MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

All kickoffs are at 7:00 PM unless otherwise indicated

Thursday August 21

La Puente at Covina (Covina District Field)

La Puente has a returning quarterback and several returning players. Covina lost quarterback Jake Duronslet but has Roy Vasquez ready to go. Vasquez has had a great summer. La Puente is improved but won’t be able to bring down the Colts. Covina gets it done.

Covina 28 La Puente 13

Whittier at Temple City (San Marino HS)

Temple City has a couple more games until they debut in the renovated stadium. The Rams may have trouble in Rio Hondo League play but they’ll be fine in this one. Quarterback Jake Leones and company get the win.

Temple City 24 Whittier 17

Friday August 22

Maranatha at Arroyo

Nice local matchup for Week Zero. Arroyo’s entire coaching staff is back including head coach Jim Singiser. Freshman quarterback Oscar Lopez is ready to start after a nice summer. Game should come down to the wire. The Knights come out on top at home.

Arroyo 21 Maranatha 17

Schurr at Rio Hondo Prep

Maybe the best Week Zero matchup in the area. Rio Hondo Prep is coming off of two consecutive CIF championships while Schurr, led by freshman quarterback Jacob Torres, has had a terrific passing league season. The Kares have running back Noah Penunuri, who was everybody’s Player of the Year, back for his senior season. Rio Hondo Prep will pound it and pound it some more. Schurr eventually wears down. The Kares open with a win.

Rio Hondo Prep 35 Schurr 21

St. Paul at Bishop Amat

Braydon Wann has transferred in from Eisenhower and has been great all summer for Bishop Amat. First year head coach Kory Minor has attracted a lot of talent since he has taken over. Great test for both teams to kick off the season. St. Paul is looking to knock off the Lancers for the second straight year. Head coach Mike Moschetti will have his troops ready to go. Defense is usually ahead of the offense in the early going. Bishop Amat wins what should be a hard-hitting contest. Lancers slug out a win.

Bishop Amat 20 St. Paul 17

El Rancho vs. South Hills (SoFi Stadium, 8:30 PM)

It’s a very cool opportunity for the players to get on the field at SoFi Stadium. Late start but it will be worth it to step on the SoFi turf for every player that suits up. As for the game it should be close. El Rancho and South Hills have both been active in the passing circuit and are both expecting big things. The Dons have just enough to win it in the fourth quarter.

El Rancho 24 South Hills 21

Arcadia at El Monte

Arcadia’s AJ Pressnall is at quarterback for the whole year. That will be huge for the Apaches. El Monte has several key returners as well including running back Isaiah Standley. Both teams can score. On Friday night the Lions will score more. Their running attack is hard to stop. El Monte runs to the victory.

El Monte 28 Arcadia 21

Bonita at Muir

Muir has looked awesome this summer. The Mustangs may have their best team in years under head coach Lance Mitchell. Muir athlete Zion McDonald is one of the best players in the area. Bonita lost a couple of Division 1 players but they do have some key athletes returning in running back Joseph Lara and quarterback Travis Lippert. You might just flip a coin for this one. The Mustangs athleticism gives them a slight advantage. Muir wins the race.

Muir 31 Bonita 28

Quick Hits:

Burbank at San Dimas – Burbank

Ganesha at Diamond Ranch – Diamond Ranch

La Salle at La Canada – La Canada

Los Altos at Wilson – Los Altos

Northview at Green Valley. NV. 6:00 PM) – Northview

Norwalk at Montebello – Norwalk

Charter Oak at Canyon – Charter Oak

Nogales at California – Nogales

Duarte at Azusa – Azusa