San Dimas HC, Mark Holman telling his troops they have to beat Northview. (Photo by Joe T.)
All kickoffs are at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.
Cathedral (7-0) vs. Salesian (5-2) at LA Southwest College
Salesian came close last week but wasn’t able to upend undefeated St. Francis. Now the Mustangs get another shot at a perfect team this week against Cathedral. The Phantoms had their struggles last week as well but did enough to beat La Salle. Cathedral was hit with a ton of penalties but still shut out a tough Lancer team 17-0. A couple of less flags and it could have been a 30 point game. Salesian hung tough last week and will again. They’ll need a little more on offense, but that’s a lot to ask vs. Cathedral’s D. Salesian battles into the fourth quarter but the Phantoms come out on top. They stay unbeaten for at least one more week.
Cathedral 21 Salesian 17
**
South El Monte (6-1) at El Monte (5-3)
Before the season started nobody would have believed that the Southmen and the Lions would be battling for second place in the MVL in the middle of October. But here they are in Week 8 ready to do just that. The Eagles have had just one hiccup. That was against Arroyo three weeks ago. Sal Tovar has been chewing up yardage and the defense has been playing well when it had to. El Monte started off cold but has turned it around winning five of its last six. The question is can El Monte stop South’s running attack. They had difficulty earlier in the year getting run over by Schurr and Montebello. Also in El Monte’s five wins the opponents will never be mistaken for murderer’s row. South El Monte is good enough for second. Eagles win the Griffen Bowl.
South El Monte 31 El Monte 21
**
Northview (6-1) at San Dimas (7-0)
The game everybody has been waiting for…well at least everybody at Northview and San Dimas. The Vikings did lose once – but that happens when the opponent is Charter Oak. San Dimas meanwhile has steamrolled everyone in its path. The Saints have scored at least 41 points or more in all seven of its wins. The thing is though they haven’t experienced anything the likes of Northview. The Vikings are big and physical and at times can dish it out. They’ll fight until the end. Even Charter Oak had trouble putting them away. San Dimas will score no doubt. But Northview will continue to answer. The Saints will fire a left, and the Vikings will respond with a right. Northview will have one more punch late in the contest. Vikes are the last team standing.
Northview 35 San Dimas 31
**
La Habra (4-3, 2-0) at Buena Park (6-1, 2-0)
Both the Coyotes and Highlanders are undefeated in league and looking at their records, one might think this is the year Buena Park gets past La Habra. Maybe not. La Habra’s three losses have come against teams the likes of Mission Viejo, Los Alamitos and Tesoro which have prepared them will for the talent that Buena Park can put on the field. Buena Park will keep it close early but La Habra will pull away in the second half.
La Habra 30 Buena Park 20
**
Chino (4-3, 1-1) at Los Altos (7-0, 2-0)
Don’t blink too often or you might miss the game. Both teams feature the running game and will want to establish the line of scrimmage so this game could be over fast. Keep an eye on #29 Andrew Manuele. The kid is a nightmare on opposing qb’s and is not afraid to go over the middle to make a catch on offense. The Cowboys’ Willie Morris can stretch the field so the Conquerors will need to do more than just shut down Andrew Almazan.
Los Altos 27 Chino 17
**
Warren (0-6, 0-2) at Downey (6-1, 2-0)
Last year Raul Lara guided the Bears to a 23-6 victory before a standing room only crowd in on of the biggest rivalries in the area. Sometimes when it’s a rivalry, you throw out the records. Not this time. This year, Warren has fallen from the ranks of the living only managing at little more than 15 ppg. on offense. That won’t get it done against a Downey team poised to make a deep playoff run. A running clock will keep the Vikings from dropping 70 on the Bears.
Downey 56 Warren 6
***
San Marino (3-3, 1-0) at Monrovia (2-4, 1-0)
If ever a game was going to mean something for both schools, this season, this one is it. The Wildcats have the talent but have been unable to put it together. The Titans are searching for the talent that made them so special the last few seasons. Look for M-Town to grind this one out.
Monrovia 23 San Marino 19
***
La Serna (4-3, 2-0) at El Rancho (2-5, 1-0)
This game should be a blowout. The Lancers losses have been to high-end programs so it makes sense to go with them here. But there is this small little thing that says the Dons could upset this applecart if they are overlooked. This game’s a blowout but don’t be surprised if something happens unexpectedly.
La Serna 38 El Rancho 14
***
Crescenta Valley (6-1, 4-0) vs. Burroughs (4-3, 3-1) at Glendale High School
Go with the Falcons. CalPreps likes this to be a tight game and normally we would as well…but there are times when the indians fail to show up. Burroughs needs to dust off former HC Keith Knoop’s “Wild Ram” offense he used when Xander Anding was in the backfield. Put Chance Bell into a shotgun formation and pound him. Otherwise…it will be all CV.
Crescenta Valley 42 Burroughs 21
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