All kickoffs are at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise indicated:
Thursday October 24
Chino (3-5) at Diamond Bar (1-7)
Big game in the Hacienda. Chino, which started the season 0-5, has now won three straight league games. Diamond Bar lost its first seven games but finally got off the floor last week with a win over Los Altos. If the Brahmas can win their last two games they could sneak into the playoffs. It could come down to a field goal in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys are on a roll. Chino gets it done.
Chino 27 Diamond Bar 24
West Covina (3-5) at Northview (8-0) (Covina District Field)
It’s been a tough year for West Covina. The Bulldogs had a chance to get on track when they stated Valle Vista League play but then they lost their first two league games. They finally got a win last week over Diamond Ranch but they need to beat Northview and Alta Loma next week to have a shot at the post season. Northview has been dominant since Opening Night. The Vikings continued to roll last week with a win over Alta Loma. Everything would need to go wrong for Northview to lose this game. I don’t see that happening. Northview gets the victory.
Northview 34 West Covina 17
La Canada (8-0) at Monrovia (6-2)
Monrovia needs this game after falling to South Pasadena last week. If the Wildcats win they still have a shot at a share of the Rio Hondo League title. A loss and more than likely they are looking at third place. La Canada is in the midst of huge year. The Spartans are undefeated and win over Monrovia would give them the inside track at the league crown. Both teams can score but have had issues giving up points as well. La Canada makes a stop when necessary and wins a shootout.
La Canada 35 Monrovia 31
Friday October 25
Montebello (4-4) at Schurr (7-1)
One of the great rivalries in the San Gabriel Valley. You can hit a nine-iron from the football field at Schurr and land it on the 50-yard line at Montebello. That being said this year it won’t be close. While the Spartans have been rolling it’s been a struggle for the Oilers. Just a quick comparison of common opponents. Montebello beat Alhambra 24-14 two weeks ago. Schurr routed the Moors 42-6 last week. Schurr is just too big, too strong and simply too much. Spartans win big.
Schurr 45 Montebello 10
El Rancho (5-3) at Santa Fe (6-2) (California)
Battle for second place in the Del Rio. Santa Fe is 2-0 in league while El Rancho is 1-1, but the Dons’ loss is to La Serna. Whoever wins here will be secure to finish right behind the Lancers. Even matchup coming in. Both teams would have a shot at a league title if they played with teams not named La Serna. Both offenses can put up points. The scoreboard operator may be busy. There may be several lead changes early but the Dons overcome a late deficit and rally to win. El Rancho comes out on top.
El Rancho 35 Santa Fe 31
Downey (7-1) at Warren (2-6)
One of the best rivalries in Southern California. And if you’ve ever been to the game you would say it is the BEST rivalry in So Cal. The atmosphere is off the charts with a standing room only crowd and a noise level that reverberates throughout the stadium for the entire contest. The stadiums at Warren and Downey even look alike. Exact replicas with the home team colors. Usually the game on the field is terrific too. This year may be a little different. While Downey is playing like…well Downey, Warren has been struggling. Quarterback Madden Iamaleava and receiver Jace Brown, both UCLA commits, left the program after the first game. Iamaleava was then denied eligibility at Long Beach Poly and was forced to sit out his senior year. The Bears have had rough time since going 2-6 overall but they are 2-1 in the Gateway League. Downey has lost only once all year – to Red Mountain in Arizona – and is 7-1 overall. The Vikings offense has been prolific. They beat Long Beach Millikan 69-68. With Warren depleted Downey wins handily. Vikes roll.
Downey 42 Warren 7
South Hills (4-4) at Covina (7-1) (Covina District Field)
South Hills is 2-1 in the Hacienda League. A win here would be a huge step towards a playoff spot and put the Huskies in the thick of the league race. However, they’ll need to stop Covina and that will be no easy task. The Colts have a high-powered offense averaging over 39 points per game. Jake Duronslet and the Colts just have too much for South Hills. Covina remains unbeaten in league.
Covina 35 South Hills 17
Bonita (8-0) at Charter Oak (7-1)
The game of the week will be at Charter Oak High School. There will be Division 1 athletes all over the field. Charter Oak has four D-1 commits while Bonita has at least two that we know of. The Chargers may be faster and more athletic than the Bearcats but Bonita might be more physical. Can anybody guard Charter Oak receivers Legend Lyons (cool name) and Marquis Bardley? Can anybody tackle Bonita’s Dylan Robinson or match the physicality of Noah Mikhail? So many questions that need to be answered Friday night. Common Opponents: Bonita 27 Muir 7, Charter Oak 38 Muir 21; Bonita 26 Claremont 7, Charter Oak 43 Claremont 3; Bonita 34 Los Osos 20, Charter Oak 36 Los Osos 13. Bonita wins the fourth quarter and then holds on to win the game. Bearcats win…close.
Bonita 31 Charter Oak 28
Quick Hits
Friday October 25
St. Francis at Cathedral – Cathedral
St. Paul at Paraclete – St. Paul
Walnut at Los Altos – Los Altos
Big Bear at Maranatha – Maranatha
La Puente at Garey – La Puente
Brentwood at Rio Hondo Prep (Kare Park) – Rio Hondo Prep
Rosemead at El Monte – El Monte
Crescenta Valley at Burbank (Burroughs) – Burbank
San Dimas at Alta Loma – San Dimas
Paramount at Norwalk – Norwalk
Cal 1-8
Tough schedule paid off with win over Whittier