MidValleySports.Com

All game times are 7:00 PM unless otherwise indicated

Thursday October 15

Temple City (2-2-1) at La Canada (2-2)

Last Year: Tied 14-14

2007: Temple City 26-14

  The jury is still out on La Canada. While some are saying the Spartans are better than expected, others are saying they still have a ways to go. Quarterback Rocky Moore can make things happen and had a nice game last week in a four point loss to Arroyo. LC also fell to Crescenta Valley by only three.

  Temple City has righted the ship after two tough early losses. The Rams have won their last two and put up 42 on La Salle. The offense is moving the chains. Rams open Rio Hondo league with a win.

Temple City 31 La Canada 21

 

Northview (1-4) at Pomona (4-1)

Last Year: Northview 27-7

2007: Northview 33-14

  The Vikes got a much needed win last week over Nogales. They might have a tough time in the Valle Vista and Pomona has surprised a few people winning four of its first five. The Vikings need to avoid mistakes but they should get it done against the Red Devils. Kamaron Germany will get a lot of carries. Vikings win second straight.

Northview 21 Pomona 14 

 

San Dimas (4-1) at Ganesha (0-5)

Last Year: San Dimas 62-19

2007: San Dimas 52-0  

  It’s always nice to start off league play with a victory. And that’s exactly what the Saints will get this week. Tre Evans, Theo Darlington, Ryan Kohler, Justin Winrow, take you pick…they all should have big games against the outmanned Giants.

  Ganesha fans might want to bring a pillow and a blanket. It’s going to be a long night.

San Dimas 45 Ganesha 6

 

Friday October 16

 

Arroyo (3-2) at Rosemead (1-4)

Last Year: Rosemead 50-12

All-Time: Arroyo 32-18

  This game is always a battle. Last year was one of those rare occasions that one team was clearly better as Rosemead rolled up 50 on its way to a CIF Finals appearance. The Knights are year older and a year wiser while the Panthers have struggled a little after losing key players to graduation.       

  Rosemead will be in the game. The Panthers always are. But eventually Mike Vasquez, Steven Rivera, Chris Rodriguez, Javier Lozano…somebody on the Knights will make a big play. Luis Diaz and Greg Parham are talented players for the Panthers but the absence of Joey Diaz has hurt.

  It should be close in the first half but Arroyo pulls away in the second. Knights get the W.

Arroyo 28 Rosemead 14

 

Gabrielino (1-4) at El Monte (0-5)

Last Year: El Monte 13-0      

2007: El Monte 20-14

  This is a bigger game than most people realize. With Mt. View and South El Monte struggling this looks like the battle for third place in the MVL. A win for either side would give them a jump start on that spot.

  The Lions are still trying to get that first victory. Gabby got one against Keppel. El Monte should have enough to get the job done but the Lions need to be careful not to overlook the Eagles. Last year the Lions needed a win over Gabrielino to earn a playoff spot and they did exactly that. My hunch is they do it again.

El Monte 17 Gabrielino 7

 

Mt. View (0-5) at South El Monte (0-5)

Last Year: South El Monte 61-14

All-Time: South El Monte 15-0

  A Viking win over South would be their first ever. This is a year win which South El Monte is clearly down but unfortunately for the Vikes, they are too. Mt. View has lost its five games by an average margin of over 25 points per game.

 But it’s been worse for South El Monte. The Eagles average margin in their five defeats is over 37 points per game including 63-3 and 56-0 routs at the hands of Norwalk and San Dimas respectively.  

  Somebody has to win this game. My guess is it will be South. The Eagles have to break out of their funk soon. Now would be a good time. South finally gets in the win column.

South El Monte 20 Mt. View 12

 

Gladstone (4-1) at Duarte (0-6)

Last Year: Duarte 34-16

2007: Duarte 34-3

  The Falcons have owned the Gladiators the last few years. But times have changed down in Duarte and it will be a different scenario this year. The Falcons were worried about fielding a team back in the summer and they are still trying to put four quarters together to get a win.

  G-Stone has a solid quarterback in Paul Flores and has won four of its first five games. The Gladiators are trying to get back to their league title winning days earlier in this decade.

  It will be all Gladstone in this one. Duarte should get in the end zone.

Gladstone 35 Duarte 7

 

Sierra Vista (3-2) at Azusa (5-1)

Last Year: Azusa 36-3

2007: Azusa 39-14

  The Aztecs proved they were the best team in the Montview last week with a 50-21 thumping of upstart La Puente. John Chavez is leading the way at quarterback and Kendric McDade is running wild out of the backfield.

  For Sierra Vista it’s going to be a struggle to land one of the four playoff spots in the Montview. The Dons are coming off a win over Duarte but suffered a loss to Gladstone the week before in the league opener. They need this win but they won’t get it.

Azusa 34 Sierra Vista 14

 

Workman (4-1) at La Puente (4-2)

Last Year: Workman 20-14

2007: La Puente 39-9

  Workman opened Montview league play last week with a big win over Bassett. LP took a hit from Azusa. The Lobos will try to establish the running game early with Kalin Bradford and then open up the passing attack. La Puente’s defense looked vulnerable last week in the loss to Azusa.

  La Puente can score as well putting up 62 on Duarte and 36 on El Monte. The Warriors have offensive weapons in quarterback Garret Hrey and running back Jesus Vargas.

   Workman looks like Cinderella so far this year. The slipper should fit for another week.

Workman 21 La Puente 17

 

Monrovia (5-0) at San Marino (5-0)

Last Year: Monrovia 41-19

2007: Monrovia 13-10

  The battle of the unbeatens has arrived.  Monrovia looks like world beaters right now. They are the undisputed best team in the Mid Valley Division as well as the Rio Hondo. The Wildcats have rolled over quality opponents like San Dimas and Rosemead.

  They have a crew or running backs led by Derrick Johnson and the most elusive quarterback in the valley in Nick Bueno.

  The Titans rallied in the fourth quarter last week to upend San Gabriel 14-13. Stevie Yortsos seemed to make every big play down the stretch. Benny Hung sat out the game with an injury but it was said to be just a precaution and he should be ready to go.

  San Marino hasn’t had a schedule that can be described as a death march. But with that being said the Titans have done what they had to do while winning five straight.

  Monrovia’s offense is devastating when it’s running on all cylinders. The running attack is the best in the area. San Marino hasn’t seen anything like that all season. San Marino will hang around for awhile but M-Town gets it done.

Monrovia 31 San Marino 14

 

Covina (2-3) at Baldwin Park (4-1)

Last Year: Covina 34-13

2007: Baldwin Park 25-16

  There’s been a lot of talk this year about Baldwin Park being the surprise of 2009 and possibly the favorite in the Valle Vista. Now is the time to prove it with the opening of league.

  The Braves should be able to score on Covina behind Manny Salcedo and Christian Lazaro. Defensively they need to be careful to contain Sebastein Duran, who can line up anywhere, and quarterback Billy Livingston.

  A win would be huge for the Colts who are out to prove they are a playoff contender as well. BP should have enough.

Baldwin Park 20 Covina 16

 

South Pasadena (1-4) at Blair (0-5)

Last Year: Blair 29-27

2007: Blair 26-21

  Wow, Blair has actually beaten somebody two consecutive years. The Tigers will end the streak this year.

South Pasadena 21 Blair 6

 

Whittier Christian (4-1) at Paraclete (3-3)

Last Year: Paraclete 38-12

  Why does this game matter? Because the Olympic League is part of the Mid Valley Division. Paraclete starts off league with a win.

Paraclete 27 Whittier Christian 21