Alex Ho and Titans get Rosemead at Home
Friday November 20
South El Monte (3-7, MVL # 3) at Monrovia (10-0, Rio Hondo # 1)
Common Opponents: Rosemead 31 South El Monte 28, Monrovia 33 Rosemead 7
San Dimas 56 South El Monte 0, Monrovia 36 San Dimas 17
Nice turn around for South. It’s not easy going from 0-5 to a playoff berth. But Monrovia is the best team in the Mid Valley. Wildcats big.
Monrovia 45 South El Monte 6
Paraclete (6-4, Olympic # 2) at La Puente (8-2, Montview # 2)
Don’t write off Paraclete just yet. The Spirits are still dangerous whether it be on the road or at home. La Puente throttled Gladstone in the last game of the season and its only league loss was at the hands of league champ Azusa.
It’s a long bus ride for Paraclete while LP gets to enjoy all the comforts of home. That being said I like Paraclete. While the Warriors were getting fat off of the Montview, Paraclete was battling the beasts in the Olympic. Spirits advance.
Paraclete 21 La Puente 10
Gladstone (7-3, Montview # 3) at Baldwin Park (8-2, Valle Vista # 2)
Common Opponents: Baldwin Park 30 La Puente 7, La Puente 35 Gladstone 24
Baldwin Park 49 Ganesha 14, Gladstone 35 Ganesha 6
With a break here or there the Braves could have beaten San Dimas. Down by five in the fourth quarter they dropped an interception that was a sure pick six. They committed six turnovers- two of which led directly to touchdowns. San Dimas was the better team no question. But the Braves aren’t far behind.
Gladstone, although on the rise after a dismal 2008, has a ways to go. The Gladiators played Azusa tough but fell to La Puente in the Montview. BP should take care of business.
Baldwin Park 28 Gladstone 14
Whittier Christian (7-3, Olympic # 3) at Arroyo (8-2, MVL # 1)
Arroyo swept the Mission Valley League after a couple of early season losses. The offense is in a groove. The defense hasn’t been bad either pitching three shut outs and allowing just seven points in the last four games.
Whittier Christian stayed with St Margaret’s falling by just 12 and also lost to defending CIF Champion Paraclete by only 12. But home field and a potent offense should be enough to propel the Knights. Arroyo advances.
Arroyo 24 Whittier Christian 17
Covina (5-5, Valle Vista # 3) at Azusa (9-1, Montview # 1)
Last Meeting: 11/21/2008 CIF Playoffs First Round: Covina 27-6
The Aztecs rolled through the Montview and were never really tested. Covina got into the playoffs with a close win over Pomona and then struggled to beat a 1-9 Northview team last week by one point.
Azusa might not make a title run but the Aztecs should be okay against the Colts. They won’t be seriously challenged until round two.
Azusa 31 Covina 13
Rosemead (5-5, MVL # 2) at San Marino (8-2, Rio Hondo # 2)
Last Meeting: 9/30/2005 Rosemead 35-3
2004: Rosemead 36-8
Common Opponents: Temple City 27 Rosemead 13, San Marino 19 Temple City 14
Monrovia 33 Rosemead 7, Monrovia 14 Temple City 12
Rosemead 37 Gabrielino 14, San Marino 34 Gabrielino 0
This could be the most interesting matchup of the first round. The Titans knocked off Temple City in the season finale to get in the playoffs and ended up second in the Rio Hondo. Stevie Yortsos has done everything for San Marino but Benny Hung and Joe Forgatch have come up big as well.
Rosemead has won four straight to secure second in the MVL. Matt Fregoso has solidified the running attack and Matt Macias has a nice target to throw to in Greg Parham.
San Marino’s defense hasn’t given up more than 14 points all year. That D and a capable offense should be enough to get the win. Titans survive.
San Marino 20 Rosemead 16
La Canada (5-4, Rio Hondo # 3) at Valley Christian (7-3, Olympic # 1)
La Canada did what it had to do under tough circumstances. Valley Christian stunned Paraclete to grab the Olympic title. Beating the Crusaders at their place will be too tall of a mountain to climb. LC’s season comes to an end.
Valley Christian 35 La Canada 21
Workman (6-4, Montview # 4) at San Dimas (9-1, Valle Vista # 1)
Common Opponents: San Dimas 56 South El Monte 0, Workman 14 South El Monte 7
If San Dimas’ offense wasn’t enough now the defense is getting into the act. Frankly if not in the Montview, Workman would be at home making plans for the holidays. The Lobos were outscored by a combined 66-0 by Gladstone and Azusa in the Montview Ugly.
I’ll go out on a limb- Saints.
San Dimas 41 Workman 7
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