MidValleySports.Com

Paraclete HC Norm Dahlia and the Spirits welcome Temple City to town Friday night

All games are at 7:00 pm unless otherwise indicated

Friday 11/9

Temple City (5-5) at Paraclete (9-1, Alpha #1)

Last Meeting: December 6, 2008 CIF Mid-Valley Division Semi Finals: Paraclete 27-6  

Paralete might be playing its best ball of the year right now. The Spirits are coming off a big win over Sierra Canyon. Oh, by the way Sierra Canyon hadn’t lost a game since 2010. Coach Mike McFarland is a candidate for Coach of the Year for getting the Rams in the playoffs. But the season ends here. Spirits win big.

Paraclete 45 Temple City 7

Montebello (6-4, Almont #3) at El Monte (7-3, MVL #2)

Look for El Monte to bounce back big after falling last week in the Griffin Bowl. The loss didn’t demoralize the Lions, it only made them mad. South El Monte had enough weapons to outscore El Monte. Montebello doesn’t. El Monte advances.

El Monte 28 Montebello 10

Schurr (4-6, Almont #2) at San Marino (9-1, Rio Hondo  #2)

People thought San Marino would slip against South Pasadena. The Titans didn’t. Then they thought they couldn’t hang with Monrovia. They did. Now the talk is they will fall in the first round. Let’s get real here. San Marino is a good team. If the Titans are somewhere other than the Rio Hondo, they have a league title. Schurr’s defense might be able to slow them a little but not enough. Eventually San Marino gets on track. They always do. Titans move on.

San Marino 24 Schurr 13

Windward (5-3, Alpha #3) at San Dimas (9-1, Valle Vista #1) 

I’m not exactly sure where Windward is but this week it will be in San Dimas and the Saints won’t be gracious hosts. The Alpha League has some tough teams and this isn’t one of them. Saints roll.

San Dimas 41 Windward 13

Northview (7-3, Valle Vista #2) at Sierra Canyon (9-1, Alpha #2)

It’s been a fun year for the Vikings. It won’t be so fun Friday night. Sierra Canyon will be looking to take out some anger after losing to Paraclete and unfortunately its Northview who will suffer the Trailblazers wrath. Northview could hang around for a half but even that might be a little too much to ask. Blazers, big.

Sierra Canyon 48 Northview 3

Arroyo (6-4, MVL #3) at Bell Gardens (8-2, Almont #1)

Last Meeting: November 29, 2002, Second Round CIF Division VII Playoffs: Bell Gardens 35-13

This is possibly the best match up of the first round. Both teams play similar styles. They’re most successful when they pound it and play good defense. Bell Gardens is a cut above the Knights this year though, going undefeated in league while the Knights lost two games. The Lancers, like Arroyo, lost to El Monte. Expect a low scoring grind it out type of contest. BG, with Jorge Remigio has the edge in a close call.

Bell Gardens 17 Arroyo 13

Covina (7-3, Valle Vista #3) at South El Monte (6-4, MVL #1)

Last Meeting: November 18, 2011, First Round CIF Mid-Valley Division Playoffs: Covina 36-14  

Common Opponent: El Monte 30 Covina 28, South El Monte 33 El Monte 20

These two teams are familiar with each other after meeting last year. It’s a different scenario this time. Last year the Colts had their eye on a championship after winning the Valle Vista. They eventually were stopped in the semi finals by Monrovia. This year South is the MVL league champs (shared with El Monte) while Covina is third in the Valle Vista. The Eagles have enough offensively. They proved that last week against the Lions. The Colts can score, but can they score enough points? Levi Wells, and a solid defense should be enough for the Southmen. South to second round.

South El Monte 24 Covina 14

Viewpoint (5-5, Alpha at large) at Monrovia (8-2, Rio Hondo #1)

This is why it’s nice to get a league title and a top seed. Monrovia will dine on some Viewpoint stew. It won’t be pretty folks. Leave the women and children at home. Cats gone wild!

Monrovia 48 Viewpoint 6