Game Night: CIF Playoffs 2nd Round

Davon Booth and the El Monte Lions are home against Nordhoff (Photo by Armando Vargas)

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

DIV 5
St. Paul (9-2) at Yorba Linda (10-1) (Valencia High School)
Both teams are number one in their leagues and both are coming off big shutout wins in the opening round. St. Paul has talent all over the field and has a couple of signature wins. Plus the Swordsmen took Sierra Canyon to the wire. Yorba Linda has been impressive as well with victories over La Mirada and Orange. It will be a slugfest right down to the fourth quarter. St. Paul holds off the Mustangs late and gets the W.
St. Paul 24 Yorba Linda 21

DIV 6
La Serna (11-0) at Los Altos (9-2)
This may be the best game of the weekend. La Serna continues to roll and last Friday night dropped 56 on a good Warren team that just beat Downey the week before. Los Altos seems to be hitting its stride. The Conquerors have won four straight since a tough seven point road loss to Diamond Ranch. They had to travel to San Juan Capistrano last week to get the win in the first round. There’s a strong case for either team winning this one. La Serna’s offense looks unstoppable. The Lancers have scored at least 40 points in every game except one. Lancers remain unbeaten.
La Serna 38 Los Altos 31

DIV 9
Foothill (11-0) at San Dimas (10-1)
San Dimas took care of business last week and for the effort the Saints get the number one team in the division. Foothill is no joke. The Knights beat Yorba Linda which is in Division 5. They also beat Tustin, a Division 8 team. In fact, they beat everybody. They’re 11-0. The Saints have a few big wins under their belt as well. They won the Valle Vista beating Division 7 Northview along the way. They’ve won eight straight since falling to Bonita in the Smudgepot in September. This will be San Dimas’ toughest test of the year. The Saints will answer the bell but can their defense make enough stops? Foothill makes one more.
Foothill 35 San Dimas 31

Monrovia (10-1) at Newport Harbor (8-3)
Monrovia, which rolled through the Rio Hondo, now faces a team that finished fourth in its league. But in the Sunset Newport Harbor is dealing with likes of Corona Del Mar and Edison. The Wildcats record had just one blemish – a 34-14 loss to Los Altos back in early September. The Wildcats are on a roll. They have won eight straight and have dropped at least 40 points on five different teams. This will be a test. Second round games always are. But the Cats will pass the test with flying colors. M-Town moves on.
Monrovia 28 Newport Harbor 24

DIV 10
Crescenta Valley (11-0) at Eisenhower (7-4)
Crescenta Valley is still perfect after taking care of Peninsula while Eisenhower, which hails from the San Andreas, rolled over Big Bear. The Eagles however have four losses on the year and don’t seem to have the same firepower as the Falcons. CV is playing well on both sides of the ball. They should win handily.
Crescenta Valley 31 Eisenhower 14

DIV 11
Chaffey (10-1) at Muir (9-2)
Both teams are pretty evenly matched. The Mustangs lost just twice all year while Chaffey dropped one. Muir has the advantage of home field and of playing in a tougher league than Chaffey. The Pacific, with the likes of Crescenta Valley and Burbank, are on a different level than the Mt. Baldy. Muir may get off to a slow start but by the fourth quarter the Stangs should be rolling. Muir advances.
Muir 38 Chaffey 21

El Rancho (9-2) at Hemet (7-4)
El Rancho is a team that continues to impress. The Dons lost their first game of the year to Northview but have lost only once since – to undefeated La Serna. Hemet is coming of a nice win over Arroyo and now gets spared the bus ride getting the Dons at home. But El Rancho plays well on the road. The travel shouldn’t bother the Dons. It will go down to the wire but the ER comes out on top.
El Rancho 27 Hemet 20

DIV 12
Nordhoff (8-3) at El Monte (11-0)
El Monte may fall eventually but it wont be this week against Nordhoff. The Lions have been mauling everybody in their path and they’re not about to go down yet. The real test will be next week against Rio Hondo Prep. Nordhoff had a nice year but it ends Friday night. Lions not only win but it could be a rout. El Monte is headed for the semis.
El Monte 45 Nordhoff 17

32 Comments to "Game Night: CIF Playoffs 2nd Round"

  1. Ron Vrooman, AHS stat man's Gravatar Ron Vrooman, AHS stat man
    November 17, 2019 - 2:17 pm | Permalink

    @ MVS: I agree. Mr. Goldbricker is anything but; the man does his homework and provides good insights. He’s about as objective as anyone can possibly be.

    @ San Dimas Fanatic: I appreciate your kind words. The product that Alhambra has put on the field during the last two seasons took over five years to build.
    Eric Bergstrom and the core of his coaching staff have stayed the course the entire time. Their hard work—and that of our players—is producing positive results.
    The Moors have now won 13 games in a row and 20 of their last 22. That sort of accomplishment doesn’t happen by accident; our coaches and players have made it abundantly clear that they’re all-in.

  2. MVS's Gravatar MVS
    November 17, 2019 - 12:30 am | Permalink

    Tim I think Mr.Goldbricker needs a weekly little column. He’s never bias and always speaks the truth. I’m a fan of a few schools and even when he criticizes them, it’s nothing you could get mad at like when other do it in a disrespectful way.

  3. EM alum's Gravatar EM alum
    November 17, 2019 - 12:26 am | Permalink

    SD fan here you guys are doing a great job. Ground and pound.

  4. San Dimas Fanatic's Gravatar San Dimas Fanatic
    November 16, 2019 - 6:11 pm | Permalink

    For all those, not Uncle Rico.

    SD fans were really aspiring for a showdown with Monrovia. Monrovia had a great turn-around year under Coach Chris. They’re future looks promising. They had a tough road game.
    @statman Ron Vrooman, I am glad your team is doing well after defending them for so many years here at this blog. I hope you guys take it all.
    @Football Fan, if you were always right you should be in Vegas making a ton of cash. It happens, I hope you pick us this week and you get it right.

    Lastly, Uncle Rico, I’m sure its fun in your mother’s basement playing Fortnight and wondering why none of your dating apps are not making connections. Borrow some money and go out and watch SD play this week I’m sure Holman will shake hand. Then you’ll know what a good coach looks like.

  5. San Dimas Fanatic's Gravatar San Dimas Fanatic
    November 16, 2019 - 5:28 pm | Permalink

    @QB Sneak AKA Uncle Rico, for a person who claims to have played at the next level, you sure don’t recognize good coaching. Um….. Holman won his second league title this year and just beat the #1 ranked team in the division. Get your facts right. Just to let you know getting to the next level in Madden, doesn’t mean you’ve played at the next level. C’mon Uncle Rico, most people that have actually played at the next level don’t remind everyone. Your ignorance is as obvious as yourself aggrandizement. Which makes me feel sorry for you. … well maybe not that much.

  6. and the Saints KEEP marching's Gravatar and the Saints KEEP marching
    November 16, 2019 - 12:59 pm | Permalink

    I wonder what QB sneaks is going to say next? One and done… mmmm NAH! Two and done…..mmmm WRONG.
    Here is some unsolicited advice… wait until the results of the game before running your mouth.
    Hate to say it “big” dog… our “little” Saints keep marching on.

  7. Ron Vrooman, AHS stat man's Gravatar Ron Vrooman, AHS stat man
    November 16, 2019 - 4:40 am | Permalink

    @ Hot Ticket: You’re really funny. The game was played at the Orange Coast College stadium, which must seat at least 10,000 fans.
    Everything was chill, so to speak. AHS brought its band, which was nice, because Calvary Chapel apparently doesn’t have a band. Also, for everyone’s information, this was the first time the AHS band got to go to a road game in years.
    And, Calvary Chapel’s public address announcer played Neil Diamond music, for heaven’s sake. (CC is a faith-based school, of course, so they didn’t play any gangster rap. I happened to consider that move to be rather refreshing.)
    Alhambra brought several hundred fans to the game, which was a far greater number than Calvary Chapel did. And, as far as I could tell, everyone in the stands was well-behaved.
    We came and went without incident, and we’re on to another road game next week.
    Surely you jest, my friend. I can tell that you have an exceptionally creative mind.
    In case you haven’t noticed, AHS has won 13 games in a row and 20 of its last 22. We’re having a good time, and we’re not going to let haters bother us right now.

  8. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    November 16, 2019 - 1:52 am | Permalink

    Friday Green….close enough.

  9. Football Fan's Gravatar Football Fan
    November 15, 2019 - 9:56 pm | Permalink

    Re: San Dimas vs Foothill

    Damn…looks like I was wrong! LOL

  10. Football Guy's Gravatar Football Guy
    November 15, 2019 - 7:54 pm | Permalink

    The old sane in the 90’s for The Ranch was small in size but big in Heart!! BLUE PRIDE!!

  11. QB Sneak's Gravatar QB Sneak
    November 15, 2019 - 3:38 pm | Permalink

    Sad Dimas Fanatic
    What a fool to believe SD will win tonight. SD will never win A CIF Championship with Holman as HC!
    1. Holman’s Playoff record 4-4
    2. Holman Section Championships:0 League Championships:0
    3. Championships since Holman became the HC: 0
    4. That was 2015 against Paraclete. That year was one of their worst record 6-6.
    5. Sad Dimas had to beat the mighty Bassett 6-5, Paraclete 6-6, and Viewpoint 7-6 to advance to the Championship..
    6. After tonight’s game. Sad Dimas Fantatic will be MIA after the game until next year when SD beats another D13 team 63-0. Lol!

  12. LionNation's Gravatar LionNation
    November 15, 2019 - 1:01 pm | Permalink

    @Mr.Goldbricker like always, respect your unbiased words Mr. Thanks

  13. MVL insider's Gravatar MVL insider
    November 15, 2019 - 10:30 am | Permalink

    Em coaches need to stay off the boards it’s getting old.

  14. Good Luck to Everyone Tonight!'s Gravatar Good Luck to Everyone Tonight!
    November 15, 2019 - 9:15 am | Permalink

    It’s good that it was brought up in the comments, but aren’t Alhambra and Montebello (CSHM HS) in the San Gabriel Valley? Aren’t they both in the CIFSS? Does press coverage stop at D12?

  15. A guy's Gravatar A guy
    November 15, 2019 - 8:13 am | Permalink

    Burbank plays Serrano tonight too.
    Just a heads up!

  16. Hot Ticket's Gravatar Hot Ticket
    November 14, 2019 - 11:02 pm | Permalink

    I don’t understand why the Alhambra-Calvary Chapel game is being played in such a small venue. There’s a definite danger of over-crowding and unruly behavior with all the interest this one’s generating. Here’s hoping Vrooman gets out alive, and with his clipboard intact.
    From T. Peterson: Small venue? The place holds 10 grand!

  17. Lay The Wood's Gravatar Lay The Wood
    November 14, 2019 - 10:35 pm | Permalink

    Monrovia is on the road and probably going to experience the most hostile crowd they’ve ever experienced. They also haven’t played anybody all year and if it wasn’t for their 6 transfers, they’d be at home getting ready for next season. Those aren’t neighborhood kids on their roster. I got Newport 24-21 and San Dimas will get smacked by Foothill 35-10. No team that runs a double wing is going to be able to handle an uptempo spread team. Those are my thoughts.

  18. Areafan's Gravatar Areafan
    November 14, 2019 - 3:46 pm | Permalink

    @Anonymous haters always going to find a excuse to hate, how is their fault they win the coin flip…its called destiny. Stop hating and appreciate

  19. Real ER Don's Gravatar Real ER Don
    November 14, 2019 - 12:50 pm | Permalink

    No D1 signers, no huge line, no speed, too tiny at the skill positions, no transfers or recruits, no local press coverage. So what does the Ranch football team have? HEART! Like Al Davis used to say. “Just Win Baby”. GO DON”S”

  20. November 14, 2019 - 12:26 pm | Permalink

    MVL still rollin to the second round. After doing my research on Nordhoff, found some things out. The word most used to describe the team has been “athletic” not very big but fast. Well that puts me at ease a bit because to beat this team you have to be “tough” probably “big” and “stout” I think EM is just fine here. Might be close for a few quarters but in the end lions get into the 40s. 44-21 EM moves on to the next round. Hopefully to play Rio Hondo Prep but from I hear they’ll be in for tough game on Friday. Good Luck to EM and RHP Would love to see a good neighborhood battle.

  21. Football Fan's Gravatar Football Fan
    November 14, 2019 - 10:50 am | Permalink

    San Dimas is the emotional favorite in the SGV. Sorry guys, the Saints get rolled by Foothill.

  22. Ron Vrooman, AHS stat man's Gravatar Ron Vrooman, AHS stat man
    November 14, 2019 - 9:57 am | Permalink

    @ Rodney Dangerfield: Alhambra vs. Cantwell-Sacred Heart sounds like a good semifinal matchup to me. Here’s to shorter bus rides!
    BUT, first, we have to beat a 9-2 Calvary Chapel team tomorrow night. In addition, the road trip to Orange Coast College will be by far our longest up to now, but I believe we’ll handle it just fine.

    By the way, Rodney, did you hear the one about the hockey game that broke out during a boxing match?

  23. Friday Green's Gravatar Friday Green
    November 13, 2019 - 11:52 pm | Permalink

    I am taking San Dimas over Foothill.
    1. Foothill is on the road and due lose. Going undefeated is very tough to do, that’s why you don’t see it often.
    2. The Saint’s offense is very peculiar and hard to replicate in practice. Thus, hard to stop in the playoffs.
    3. Foothill struggled with 5-6 El Modena and 3-8 in which San Dimas is much tougher than. Yea the Saint’s have struggled too, but they are the underdogs.
    4. No one is giving the Saints a chance, not even the Knights ,so they have nothing to lose. They’ll have the edge.
    San Dimas 22 Foothill 21(OT)

    Monrovia is the favorites on paper, but it’s been a while since they’ve been in this spot. However , the same theme continues…The OC does not respect the SGV. Like San Dimas, Monrovia must play with the proverbial “Chip” on their shoulders. The Cats D likes the taste of that shut out. Will they get one here? Likely not. However, I think the Cats win big Friday
    Monrovia 34 Newport Harbor 14

  24. LionNation's Gravatar LionNation
    November 13, 2019 - 11:22 pm | Permalink

    @knightknight I think you confused that’s what happened to Arroyo knights this year… If Booth goes down yes it would be harder but El Monte is a team and has 4 quality running backs, also Montoya has been tuff on defense and no one wants to throw Reyes way. The defense improved from last year’s team. We are a unit

  25. Rodney Dangerfield's Gravatar Rodney Dangerfield
    November 13, 2019 - 9:31 pm | Permalink

    Can’t do a write up on Division 13. I know no one cares. But you have Alhambra who is having a dream season and Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary that was 1-9 last year with most of the team transferring to schurr. if both teams win they will meet in the 3rd round

  26. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    November 13, 2019 - 7:51 pm | Permalink

    Coin flip. Blame the coin. Either that or JH gets 3

  27. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    November 13, 2019 - 7:23 pm | Permalink

    Could you imagine a oldschool Monrovia Vs. San Dimas rematch? As a area guy I am really happy to see Monrovia back in business. Used to work in Monrovia love that place.

  28. @KnightKnight's Gravatar @KnightKnight
    November 13, 2019 - 7:06 pm | Permalink

    You talk good behind a keyboard. Come to the game and say that.

  29. Knight knight's Gravatar Knight knight
    November 13, 2019 - 3:33 pm | Permalink

    Em 35 Nordhoff 42
    Booth gets hit hard and goes down. After the transfer they have nothing. The dream transfer season ends tonight.

  30. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    November 13, 2019 - 9:50 am | Permalink

    El Monte gets 3 yes I said 3 possible home games that is a crock of you know what

  31. Ron Vrooman, AHS stat man's Gravatar Ron Vrooman, AHS stat man
    November 13, 2019 - 12:55 am | Permalink

    Division 13 quarterfinal update: Alhambra (11-0) will play Calvary Chapel (9-2) at Orange Coast College on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

  32. San Dimas Fanatic's Gravatar San Dimas Fanatic
    November 12, 2019 - 10:33 pm | Permalink

    Like I said in my previous post, many will pick Foothill to win. Even Peterson, who I know admires the program, is picking against SD. I know it’s not personal Peterson, you gotta go with what you’ve seen. However, many newspaper guys called it the biggest upset of the year when SD beat Paraclete a few years back. Well sports writers get ready to write another one. I know, I am a homer, but sometimes you gotta just go against all odds and pray for good fortune. Go Saints!

Leave a Reply