Please note, dear readers, that this week's picks come with a bit of an edge to them, as my not-so esteemed colleague, Andy "Villa the Devil" Villanueva decides that he's going to do his picks for the Southeast division. But of course, he can't be bothered with doing ALL the schools in the Southeast, which goes to show why he's the T.J. Simers of the Mid Valley Sports Section.
So after some consultation from St. Joe the Torosian, I was asked to set up my predictions that appear on the Mid Valley Sports website to focus on the Suburban Meyer and the Jack Del Rio Leagues. Of course, that means that Villa the Devil has to settle for the Hacienda and the Pacific.
However, like your Director's Version of your favorite movie on DVD, this is my "Full Board" of predictions for the ENTIRE Southeast Division. I plan on posting them here each week until the end of the playoffs.
So, to recap last week, four of my picks turned out completely wrong and I’m not one to hide from my mistakes. Who knew that Santa Margarita would make D-Ranch look like Ganesha and St. Paul would have the Whooppee cushion out for La Mirada, but that’s now past tense. This week we have almost all of the Southeast Division schools in action, with the exception of Cerritos, who got pounded by Gabrielino and Pasadena, who got pummeled by the City Section’s Westchester.
Now to start the "real" first week of the football season, let’s open those hermetically sealed envelopes, which have been kept in a Mayonnaise Jar on Funk & Wagnall’s front porch since Noon today, which hold my predictions for this week in the Southeast.
Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010
Pioneer vs. John Glenn (@Excelsior Adult School, Norwalk, CA)
MATCHUP: Last week, the Eagles were given a thumping by Santa Ana Valley. This week, they host the Titans, who were feeling less than mighty after being on the wrong end of a 38-3 pummeling. This week, don’t expect anything different as the Titans hope for something better than last year’s 3-7 record.
Prediction: Glenn 28, Pioneer 7
La Mirada @ La Habra
MATCHUP: Last week, the Matadors were gored in their season opener by the Swordsmen, while the Highlanders were flung in their season opener against perennial powerhouse Orange Lutheran. Both teams are going to be looking for some payback at the expense of the other, so expect fireworks.
Prediction: La Mirada 42, La Habra 39
Friday, Sept. 10, 2010
Cal @ Rowland
MATCHUP: The Condors are beginning the Post-Terris Jones Era while the Raiders still have Michael Ball, who has more football lives than a humanoid Cylon. The Raiders are coming off a close victory over BP, but the Condors won’t be a pushover, not while Adam Contreras is behind Center.
Prediction: Rowland 35, Cal High 31
El Rancho vs. Northview (@Covina District Stadium, Covina CA)
MATCHUP: Last week, the Dons showed the Conquerors that the El Rancho renaissance was just getting started last year. This week, they head into the Mid for a tussle against a Viking team that had little to celebrate, but there’s no Brett Favre to save them, only seniors Marquise Thomas and Marcus Ellis.
Prediction: El Rancho 38, Northview 17
La Serna @ Downey
MATCHUP: The Lancers are ready to put last year’s debacle of a season behind them, while the Vikings are hoping to do the same. Head Coach Margarito Beltran is counting on Andrew Rosales and Connor Burke to keep from repeating last year’s forgettable season.
Prediction: La Serna 24, Downey 21
Warren vs. Santa Fe (@ Pioneer High School, Whittier, CA)
MATCHUP: Last week, the Bears were bullish against Burbank but fell short at the end. The Chiefs are opening their season after garnering some Mid Valley Karma the other night, which they’ll need since the Bears are one of their toughest opponents this year.
Prediction: Warren 35, Santa Fe 31
Chino vs. Whittier (@ Whittier District Field, Whittier, CA)
MATCHUP: The Cardinals actually were in contention for the Del Rio lead for all of two whole weeks before they faded into their normal spot, but don’t expect them to be wallflowers against the Cowboys, who are coming off an 0-10 season in the Mt. Baldy league.
Prediction: Whittier 28, Chino 14
Millikan @ Artesia
MATCHUP: Last week, the Pioneers got shocked by Edison (Yes, I’m still doing the electricity Puns, sue me) while the Rams were led to the slaughter by the Gahr Gladiators. This week the two teams meet in Artesia, which the Rams are expected to repeat their success from last year, when they knocked off the Pioneers, 42-13. Expect a similar result.
Prediction: Millikan 35, Artesia 7
Los Altos @ Bellflower
MATCHUP: Last week, the Buccaneers plugged the Oilers in their Week Zero opener, while as mentioned before; the Conquerors were shut out by the Dons. Expect the Buccaneers to strike the colors as they size up another opponent to plunder.
Prediction: Bellflower 35, Los Altos 3
Los Alamitos vs. Mayfair (@ Cerritos College, Norwalk, CA)
MATCHUP: Last week, the Griffins tore up Norwalk in a 34-0 pasting, while the Monsoons were swamped by Chino Hills. The Griffins will have no trouble scoring against the Monsoons, who will need a perfect game just to get on the board.
Prediction: Los Alamitos 31, Mayfair 3
Cypress vs. Norwalk (@Excelsior Adult School, Norwalk, CA)
MATCHUP: The Lancers are still smarting from the 34-0 shutout from Los Al, but they’re going up against another monster in a Centurion team that rolled through the Empire League last year. Hopefully Elijhaa Penny will be able to find the end zone this time around, but Seniors Jordan Pounds and C.J. Moore are anchoring the Centurion defense again.
Prediction: Cypress 28, Norwalk 7
Claremont @ Bonita
MATCHUP: The Bearcats are still celebrating their taking the Smudge Pot last week over the Saints, which has even bummed out Bill and Ted. Now they head down the 210 into the IE to face off against the Wolfpack, who knocked off Cajon in week zero. We will see if the Smudge Pot will bring the Bearcats the same good fortune the Saints had last year.
Prediction: Bonita 38, Claremont 35
Diamond Bar @ Hacienda Heights Wilson
MATCHUP: The Brahmas equaled their win total from last year at the expense of the Nobles, while the Wildcats are looking for their first regular season win since the end of the 2007 season, a 55-27 win over Rowland. Don’t expect that streak to end this week.
Prediction: Diamond Bar 42, Wilson 21
Damien vs. Diamond Ranch (@ Pomona District Field)
MATCHUP: The Ranch got a rather rude wake-up call from Santa Margarita last week, while the Spartans are gearing up for the new-look Sierra League and their newest member, Charter Oak. Expect the Panthers to sharpen their claws on the Spartans.
Prediction: Diamond Ranch 24, Damien 21
LA Venice @ West Covina
MATCHUP: The Gondoliers were amongst the majority of City Section teams who won their season opener last week, a 47-16 shellacking on Harvard-Westlake. The Bulldogs were caught in a Colt stampede last week and are looking for some kind of payback on the Gondoliers. Yeah, and Citizen Keenan is going to name me the next Sports Editor of the Mid Valley News.
Prediction: Venice 45, West Covina 21
Fullerton Troy @ Walnut
MATCHUP: The Mustangs are opening their season by hosting the Warriors. Last year in the old San Antonio League, Walnut was solid in non-league play but when the only managed one win in league. Troy managed to get into the Playoffs at the Freeway League’s at large tam but exited in round 1. Both teams will be looking for a quality win to start the season
Prediction: Troy 24, Walnut 21
Arcadia @ La Canada St. Francis
MATCHUP: The Apaches are coming off a bad year where they finished in the Pacific cellar, while the Golden Knights reached the second round of the playoffs. Ryan Jenkins and Travis Talianko are expected to be prime targets for the Golden Knight air offense, giving the Apache Defense a load of headaches.
Prediction: St. Francis 33, Arcadia 14
Burbank @ West Hills Chaminade
MATCHUP: The Bulldogs are coming off a skin-of-their-teeth win over Warren, but now have to contend with an Eagle program prepping for a newly expanded Mission League.
Prediction: Burbank 28, Chaminade 24
Crescenta Valley @ Verdugo Hills
MATCHUP: The Dons are many years removed from their days as the champions of the old Sunset Six league days, languishing at the bottom of the East Valley League in the City Section’s crowded Division II. It doesn’t help having a Falcons squad that would have contended for the Pacific League title if Burbank and Burroughs dropped a couple games between them.
Prediction: Crescenta Valley 34, Verdugo Hills 12
Cathedral @ Glendale
MATCHUP: The Nitros were anything but fast in the Pacific, going winless in league and a 7-point win over South Pasadena preventing them from going winless the entire year. They’re hosting a Phantoms team who are part of the new-look Mission League, missed out on a perfect regular season with a loss to league rival Serra. Expect the same for the Phantoms this season.
Prediction: Cathedral 44, Glendale 13
Hoover @ Sierra Vista
MATCHUP: The Tornadoes were nowhere near any kind of contention in the Pacific, with wins coming only against South Pasadena and intra-city rivals Glendale. The Dons, who have managed to stay in the middle of the pack in the Montview, come into the season looking for tame these twisters like they did last year with a 12-8 victory.
Prediction: Sierra Vista 17, Hoover 6
Pasadena Muir vs. Saugus (@ College of the Canyons)
MATCHUP: Both the Mustangs and Centurions opened their seasons with wins, Muir over the Almont’s San Gabriel and Saugus over Burroughs. Once again, Saugus is hoping for another boost at College of the Canyons, while the Mustangs are looking to continue their win streak.
Prediction: Saugus 24, Muir 21
Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010
Burbank Burroughs @ Canyon Country Canyon
MATCHUP: The Indians were scalped by the first of three Foothill League teams in their week Zero loss to Saugus. The Indians are hoping for a Little Big Horn against the Cowboys instead of another Wounded Knee like the previous week.
Prediction: Canyon 24, Burroughs 17
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