – pound the ball with a bevy of backs. And the Titans won’t have an answer for it. Whether it is Jake Payton, Dominic Jollevette, Dillon Corona, or Devante Brown the Saints will chew up yardage.

San Marino might get one but this one could be over by halftime. San Dimas moves on to the Round Two.

San Dimas 35 San Marino 7

Friday November 18

Valley Christian (4-6, Olympic # 2) at Azusa (7-3, Montview # 1) at Citrus College

Common Opponents: Valley Christian 26 Maranatha 18, Maranatha 47 Azusa 28  

Last year it was Village Christian that proved to be too much for Azusa in the first round. This year the Aztecs again win league but end up with a solid Olympic League opponent with Valley Christian.

The Crusaders had a below .500 record but don’t let that fool you. They beat everybody in the Olympic League except the Champion Whittier Christian and they averaged over 34 points per game in league play.

The Aztecs proved they were four real by routing La Puente for the Montview League title. Azusa will keep it close but Valley just brings a few different things than what Azusa is used to seeing. Valley comes out on top.

Valley Christian 31 Azusa 24  

Maranatha (8-2, Olympic at large) at San Gabriel (6-4, Almont # 1)

Common Opponents: San Gabriel 27 South Pasadena 10, Maranatha 35 South Pasadena 14

This might be the game of the week in the Mid-Valley. Both teams have explosive offenses and have been lighting up the scoreboard. At times their defenses have been susceptible. Expect a lot of points to be put on the board.

The key will be who can make the most stops. The Minutemen have a few more playmakers and that could be the difference. It won’t be decided until the fourth quarter.

Maranatha is the last team standing.

Maranatha 38 San Gabriel 34

Sierra Vista (6-4, Montview at large) at Arroyo (9-1, MVL # 1)

Common Opponents: Mt. View 16 Sierra Vista 14, Arroyo 42 Mt. View 3  

After a few years of tough draws Arroyo got…well…Sierra Vista lost to Mt. View. You get the picture. The Knights just have too many weapons. They’re coming off a big win over El Monte and they have won six straight and nine of ten.

The Dons have a coach that returned to the helm this year in Don LeGro and a solid running back in Giovanni Rivera. But it won’t be nearly enough.

The Knights have another Rivera – Steven – and he’s going to win his first playoff game.

Arroyo 42 Sierra Vista 6

 

South El Monte (7-3, MVL at large) at Covina (9-1, Valle Vista # 1) at Covina District Field

Common Opponents: El Monte 20 South El Monte 13, Covina 52 El Monte 10  

Covina earned the number one seed by losing only once – to defending Southeast Champion West Covina – in the regular season. Now the real season begins. The Colts will start off by dispatching South El Monte.

The Eagles had a tremendous year. Ibis Aguilar did a remarkable job of turning the program around but it ends here. Gevontray Ainsworth, Billy Livingston, Vinny Venegas, Nick Hynes and company will make sure of that.

Covina rolls.

Covina 38 South El Monte 7

Alhambra (8-2, Almont # 2) at La Puente (9-1, Montview # 2)

This is a close matchup – two solid second place teams that lost only three games between them. Alhambra can throw it with Josh Mendoza but can also run the ball with Ezra Broadus. LP has Ivan Vasquez that can throw the ball around but has a solid ground game as well with Nick Barrientos.

It could go either way. Alhambra’s defense will need to stand up and avoid giving up the big play. If La Puente can limit Mendoza, the Warriors have a good shot at victory.

Home field advantage could play a part as well.

La Puente holds on in fourth.

La Puente 24 Alhambra 21

El Monte (7-3, MVL # 2) at Whittier Christian (6-4, Olympic # 1)

Whittier Christian might be the surprise team of the Mid-Valley Division. Nobody, including yours truly, picked them to win the Olympic League after losing a ton of talent to graduation. The Heralds lost their entire starting line backing crew, their starting quarterback, a wide receiver and a lineman that is now at Boise State. But their key components stepped up. Daniel Chacon threw for over 1900 yards, Cody Bronkar had close to 700 yards receiving and five touchdowns and Andrew Garcia had 35 catches for 350 yards. Grant Escobar had 675 yards receiving and 150 yards rushing. Sergio Gradilla’s troops will be tough to beat.

El Monte had a year to remember. 7-3 records and second place MVL finishes don’t come around very often. Brandon Martinez is healthy and Memo Silva is dangerous offensively.

The question is can the Lions stop the Heralds? Chacon likes to throw it and he might be able to find seams in the El Monte secondary. The Lions might make a few stops but not enough. Whittier Christian advances.

Whittier Christian 31 El Monte 21

Pomona (6-4, Valle Vista at large) at Monrovia (7-3, Rio Hondo # 1)

Common Opponents: San Dimas 31 Monrovia 14, San Dimas 36 Pomona 31  

You probably won’t see as many athletes on the field at one time as you will in this one. Pomona finished third in the Valle Vista but only lost to San Dimas by five points and Covina by two. Remember San Dimas beat Monrovia by over two touchdowns.

They both have weapons but Monrovia has more. If the Wildcats can limit Sir Darius Yabrough and Brandon Schreiman it could be a long night for the Red Devils.

But Monrovia has Blake Heyworth, Marquis Bias, De’Shawn Ramirez, Luke Williams, Anthony Craft…oh yeah and there’s Ellis McCarthy on the defensive line.

Pomona will hang in. The Devils might even grab a lead in the first half. But ultimately the Wildcats will overwhelm them. That’s just what they do. M-Town moves on.

Monrovia 34 Pomona 17