(All kickoffs are at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise indicated)
Thursday September 29
San Gabriel (4-0) at Schurr (2-3)
We’ll see if San Gabriel is for real right off the bat in the Almont League. The Matadors are undefeated coming in but now the real fun starts. Last year San Gabriel was unbeaten also but took a couple of beatings in the Almont League down the stretch. Schurr has played a tough schedule and has a couple of good wins over Arroyo and Baldwin Park. The Spartans also gave San Dimas all it could handle. The Matadors will test Schurr but the Spartans get it done.
Schurr 27 San Gabriel 24
Monrovia (3-2) at South Pasadena (5-0)
South Pasadena is another team that has raised some eyebrows with five straight wins. Nice story but that streak ends here. Monrovia is coming off a couple of losses and may be looking to take out some frustration. The Tigers just aren’t in Monrovia’s class just yet. Same league maybe but not the same class. The Wildcats begin their stroll through the Rio Hondo.
Monrovia 45 South Pasadena 14
Burbank (2-3) at Pasadena (4-1)
Pasadena was impressive in non-league play. Now the Bulldogs get ready to inflict some pain on the Pacific. Pasadena won’t be touched in league. This year it’s Pasadena’s Pacific. Dogs win….big.
Pasadena 48 Burbank 7
Bonita (4-2) at Northview (5-1) (Covina District Field)
One of the few games that isn’t a league opener. Both of these teams kick off league play next week. Northview has been playing some good football…actually great football. The Vikings slipped only once- to an undefeated Charter Oak team in Week 1. Last week they blew out a solid Sunny Hills squad. Bonita lost to La Salle September 1st but has won three straight since. Both teams looking for a win heading into league. Northview wins a dogfight.
Northview 28 Bonita 27
Friday September 30
La Serna (5-1) at California (2-4)
La Serna is in the same boat as Pasadena. The Del Rio is the Lancers for the taking. Cal may make some noise early…a first down here, a field goal there, but ultimately La Serna will dominate. Remember this is a team that beat Pasadena…and Damien…and Tesoro. The Lancers are good…very good.
La Serna 49 California 10
Mayfair (3-2) at Warren (5-1)
Every week it’s going to be a battle in the Gateway. Warren, Downey, La Mirada…every one of these teams has a legitimate shot at the league title. Mayfair’s not bad either but not quite there yet with the big three. It will be a tough assignment for Mayfair to hold down Nico Iamaleava and the Warren offense. The Bears get off and running in league.
Warren 35 Mayfair 13
West Covina (2-4) at Baldwin Park (5-1)
Baldwin Park is for real. The Braves blew out a previously undefeated Diamond Bar team last week. They can beat you through the air or on the ground. West Covina has navigated its way through a rough schedule going 2-4 so far. On paper Baldwin Park wins. But this game isn’t played on paper it’s played in the trenches. West Covina bulls its way to a win.
West Covina 24 Baldwin Park 21
Arroyo (2-3) at Mt. View (3-2)
So why are we mentioning this game? Well it’s the first game of what could be a wide open Mission Valley League and don’t look now but Mt. View is in first place. Do I think Mt. View wins this game and goes on to win the MVL? Actually no but If the Vikings pulled off the upset of the year…well the last 30 years…and we failed to write about it that would be a tragedy. We are even sending our best reporter/ photographer out to cover it. I fully expect him to come back and say Arroyo rolled. But you never know.
Arroyo 42 Mt. View 13
Was the last time MV beat Arroyo in 80 or 81? I heard it was 50-0.
What’s crazy is I bet there was for sure 1, maybe 2 or 3 MV teams from the past decade that could have beat this Arroyo team. Arroyo has trouble scoring this year and MV would have run it all night and ate up the clock.
Oh well, that was then and this is now. MV finally beat SEM a few years back. Can they pull off the upset of the year and beat Arroyo? If I was in Vegas I’d put it all on the Vikings. I’m not so I say Knights win 28-18.
MV is the less talented team every year. They’re just with a staff that’s pushing them. One tip if any I give MV is keep it basic. Those kids aren’t football players they’re tough neighborhood kids playing ball. Let them play without thinking. Attack that Arroyo line with blitz’ and it should be a good one.
Mountain View Vs Arroyo
Is this the year? Arroyo is as vulnerable as they’ve ever been, MV is riding high. One thing is the Vikings always play hard so if the knights keep the streak Alive they’re gonna have to beat these Vikings. As much as my heart says Vikings my head says The knights 34-21
Rosemead Vs SEM
I’ve never said must win in the first game of league but this is exactly that. The winner puts themselves in good shape but the loser is a big hole. SEM seems healthy and Rosemead is coming off a big win. I’m gonna take Rosemead in a close one. 24-21
El Monte Vs Gabrielino
EM all day in this one. I’m thinking 42-14
Lions will be too much for gab in this one
Key take aways from SG vs Schurr
– SG’s defense needs a lot of help
– SG’s offense can play if their defense gives them a chance
– Schurr has a solid defense
– Schurr could improve on their passing attack but maybe they don’t need to since their running game was stellar
@Anoymous
Relax buddy it was preseason. Mountainview dominated less talented teams, be humble and enjoy the ride cause it might be a quick one.
@Anonymous
Arroyo has so much inexperienced players in big role positions and Mountainview should finally win, however if Mountainview don’t win. Hope these same people saying Mountainview is going to win don’t come on here making excuses. This should be the year all Mission valley team beat Arroyo. This might be the Vikings Super bowl
boosters with car lots etc help a lot.
Why you guys always worried about ppls schedules. The guys haven’t won much in over a decade build build build. If they’re winning for 3-5 years and still playing weak comp maybe. But come on man. They’re a D11-14 team.
@ Anon
A repeat of 1981(last time MV beat Arroyo).
Say it ain’t so!
the Vikings are for real this year the will beat the Knights!!!
Schurr 28-10
Monrovia 42-14
Pasadena 56-0
Bonita 21-17
La Serna 49-0
Warren 56-20
Baldwin Park 41-31
Arroyo 42-0
SG definitely needs to bump up their non-league schedule. They used to take on Muir, Cathedral, Burbank, Hart, Northview, heck even So. Pasadena. Wins over weak programs will not help in league.
Schurr wipes the floor with SG. It will be over by halftime. Same old story as last year. SG came out strong. Got to league and pooped the bed
I see a typo… you put a 1 infront of that 0 for the Cal high score
Cal is just BAD this year.
Rooting for the big upset of the last 30 years. Good luck Vikings.
Yes, Cal will score against La Serna, but only during the running clock segment. The Lancers routinely insert their second or third string guys after halftime in these Del Rio blowouts.