MidValleySports.Com

Andy Villanueva

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3

West Covina (11-1, Hacienda #1) vs. Mayfair (8-4, Suburban #2) (Bellflower HS)

Last Meeting: 2006 CIF VI Division Playoffs – West Covina 19-16

A rematch of 2006 CIF Playoffs that saw West Covina upset Mayfair.

Although the Bulldogs won 47-7, it was tooth and nail for the better part of half with Santa Fe slowing down the rushing attack. West Covina’s defense came to play with five turnovers. Two of which were returned for touchdowns.

Monsoons looked like a semi-final team in the second half of its game against Burroughs. The running game is flowing with confidence after Aaron Brown and Jason Logologo both ran for over 100 yards in the win against the Indians.

How Does West Covina Win? Slow the run game of Mayfair which is playing its best football of the season at the right time. Create lanes for Chris Solomon, B.J. Lee and Aaron Salgado to run through. Win the turnover margin. George Johnson will be the steady leader that has led the Bulldogs on offense.

How Does Mayfair Win? It isn’t a secret that the Monsoons will run the ball. With Logologo and Brown doing most of the heavy load and Jerry Smith coming back from injury it should be a quick game. Stay together through adversity. Reports after the La Mirada game were that not everyone was on the same page when Mayfair fell behind.

West Covina 28-21

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4

La Serna (11-1 Del Rio #1) at Bonita (11-1, Hacienda #2)

The game could turn into an aerial show with both Andrew Buenrostro and Garret Pendleton running both offenses. Fans should be in for a treat with the two high-powered scoring teams taking the field.

The Lancers have been tested the last two weeks with Walnut and Norwalk. The workload last week was given to Richard Alvarez, who scored three times in the win. Buenrostro and Andrew Rosales hooked up for another touchdown pass. The biggest test for La Serna was on defense with Elijhaa Penny and Billy Moore being such prolific running backs. The Lancers passed it with flying colors limiting Penny to just 94 yards.

The Bearcats proved some folks at “the Mid” wrong by out playing Muir in its quarterfinal game. Giomani Johnson provided most of the scoring on offense for Bonita with three touchdowns.  Eric Mikity was stellar on defense with a huge sack late in the contest against the Mustangs.

How Does La Serna Win? Keep the Bearcats off the field. The way the Lancers beat La Mirada was with long drives that allowed its defense to rest. With three running backs that can do damage on offense and Buenrostro’s stable of receivers the game should be close. La Serna is well coached on defense and doesn’t give up the big play which could help against Bonita’s offense.

How Does Bonita Win? Protect Pendleton. The Lancers will be coming and putting pressure on him with that linebacking corp. If they can keep La Serna on its heels with the run game it will open up the passing game for Bonita. The defense must be aggressive but not over pursue with La Serna’s misdirection plays.

La Serna 28-24

*****