Rosemead Ready for Covina?
By Tim Peterson
All game times are 7 PM unless otherwise noted
Thursday September 10
Ganesha (0-1) at Gladstone (1-0) Citrus College
Last Year: Ganesha 7-6
Gladstone looks like a totally different team than last year’s edition so far. The Gladiators got a big victory last week and should be fine here. The Giants opened with a 37-14 loss to Montclair. G-Stone gets it done.
Gladstone 21 Ganesha 6
Sierra Vista (0-0) at Hoover (0-0) Glendale H.S.
Opener for both teams. Sierra Vista has to hit the road but when Hoover is waiting for you it’s usually worth the trip.
Sierra Vista 28 Hoover 7
Wilson (0-0) at Sonora (0-0) La Habra H.S.
Last Year: Sonora 31-28
Wildcats finished 0-10 last year but the Raiders not much better at 3-7. The Brian Zavala era gets off on the right track. Wildcats hold on.
Wilson 24 Sonora 21
Friday September 11
Temple City (0-0) at Arroyo (0-0)
Last Year: 9-12-08 Temple City 34-0, 11-21-08 CIF Playoffs 1st Round: Temple City 7-6
All-Time: Temple City 16-14
Arroyo has close to 20 returning players back including skill positions players like quarterback Steven Rivera, receivers Chris Rodriguez and Anthony Miller and tight end Jeff Salazar. Mike Chavez, another key returning starter, is a beast at linebacker. So yeah, I’m going with Arroyo.
However Temple City has made big strides since Coach Anthony White was hired in April. The Rams will be better than expected. Look for “Mad” Max Ruckle to get a lot of carries behind a stout offensive line.
Arroyo 27 Temple City 20
South El Monte (0-1) at San Dimas (1-0)
Last Year: San Dimas 56-33
All Time: San Dimas 3-1
South can only get better after last week’s debacle. San Dimas looked solid in a 33-6 win over Los Altos. South will get one eventually but not this week. San Dimas rolls.
San Dimas 31 South El Monte 7
El Monte (0-0) at La Puente (1-0)
Last Year: El Monte 34-13
The Lions have some offensive weapons. Quang Phong, Eddie Landeros an Adrian Ramirez are potent enough to put some points on the board. LP was effective in Coach Brandon Roher’s debut in a win over Gabrielino but the Eagles have struggled in recent campaigns.
Garret Hrey will need to find some passing lanes in the Lions secondary. El Monte should have enough.
El Monte 20 La Puente 16
Gabrielino (0-1) at San Marino (0-0)
Last Year: San Marino 21-0
All-Time: Even 5-5-1
The Titans are coming off a season in which they won their first eight games and advanced to the CIF playoffs. Some of the players instrumental in that run are back in Joe Forgatch, Stevie Yortsos and Benny Hung. A home crowd and a lesser opponent in Gabrielino should favor San Marino. The Titans have outscored the Eagles 33-0 in the last two years.
Titans win their opener.
San Marino 24 Gabrielino 7
Covina (0-0) at Rosemead (0-0)
Last Year: Rosemead 50-12
The Colts are looking for some redemption after last year’s disaster at home against the Panthers. The Colts have gained experience and toughness since that game. Sebastien Duran and company should be able to move the ball efficiently.
Rosemead lost some key talent but has plenty coming back. Coach Matt Koffler won’t ask first year quarterback Matt Macias to do much more than had the ball off to Joey Diaz or Matt Fregoso. Look for Luis Diaz in the offensive mix. Panthers come out on top.
Rosemead 21 Covina 17
Monrovia (1-0) at Duarte (0-1)
Last Year: Monrovia 14-6
Since 1960: Monrovia 20-7-1
For Duarte Coach Tip Sanders this season is about staying healthy, getting players to start to buy in and establish a foundation to bring Duarte football back to prominence in the near future. Monrovia’s future is now.
Nick Bueno is running wild and the Wildcats are replacing Marquise Williams with a committee to line up behind him. There is room for improvement but against the depleted Falcons, they’ll be fine. Cats big!
Monrovia 35 Duarte 6
San Gabriel (0-1) at South Pasadena (0-0)
Last Year: San Gabriel 54-14
All Time: San Gabriel 10-9-1
San Gabriel stayed with Cathedral for awhile. That’s saying something considering the traditional power of the city section school.
South Pas has Conor Bednarski but after that the Tiger pickings are pretty slim. Mats get the win in a game that will be strangely reminiscent of last year. SG in a rout
San Gabriel 38 South Pasadena 10
Northview (0-0) at Los Altos (0-1)
Last Year: Northview 9-7
Los Altos is coming off of a 1-9 year and is expected to be much improved under second year coach Felipe Aguilar. Justin Zamano is a quarterback who has a bright future. The Conquerors aren’t there yet. San Dimas rolled over LA last week shutting down the Conqs the entire way.
Northview lost a lot of seniors but has talent returning in Kamaron Germany and quarterback Martin Arredondo, who looks like a capable replacement for Oscar Robles. A close game should be in the offing once again but Northview has enough to prevail.
Northview 13 Los Altos 10
St. Francis (0-0) at Arcadia (0-1)
Last Year: St. Francis 54-7
All-Time: St. Francis 12-4
Arcadia had a tough time keeping up with Monrovia quarterback Nick Bueno last week. The Apache defense has another difficult task this week trying to stop running back Dietrich Riley. The Golden Knights are loaded and expect to contend for a title.
An Arcadia upset here is a very tall order. St. Francis pulls away in second half.
St. Francis 34 Arcadia 7
Ayala (1-0) at South Hills (0-0) Covina District Field
Last Year: South Hills 23-12
Huskies are the bigger, badder dogs
South Hills 28 Ayala 14
Other Games – Quick Hits:
Bell Gardens (0-0) at Azusa (1-0) Citrus College – Azusa
Baldwin Park (1-0) at Montebello (1-0) – Baldwin Park
Burroughs (0-0) at Schurr (0-0) – Schurr
Rowland (0-0) at California (0-0) – California
Colony (0-1) at Diamond Ranch (1-0) – Diamond Ranch
Charter Oak (1-0) at University (0-0) – Charter Oak
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