All kickoffs are at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise indicated:
Friday November 29
DIV 5
La Serna (10-3) at Palos Verdes (8-5)
Both teams are evenly matched. They do have a common opponent in Edison. La Serna lost to Edison 32-21 while Palos Verdes fell to the Chargers 41-7. The Lancers haven’t lost since the Edison game having won seven straight. Palos Verdes has had some impressive wins including a big victory over a quality Mayfair team two weeks ago. It will be a close game but the Lancers get it done.
La Serna 28 Palos Verdes 24
DIV 7
Warren (6-7) at Rio Hondo Prep (11-1) (Arcadia)
Some people wrote Warren off early in the season when their starting quarterback and wide receiver, both UCLA commits, left the program. But the Bears regrouped, won three Gateway League games and here they are in the Division 7 Finals. They deserve their props. Rio Hondo Prep just keeps rolling along. The Kares are knocking down everybody in their path and have now advanced to their second consecutive CIF championship game – this time in Division 7 after winning in Division 9 last year. The Kares running attack is devastating. The Bears will have trouble stopping it. Rio Hondo Prep wins its second straight CIF title.
Rio Hondo Prep 31 Warren 21
DIV 11
El Rancho (9-4) at Portola (7-6)
Tough matchup for El Rancho but the Dons have had tough matchups throughout the post season. They beat a previously unbeaten Los Amigos team then held off San Gorgonio. Portola beat Baldwin Park last week and has the home field advantage. Dons survive, conquer and win the title.
El Rancho 24 Portola 23
Saturday November 30
DIV 6
Murrieta Mesa (9-4) at Glendora (9-4) (Citrus College)
Murrieta Mesa wiped out Ontario Christian, then beat Northwood in the second round. Last week the Rams beat a talented St. Francis team. Glendora has won five of its last six with the only loss being at Charter Oak. Tough game to call. Murrieta Mesa wins it in the fourth quarter.
Murrieta Mesa 27 Glendora 24
DIV 13
Gahr (8-5) at Pasadena (7-6) – 6:00 p.m.
Pasadena peaked at the right time. The Bulldogs hit the playoffs running and haven’t looked back. Last week they blew out Lynwood 37-0 in what looked like their best performance of the year. Pasadena is too athletic for Gahr. Bulldogs raise the championship banner.
Pasadena 28 Gahr 20
DIV 14
San Gabriel (7-6) at Pioneer (8-5)
San Gabriel took third in the Almont League and then took advantage of a Division 14 playoff berth. The Matadors are simply better than the other teams in the Division. San Gabriel has been running the ball with authority. Pioneer can score but the Titans won’t be able to make enough stops. Mats win.
San Gabriel 35 Pioneer 21
No crying here, ER didn’t execute nor make the plays it needed to in this game. Portola running attack was very strong and they threw the ball at key moments with tons of success. Back to the drawing board for ER, lots of young kids who contributed very well will have their turn in the spotlight now.
LS empire comes crashing down in the second half , fire ignited by pick 6 then fueled by other costly miscues and turnovers
I don’t like ER because of their crybaby fans that come on here complaining. But their HC and players deserve this I got ER 27-20. I’m a huge fan of SG they take care of Pioneer pretty easy I believe 35-17. La Serna gets another one 28-14. Pasadena be Gahr probably the best game here I got Pasadena 28-27. RHP will wear down Warren and take it to them in the second half 35-21. MM over Glendora 35-10.
I have to eat some crow after my last week predictions so I’ll say that if SG can run the ball like that again then Pioneer has no chance and if Medrano can do another one of those masterful plans, then. ER should be getting their fingers sized up next week.
ER crowd will show out… standing room only
Okay here we go. El Rancho-Portola. They are mirrors of each other in many ways. Both started very slowly and seemed in disarray. Both peaked in the 2nd half of the season and are playing their best ball. Both have fine QB’s but Portola has 6’4″ Sr. Nash Luper. Big tall Qb’s have always given the Dons fits. Match him with a very strong running game they can be very formidable. The Dons counter with Dominguez to Guerrero and also have Montenegro and Navarro that have made plenty of big receptions lately. So that leaves what? The 12th man. If El Rancho faithful make the trek to the far side of the OC Portola high and pack the visitors side could tilt the game in the Dons favor. Like it or not noisy full stands on the visitors side can influence one or two big refs calls that typically favor the home team. Big ER crowd in the stands = El Rancho 40-32 over Portola. Two thirds empty stands the reverse. La Serna coming up.
The Software says: La Serna beats Palos Verdes 27-14, Warren takes care of RHP 28-26, Portola bests ER 22-20, Murrieta Mesa celebrates a win over Glendora 24-20, Pasadena grinds Gahr 24-17, and my favorite pick has San Gabriel throwing water on Pioneer’s parade 31-27.
Mid Valley Sports differs from the Calprep Picks by taking RHP over Warren and believing ER has the right stuff to stuff Portola. This site also picks San Gabriel to win handily over Pioneer, a decision I support. As always, it will be interesting to see if human intuition can triumph over dispassionate calculation.