By Tim Peterson
No, this isn’t “Game Night”. That was posted Monday night. But there is a game worth mentioning. El Rancho will now be playing Covina Friday night at Covina District Field. Here’s how it went down.
Bell Gardens was supposed to be the Colts’ opponent Friday night but the Lancers canceled. El Rancho was scheduled to travel to Santa Ana but that game was canceled as well. Kennedy (La Palma) was free so they connected with Covina for a game at Covina District. El Rancho was still searching.
However Kennedy had double booked a game for Friday night so it had to back out of the commitment with Covina. El Rancho then stepped in and there you go. El Rancho (4-0) at Covina (2-1) at Covina District Field, Friday night 7:00 p.m.
Welcome to the COVID-19 High School Football season Fall 2021. Who do I like? El Rancho has blown up everybody it has played and has pitched three shutouts in the process. Naysayers will contend the Dons haven’t played anybody but they have knocked out every team that has been put in front of them.
When the 2021 schedules were set up who knew that Don Lugo, Bell Gardens, Sierra Visa and Montebello would all be down? Don Lugo, recently coached by Greg Gano, has traditionally been strong as has been Montebello. Bell Gardens isn’t a power but it is usually a competitive team and Sierra Vista went 11-1 (on the field) in 2019. El Rancho, contrary to belief, wasn’t loading up on cupcakes. And even if you give that argument some credence the Dons have still done what they needed to do. They have outscored the four opponents 181-16. No that’s not a typo. ER is legit.
Covina had a nice win over rival Northview last week after winning a shootout against Diamond Bar. The Colts only loss was to undefeated Glendora. I’m glad the two teams were able to make it happen. Looks like a good game. Not ready to pick against El Rancho. Colts play them tough but the Dons win their fifth straight.
El Rancho 31 Covina 21
**
Arcadia’s Ty Pierson (pictured in Game Night) is having a big year. In three games he has 37 carries for 243 yards (6.6 yards per carry) and three touchdowns and has 10 receptions for 429 yards which is over 42 yards per catch. He has five receiving touchdowns as well. Pierson, who also returns punts and kickoffs, has accumulated 672 total yards. Defensively Pierson has 12 total tackles and an interception. Definitely a player to watch.
**
Pasadena is clearly the favorite now in the Pacific but after that it gets interesting. Muir is 2-0, Arcadia, with Pierson, is 2-1 with its only loss being to undefeated Monrovia and Crescenta Valley (1-1) is always in the hunt. Burbank and Burroughs will probably bring up the rear but one of those two, especially Burbank, could jump up and bite somebody. The only thing that you can bet your house on is that the Pasadena Bulldogs cut through the Pacific League like a hot knife through butter. Man, I haven’t used that line in a long time.
**
Anybody else notice that Hoover is 4-0 and that the Tornadoes have steamrolled three of their four opponents? No, St. John Bosco isn’t on the schedule but I mean c’mon…it’s Hoover. The school had shut down the football program a couple of years ago. In case you’re looking for a game that night the Hoover-Glendale crosstown rivalry is Friday night October 29th. The Nitros are 0-4 however they have a stronger schedule than Hoover.
**
If anybody can pick the winner in the Almont I’ll buy them a large pepperoni pizza at Rios. Keppel, yes Keppel, is 2-1. In fact add in the Aztecs record with Hoover and the two are a combined 6-1. San Gabriel is a surprising 3-0, Schurr is 2-2, Alhambra 1-2 and Montebello 1-3. Bell Gardens looks like it’s still in rebuilding mode at 0-3. It has to come down to Montebello and Schurr right? Doesn’t it always? Will Alhambra have something to say? A pizza awaits.
**
Note to Schurr…especially if you want to compete for the Almont title: Hold on to the ball!
**
The MVL will be decided Friday night October 15th at Arroyo when Rosemead comes to town.
**
Only one thing stands between Monrovia and a perfect 10-0 regular season. San Dimas. The Saints, who have only one loss to Bonita, will host the Wildcats September 24th. Circle the date on your calendar.
As far as the Rio Hondo League goes nobody will come within 30 points of the Wildcats. Heck, they may not allow a touchdown. There are two absolute locks for the 2021 football season. Monrovia wins the Rio Hondo and Clay Helton gets fired at USC.
That’s my principle.
Tim can be reached at tim.midvalleysports@gmail.com or on Twitter @tspeterson40 or Facebook – Tim Peterson.
Anonyignoramous , who cares? As long as he does not turn 19 his senior year can play. Let the kid shine.
Jake did 8th grade 2 years in a row. That’s a hold back. I went to school with him.
@Anonymous
First- you don’t get the joke of Helton being fired
Second – you want to talk down on a FRESHMAN
Third – you want to call out a FRESHMAN ? Wow lol … bro you are serious 😂… your probably mad bc Jake has accomplished more in 3 games than what you did ever playing or your kids huh 😂….
Last!!! Congrats FRESHMAN “Jake the Quake”
You are now living RENT FREE in Anonymous head lol 😂… 😂
Montebello rolls in the almont. Alhambra can make a Challenge but they always have a hiccup against lower level competition in the almont they have hung and beat Montebello in the last three years
I’m not surprised SG vs SM is not being covered in the game night section, but I believe this match up might be pivotal in SG’s win streak credibility and chances at the weakened Almont title of ‘21. If a win results from the SG team, then the Almont games just became more competitive from a skill equivalence point of view! Perhaps allowing some coaches to shine and others to well….
@anonymous Let’s get this clear if kids start preschool a year late, they’re a holdback and if they start school a year early, they’re an early bird. Jake will be allowed to play high school football his senior year and that’s all that matters. Wait until you find out about the private school kids…
What the heck is a hold back. This is not NCAA is it. Or are you just trying to start fake news on the young man. What a loser you are. Parents have been starting their kids at 6 years old for a variety of reasons for 60 years. I should know I’am one of those and only played sports on the sand lot.
Tim! hope to see you at Covina- El Rancho game….
I think both Teams are equally matched and this is good for both teams to evaluate themselves .
One game at a time is the mentality always… “Jake the Quake” looks good! wow ! he can def take over a game… what a great test for our defense! Win or Lose… we will get better! Thankfully we have “some of”, but if you ask US ER PARENTS – ‘They ARE”, the Best Coaches in the area.
You tell him Peterson! Lol
Lets get this clear. First off “Jake the Quake” is not a true freshman. Enough about the hype of him being a freshman. He is a hold back. Colts got some weapons to go to. Good game to watch.
Helton fired. Did you write this prediction before or after the fact?
From T. Peterson: You didn’t catch the joke? Really?
When was the last time a freshman had a nickname. “Jake the quake” . That hype puts a lot of pressure on the lad. Through over 3 games the Covina QB has taken the Colts to 2-1 with a win over Northview in the last minutes. So he has been through some heat. The heat this week now comes from an unexpected source. Not Bell Gardens 0-4 team but El Rancho Dons 4-0 team. Dons unpacking their bags for a Disney road trip now plan for the drive to the remodled Covina District Field. The Dons heat will come from their experienced linebackers and corners. The “quake” better keep an eye out for Angel Diaz. His nickname is “Angel the…” nothing rhymes with Angel. Better keep an eye open because the 6′ 200lb linebacker comes out of nowhere to find the QB. And dont forget ER passer deluxe “Elijah the…”nothing rhymes with Elijah either. Elijah Mitchel 6’2” 215 lbs is no slouch. So good luck to both teams. This should be a fun game. A pick em game. Coaches only have a couple days prep so anything can happen.