MidValleySports.Com

Tim Peterson

Heading into the final week of the regular season there are still several things that have yet to be decided in the Mid-Valley Division. In the Montview and in the Mission Valley the title will be settled on the field. The Almont is still up in the air and second place is still on the line in the Valle Vista. This is clear- Monrovia is king of the Rio Hondo…unless of course the Wildcats lose.  

Here’s a look at how things shake out in each league.

MVL

All eyes will be on Arroyo-El Monte at B.L. Bergstrom Stadium on Thursday night. Both teams are 4-0 in league and the winner will not only be MVL champs but will also get a high seed in the playoffs. The Knights have won five straight while the Lions have reeled off six in a row.

South El Monte – Rosemead at the Swamp means something as well. The winner will be the third place team and with an above .500 record will have a shot at playoffs. The loser can make plans for the winter.

Mt. View and Gabrielino are playing out the string and looking forward to the Holidays.

Almont

San Gabriel at 4-0 has emerged as the top dog but the Mats can’t bust out the cake and balloons just yet. They need a win over 3-1 Schurr Thursday night to secure the crown. If the Spartans lose, chances are they are out of the playoffs with an overall record of 3-7.

Alhambra was once flying high but after last week’s debacle at San Gabriel the Moors desperately need a win over Bell Gardens to get either a share of the title or second place. A win would leave them at 8-2 and 4-1 league and would assure them of a playoff berth. A loss, depending on the outcome of the Schurr-SG game, and they could be third.

Montebello and Bell Gardens, both 1-3 in league, are out regardless of whether they win or lose. Keppel at 0-4 is looking to taste the fruits of victory just one time.

Montview

This is what everybody has been waiting for – La Puente vs. Azusa for the Montview crown. They’re both unbeaten in league and the loser will get in the playoffs as the second place team. La Puente is looking to go 10-0 overall while Azusa could improve to 7-3.

With a win Duarte (4-2) and 6-2 overall should secure a playoff berth as a wild card team. With a loss at 6-3, the Falcons still have a shot.

As for the rest of the Montview pack? See ya next year.

Rio Hondo

Monrovia is in and Blair and Temple City are done. After that it gets a little convoluted. While it’s not a given that the Wildcats win league outright, they would have to lose to South Pas this week to share the title and that would be an upset of epic proportions. 

Assuming Monrovia beats the Tigers and San Marino beats La Canada, It will be M-Town, San Marino and South Pas in that order. If LC beats San Marino, then it will be a three way tie for second place and a possible coin flip. It could get crazy.  

Valle Vista

Covina will win league. Even if the Colts lose to Northview (they won’t) they are league champs by virtue of victories over San Dimas and Pomona. Winner of San Dimas- Pomona takes second but with a solid record even the loser is in good position for a wild card. For everybody else it’s lights out.

Olympic

Whittier Christian is league champs, Valley Christian is second and Maranatha is third. That won’t change. Valley has no more games left and Maranatha will beat up LA Baptist. Even if fourth place Village Christian knocked off Whittier Christian, the Heralds are still numero uno in the Olympic, by virtue of its wins over Maranatha and Valley. All three teams should (will) get into the dance. Maranatha will be the most dangerous third place team in the division at 8-2.

That’s my principle.

Tim can be reached at tim@midvalleysports.com