Chandler McCaffer and the La Serna Lancers kick off Del Rio League play with a huge game against El Rancho. (Photo by Duane Barker).
All kickoffs are at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.
Friday October 4
Almont
Alhambra (5-0) at Schurr (2-3)
Last Year: Schurr 27-23
Alhambra deserves some credit. The Moors are 5-0 and have rolled over every opponent so far. But their opponents don’t exactly resemble Oaks Christian and Mater Dei. The Moors are coming but are they there yet? This will be their first real test. Schurr has been up and down so far…win a couple here, lose a couple there. This is where the Spartans need to shine. If they win in the Almont the non league struggles will be forgotten. Has Alhambra arrived yet? No, not quite. Schurr gets it done.
Schurr 27 Alhambra 17
Del Rey
St. Paul (4-2) at La Salle (4-1)
Last Year: St. Paul 48-7
St. Paul has made huge strides this year. The Swordsmen stayed with Sierra Canyon for four quarters and then beat Los Alamitos last week. St. Paul has emerged as the favorite in the Del Rey League and should make a run in the Division 5 Playoffs. La Salle, under first year head coach Ben Buys, is vastly improved from last year’s edition. The Lancers are 4-1 coming in and are looking to make some noise in the Del Rey. But they aren’t on St. Paul’s level just yet. The Swordsmen have played a non league schedule that has prepared them for this. They’ll be more than ready. St. Paul wins handily.
St. Paul 35 La Salle 14
Del Rio
El Rancho (5-1) at La Serna (6-0) (California)
Last Year: La Serna 49-20
There’s been a lot chatter on the board about this one. The La Serna faithful have been out in full force honking for the Lancers while the Ranch people are screaming for the Dons. El Rancho lost the opener to Northview in a close game and hasn’t lost since. The Dons pulled off a miracle comeback win over Garfield and put away traditionally competitive teams in Bell Gardens an Montebello. La Serna is a different animal altogether. The Lancers haven’t been tested. ln what was supposed to be a barnburner last week against Warren, La Serna knocked the Bears out 50-6. The Lancers are well coached, tough and disciplined and the king of the Del Rio until somebody says otherwise. El Rancho will compete but La Serna gets the W. That’s just what La Serna does.
La Serna 34 El Rancho 17
Hacienda
South Hills (2-3) at Charter Oak (2-3)
Last Year: South Hills 23-6
Both teams need a victory to get started off right in the Hacienda and both are coming off of big losses last week. Charter Oak was shut out by Chino Hills 33-0 while South Hills was soundly beaten by La Mirada 34-14. The Huskies have had some trouble to adjusting life without Matt Bechtel who left for Damien while the Chargers have also been playing without head coach Lou Farrar who has had health issues. It could come down to a big play in the fourth quarter with a turnover being the difference. South Hills has just enough to hold on.
South Hills 27 Charter Oak 24
Mission Valley
Rosemead (4-1) at El Monte (5-0)
Last Year: El Monte 52-14
El Monte has had little trouble so far in non league and might not face much adversity in league either. Rosemead has had a good start as well. The Panthers have won four out of five but those wins came against the likes of La Puente and San Gabriel, not El Monte. The Lions run game has been devastating. Devon Booth and company won’t be stopped…at least not in this one. Lions remain unbeaten.
El Monte 42 Rosemead 21
Pacific
Burbank (3-3) at Crescenta Valley (5-0) (Glendale)
Last Year: Burbank 45-23
Crescenta Valley is still undefeated. The Falcons have been impressive rolling over their first five opponents. They were supposed to be pushed last week by Burroughs and they dropped 42 on the Indians. Burbank has had a tough schedule but the Bulldogs have passed the Pacific League test so far winning their first two games. Crescenta Valley’s offense is explosive although Burbank can score too. The question is can the Bulldogs outscore the Falcons? The short answer is no. CV has too much.
Crescenta Valley 38 Burbank 31
Palomares
Glendora (5-0) at Bonita (5-0)
Last Year: Glendora 28-7
If you’re not sure where to go Friday night, have no allegiances, and just want to see some good head banging football, then Bonita is the place to be. Two undefeated heavyweights going at it to kick off the Palomares League. Both teams have been impressive so far against some fairly good competition. It’s too bad this is the first league game because it’s for the Palomares title. Flip a coin in this one, it could go either way. I flipped a quarter and it came up Glendora.
Glendora 31 Bonita 21
Valle Vista
San Dimas (3-2) at Northview (4-1) (Covina District Field)
Last Year: Northview 35-14
For San Dimas it’s been an up and down season so far. The Saints can run the ball, sometimes at will, and they’ve used that attack to pummel opponents like Pomona last week. But their defense has had trouble stopping people at times as they gave up 35 points to both Whittier and Bonita. San Dimas is good – the second best team in the Valle Vista. But Northview, right now, is the best team in the Valle Vista. The Vikings only loss was to a Los Altos team that is also 4-1. James Jimenez and company are too much on offense and the defense is active and physical. The Saints are good. The Vikings are better. Northview wins.
Northview 35 San Dimas 24
Hahaha sure thing bud. If you really want to know I was an all leaguer but that’s neither here nor there. However, it doesn’t take a genius to know what a clown FridayKnight aka get back coach is. If you choose to defend him you’re probably a joke too.
@”Get back coach” hater
I finally figured it out. When you played in high school, the “Get back coach”is the only coach to talk to you. I can hear what he said now: “Get back son, we’re only leading by 40.”
I hope tearing down a QB that goes out there every Friday, giving his all, makes you feel good, because it just makes you look like a jerk on here. But go ahead keyboard warrior, hide behind your alias and tear down HS kids. Great job!
La Serna is an outstanding team that is well coached and had been for a while. People hate on LS because of idiots like you who talk trash. Follow example of LS team and show some class you dolt. Singling out a kid. Get a life
@ Rolling: Alhambra High did OK last night. Congratulations to our players, and to Coach Eric Bergstrom and his staff on a job well done.
Last night’s victory over Schurr was Alhambra’s first against the Spartans since 2012, and it was the first time AHS has beaten them on their home field since that 2011 season.
Winning the league opener is always big, but we still have four more games to go in the Almont. We’ll keep playing them one at a time.
@ Almont Spectator: 69-27. How’s that for double-digits? But, in all candor, I have to admit that we were expecting a much closer game.
Alhambra gets to play the Spartans again next year, which is one of the many wonderful things about high school football. And, everybody will be out to get us, so that’s definitely an incentive for our guys to keep playing well.
No he threw for 195 yards. The garbage td was for 50… if anything ER didn’t run the ball with any success…
Get Back Coach…be upset about the out of town transfers but not the MVL transfers. How many dudes played for Arroyo but belonged to another MVL school? Boy you must be outside your mind! Arroyo is having a down year, they’re going to get blown out by EM Transfer Express, and be one and done in the playoffs. It happens big dog. Don’t be a baby.
@phillyb your QB was exposed. I’m surprised how bad they really are. All hype, he 5’2 with hills. Had negative yard if it wasn’t for he garbage TD at the end. What a joke.
CV 45- Burbank 14 final.
Why did you feel important to point out that ER is predominantly Hispanic? You do know that LS is in Whittier is right next door. It’s not like LS in orange county.
Yes I’ll give you that, that QB is small as hell. BUT he makes pretty damn good laser throws and can move around the pocket.
LS has had a choke hold on this league, but I think ER will surprise you and this won’t be a cakewalk for la serna
THANK YOU! Because the way these LS fans talk… you’d think they were Alabama! I know they’re good, I respect their pre-league schedule always scheduling up playing against D3 teams. I get all that. But… idk I gotta see this team for myself and see if the hype actually matches
In 2011 the Alhambra Moors marched into Ken Davis Field and upset the Spartans 18-8. Led by QB Mendoza, RB Broadus, OL/DL Caraveo, and hard hitting LB Quinones. The Moors must play mistake free football and capitalize on opportunities to win this.
RE EL MONTE
I went to the San Marino El Monte game and saw a smaller and outmanned down this year SM team play EM even up. The game was not as one sided as the score suggests as SM turned over the ball on downs at the 1 foot line once and had another scoring drive come up short deep in EM due to a penalty. So SM could have beat the 5-0 EM.
It is no secret SM is way down this year and the cupboard was bare for the new coach. So the SM EM game is cautionary to EM tribal hopes. I freely admit that is the onlyEM game I have seen. But I dont see a CIF champion in that game.
@ FRIDAYKNIGHTS ,Hey was Camacho a transfer ??????? but that was OK…. a typical of a person that notice the doings of others but not there own . STAY TUNED MORE TO COME…….
@Stat man
There you go again living in the past.
You still haven’t told us who you rep.
That’s what i’ve thought… hiding behind your username… weak… Stats don’t mean anything, get a life.
@ My two cents
I hope so too my dude. You’re right those kids are playing hard, they’re just inexperienced right now. Hopefully this year serves as experience under fire and they’re better for it next year. We shall see.
@ Friday knights
I agree somewhat with you on what if Reyes stayed at the view he’d elevate the entire program but it’s not cool to say no one will remember in a year. If EM wins a CIF championship he’ll always be remembered as a lion. Montoya probably should’ve stayed at SEM but as I hear the SEM staff was rife with infighting (literally) and a bad environment so can you really blame the kid? It’s bad for SEM, bad for the MVL buts good for EM chances at a ring. Oh and one more thing I agree with you on is the stat thing. I was at the poly game vs SEM MaxPreps shows the RB at 160 yards if he ran for 100 yards I’ll wear a dress and lipstick. SEM was totally stifled offensively so someone is inflating numbers over at the swamp. That’s just foul. Joel Sanchez was notorious for that practice as well. lastly, remember Montoya is still a kid. Calling him out personally isn’t cool bro. Transferring doesn’t make him less competitive I could argue it makes him more competitive by wanting to play deeper in the playoffs. I don’t like him leaving SEM but ultimately it’s up to him. No disrespect intended but it needed to be said.
FridayDELETED maybe these boys dont care about the carries and know they are contributors for the bigger picture A CHAMPIONSHIP, not stats. Booth and Cuevas will wear down Arroyos defense while Montoya reaks havoc on defense and Reyes will lock down anyone in front of him. But regardless of what happens we all know you’ll have a smart DELETED remark about something negative and it hilarious how you never fail to always mention the transfers. Both Reyes and Montoya are Locals.
Check yourself cause I seen your boys/staff talking to Reyes and another South kid (not Montoya) currently a senior trying to get them to go over this year. I promise you we didn’t talk anyone into coming over they came on their own for different reason, they knew what we had here in Booth and Cueva. But hey you’re gonna talk out of your DELETED as usual. It’s all good because if it come down to it you’re gonna get that score ran up on your team. With Reyes and Montoya running “garbage time”. South isn’t even crying as much as you and one of their boys choose to come down here.
I doubt Montoya left his job as the feature back at SEM to be a back up and a defensive player. Lol Reyes and Montoya will be upset very soon about only getting in on garbage time. Bottom line Reyes should be at Mt View possibly making them respectable and if he’s as good as people say he is then he could’ve went down as an all time great. Now no one will even remember he played for EM in year. Montoya should still be at South El Monte possibly contending for a league title not playing for the rival team. Not a good look for him to bail on his school and teammates to play for the league favorite. We had a name for dudes like that back in my day. But I’ll keep it classy. EM stop stealing seniors, it’s classless!
@FridayKnights what you fail to understand is Coach C has the luxury of having 4 quality RB and if hes smart he will distribute the during league to keep them all fresh for playoffs. But I believe Reyes and Montoya are more valuable on defense. Every team so far have avoided Reyes side so far and with Montoya the defense gets even better.
EM isn’t even averaging 40 plays a game. Booth getting like 13, Cueva 9 carries each plus 3 passes. They’re scoring to quick to get anyone a good number of carries. But no biggie Reyes is arguably our best DB and Montoya going to be causing havoc too. It’s a team sport everyone gots a roll.
My Two Cents,
I agree La Salle had such a cupcake preseason schedule. They should be 5-0 going into the St. Paul game but last game, HC lost that game. If La Salle played the same schedule as last year, they would go 2-8 for the season. St. Paul is going to put 40 points or more with the running clock in the second half.
I also agree with you about the coaches running up the clock. The HC at San Dimas loves to do that. He will leave all his starters in the 4th Qtr winning by 50. They also have some idiot freshman coach I think his name is Dane Jackson, he loves bullying the kids. That whole coaching staff is a joke!!
Arroyo beats Mt View because that’s just how things are forever gonna be. Arroyo puts up 40 with all of our injuries.
Sem against Gabby is a cake walk. If SEM doesn’t roll them then they’re frauds. Just like those ridiculous stats they’re posting. Areas leading rusher on a losing team?? Yea right guys!!! Keep trying. SEM 34-14
EM will have little trouble against Rosemead. But why should they with all those outta area code soldiers? Kitties win 50-14
Gold,You really think Montoya is gonna get the rock early? Who loses carries Booth or Cuevas? They barely get the ball to Reyes in mop up duty only. I don’t see it how they make it work.
@Mr. Goldbricker, as much as I want your prediction to be true for the sake of those Mountain View players who work just as hard as anyone else, but I just don’t think they are going to score on Arroyo. A lot of those poor kids should be playing no higher than JV not varsity.
Montebello beats BG away. And this game is
For the Almont league.
LS-ER should be a great game…two of the best staffs around will have their respective squads ready to play.
La Serna 7 Santa Fe 22. 2017. In 2018 La Serna scored with seconds left in the game to go ahead of Whittier. La Serna’s good but they are not Alabama.
MVL time!!! Start of league everyone’s record is 0-0 and has a chance at league we’ll except my Vikings… maybe next year right. So let’s go
Let’s start with Arroyo at Mount View. Arroyo has been hit hard with injuries no word on if those athletes are back this week. Does this open the door for an upset? No I don’t think so, the knights still win with or without those injured players. View has had a real tough go so far but, One thing is if the Vikes can run the ball they could keep it close. But I doubt it Knights win 42-14
EM vs Rosemead is kind of intriguing but Rosemead is gonna quickly find out there are levels to this and EM is simply out of their league. The Mead has a nice 1-2 punch in Ostry and Campbell but the lions have the whole combo. Lions roll 48-7. Lions also will be at full strength with Montoya a SEM transfer off of his 30 day sit out period. Look for the lions to get him touches early.
SEM Vs Gabrielino the battle of the Eagles. So I’m definitely interested in this game as both teams will show who’s real and who’s the fraud. Both teams have looked good against bad teams and in SEM case looked bad vs good teams. I think SEM has the horses to win. The run game will too much for Gab to stop. SEM wins 34-21
La Serna rolls over El Rancho 42-7
I concur…Santa Fe-Cal is very hard to handicap, but even harder to care about. If you’re into office politics, however, the duel between Zamora and Pierson to see which is the better boss-pleaser can be quite interesting.
El Rancho a Hispanic school. Wth does that have to do with it? Most likely won’t be 60-0 and even if it gets close to that score which I don’t think it will, LS going to know they were in a fight the next day. I say LS 35 ER 20
No chance for ER. LS has abused ER every year under Medrano and this year will not be any different.
1) La Salle will not win the CIF title this week because they are not playing Mountain View. They are absolutely going to get destroyed by St. Paul. By games end, La Salle will know exactly how Mountain View felt by their coaches unsportsman conduct of trying to run up the score. Prediction: Running clock by halftime.
2) El Monte will have a running clock on Rosemead by halftime.
Prediction: Rosemead coaches agree to have a running clock the entire second half.
3) No way Schurr beats Alhambra.
Prediction: Alhambra beats Schurr by at least two touchdowns.
It’s just a prediction who the f cares
Midvalley, you have for however long ALWAYS predicted CV’s going to win. THIS IS BIASED AND YOU ARE WRONG AS YOU HAVE BEEN FOR THE OAST 2 YEARS! All you did is undermine and underestimate Burbank. Burbank played a tough schedule. CV-not so much. Fix that prediction to Burbank winning.
From T. Peterson: Like I said…CV wins.
Alhambra will beat Schurr and they’ll definitely out coach them. Schurr’s defensive staff is horrible.
Shoot sounds pretty accurate 🙁
Santa Fe -Cal. This one very hard to handicap. Both teams have had nice moments and then utter exercises in futility. A must win for Cal because assuming they also lose to La Serna two loses in the Del Rio with three teams in D11 well, you are pretty well done still having to beat Whittier and El Rancho. One has to think Santa Fe’s coach Pierson is on the hot seat for the once formidable Chiefs unless Santa Fe is going the Pioneer High route and does not give a darn about the coaching or football anymore. A must win for both. Prediction 2-0 score, you pick it.
La Serna is a monster. 11 returning starters from last years juggernaut along with new arrivals. Blowing out everybody in sight including league champions and division champions from 2018. #1 seed in D6. Power rating that some D3 teams envy. El Rancho, hispanic school with 5 returning starters from 2018, predicted to finish last again, with a 5’3″ QB 130lbs. soaking wet. Yet, here they are again. I don’t get it. It’s a entirely different team from 2018 made up of guys that all live of Passons Blvd. and walk to school. Prediction, La Serna 60 El Rancho 0 at the half.
BIG GAME this Friday, ER @ LS
As most of you know I’m a big LS fan.
My son, nephews and many friends sons have played for LS. “2013 CIF Champions”
But what you guys don’t know, ER is my alumni and I’ve played for the Dons and wear in the big ER on my jacket. I have mixed emotions about the game and although I want LS to win the game, if ER can somehow pull-off the win it will be special… ER then will be the clear favourite to win the D11 CIF Championships.
Regardless of the outcome, it’s a WIN WIN for me.
Burbank over CV.
Burbank vs. Muir will be for the league title.
Got to agree with Almont Spectator here… not sure as to why Schurr was picked to win this game but maybe Peterson knows/has seen something no one else has. Schurr can look real good sometimes and other times they seem to forget how to play defense. I’ll pick Alhambra on this one but I hope it is a competitive match.
100% agree! Schurr hasn’t played anyone and still give up points like it’s the cool thing to do. The moors shock the almont and win league this year
Alhambra has been solid as cotton candy in recent years, but this year’s edition of Spartan football is dead on arrival. As another poster wondered, it’s a mystery how the Spartans can be this bad. Needless to say, I like the Moors more in this meeting.
The head banging will be at La Serna-El Rancho. Bonita is still a finesse team. They won’t dare bang heads with the Tartans. Game will be over at the half.
And who has Schurr beat?? No one either! They should be 1-4, got lucky to come back against Rosemead (not a good team anyways). And Morningside? Where’s that powerhouse from?… Alhambra by double digits