MidValleySports.Com

Isaiah Lucero and Northview have a big game against La Serna. (Photo by Duane Barker).

All Kickoffs are at 7:00 PM unless otherwise indicated:

Thursday September 11

Maranatha (2-1) at San Marino (1-2)

Maranatha had won two straight before being humbled by Rio Hondo Prep last week. San Marino picked up its first victory last week beating South. The Minutemen should get the offense going again in this one. Cooper Berry, Nico Vergara and company will be trouble for the Titans.

Maranatha 35 San Marino 14

Burroughs (0-2) at Los Altos (2-0)

So far, so good for Los Altos winning its first two games. Diego Castillo has thrown for over 400 yards in the first two games. Burroughs, under first year coach Jose Calzadilla, has lost its first two games but has played a couple of tough opponents in Hart and Santa Monica. Los Altos should have enough. Conquerors win it close.

Los Altos 24 Burroughs 21

Friday September 12

Muir (1-1) at St. Francis (0-3)

Muir is still hurting from the heartbreaking loss to Charter Oak. St. Francis is just hurting period. The Golden Knights have had several key injuries including to starting quarterback Shawn Sanders who suffered a broken collarbone. St. Francis is still searching for its first victory. The Golden Knights may have to wait a little longer. Muir gave a very good Charter Oak team all it wanted last week. The Mustangs are chomping at the bit to get back on the field. Quarterback Trey Gamble will lead them to a victory.

Muir 31 St. Francis 14

Tustin (2-1) at Damien (3-0)

Talent wise, this may be the best game in the area. Both teams have elite athletes all over the field. Damien’s Isaiah Arraiza is playing on a different level right now. Tustin has played three solid teams. The Tillers won their first two before falling last week to Long Beach Poly by one point. Damien has dispatched Aquinas, JSerra and St. Paul. It’s hard to believe the Spartans wouldn’t come out on top here. Damien by a touchdown.

Damien 35 Tustin 28

Northview (2-1) at La Serna (2-1) (California)

Northview has been scheduling up this year. Two weeks ago the Vikings battled La Habra and came up short before beating Glendora last week. La Serna lost in Week Zero to Rancho Bernardo but has outscored its last two opponents 70-7. La Serna isn’t La Habra yet. But they are still La Serna. Lancers secure the win late in the fourth quarter.

La Serna 27 Northview 21

Bonita (0-3) at San Dimas (3-0) (Smudgepot) (Mt. San Antonio College)

The Smudgepot is aways fun. It’s a rivalry that has been played out between these two rivals for decades. Bonita has won the last six straight including a 47-7 rout last season. San Dimas’ 34-13 win over Colony sheds a different light in things. The Saints look like they got a shot. San Dimas is 2-1 on the field but got a win over Burbank in Week Zero due to a forfeit. The Bearcats are 1-2 on the field but 0-3 on paper because they had to forfeit a win over Diamond Ranch. Bonita has been hit with the injury bug. Quarterback Travis Lippert is out with an injury as well as running back Joseph Lara. Lara is out for the year with a torn meniscus.

Bonita has other weapons though. The Bearcats’ two losses on the field have been to Muir and Aquinas- both legitimate teams. If San Dimas can run the ball effectively and force a turnover or two like last week they could pull the upset. If not it could be long night. Saints will be in it until the end but ultimately Bonita finds a way. Bearcats by a score.

Bonita 27 San Dimas 20

Sierra Canyon (3-0) at Downey (3-0)

Ok, this one may have more athletes than the Damien – Tustin game. If not it’s close. Sierra Canyon as everybody knows, has developed into a monster. Need evidence? In the Trailblazers first three games they have outscored their opponents 143-0. Two of the opponents were JSerra Catholic and Oaks Christian. Quarterback Laird Finkel has thrown for 778 yards and six touchdowns. Downey is 3-0 also and has a D-1 quarterback of its own in Oscar Rios who has 833 yards and seven touchdowns passing.

This may be a little too steep of a mountain for Downey to climb. The Vikings are good…real good. But Sierra Canyon is a whole different animal. Sierra Canyon remains unbeaten.

Sierra Canyon 42 Downey 21

Crescenta Valley (2-0) at La Canada (3-0)

Great local matchup down the 210 Freeway. Both teams are undefeated coming in. La Canada has been racking up points with quarterback Joe Bell leading the way. Crescenta Valley has been lighting it up as well. Last week the Falcons dropped 42 on a good South Pasadena team. All signs point to a shootout. The scoreboard operator may need to work overtime. Crescenta Valley may be just a little more physical up front. CV survives.

Crescenta Valley 42 La Canada 35

Quick Hits

Thursday September 11

Nogales at Los Amigos – Nogales

La Mirada at Western – La Mirada

South El Monte at Garey – Garey

Gabrielino at Workman – Gabrielino

Friday September 12

Grand Terrace at Diamond Bar – Grand Terrace

Bassett at Rosemead – Rosemead

Bishop Amat at Vista Murrieta – Bishop Amat

Charter Oak at Corona del Mar – Corona del Mar

California at El Monte – California

Alhambra at Azusa – Alhambra

El Rancho at Montebello – El Rancho

La Puente at Arcadia – La Puente

West Covina at South Hills – West Covina

Schurr at Chino – Schurr

Bosco Tech at Temple City – Temple City

Don Lugo at Monrovia – Monrovia

Baldwin Park at Sierra Vista – Baldwin Park

Rowland at Walnut – Walnut

Marquez at Rio Hondo Prep – Rio Hondo Prep