MidValleySports.Com

All games are at 7:00 pm unless otherwise indicated

Thursday 11/01

Mission Valley League 

South El Monte (5-4) at El Monte (7-2)

Last Year: El Monte 20-13   

The Griffin Bowl is huge for both teams. A loss for El Monte would be demoralizing. It would take away an undefeated league run and although the Lions would technically share the league title SEM would own the advantage of head to head competition. Make no mistake El Monte needs this win. As for South, a win would be a big momentum boost and carry the Eagles into the playoffs. South El Monte’s defense is playing well having allowed just 37 points in four league games. But El Monte is a different animal. The Lions have a lot of weapons for South to deal with. The Eagles might hang around early but in the end El Monte will be too much. Lions go 5-0 in league.

El Monte 27 South El Monte 17

 

Mission Valley League 

Arroyo (5-4) at Gabrielino (7-2)

Last Year: Arroyo 49-3    

If you look just at the records, Gabrielino is favored. If someone is due for a victory, it’s Gabrielino. With that being said, I like Arroyo. The Knights don’t miss the playoffs. In fact, they have never missed the playoffs in the Jim Singiser era and haven’t missed the post season since 1983. If there’s a play to be made in a close game, Arroyo will make it. It won’t be easy but the Knights will get it done. Keep the ball on the ground and pound Perter Aholoka and Arroyo will be fine. Knights advance.

Arroyo 21 Gabrielino 14

 

Friday November 2

Almont League

Montebello (6-3) at Schurr (3-6)

Last Year: Schurr 13-10 

Montebello got the win it needed last week over Alhambra after a tough loss to Bell Gardens. The Oilers need another one this week. The defense has been doing its job now the offense needs to step up. Schurr is coming off a big win over Keppel but this one is even bigger. If the Spartans could pull it off, they could make the playoffs with a 3-2 league record. Montebello has come too far this year to let it slip away now. Another solid defensive effort will prove to be enough for the Oilers. They win a close one.

Montebello 17 Schurr 10       

 

Rio Hondo League 

South Pasadena (6-3) at San Marino (8-1) 

Last Year: San Marino 28-7

A South Pasadena win would throw a wrench into the Rio Hondo. Assuming Temple City falls to Monrovia, which is nearly a given, there would be a three way tie for second as South Pas, TC and San Marino would all be 3-2. But there’s no need to worry about it. San Marino is six points away from being 9-0. The Titans lost by five points to the back to back Mid-Valley CIF champions. The Tigers are good, but well…they lost to Hoover. San Marino wins going away and knocks South Pas out of playoff contention in the process.

San Marino 31 South Pasadena 14

Alpha League

Sierra Canyon (9-0) at Paraclete (8-1)  

Last Year: 11/05/12: Sierra Canyon 36-26, 12/10/12: CIF East Valley Championship: Sierra Canyon 47-14

It’s the game of the year, at least so far, in the Mid-Valley. Paraclete is the last team to beat Sierra Canyon and that was in 2010. Sierra Canyon knocked off Paraclete twice last year including a win in CIF East Valley Finals. An argument can be made for either team winning this game. The Trailblazers have allowed more points in league than the Spirits but both teams have cruised through the Alpha. Sierra Canyon has outscored league opponents 236-54 while Paraclete has been even more devastating outscoring its league foes 263-13, while pitching three shutouts. If a home field advantage matters, then it belongs to Paraclete but in this game that doesn’t matter. I don’t see Sierra Canyon suddenly being affected by a road game. There won’t be a lot of points scored in a tough, physical hard hitting game. Neither team is going to rack up 40 like they’re used to doing. The Trailblazers, with Xavier Menifield, will do enough offensively to get it done. It’s tied in the fourth until Sierra Canyon takes advantage of a late turnover and then holds on.

Sierra Canyon 24 Paraclete 21

 

Valle Vista League

Northview (7-2) at San Dimas (8-1)

Last Year: San Dimas 34-6

Marcel Perez and Northview have been a good story this year. The Vikings have gone 7-2 including 5-0 in the Valle Vista. They will make the playoffs regardless of the outcome here. Javon Taylor is an explosive weapon for Northview. The problem for the Vikings is the Saints have an abundance of explosive weapons. They have racked up over 3100 yards on the ground led by Jake Payton with 1383. But he’s not alone as Andrew Espinoza, Denzell Mitchell, Reece Alvarado and Fausto Martinez have combined for over 1500. San Dimas simply has too much. Saints roll to league title.

San Dimas 35 Northview 14        

 

Quick Hits

 

Thursday 11/01

MVL   

Rosemead (3-6) at Mt. View (3-6) – Rosemead

Friday 11/02

Almont  

San Gabriel (3-6) at Alhambra (4-5) at Moor Field – San Gabriel

Rio Hondo

La Canada (1-8) at Blair (0-9) at Muir – La Canada

Temple City (5-4) at Monrovia (7-2) – Monrovia

Alpha   

Kilpatrick (1-7) at Viewpoint (4-5) – Viewpoint

Valle Vista 

Pomona (3-6) at Covina (5-4) – Covina

Nogales (1-8) at Wilson (3-6) – Wilson