MidValleySports.Com

All Kickoffs are at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise indicated: 

Thursday November 17

Division 11

Montebello (10-1) at Covina (7-4) at Covina District Field 

The Oilers ran the Almont League table and then routed Coachella Valley in the first round. The Colts had a more difficult road to the second round. Covina took third in the Valle Vista with two losses and then had to convert a two point conversion in overtime last week to beat Victor Valley in the desert. But make no mistake they can play. Quarterback Anthony Meneses has thrown for over 1400 yards and he has a pair of talented receivers in Wahub Mallick and Hakim Williams Jr. Montebello can throw it as well with Gabriel Tapia racking up 1,741 yards through the air with favorite target Andy Brown hauling in over 500 yards in receptions. If Montebello’s defense can make a couple of stops early and pick up a quick score or two it might be tough for Covina to rebound. It should be a close game into the fourth quarter. Both teams are local and know each other well. Montebello gets the lead early and holds on late. Oilers advance.

Montebello 24 Covina 17   

**

Friday November 18

Division 4  

Charter Oak (10-1) at Downey (10-1)

Maybe the best game of the weekend. Two powerhouses that rarely cross paths and both come in with just one loss. Charter Oak fell to Los Altos in the Hacienda League while Downey fell to Hart back in September. Both teams have plenty of weapons although the Chargers have gone through three quarterbacks due to injury. The Vikings have an evenly balanced attack with 2,323 yards passing and 3,104 rushing. Trevor Hill has over 2200 yards passing and has rushed for nearly 500. Charter Oak’s Brian Casteel is a threat catching or running. In a rare stat, the Chargers have three players who have thrown for over 800 yards led by Brett Clemetson with 876. With Clemetson injured either Zack Niccoli or Matthew Takata will get the start. Expect some points to be put on the board. The home field advantage and some big defensive plays should leave Downey as the last team standing.

Downey 34 Charter Oak 30

**

Division 6

Los Altos (11-0) at Paramount (8-3)

Paramount is one of those teams that is seemingly always in the playoffs and always in contention for the SGV League title. This year was no different. The Pirates finished 4-1 in league falling only to SGV champ Downey. No matter who they line up against they’ll give them a fight. So with that and the home field advantage Paramount has a puncher’s chance against Los Altos. The only problem is Los Altos is more than a puncher. The Conquerors will knock you out. If Tyler Nevens or Andrew Manuele on the offense don’t get you then the defense will. Los Altos is perfect for a reason. They beat Charter Oak at Charter Oak, they beat West Covina and everybody else in the Hacienda. The Conqs have a CIF title on their minds and they aren’t going to let Paramount get in their way. Los Altos moves on.

Los Altos 31 Paramount 14

**

Division 3

La Serna (8-3) at La Mirada (9-2)

This is a repeat of last years Southeast Division Final that La Mirada won 45-20 en route to a state title. The Lancers would like nothing better than to exact a little payback on the Matadores. Both teams hit their stride going into the playoffs so there is nothing that says this won’t be one of he best games this weekend. The edge has to go to La Mirada for two reasons. The O-line and D-line. La Serna will be ready to play and keep it close but the Matadores prevail.

La Mirada 35 La Serna 27

**

Division 8

Burbank (8-3) at Northview (10-1)

Both teams should make sure they have fresh coats of paint on their helmet as this game will be a physical battle. The two teams know how to get it done in the trenches and have multiple playmakers. Guy Gibbs (1,933 and 9 td’s) and Steven Comstock (2,371 and 27 td’s) are solid quarterbacks who make plays and don’t make mistakes. This game could come down to a play on special teams and that’s where the Vikings have an edge with Antwaun Ayers.

Northview 30 Burbank 24

**

Division 9   
Valley Christian (9-2) at El Rancho (5-6)
The Dons’ Adam Chandler can deliver the ball and Gabriel Huerta can catch it…but its on the other side of the ball and in the trenches that cause concern for The Ranch. The Crusaders have a trigger-man in quarterback Isaac Joseph and home run hitter in running back Gianni Hurd. The Olympic League champions also have something else…beasts in the trenches that should allow them to take control early and win easily.
Valley Christian 44 El Rancho 13

**

Division 11
Arcadia (9-2) at Quartz Hill (8-3)
The Rebels are going to find the Apaches a bit tougher than they found Bishop Montgomery. Arcadia has not displayed a great offense or a shut down defense but they have shown that they are a very good team with a very competent coaching staff. Quartz Hill has a solid back in Manny Thomas with a good line to run behind, if the Apaches can shut this down they may have a chance out in the desert.
Arcadia 26 Quartz Hill 18

**

Division 12

Arroyo (10-1) at Schurr (8-3)

The Knights and the Spartans met in the playoffs back in 2013 and Arroyo came out on top 28-14. Friday’s game will be a closer game with the Spartans getting physical early and trying to take the Knights out of their game. The Knights’ confidence level is riding high on their current eight game winning streak. If the Spartans can get pressure on Ernesto Camacho, the odds of getting the upset increase! We’ve been wrong in the past picking against Schurr in the playoffs but we’ll take the chance again.

Arroyo 24 Schurr 21

**

Division 13
South El Monte (10-1) at Santa Clarita Christian (5-6)
When looking at this game, you might want to look at the one common opponent for both schools: Gabrielino. The Gabrielino Eagles finished the 2016 season 2-8. They beat Keppel for their first win of the season in Week One and the following week they beat Santa Clarita Christian…then they lost seven in a row.
The week after beating the Cardinals, Gabrielino fell to the South, 56-14.
SCC likes to throw the ball and they have some playmakers. Of course the Southmen to need to play error free (who doesn’t?)…but with Sal Tovar & The Devil’s Herd (the offensive line), South should take this game. They should make close game for three quarters look like a blowout in the fourth after they wear the Cardinals down.
South El Monte 28 Santa Clarita Christian 9