Aurelio Mendoza and Gladstone need a win over Workman
All game times are 7:00 PM unless otherwise indicated
Thursday October 29
Baldwin Park (6-1) at Northview (1-6) Covina District Field
Last Year: Northview 31-0
Two teams headed in opposite directions. Northview Coach Jim Arellanes can use this year as a learning experience and start making plans for 2010. Baldwin Park took care of Pomona last week and is looking forward to a Valle Vista League showdown with San Dimas.
Manny Salcedo and Christian Lazaro are on the same page offensively for the Braves. BP rolls.
Baldwin Park 34 Northview 7
Friday October 30
El Monte (0-7) at Arroyo (5-2)
Last Year: Arroyo 9-3
All-Time: Arroyo 35-6
El Monte needed a win last week and couldn’t get it against South El Monte. Now it really gets difficult. The Lions still have Arroyo and Rosemead on the schedule after losing to Gabrielino and South El Monte making a playoff appearance seem nearly impossible.
The Knights connected all the dots last week in a win over the Eagles. Steven Rivera, Chris Rodriguez and company will be too much. Arroyo in a rout.
Arroyo 31 El Monte 7
Mt. View (0-7) at Gabrielino (2-5)
Last Year: Gabrielino 28-14
All-Time: Gabrielino 9-1
This game is important because the Eagles, after beating El Monte in the league opener, are a legitimate playoff contender. The Vikings actually stayed with Rosemead for a half last week and then it was same old, same old.
Gabrielino is still smarting from the beating it took last week at the hands of Arroyo. The Eagles are looking to take out some frustrations on somebody. Unfortunately Mt. View will be the object of those frustrations.
Gabrielino gets the win.
Gabrielino 21 Mt. View 3
Rosemead (2-5) at South El Monte (2-5)
Last Year: Rosemead 52-14
All-Time: Rosemead 9-6
South suddenly is hot after winning two straight in the MVL. The Eagles are also at full strength now that everybody has returned from injuries, grades, etc. Rene Flores and Alex Ruiz are making big plays for the Eagles.
That being said the Panthers should take care of business. Matt Macias is getting better every week and Conrado Simpson and Luis Diaz are playing well on both sides of the ball. South will keep it close early but Rosemead will come out on top.
Rosemead 28 South El Monte 13
South Pasadena (2-5) at Monrovia (7-0)
Last Year: Monrovia 27-10
Since 1982: Monrovia 17-8-2
If everything clicks offensively for South Pasadena, the Tigers get all the calls and force a couple of turnovers, and every loose ball bounces their way, they will…still lose by three touchdowns.
Monrovia has too much offensively, defensively, on special teams, and even in the trombone section. Deshawn Ramirez, Derrick Johnson and Nick Bueno lead a ground attack that is impossible to stop. Wildcats breeze to 8-0.
Monrovia 45 South Pasadena 7
Temple City (3-3-1) at Blair (0-7) Pasadena City College
Last Year: Temple City 56-13
All-Time: Temple City 22-4-1
See South Pasadena – Monrovia except substitute Blair in the Tigers spot. The Vikes have as much chance as winning this game as I do of guarding A.J. Powell in man coverage.
Temple City will get this one in the Rio Hondo as well as the game against South Pas. The only real drama left for the Rams will come against San Marino. Oh by the way Justin Smith can play a little baseball too. Rams is a romp.
Temple City 42 Blair 6
La Canada (3-3) at San Marino (6-1)
Last Year: San Marino 23-14
2007: 7-7 Tie
Both teams need this one bad. The Titans and Spartans come in at 1-1 and a loss would put them either one on the brink of elimination. San Marino stayed with Monrovia losing only 14-12 so we know the Titans can play. They also came up with a big win over San Gabriel.
Joe Forgatch, Benny Hung and oh yeah, Stevie Yortsos, are capable of making big plays. The Titans’ D has played well also.
La Canada took care of Blair (who hasn’t?) but gave up big points and yards to Temple City in the Rio Hondo opener. Rocky Moore is making things happen on offense but it might not be enough. Titans win going away.
San Marino 30 La Canada 14
Workman (5-2) at Gladstone (5-2)
Last Year: Workman 22-12
Key Montview League matchup: Workman is without running back Kalin Bradford who injured his knee in last week’s win over Sierra Vista. Michael Silva, who runs the ball and lines up at wide receiver, picked up the slack with a couple of touchdowns. Silva is also making big plays on defense.
Gladstone gave Azusa all it wanted last week and raised a few eyebrows. The Gladiators’ quarterback Paul Flores has been making plays all year. G-Stone will have to air it out to win and Workman has been pretty good against the pass. Both teams are 3-1 in league so the winner will move closer to a playoff spot. The Lobos have enough weapons to make up for the loss of Bradford. Workman wins a nail biter.
Workman 21 Gladstone 17
Azusa (7-1) at Duarte (0-7)
Last Year: Azusa 44-6
2007: Duarte 31-17
I’ll go out on the proverbial limb. Azusa big.
Azusa 48 Duarte 6
Bassett (3-4) at Sierra Vista (3-4)
Last Year: Sierra Vista 21-6
The Olympians won three of its first four and then turned into a pumpkin once league started. It’s the Halloween season so it’s fitting the pumpkin shows up again against Sierra Vista.
The Dons defense has been torched the last two weeks but they should be able to stop Bassett.
Sierra Vista 20 Bassett 12
Ganesha (1-6) at Covina (2-5) Covina District Field
Last Year: Covina 21-20
Colts were belted last week by San Dimas while Ganesha stunned Northview. I still like Covina. It’s a must win for the Colts (0-2 in league) if they have any hope of making the post season. Covina should rise to the occasion.
Covina 20 Ganesha 7
Pomona (5-2) at San Dimas (6-1)
Last Year: San Dimas 34-8
Pomona came crashing down to earth last week in a loss to Baldwin Park. The free fall continues this week. The Red Devils are a good team. Taj Teague and Darrian Lewis are dangerous. But that might not matter against the Saints.
San Dimas has been rolling since a loss to Monrovia September 25 having scored 119 points in the three games. Last week they shut out Covina 35-0. While the offense is running smooth, the defense is getting better every week. San Dimas gets it done.
San Dimas 34 Pomona 20
Village Christian (6-1) at Paraclete (5-3) Antelope Valley College
Last Year: Paraclete 17-6
This is Paraclete’s biggest challenge in the Olympic League. If they win here the Spirits will go undefeated in league and begin their quest for a second straight CIF Mid Valley Division title. They’ll go undefeated in the Olympic.
Paraclete 31 Valley Christian 14
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