We’ve reached week two and already we’re seeing some interesting trends. As usual, the Jack Del Rio League is showing its usual topsy-turvy non-league results. Last week’s picks went a bit off, losses by La Mirada, La Serna and Warren as well as the unexpected debut of Tony Botello for the Titans dropped my record to 7-5. Despite the losses, I’m still over .500 and I’m sitting with an overall record of 15-9.
This week, things are going to get interesting as those schools who didn’t play in week zero get a second game under their belt and we’ll start to see who’s shaking the rust off the first week’s performance and who’s close to pushing the panic button. Please note, this week, Artesia has the week off, which will help them recover after giving up 105 points to Edison and Millikan, but they are on the road next week to face the Gladiators.
So, without further ado, LET’S PLAY THE FEUD!!!
WEEK 2
Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010
Garden Grove Pacifica @ Whittier (@ Whittier District Field, Whittier, CA)
MATCHUP: Pacifica is coming into Whittier District Field for a match with the Cardinals, but they’re very familiar with the Jack Del Rio League. Last year, Cal High went down to Garden Grove and started a 10-game unbeaten streak with a win over the Mariners. They may be playing on Cal’s field, but they aren’t playing the Condors, They’re taking on a Cardinals team that was shut out by Chino six days earlier.
Prediction: Pacifica 31, Whittier 7
West Covina vs. South Hills (@ Covina District Field)
MATCHUP: Last week, the Bulldogs brought the City Section’s Gondoliers back down to earth with a solid victory. This week, they take on a Huskies team that knocked off BP in their season opener. This could be another shootout.
Prediction: South Hills 28, West Covina 27
Burbank Burroughs vs. Newhall Hart (@ College of the Canyons)
MATCHUP: It’s a classic game of Cowboys and Indians, but lately, Burroughs are starting to look more like the Heckawee tribe from “F-Troop” after their first two losses to the other two Foothill League teams they’ve faced. Thankfully this is the last of the Foothill Trio Burroughs has on the schedule.
Prediction: Hart 35, Burroughs, 14
South Pasadena vs. Hoover (@ Glendale High)
MATCHUP: Was anyone really expecting the Tornadoes to blow over Sierra Vista? Me neither, but now they have more trouble on their hands. The Tigers are coming off a win over a suddenly easily beaten Almont team in San Gabriel. If the Tornadoes want to get into the Tigers’ head, they’ll need to cuss up a storm.
Prediction: South Pasadena 24, Hoover 17
Friday, Sept. 17, 2010
Cal @ La Mirada
MATCHUP: A 92-yard kickoff return by former Alhambra Moor Vai Peko is really the only reason why the Matadors are not 1-1 right now. The Condors are coming off a payback loss to Rowland, and need a quality win to cement the Condors as Adam Contreras’ team.
Prediction: La Mirada 24, Cal High 7
Bonita vs. Santa Fe (@ Pioneer High School, Whittier CA)
MATCHUP: Bonita’s still on a roll since capturing the Smudge Pot from San Dimas, knocking off Claremont last week. Plus they’re getting Tarez Lemmons back for the game against the Chiefs. Coach Mahlstede’s boys looked really good against Warren in the season opener, but now face a real test from the Bearcats.
Prediction: Bonita 31, Santa Fe 27
El Rancho @ Bell Gardens
MATCHUP: Last year, Bell Gardens barely held on to a 17-14 win over the Dons at El Rancho. This year, the Dons are looking to return the favor and after the Lancers suffered last week’s 48-0 beatdown from Azusa, they need to stop the mistakes and turnovers.
Predictions: El Rancho 35, Bell Gardens 3
Long Beach Wilson vs. La Serna (@ Whittier District Field, Whittier, CA)
MATCHUP: The Lancers were pillaged for a combined 298 rushing yards from the Vikings’ running backs, including 186 yards from Kyle Lewis. This week, they have a Bruins team that barely managed a touchdown against Edison, who lit them up for 48 points (Okay, no more electricity puns).
Prediction: La Serna 28, Wilson 17
Pioneer @ Salesian High
MATCHUP: Last week, Tony Botello’s performance against Glenn was good enough to make Roggin’s Heroes on Monday. Now they head for Boyle Heights to take on the Mustangs. The Mustangs are 2-0 but barely held on against Bishop Montgomery. If Botello repeats his output, he could make “The Challenge” on Sunday night.
Prediction: Pioneer 31, Salesian 24
Paramount @ Bellflower
MATCHUP: It’s full sail ahead for the Buccaneers as they sail into their home port, while the Pirates seek to plunder another team of a victory. (Gods, I love these pirate puns, arrrgh!) Someone’s timbers will be shivered this night
Prediction: Paramount 28, Bellflower 27
Cerritos @ Gahr
MATCHUP: The Dons are still smarting from the pounding by Gabrielino two weeks ago, but then again they weren’t in an Arena League game like Gahr was against La Palma Kennedy last Friday. Granted, the Gladiators busted out for 51 points, but they still lost by 18 to the Eagles. Don’t expect Cerritos to give them a game either.
Prediction: Gahr 49, Cerritos 21
Villa Park vs. John Glenn (@Excelsior Adult School, Norwalk, CA)
MATCHUP: Glenn got a Titan-sized trouncing to Pioneer and Tony Botello and has only 13 points to show for their first two games. This week, the Spartans are marching on Excelsior Stadium with the hope to finally put a score on the board. This will be a low-scoring game with the winner determined by who screws up at the worst time.
Prediction: Glenn 10, Villa Park 3
Mayfair @ Lakewood
MATCHUP: The Monsoons have had managed to keep their opponents to within two touchdowns, the problem has been those 14 points have been the difference in both losses. Now they face a Lancers team that has only allowed one touchdown in their first two games. The Monsoons have stormy weather ahead.
Prediction: Lakewood 28, Mayfair 10
Norwalk @ Santa Fe Springs St. Paul
MATCHUP: The Swordsmen upset La Mirada two weeks ago and are well-rested up for their second game of the year. The Lancers, on the other hand, have only six points to show for their offensive output after two games. Things aren’t going to be getting easier anytime soon for Norwalk.
Prediction: St. Paul 31, Norwalk 10
Arcadia @ Monrovia
MATCHUP: Last week, M-town started the season where they left off, at Citrus College. This time around it was not the Mid-Valley Finals, but it was the same result, a loss, this time to the Tartans. This week, the Wildcats are opening the new Monrovia Sports Complex on campus by hosting the Apaches, who are on the warpath after getting scalped by the Golden Knights.
Prediction: Arcadia 28, Monrovia 27
Burbank @ San Gabriel
MATCHUP: San Gabriel’s loss to South Pasadena last week continued the Almont’s winless streak as a league to a second straight week. This is a perfect opportunity for the Bulldogs to bounce back after last week’s loss to Chaminade. The Almont losing streak will last at least one more week.
Prediction: Burbank 38, San Gabriel 7
St. Francis vs. Crescenta Valley (@ Glendale High)
MATCHUP: St. Frank's opened the season last week with a scalping of Arcadia while C-Valley flew into the City Section and dominated Verdugo Hills. This week, the Golden Knights are in the Falcon’s Lair to try to continue their winning streak before next week’s battle with the City Section’s Venice Gondoliers. The Falcons want the same thing before they fly into the La Canada Conflict against the Spartans.
Prediction: St. Francis 38, Crescenta Valley 35
Glendale @ La Canada
MATCHUP: The Nitros were shut down as they faced a Phantom menace in Cathedral last week, who will take on the Bulldogs this week (more on that game below). The Spartans are gearing up for the border war with Crescenta Valley and see no better boost than a little Nitro fuel.
Prediction: La Canada 31, Glendale 17
Pasadena Muir @ Bishop Amat
MATCHUP: The Mustangs’ loss to Saugus was a lot closer than the score shows, managing to keep the Centurions to only four touchdowns. This week, however, the Lancers are 2-0 after knocking off Compton Dominguez last week. Muir needs a win before they open their Pacific League schedule against Burbank next week.
Prediction: Bishop Amat 27, Muir 24
Cathedral @ Pasadena
MATCHUP: As mentioned before, The Phantoms burned out the Nitros last week, but they now head into Pasadena to face the Bulldogs who have been off since their 32-7 loss to Westchester on Sept. 3. If the Bulldogs want an upset, this is the time to do it, otherwise, it could be a long season in the Pacific cellar for them.
Prediction: Cathedral 28, Pasadena 21
Chino Don Lugo @ Diamond Bar
MATCHUP: The Brahmas are stampeding through their non-league season, but now will face off against Don Lugo, who will make the trek over the Chino hills to Diamond Bar High. The Conquistadores righted their ship against the Ambassadors of Ontario Christian, in a very undiplomatic win. If the Brahmas survive, expect them to be a factor in the race for the Hacienda title.
Prediction: Diamond Bar 35, Don Lugo 32
Hacienda Heights Wilson @ Los Altos
MATCHUP: The Wildcats were turned into hamburger at home by the Brahmas, and now head up the street to Los Altos to take on the Conquerors, who haven’t done much in term of conquers, although last week’s two-point loss to Bellflower was better than the 41-point shut out by El Rancho
Prediction: Los Altos 28, Wilson 17
Rosemead @ Rowland
MATCHUP: The Raiders got the Post-Terris Jones era at Cal High off to a bad start as Michael Ball rolled them to their second win of the young season. The ‘Mead, on the other hand, opened up last week with a three-point upset over the Oilers last Friday. Now let’s see if the Autumn Wind blows through the Hacienda Hills once more.
Prediction: Rowland 35, Rosemead 21
Walnut @ Claremont
MATCHUP: Walnut rode all over Troy last week down behind the Orange Curtain, knowing off the Warriors by six points. Claremont was the first victim of Bonita’s Smudge Pot victory parade. Now the Wolfpack hope to get back into the win column against a tough Mustang team.
Prediction: Claremont 24, Walnut 23
Wildomar Elsinore vs. Diamond Ranch (@ Pomona District Field)
MATCHUP: D-Ranch has had two bad games so far this season. Saturday night, the Panthers need to score more than 16 points in the game, the score both teams Elsinore played so far have been limited to. Of the Panthers want to prove they aren't a mere shell of themselves from last year, this is the game they need to prove that.
Prediction: Elsinore 31, Diamond Ranch 21
NEXT WEEK: The Pacific, Hacienda and Suburban Leagues conclude their non league schedules in week three while the Del Rio has two more weeks before they start the "Whittier Merry-go-Round"
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