MidValleySports.Com

Isaiah Guerrero and Bonita have a huge game at Charter Oak Friday night. (Photo by Duane Barker).

By Tim Peterson

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

Thursday October 22

La Canada (7-1) at Monrovia (4-4)

La Canada can wrap up the Arroyo League title with a win. Monrovia has been blown out in its two league games. The Spartans could make an extended playoff run. They aren’t about to let Monrovia get in the way. Joe Bell and company roll.

La Canada 38 Monrovia 7

Muir (4-4) at Burbank (4-4)

Both teams need this win to have a shot at the playoffs. Muir is a little banged up but the Mustangs did rout Monrovia 39-7 last week. Burbank also beat Monrovia handily but fell to La Canada two weeks ago making this one a must win. It could come down to the fourth quarter and who makes a play in the fourth quarter. It will be close but Muir comes out on top.

Muir 24 Burbank 21

Don Lugo (4-4) at Nogales (8-0)

Nogales won last week to remain undefeated but it wasn’t easy. The Nobles struggled to beat a Walnut team 28-13, that was 3-5 coming in. Don Lugo by comparison beat Walnut 42-8. Don Lugo will push Noagales to the limit and with a break or two could pull off an upset. The Nobles offense is explosive however and may be too much for the Conquistadors to stop. Nogales remains unbeaten.

Nogales 27 Don Lugo 20

Friday October 23

West Covina (3-5) at South Hills (6-2) (Covina District Field)

South Hills has had a remarkable season so far. The Huskies only missteps were to El Rancho, which is 6-2 on the season and Los Altos which is undefeated. Fabian Marez and company have been a problem for opponents. West Covina has been a little up and down. The Bulldogs had nice wins over Chino and Diamond Bar and played El Rancho close. But they gave up over 40 points to both Los Altos and Baldwin Park and 35 to Victor Valley in Week Zero. South Hills needs a win here to stay in the mix in the tough Hacienda League. Huskies will prevail to lay claim to the “Kings of Cameron” for 2026.

South Hills 28 West Covina 24

Bell Gardens (7-1) at El Rancho (6-2)

Bell Gardens has been a surprise this year. The Lancers have won seven straight after losing the season opener. Some would argue that their schedule has been light but they still have done what they needed to do. El Rancho has lost two games by a total of four points – La Mirada by one and Los Altos by three. The Dons have been impressive in wins over teams like South Hills and West Covina and are clearly the favorites to win the Metro League after a 29-0 drubbing of Schurr last week. Bell Gardens is their only obstacle. They should clear it with room to spare. Dons get the W.

El Rancho 31 Bell Gardens 14

Nathaniel Sanchez and Los Altos will face Baldwin Park for the Hacienda League title Friday night. (Photo by Tim Peterson).

Los Altos (8-0) at Baldwin Park (7-1)

We’ve been waiting for this game for the past month. Baldwin Park lost one game – the opener to La Serna – but hasn’t been tested since. Los Altos has rolled through everybody on its way to a perfect 8-0 record. Both teams can score and have some talented players. Lequand “Jack Jack” Jackson, Jacory Coleman and Donovan St Cyr lead the way for the Braves while Luke Rodriguez, Nathaniel Sanchez and Evan Rojas are the dudes for Los Altos. Defense may win championships but there’s going to be some points scored in this one. Baldwin Park has the home field advantage and a little more firepower. Braves win a shootout.

Baldwin Park 38 Los Altos 35

Bonita (8-0) at Charter Oak (8-0)

Bonita really hasn’t been tested all year. The Bearcats closest contest was a 12-point win over San Dimas in the Smudge Pot. Quarterback Isaiah Guerrero sat out the first five games due to the sit out period for transfers but the Bearcats held it down. Since he’s stepped in they’ve only gotten better. They have outscored their last two opponents 94-30. Charter Oak is also undefeated but has really had to work for it at times. Two weeks ago the Chargers struggled to beat Colony 15-10 and last week they had to rally to knock off Glendora. In September they beat St. Francis 20-16. Charter Oak has the home field advantage but that might not make a big difference in this one. Bonita travels well. A key mistake, a turnover, a missed tackle, will turn out to be the difference. Bonita makes a play down the stretch. The Bearcats win the Sierra League.

Bonita 31 Charter Oak 27

Loyola (3-5) at Bishop Amat (7-1)

At this point it’s a matter of what division Bishop Amat will be placed in. The Lancers have lost one game – to JSerra Catholic in September – other than that they have been rolling along. The offense has been clicking and the defense makes the plays when it has to. They may have trouble next week at Sierra Canyon but Bishop Amat will be fine against Loyola. Lancers win big.

Bishop Amat 42 Loyola 14

Quick Hits

Thursday October 22

Gahr at Santa Fe – Gahr

Harvard-Westlake at La Salle – Harvard-Westlake

Walnut at Rowland – Rowland

Friday October 24

San Marino at Gabrielino – San Marino

Mt. View at Rosemead – Rosemead

Duarte at Wilson – Wilson

Pomona at Garey – Pomona

Alta Loma at Chino – Alta Loma

Covina at Diamond Bar – Covina

Burroughs at Crescenta Valley – Crescenta Valley

Keppel at Arroyo – Arroyo

Northview at Ayala – Northview

Warren at La Mirada – La Mirada

Azusa at Ontario – Ontario

Maranatha at Viewpoint – Viewpoint

Diamond Ranch at Los Osos – Los Osos

Mayfair at La Serna – La Serna

Claremont at San Dimas – San Dimas

St. Paul at St.Pius X-St. Matthais – St. Paul

Temple City at Hoover – Temple City

South El Monte at Montebello – South El Monte

Alhambra at San Gabriel – Alhambra

Norwalk at Bellflower – Bellflower

El Monte at Schurr – Schurr

Colony at Glendora – Glendora

Arcadia at Glendale – Arcadia

Downey at Cerritos – Downey

Ganesha at Workman – Ganesha

Firebaugh at Pioneer – Pioneer

La Puente at Sierra Vista – Sierra Vista

California at Paramount – Paramount

St. Francis at Bishop Montgomery – St. Francis

Brentwood School at Rio Hondo Prep – Rio Hondo Prep