Big Tony's Touts, Southeast Division Week Four, Director's Cut

First of all, an apology to my readers for the lack of picks last week. My father had surgery and my mind was distracted with his recovery. But after a final week of non-league contests, the “Ol’ Hacienda,” the “By the Blue Pacific” and “Suburban Meyer” Leagues will start their league tilts this week, while the “Jack Del Rio” League has two more weeks before their league schedule kicks in.

Also with the Del Rio still in its non-league schedule, a certain “Prince of Darkness” has already anointed La Sena as the presumptive League Champs, but where VTD’s ball-washing of the Lancers has become rather repetitive and jejune (look it up), I’m not ready to crown the Lancers, as you’ll see in my picks this week. This week, we only have two schools with byes. El Rancho has the week off in the Del Rio league and Bonita is off for the Hacienda. Everyone else is playing, with Cerritos the lone Suburban League team with a non-league game this week.

Are we ready over here? Are we ready over there?

(Claps his hands) LET’S GET IT ON!!

WEEK 4

Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010

Burbank Burroughs vs. Hoover (at Glendale High, Pacific League Contest)

MATCHUP: So after three weeks of being a Foothill League punching bag, the Indians limp into Glendale High to take on a Tornadoes team that took a road trip into the Mid and came away with a win over Mountain View. Despite talk of a vaunted Indian defense, they lost by a combined 30 points to the Foothill teams. More than likely A.J. Pule is going to take advantage of that.

Prediction: Hoover 31, Burroughs 21

Schurr at Cal High (at Whittier District Field)

MATCHUP: The Spartans righted their phalanx with a nail-biter of a win over El Toro. Last year, the Condors continued a 10-game unbeaten streak when they erased a 13-point deficit for the tie. This year is much different for the Condors, with Terris Jones now a walk-on at the University of Arizona and Adam Contreras still sidelined with a shoulder injury. But sophomore Drew Castro is relying on Maximo Gonzales and Ben Stiepak to keep the offense moving. Don’t expect Aaron Cantu to let another tie occur.

Prediction: Schurr 34, Cal High 28

Friday, Oct. 1, 2010

Diamond Bar vs. Diamond Ranch (at Pomona District Field, Hacienda League Contest)

MATCHUP: It’s another edition of the 60-57 Freeway Showdown as the Brahmas and the Panthers renew their geographic rivalry for bragging rights to the Interchange. The Brahmas are stampeding into this contest after rolling their first four games of the season, while the Panthers were sent reeling after Santa Margarita did to them what Stanford did to UCLA a couple weeks ago. But a win over Chaffey is bound to give the Panthers a lift going into this game and they could even pull out an upset win.

Prediction: Diamond Bar 31, Diamond Ranch 28

Los Altos at Rowland (Hacienda League Contest)

MATCHUP: Whether you want to call this a “dog with fleas” or say it has “the stench of the Devil,” this game can be easily summed up in one word; Blowout. This one has all the signs of a catastrophic beat down for the Raiders, and this Autumn Wind is going to be more like a typhoon for the Conquerors. The only way they win is if Rowland’s ENTIRE team is suspended for the game.

Prediction: Rowland 63, Los Altos 3

West Covina at Walnut (Hacienda League Contest)

MATCHUP: They may be in a new league, but the Bulldogs and the Mustangs are old foes from back in their days in the old San Antonio League. This year, both are rolling from recent wins, Walnut with their overtime win against Covina and West Covina with their victory over Glendora for their third straight win. If this game was at West Covina, I’d say that the Bulldogs would pull it out easily, however, I’m not so sure that Walnut will go down that easily, but it’s going to be close

Prediction: West Covina 28, Walnut 27

Arcadia at Pasadena (Pacific League Contest)

MATCHUP: The Apaches are finally off the losing track, after turning the Rams into mutton chops. The Bulldogs also are basking in the afterglow of a firm win, over La Salle, alleged alma mater of Villa the Devil. So both teams are looking for a continuation of their winning ways, but history is on the Apaches’ side. Pasadena was winless in the 21^st century against Arcadia until last year’s upset.

Prediction: Arcadia 17, Pasadena 13

Burbank at Muir (Pacific League Contest)

MATCHUP: The Mustangs have had two weeks to prepare for the Bulldogs, and haven’t forgotten the upset win the Bulldogs pulled off last year. Also plaguing the Mustangs are two hard losses to Saugus and Bishop Amat, while the Bulldogs have wins over Warren and San Gabriel bracketing the loss to Chaminade. If Adam Colman lives up to the washing up he gets from VTD, He might prove last year’s win was no fluke.

Prediction: Muir 35, Burbank 31

Crescenta Valley at Glendale (Pacific League Contest)

MATCHUP: The Falcons split their games in the La Canada two-step, a loss to St. Frank’s and a close win over LC. Now they fly into their league schedule against a Nitros team that can’t come off the line without blowing an engine. The Falcons are gonna blow the doors off the Nitros and leave them spinning their wheels at the tree. (Whoa, nice drag racing puns)

Prediction: Crescenta Valley 42, Glendale 17

Artesia at La Mirada (Suburban League Contest)

MATCHUP: You would think that a defending Division champion like La Mirada would have had a better non-league season than the Matadors’ 1-3 record. Granted, the losses to St. Paul and La Habra were close contests, but it says more about the defense’s shortcomings than the offense’s efforts. But it could be a lot worse; they could have been rolled like Artesia were in their first three games. If the Pioneers manage to score in double digits, they should consider it a moral victory, maybe…

Prediction: La Mirada 42, Artesia 10

Bellflower vs. Glenn (at Excelsior Adult School, Suburban League Contest)

MATCHUP: The Buccaneers have put their focus on plundering the Suburban League now that they sit on top of the standings after a 3-1 non-league record. Glenn has been a punching bag, managing to score only 27 points in their four games played, while surrendering a league-worst 202 points in their four losses. Hoist the Colors, me hearties, the Buccaneers will be a plunderin’ these Spartans.

Prediction: Bellflower 49, Glenn 10

Norwalk vs. Mayfair (at Bellflower High, Suburban League Contest)

MATCHUP: Norwalk has evened their record after wins over St. Paul and Morningside while Mayfair ended their three-game losing streak with a win over Valley Christian. The Lancers are poised to take a run at the League title and the Monsoons are hoping for more favorable winds, but the storm clouds are gathering once more.

Prediction: Norwalk 42, Mayfair 21

Warren vs. La Serna (at Whittier District Field, Whittier, CA)

MATCHUP: Yes, the Bears have been reeling since the start of the season, but they did manage to knock off Santa Fe. Although some pundits have resorted to crown the Lancers the presumptive Del Rio League champions, those who know the league are just waiting for the “real” La Serna to show up, and if that team arrives at the start of league play.

Prediction: Warren 28, La Serna 24

Cerritos at Pioneer

MATCHUP: After knocking off Glenn to start the season, the Titans lost two close games, fueling speculation that they’re trying to emulate El Rancho’s resurgence. The Dons got off the schnide after shutting out Rancho Alamitos, but the first two losses were steamrollers. It could be a season-defining moment for both teams depending on who wins and who loses. A Cerritos loss sets a bad tone going into League play. A Pioneer loss could put the Titans on a collision course for the Del Rio cellar again.

Prediction: Pioneer 35, Cerritos 21

Whittier at Paramount

MATCHUP: The Cardinals are three loses into another forgettable season, but they did manage to give the Rough Riders a game last week. The Pirates are hoping for better sailing after losing a heart-breaker to Long Beach Wilson. Expect the Cardinals to get plundered as they careen towards another loss.

Prediction: Paramount 42, Whittier 13

Santa Fe at Charter Oak

MATCHUP: The Chiefs are struggling after losses to Bonita and Esperanza, but the Bonita loss came on a blocked field goal at the end of the game. The Chargers were last year’s Southeast Division champs but now they’re taking on the Inland Division, but that doesn’t mean they should over look the Chiefs. If Justin Rincon can overcome the errors in his game, the Chiefs can still contend for the Del Rio Title. Keeping the Chargers close will dictate the outcome of the game and may just get the Chiefs an upset victory at an opportune moment.

Prediction: Santa Fe 28, Charter Oak 27

BYE WEEK: Bonita

BYE WEEK: El Rancho

BYE WEEK: