By Tim Peterson
When Monrovia (7-0) convincingly beat San Dimas 36-17 three weeks ago they wrapped up an undefeated regular season. The Wildcats aren’t going to be touched in the Rio Hondo. They already passed their early season tests, the biggest one being at San Dimas September 24th.
They survived West Covina in the opener and beat Los Altos by three points two weeks later. The Cats have blown everybody else out including the Saints which was their toughest opponent. The dynamic duo of Carlos Hernandez and Noah Rodriguez are only getting better as is the rest of the squad which may be just now hitting their peak.
Do you know a local assistant coach told me that La Canada was going to beat Monrovia? Swore to me that it was going to be “the upset of the year”. Yeah, how did that work out? The Wildcats dropped 60 on the Spartans. Then I was told that Pasadena Poly had a shot. “Good team”, they said. “Will give Monrovia fits”, they said. “It will be fun,” they said. It was fun all right. 42-13 and as our staffer Alex “Gonzo” Gonzalez told me, Monrovia didn’t even play their best ball.
So please don’t tell me San Marino is going to beat Monrovia. Nope, don’t want to hear it. It’s not happening. Wildcats win and they win big. Then they will trounce Temple City and shellac South Pasadena to go 10-0.
What happens when the playoffs start? That I can’t tell you because I don’t know what division Monrovia will be in. CIF decided to set the divisions after the final regular season game. That’s a topic for another column. But as far as the first ten games, the Cats ain’t losing.
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Monrovia isn’t the only undefeated local team through Week Seven. Here’s a look at the other unbeaten teams and my thoughts on their chances of going into the post season unscathed.
Arroyo (7-0): We’ll know this week if the Knights go undefeated. Arroyo isn’t losing to Gabrielino or Mt. View. If anybody can beat the Knights it’s Rosemead. The Panthers dropped 77 on Gabrielino last week and 50 on Mt. View the week before. They can play. Personally I like the Knights. I picked them in “Game Night”. If they get over the hump that is Rosemead, they’re home free. Peterson’s Pick: Arroyo beats Rosemead and goes undefeated.
San Gabriel (7-0): The Matadors have shocked the world winning their first seven. Their schedule hasn’t exactly been murderer’s row but so far so good. However they do have one hill to climb. They will win their next two handily but in Week 10 they get Schurr up on the hill. Not easy. The Spartans thumped Alhambra 42-22 last week and have won three of their last four. If the Mats go unbeaten they’ll have to earn it. Peterson’s Pick: Schurr wins, San Gabriel goes 9-1.
St. Paul (6-0): It’s been a great run for the Swordsmen but they get St. Francis Thursday night. Then they have to face Crespi and Loyola. That’s a tough task for any team. St. Paul stumbles at least once along the way. Peterson’s Pick: St. Francis beats St. Paul Thursday and spoils unbeaten run.
Glendora (7-0): The Tartans, like Monrovia, have passed all of their tests with flying colors. Glendora’s biggest challenge was two weeks ago against previously unbeaten Ayala and the Tartans beat the Bulldogs by two touchdowns. The Tartans next three opponents have a combined record of 1-18. Peterson’s Pick: Glendora cruises to 10-0.
El Rancho (8-0): Everybody knows who El Rancho’s biggest test is. Here’s a hint – it’s not Santa Fe this week. La Serna is flexing its muscle, chomping at the bit, and waiting in the wings for the Dons on October 22nd. Should be a barn burner. If you want a great way to spend a Friday night make plans to head out to Pico Rivera for that one. ER has had a historical season in some ways. The Dons have blown out seven of eight opponents so far and they dropped 38 on Cal. It could get even better with a long playoff run. But La Serna is the Del Rio champ until it gets knocked off. A loss wouldn’t be a bad thing for El Rancho though. It would improve their playoff chances depending on division placement. Peterson’s Pick: La Serna beats El Rancho in the final regular season game. The Dons go 9-1.
Warren (6-0): Warren will blow though its next two opponents as the Bears gear up for their annual showdown with Downey on October 29th. Warren-Downey is arguably the best high school football rivalry in Southern California. If you’ve ever seen it live you won’t forget it. Peterson’s Pick: Warren edges Downey to go unbeaten.
Mayfair (7-0): With only Norwalk and Bellflower left this is a no brainer. When the Monsoons beat La Mirada last week that secured an undefeated run. It will be Interesting to see where Mayfair ends up in the playoffs. Peterson’s Pick: Mayfair rolls to undefeated season.
Baldwin Park (7-0): The Braves have benefitted from a schedule that won’t put the fear of God in you but they have knocked down everybody in their path. They’ve done what they needed to do. Their last three opponents won’t offer much resistance either. Again, BP is another team that it’s post season placement will be intriguing. Peterson’s Pick: Baldwin Park wins its last three to go unbeaten.
That’s my principle.
Tim Peterson can be reached at tim.midvalleysports@gmail.com or on Twitter @tspeterson40. Facebook-Tim Peterson
They had no business playing ocean view, I’ll take competitive divisions.
Oh shut it, Other teams on our schedule played a tough schedule and they still got whooped by us. In case you’re forgetting ER also went 9-3 in 2019, some of y’all need to get informed about us before commenting with your stupidity.
@TR18: The Ranch had its best season in forever a few years back. They were 9-4 that season.Three losses in the regular season yet they went on a long run in the post season. Point being it is a good idea to really test your team by scheduling up. You prepare them for the grind it out and drama filled 4th quarter. And as a coach you prepare yourself. It is great to be 10-0 but in this era it does nothing for any playoff hopes.
Here’s a stat for you. In 2019 the last real year of high school football El Monte won it all in Division Xll. State and everything. They had a Cal Preps rating of 34.8. If they had that same team today the Lions would be playing more than likely Long Beach Poly, Downey or Glendora instead of -7.4 rated Ocean View in round one. Do you like those odds of El Monte getting to state against those teams? That is what Monrovia, El Rancho and San Gabriel are up against in this system. Over achievers are just cupcakes for teams in round one.
I miss Philly B and New York….some of the best Mtown takes back in the day!
@ABW: Give me one game where the result is suspicious that could result in a better playoff spot. (that’s what I thought). Go ask your daddy Q-anon for help. Maybe he can send you a secret message.
Monrovia has had a long history of dominating the RHL, with only the SMHS talent bubble in 2014 and 2015 and Coach Hobby’s ability to get the most out of his charges., to challenge that M Town domination even if briefly.
There are simple explanations, including real estate costs in SM, SP and LC, demographic changes, and long history of losing in Blair, SP, LC etc weak sister programs, where on day one third place was the best outcome. Add Monrovia’s booster program and history of transfers and there is no change on the horizon.
So yes Monrovia deserves better and should be put in to sink or swim with the big boys in some league with private schools and parochial schools, so their players will get that attention and scholarships they deserve. Players like Frazier deserved better than Colorado State. Time for them to join Division 1 and or 2.
But the CIF will dither and reserve championships at lower divisions, like they did for Sierra Canyon who finally is now with the big boys. they were down division-ed for way too many years, as has been Monrovia
The CIA could use a guy like Stat Man, as he’s able to know what’s inside the minds of all humans as they pursue they selfish interests. Is it a “conspiracy” for Santa Fe to not put out its best effort, knowing their season has been toast for weeks? Nope, everybody on that team takes the attitude that an all-out approach will get them nowhere…and besides, they probably want to put pressure on the administration to get rid of their coach. Does Stat Man himself work harder and faster at work, knowing his reward is to be given MORE work to do? Nope, he probably paces himself to do the least possible without getting fired.
Everybody in this life does what is in their own personal interest, and on a football team there are maybe 50-60 personal interests at play. For a guy to come on here and claim he’s positive that all 50-60 minds are in lockstep to do their best is laughable. CIF has constructed a playoff division system that is ripe for manipulation, and humans are expert at manipulating. As proof of this, consider that Stat Man himself is trying to manipulate us all into thinking he’s the expert on this matter, with his “exhaustive study” talk.
I have done an exhaustive study of all the SS CIF football games and have come up with not one suspicious score and as well there has been only one real upset after 3000 or so games……so relax on this conspiracy theory.
How to stop good teams from deliberately throwing games in order to have an easy run in the playoffs? I say that the power rating of all teams after 7 games should be the guide. That’s the time when most programs have progressed to their maximum abilities, and are, for the most part, making a big push just to qualify for the playoffs. What happens after game seven is subject to all manner of hanky-panky.
Thanks for the Love Tim!!
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man its crazy how many rumors are flying around of teams tanking to get better playoff rankings..
Id like to hope the competitive nature in everyone would never allow this but , sometimes the Players don’t even know they are tanking lol.. the coaches are putting the plan in place to get that RING.
That is very sad that a loss in the last several weeks by a very good team would actually turn out to being a huge plus as to playoffs. A win at any time should be rewarded. There has already been a lot of speculation about teams losing on purpose in the next three weeks or not trying that hard. Using bench players and sitting out stars with minor injuries should do the trick.
Awesome write up! but ill change one thing
EL Rancho will be 10-0
but im biased lol