MidValleySports.Com

All games are at 7:00 PM unless otherwise indicated

Thursday November 10

Almont

Bell Gardens (3-6) at Alhambra (7-2) at Moor Field

Last Year: Bell Gardens 52-20

Alhambra needs this one not just to wrap up second place but also to restore some dignity. 69-14 losses in games determining first place are hard to swallow.

Bell Gardens has lost three of four league contests and needs a win to finish on a high note. The game means a lot more to Alhambra and the Moors should come out with a sense of urgency. Alhambra bounces back.

Alhambra 17 Bell Gardens 10

Schurr (3-6) at San Gabriel (5-4)

Last Year: San Gabriel 38-28

The Matadors are on a roll right now. They racked up 69 last week in a rout of Alhambra and have scored 188 points in four league games.

Schurr despite a 3-6 record, (3-1 in league), actually has a shot at not only a playoff spot but a share of the league title if it can knock off San Gabriel. I don’t see it happening.

Matadors have too much offensively.

San Gabriel 35 Schurr 14 

Mission Valley

El Monte (7-2) at Arroyo (8-1)

Last Year: Arroyo 40-7

All-Time: Arroyo 37-6

Both teams come in undefeated in league in what is truly the battle for the MVL crown. El Monte survived a tough win over South El Monte last week while the Knights dispatched of Gabrielino.

The Lions and Knights can both throw it with Brandon Martinez and Steven Rivera respectively. The running attacks aren’t bad either. El Monte has a good back in Brian Luevano while Peter Aholoka carries the rock for Arroyo.

It could come down to who makes the least amount of turnovers. El Monte gives Arroyo all it wants but in the end, the Knights get it done.

Arroyo 28 El Monte 24

Rosemead (5-4) at South El Monte (6-3)

Last Year: Rosemead 34-0

All-Time: Rosemead 11-6

This game is huge also. With both teams at 2-2 in league the loser is literally eliminated from the playoff picture. Both teams lost to El Monte on late scores by the Lions.

Rosemead will do what it does best- pound Matt Eddy and play good defense. It worked against Arroyo until a late turnover did the Panthers in.

South likes to use Fernando Ramirez in a variety of ways. He can throw it to the Machuca brothers but if he has to he can take off and run as well.

It could come down to a fourth quarter stop. The Panthers seem to make those kinds of stops. Rosemead grabs third in the MVL.

Rosemead 21 South El Monte 17

Montview

Duarte (6-2) at Sierra Vista (5-4)

Last Year: Sierra Vista 41-6

The Falcons have a taken a couple of lumps in league this year. Last week was one of them in a 49-7 loss to La Puente. Azusa also handed it to them a few weeks ago. But they’ve beaten everybody else which is a far cry from last year’s disaster.

What Tip Sanders has done in three years is nothing short of remarkable. Both Sierra Vista and Duarte are 4-2 in league and a win would likely mean a spot in CIF. Even with a loss Duarte might get in at 6-3.

The Dons’ two league losses are also to top dogs LP and Azusa. It should come down to the wire. Duarte makes a play at the end.

Duarte 27 Sierra Vista 24

La Puente (9-0) at Azusa (6-3) at Citrus College

Last Year: Azusa 28-0 

La Puente is trying to run the table while Azusa is trying to run the league for the third straight year. We’ve known it was going to come down to this since September.

The Warriors are pretty balanced offensively with Ivan Vasquez throwing and Nicholas Barrientos running. Azusa can do both as well with Jake Martinez and Desmond Reed. Reed is the guy LP will have to focus on. He has over 1100 yards on the ground and over 200 receiving while scoring 26 touchdowns.

The Warrior defense has been stingy at times especially in league. They did allow 55 points in their first two games but haven’t allowed more than 16 in a game since.

Azusa meanwhile has recorded two shutouts – both in league. It should be close the entire way. Neither team is going to run away and hide.

Azusa jumps out early but La Puente rallies to win and end the Aztecs streak.

La Puente 31 Azusa 28

Rio Hondo

La Canada (3-6) at San Marino (6-3)

Last Year: La Canada 21-7

A San Marino win would give them at least second place in the Rio. If La Canada wins, the Spartans could force a three way tie for second and a possible coin flip.

San Marino surprised South Pas last week and is looking to wrap up a successful 4-1 run in league. The Titans hope to ride the legs of Kwame Do all the way to the playoffs.

LC should hang around for a half but San Marino comes out victorious.

San Marino 20 La Canada 13

South Pasadena (6-3) at Monrovia (6-3)

Last Year: Monrovia 48-7 

The Wildcats have rolled through league and they aren’t about to stop now. It looked like South Pasadena would come in undefeated as well but the Tigers took a fall last week to San Marino. South Pas will have to play a perfect game offensively and defensively and create a couple of turnovers. Even then the Tigers would still lose by three touchdowns.

Monrovia rolls.

Monrovia 42 South Pasadena 7

Valle Vista

Pomona (6-3) at San Dimas (7-2) at Bonita

Last Year: San Dimas 28-14

Even with a loss Pomona at 6-4 should get an invitation to the post season, but that’s not what the Red Devils have in mind. They have their sights firmly set on second place.

It will be a tough mountain to climb. The Saints have lost a couple of games (Bonita, Covina) but they have rolled over everybody else. They have dropped 41 points or more on opponents in 4 of their 7 victories, including 59 on San Gabriel.

San Dimas has at least four backs that are a threat to score every time they touch the ball. Pomona counters with Sir Darius Yabrough but it might not be enough. The Red Devils are athletic enough to stay with San Dimas for awhile but in the end the Saints will have too much.

San Dimas 30 Pomona 21    

Friday November 11

Olympic

Whittier Christian (6-3) at Village Christian (4-5) at Occidental College

Last Year: 11/5/10: Whittier Christian 29-26, 12/3/10 Mid-Valley Semi Finals: Whittier Christian 43-42 OT

It’s always a battle between these two. Nobody expected Whittier Christian to be the Olympic League champs except maybe the Heralds themselves. The Crusaders have learned that they need to pound Amjed Aboul-hosn. He rushed for 198 yards in last week’s loss to Maranatha.

The Heralds have already dispatched every other league opponent. There’s no reason to believe that they won’t do the same here.

Whittier Christian 34 Village Christian 21

Quick Hits

Wednesday November 9

Montview

Bassett (1-8) at Ganesha (1-8) – Ganesha 14-6

Thursday November 10

Almont

Keppel (2-7) at Montebello (3-6) – Montebello 28-7

MVL

Mt. View (3-6) at Gabrielino (3-6) – Gabrielino 21-14

Montview

Gladstone (2-7) at Workman (4-5) at La Puente – Workman 20-14

Rio Hondo

Temple City (0-9) at Blair (1-8) at Muir – Temple City 28-6

Valle Vista

Baldwin Park (2-7) at Wilson (0-9) – Baldwin Park 24-21

Northview (2-7) at Covina (8-1) at Covina District Field – Covina 42-6 

Saturday November 12

Olympic

Maranatha (7-2) at LA Baptist (2-7) – Maranatha 48-7