Arroyo’s Ernesto Camacho to lead Arroyo against Covina in Zero Week. (Photo by Duane Barker)
All kick offs are at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise indicated:
Thursday August 24
Covina (0-0) at Arroyo (0-0)
Last Year: 17-17 Tie (Arroyo Forfeit Win)
The Knights, after winning the whole ball of wax last year in Division 12, now move up to give it a shot in Division 11. Quarterback Ernesto Camacho is back and that’s the most important thing. If Steven Ocariz can pick up some yards on the ground it will free up things even more through the air for Camacho. The Colts have high hopes and a new full-time starting quarterback in Nin Burns II. Burns, who’s father also played for Covina, has had a solid summer. Both teams can score but in the first week turnovers may play a part as well. Arroyo however is more explosive. The Knights should jump out early and not allow the Colts to get back in it. Arroyo wins the opener.
Arroyo 31 Covina 17
Friday August 25
Baldwin Park (0-0) at El Monte (0-0) (at South El Monte)
This game didn’t seem that interesting three months ago. Then El Monte hired Jesse Ceniceros and that changed quickly. Ceniceors brings in the double wing offense and he already has a couple of bubbas on the line that given the proper coaching can open big holes. The Lions have seemingly picked up the schemes quickly since Ceniceros came aboard. There will be no surprises, El Monte will ground and pound. Baldwin Park is coming off of a 5-5 year missing the playoffs. The Braves want to get off on the right foot with a win over EM. Jacob Robles, who can throw it and run it will need to have a big game for BP to do just that. He may have his moments but in the end the Lions will wear the Braves down. Ceniceros is a winner in his El Monte debut.
El Monte 21 Baldwin Park 14
Burbank (0-0) at Monrovia (0-0)
Last Year: Burbank 33-7
This isn’t the same Burbank team of a year ago. Many players from the team that advanced to the CIF Finals, were lost to graduation and the Bulldogs have a new coach as former quarterback Adam Colman has taken over. Monrovia, who was humbled last year by Burbank, may be out for a little pay back. They have some big time talent in Maury Rams IV, Michael Washington and Alfonso Castillo. The Wildcats also have the home field advantage. Add it all up and M-Town prevails.
Monrovia 24 Burbank 14
Jermaine Braddock and the Chargers take on Northview (Photo by Duane Barker)
Northview (0-0) at Charter Oak (0-0)
Last Year: Charter Oak 44-22
Last year Northview battled the Chargers but in the end the Vikings just couldn’t keep up. It may be the same story this year. Charter Oak has a load of talent (don’t they always?) including receiver Jermaine Braddock who is receiving D-1 offers. Northview has four year starter and Fresno State commit Steven Comstock at quarterback, which alone will keep them close. But it might not be enough. The Chargers have a tendency to make a big play when needed. It will be close in the fourth quarter until CO makes one of those big plays. Chargers win in a close call.
Charter Oak 27 Northview 24
San Marino (0-0) at Los Altos (0-0)
Last Year: Los Altos 38-6
The Conquerors lost two key components in HC Dale Ziola who stepped down and running back Tyler Nevens who took his talents to San Jose State. Hector Spathias took over for Ziola but it might be difficult to replace Nevens. But quarterback Kody Olmos and receiver Angel Lopez are back so the offense should be able to score some points. San Marino is improved. Last year the Titans were just trying to survive after losing the best graduating class in San Marino history. Quarterback Blake Cabot can make things happen and Beau Hobbie (HC Mike Hobbie’s grandson) should provide some spark in the ground game. San Marino has closed the gap but not enough to get over the hump. Los Altos still prevails.
Los Altos 21 San Marino 13
Schurr (0-0) at California (0-0)
Last Year: Schurr 33-22
Schurr has raised quite few eyebrows this summer with a nice passing game and a solid ground attack. If quarterback Miguel Aguero or receiver Lance Babb don’t get you then the other receiver Francisco Remigio will. The Spartans can get physical as well but the air show will be the focus of the offense. Cal is looking to bounce back from a rough 4-6 year last season and should be improved with the talent they have returning. The Condors will eventually get it going this season but not in this one. Schurr has too much. Aguero and company will be off and running.
Schurr 35 California 14
West Covina (0-0) at Colony (0-0)
Last Year: Colony 49-14
West Covina likes to schedule up. Kudos for that. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t. When the opponent is Colony it usually doesn’t. The Bulldogs will try to get the ground game going but it won’t be easy against a quick and strong Colony defense. Meanwhile if Colony grabs an early lead, and West Covina decides to go to the air, that might not work out so well either. The Bulldogs will be a contender. They always are. However in this one they’re outmatched. the Corey Tello era begins with a loss.
Colony 38 West Covina 14
Saturday August 26
San Dimas (0-0) vs. Bonita (0-0) – Smudgepot at Citrus College
Last Year: San Dimas 42-14
The burning question as we get ready for another high school football season is what the heck is a Smudgepot? Well whatever it is it’s usually a pretty good football game. San Dimas has a solid quarterback in Dylan O’Leary and and couple of nice running backs in Noah Maldonado and Sebastian Street. Although when was the last time the Saints didn’t have a nice running game?Bonita struggled in the Smudgepot last year which turned out to a be a long season for the Bearcats. Bonita does return quarterback J.P. Andrade, who threw for over 2000 yards last year, but will it be enough against San Dimas? Probably not. The Saints will pound it early as they always do and if O’Leary can make a play or two it could be a tough night for Bonita. The Bearcats may hang around for a half but in the end, San Dimas pulls away. The Saints will own the Smudgepot-whatever it is.
San Dimas 35 Bonita 14
My Two Cents,
Great call! Waiting to hear all the MHS excuses
Anybody using the name apachejoe hasn’t been around for a very long time. Surely Arcadia doesn’t look like it did in 1985. Guess what neither does any other school in sgv, get over it. Game was a little sloppy on O, but a defense giving up only 99 yards and 0 offensive TDs must be doing something right.
Good call anonymous bp 36 em 22. I guess at the end of the day nothing’s changed! Bp owns Em. Once a brave always a brave!
Good to know OCat. What happened tonight?? Was the 2nd string kicker not eligible? Was the announcer spotter not available?? No more excuses please…another butt whopping laid on Monrovia by these Bulldogs. All the best on another RHL league title
Burbank 23-8
Told y’all
Monrovia is a joke!
Montclair’s whole program is horrible
@ ApacheJoe
couldn’t agree more.
not the same looking Arcadia from when I was in school.
Kevin Chen,
Since when the heck was la salle considered a rival! Are you a current student? Hate to say it but arcadia isn’t the Arcadia every alumni use to love! They are very undisciplined and at times its embarrassing to watch! Don’t know if Arcadia has what it takes to beat la Salle even with a freshman QB starting for la salle
Mtown is a lock tonight.
I second your hopes for a big Arcadia win over La Salle. That place has a history of trying to deny entrance to those bearing CIF press credentials and courtesy cards. It wouldn’t surprise me to hear that they’re also charging admission to players and coaches. Do us all a favor and clobber these guys.
Hey anonymous no disrespect intended but the kid is an Eagle it’s called loyalty. Maybe he isn’t there for the head coach maybe he’s there because that’s where he wants to be. A breath of fresh air don’t you think? With all the kids who leave for any reason these days.
Monrovia 21 Burbank 13
Monrovia’s defense led by Javen Walker will frustrate Burbank and the Monrovia offense which will struggle moving the ball will win with explosive plays.
Looking forward to playing at rival La Salle tomorrow evening! Go Arcadia, go Apaches! #NoApachesDown
Sg frosh soph 20-16 over Montclair
What a game. Few mistakes but man our offense is gonna be good this year. So many toys for Mac to play with… going out on a stretch here this years offense is better than last year. Defense needs to catch up but they will!
Damn!!!
@ObeservantCat
I also think you’re missing the fact that Monrovia isn’t going anywhere with that staff! No accountability and no energy
Monrovia has as much of a chance winning Friday night as McGregor winning Saturday night.
Last years 1800 yard rusher for Chino Andrew Amazon is now at Colony to go along with that passing game, they could contend.
Ooooooohhhhh yeaaaaaaaa!!!! So it’s that time a year again. I spoke it into existence last season. CIF CHAMPS baby! This year I’m taking the wait and see approach. Really excited about what’s coming. Camacho Ocariz Cotero the big 3!
Pasadena Bulldogs kick off 2017 season @ Buena Park, who has new coach making debut tonight after Anthony White left.
Crescenta Valley is playing at ESPN sports complex in Florida at 9pm vs Collier of Naples Fl.
I think you Burbank fans are missing some very important information from last season. Monrovia was without truthfully their entire starting set of receivers and DB’s Not to mention the QB situation at the begging of the game. So in essence you guys played a very young inexperienced Monrovia team made up of mainly Sophomores and Juniors including a few freshmen. This years squad is much more versed to go against Burbank and it showed by the end of last season the maturity of these kids. Monrovia’s Defense will be the key to the victory that may come as a shock to you. Our offense is very good and if given the chance they will come out swinging. Maury Rams and Michael will be the best offensive players from either team tomorrow night and both can play in the secondary as well. It should be a great game to watch, Monrovia will have some surprises for you as well. They will be as disciplined and more athletic than Burbank……
Spot on for EM and BP. Wearing them down is correct. I’ll say it again Oline !
I expect Arroyo to roll Covina. Camacho and company are gonna build off last year and put up 40 IMO
I’m changing my mind on SEM losing to Alhambra I’m thinking Tovar gets them over the hump. But The Eagles also in rebuild mode
Viewpoint over Mt View. Don’t know much about point but the Vikings are in a massive rebuild mode
Cal hasn’t been good in years… doesn’t have the staff or the horses to do much… until they get a terris jones type transfer they will struggle.
@John Lopez, 100%
@local fan
Agreed, we shall see tomorrow night what this team is all about.
The depth of teams like Charter Oak and Colony is what matters. Back-ups are often better than starters on those programs. Go with traditional favorites. Burbank over Monrovia because after frontline talent Monrovia has big trouble. All teams lose players during a game.
We’ll see how good Schurr will be tomorrow night! A lot of buzz surrounding this team with new coaching additions and schemes offensively. Defense if healthy can handle their own like the Spartans always do.
Arroyo wins easy, Covina not as athletic as last year and Covina QB is being given a little too much credit. He is going to be good next year and his Sr year, just not yet! Will learn a lot this year, I am definitely excited to see him grow as a player the next few years. CO, Colony, SD, Los Altos all win big! Burbank takes it to Monrovia and I think the big surprise will be Cal keeps it close! I don’t think they have enough to win, but no blowout by any means. The biggest matchup to watch is Cal strength is not with athletes, it’s on the lines. Schurr strength is opposite, and Schurr is a little over rated too!
Schurr will win the Almont League this year. As for next year, Schurr will be gone. Schurr has no up and coming players
@ John Lopez, yes, I saw him this summer during the passing circuit. He’s very good.
Keep an eye out for Los Altos’ sophomore newcomer, Rene Zaldivar at the wide receiver position. This kid is a stud.
La Costa Canyon plays La Serna on Saturday the 26th, 7pm, at Cal High.
No way Burbank loses to Monrovia. The discipline and execution of Burbank alone would beat Monrovia by 2 touchdowns.
Sorry if I missed it but does anyone know if the 2017 PrepXtra Football Preview was released yesterday? There was no copy in my local Daily News delivery. Thanks in advance.
I like Covina for the upset, all other wins stay true.
I implore the Knights to give Tim Peterson a CIF Championship ring, as this seems to be what our times and customs require. The man obviously bleeds blue, and Lord knows he deserves this more than Donald deserved the gift from Kraft. If Arroyo comes through on this, who knows, maybe we can get him anointed a patron saint at APU as well.
Covina 28-14
The EM vs BP game will be played at South El Monte
Burbank 28-20