Well, it wasn’t exactly my most stellar week last week as a few of my predictions went the way of Texas’ reputation in College Football. However, I still managed to get 10 games so the streak continues. This week, the JDR concludes their non-league season, while the rest of the Southeast Division gets deeper into their respective league schedules. La Serna concludes the bye weeks for the Del Rio League while Los Altos is off for the Hacienda League.
Week Five Predictions, COME ON DOWN!
WEEK 5
Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010
Pioneer vs. Garden Grove Rancho Alamitos (at Bolsa Grande High, Garden Grove, CA)
MATCHUP: The Titans managed to escape their game against Cerritos last week with a one-point win, but their non-league finale won’t be as difficult as they face a Vaqueros team who were shut out by those very same Dons. Look for the Titans to head into the Del Rio schedule with something they haven’t experienced lately, a winning record.
Prediction: Pioneer 35, Rancho Alamitos 14
Burbank at Glendale (Pacific League Contest)
MATCHUP: The Bulldogs must have borrowed some of that same “no-quit” spirit the Bruins had Saturday against Washington State. After proving last year was no fluke, (which I graciously concede my pick) they get their own punching bag in an ineffective Nitros team who has had little zip in their game against Crescenta Valley. Welcome to the Bulldogs’ “Patty Cake Week.”
Prediction: Burbank 42, Glendale 10
Friday, Oct. 8, 2010
Montebello at Cal
MATCHUP: Who knew that two previously powerful teams in the Almont and Del Rio, respectively, would fall on such hard times this season like the Oilers and the Condors have? If there’s a silver lining with these dark clouds, it’s that Cal has been slowly improving since their season opener against Rowland, which cost the Condors Adam Contreras for a few weeks. As for the Oilers? Well, at least Homecoming is over already.
Prediction: Cal 31, Montebello 21
Fontana at El Rancho
MATCHUP: On paper, maybe a decade ago, this would have been a epic clash of high-flying programs. But we’re a long way from the Fo Hi I used to cover back in the days of the late, great Inland Valley Our Times, and so far this year, the Steelers are going through a feast-or-famine type of performance each week. The Dons, coming off a pounding of Montebello and a bye week, are rested and ready to go into league with a tie atop the leaderboard and a real chance of being a factor in the title chase.
Prediction: El Rancho 42, Fontana 21
Downey vs. Santa Fe (at Pioneer High, Whittier, CA)
MATCHUP: Okay, maybe that heart-breaking loss to Bonita in Week 2 affected the Chiefs’ offense more than I anticipated. The Defense, however, seems to have gelled, having held Charter Oak, last year’s Southeast Champs, to only 17 points last week. It would have helped if Justin Rincon could throw for more in one game than he has in the previous four, a combined 131 yards. The Vikings are looking to plunder one more team before they start up in the San Gabriel Valley league, and the Chiefs are looking ripe.
Prediction: Downey 28, Santa Fe 24
Whittier at Salesian
MATCHUP: To paraphrase a line from a song in the 80’s movie “Streets of Fire” the Cardinals are going nowhere fast. Four straight losses and a total of 28 points scored in all four games tell you all you need to know about this week. Add to that, the Mustangs are coming off two close losses to two of the Mid-Valley’s contenders in Maranatha and Whittier Christian. Hide your eyes, Martha, this ain’t gonna be pretty.
Prediction: Salesian 56, Whittier 7
Artesia at Westminster
MATCHUP: In the lone non-league game in the Suburban league this week, the Pioneers are praying for a close game, something they haven’t had all season, and chances are they aren’t getting it from the Lions. Ironically, the Lions came close to beating Marina in week 2, losing by only two points, but everything else has been a blowout. The only sure outcome of this game is that someone will no longer be winless, but other than that, it’s a crap shoot.
Prediction: Artesia 21, Westminster 20
Bellflower vs. Norwalk (at Excelsior Adult School, Suburban League Game)
MATCHUP: Last week, the Buccaneers strung the Eagles from the Yard arm, while the Lancers were swamped by the Monsoons. This week, the Buccos want revenge for last year’s 51-point shellacking at the hands of the Lancers. However, Elijhaa Penny, who has been sidelined for a while with an injury, is back and looking to test the Bucs’ resolve. All hands on deck for this one.
Prediction: Bellflower 38, Norwalk 35
Cerritos vs. Mayfair (at Bellflower High, Suburban League Game)
MATCHUP: As mentioned above, the Monsoons swamped the Lancers in their league opener last week, while the Dons dropped a one-point loss to Pioneer up at Titan Stadium. Cerritos is hoping for something like their last two games, a win over Rancho Alamitos and the close loss to Pioneer, rather and a repeat of their first two games, blowouts to Tongva Nation and the Gladiators of Gahr High.
Prediction: Mayfair 42, Cerritos 21
Glenn at La Mirada (Suburban League Game)
MATCHUP: Glenn lost by 50 last week, La Mirada won by 50 last week. ‘Nuff Said…
Prediction: La Mirada 63, Glenn 3
Bonita at Diamond Bar (Hacienda League Contest)
MATCHUP: Round and Round, the Bearcat Bandwagon rolls, where it stops, probably where the 57 splits off from the 60 Freeway. Nothing will motivate the Brahmas more than last week’s 41-0 shutout by Diamond Ranch for the Diamond Trophy. Even the power of the Smudge Pot may not be enough to overcome that kind of motivation.
Prediction: Diamond Bar, 45, Bonita 42
Diamond Ranch at Walnut (Hacienda League Contest)
MATCHUP: Two important questions need to be answered here. One, Can Diamond Ranch stretch the winning streak to three with a win over the Mustangs? Two, does Walnut continue the see-saw pattern of wins and losses by knocking off a Panther team still flush with victory? Whichever question is answered, the game will be an early indication of who’s on the inside track for the Hacienda League crown.
Prediction: Diamond Ranch 28, Walnut 24
West Covina at Rowland (Hacienda League Contest)
MATCHUP: The ol’ San Antonio League is still alive and well this week as the Bulldogs take on another old rival, this time heading into the Hacienda Hills to face off against the Raiders. As usual, Michael Ball will be the focus of the defense, but the Bulldogs might take a look at what Claremont did to hand the Raiders their only loss of the season and use that to their advantage.
Prediction: West Covina 38, Rowland 31
Muir at Arcadia (Pacific League Contest)
MATCHUP: The Mustangs are in a world of hurt, especially after losing to Burbank to open the league schedule. The Apaches are on the warpath after two straight wins, opening league play with a dominant win over Pasadena. Muir needs a miracle to keep from sinking further in the Pacific since Crescenta Valley are standing in the way of the two “gift wins” against Hoover and Glendale.
Prediction: Arcadia 35, Muir 28
Hoover vs. Crescenta Valley (at Glendale High, Pacific League)
MATCHUP: The Falcons blew the doors off the Nitros last week, while the Tornadoes were blown back to Kansas with their loss to Burroughs. This week, it’s more of the same for C-Valley as they get their “Patty Cake Week” win this week.
Prediction: Crescenta Valley 49, Hoover 21
Burbank Burroughs at Pasadena (Pacific League Contest)
MATCHUP: The Indians endured three painful beatings from the Foothill League then took a week off before opening up league play with a win over Hoover. The Bulldogs are regrouping from their scalping at the hands of Arcadia. Look for Burroughs to stay focused on Pasadena rather than look ahead to Arcadia next week.
Prediction: Burroughs 38, Pasadena 35
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