FOOTBALL: Star-News Gazing - a look into the future

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Flintridge beat Campbell Hall 18-13.

I never said that, Anonymous. Pretty sure it was you. Hallucinating again?

P: I actually have differed on some of the picks with Calpreps.

Like I said, some are just no brainers that we both pick.

Sorry to hear that about Trevor.

ScottG--

Good to bring you out. Rookie cuz I figured you hadn't been watching games on this side of the 605 much. Pick criticism because you seldom go against Calpreps. I will reserve my comments and back off until later in the season to see how you do. Perhaps your prior picks jinxed RHP so thanks for your selection this week. Trevor will not be playing, slight concussion last week, slight.

P: Which game do you have a problem with me picking? The RHP team, I would think, has far more to worry about than whether I pick them to win or not.

As far as my picks go, some are no-brainers, some are simply toss-ups and others are pure speculation.

And no, I don't go by Calpreps. If I do, that's not a ringing endoresment fo them given our similar records.

And it's funny that you call me a rookie. This is my eighth season of covering high school football. And that includes 8-man.

I've seen so many schools in Southern California, it's not even funny.

In terms of research, I go back the last three or four seasons to see how teams did with some info coming from team's local papers, and some from Maxpreps.

Obviously, you haven't been keeping up with my remarks bagging my own record.

But I do take pride in picking Canyon to beat De La Salle last year when people called me crazy.

Then again, I also picked Escondido Charter to beat Maranatha (by the way, Calpreps didn't pick that one).

Unfortunately I changed my pick with Pasadena figuring that West Ranch was only in its second season. I should have known better because they play the physical brand of football that the Santa Clarita Valley is known for and I didn't think they were up to speed yet.

By the way, I do know that Laing Stevens, the coach at Calvary Chapel knows a little bit about winning after moving over from Ontaio Christian.

The bottom line, I do put some time into the picks, otherwise I'd just put them on the blog on Saturday.

And one more thing, please don't take my picks to Vegas.

PHS is trash,

With pasadena's open enrollment, some of these kids might look at Blair now or move to neigboring cities that are performing well.

Pasadena has all the skilled players, but no O-line. They play "playground type of ball". If they make a play, it was probably a broken play. Tip Sanders is doing a great job with Blair but it would be nice to see him at PHS.

burbank why are u so surprised about pasadena? y did u think they were good? I told a relative of mines to take her son off of the team a long time ago. now he hates being on a sorry team that loses. way to go Mills, u sure are full of empty promises.

the stang fan,

I give you all the credit in the world for calling out arcadia in early september or late august on this blog. You were right about them and almost every team you talk about. What's your background? Are you a coach or was a former coach/player? You know your SGV football.

Arcadia must have played down to Lynwood.
You're right- the Burbank schools are not a title threat. Back in August, I told Fred not to worry about the Burbank schools. No speed and no running game for either team. I'm surprised about Pasadena though.

Burbanksports,

Hey, you were close. Final score. Arcadia 33-Lynwood 21. By the way, I don't see your burbank schools making much noise against arcadia this year.

Titanfan is correct a victory by SM over Workman would be huge. Workman only lost to Bosco Tech 49 -16.

Arcadia by 17 over Lynwood.

G Coach
don't worry, should the Knights knock off the Moors.."u r w Nightmare" will resurrect himself by Saturday am. This time with a full clip of verbal ammo.
If Alhambra thinks Arroyo will lay down..it ain't gonna happen. Respect is due their aerial attack at the minimum..but that could be countered with a clock chewing ground game...should be a good one to see

Lynwood over Arcadia. They played Notre Dame Sherman Oaks tough last week and lost a close one to LB Jordan. Too much speed for Arcadia to handle. Donyae Coleman has a big night!

Good job, Anonymous (@7:50). Another "positive" comment!

Poly has a young inexperienced team - not the powerhouse they had last year. Maranatha should win by a couple of TDs.

Yes a SM victory over Workman - that powerhouse - will shut everyone up once and for all. I think even Hoover would beat Workman by 3 TDs.

The South Pas vs. Glendale game scares me like the Utah UCLA game did. This will prove if SP can handle the pressure or not. The offense has been flat the last couple of games. We'll see if they can wake up this week or not.

SP 24 Glendale 21

M-Town (What's the latest with injuries? You guys got those RB's back?) If yes then you guys will win, if no then you guys will lose

TC 14 San Gabriel 28
Prove me wrong Rams. Let's see if you can recover from
losing you workhorse/captain Do.

Blair 35 Hoover 7
I want to see Blair whoop up. It's been a while since we have seen the Vikings kick some butt.

LC 14 Gab 10
Let's see what you can do Spartans. Haven't shown us too much this year.

SM 21 Workman 10
Titans, make that Anonymous Hater shut up...

Where has "Ur worst Knightmare" been? Arroyo beat TC and now they are playing Alhambra, you'd think he be chiming in every once in a while...

I am thinking Monrovia is gonna pull out a victory from the overpriced night air of OC.
If the victory is a convincing one, should fire up the rhetoric around here. Seriously, the time to right the ship has come, same story holds true for the Rams. These kids grab some confidence and the RHL might get interesting real quick.

Nice Analysis Stang Fan....

Arcadia over Lynwood (Close one... they are like Muir but bigger up front.)

Blair over Hoover (Speed to much for hoover)

Arroyo over Alhambra (close game but Arroyo's QB has a big night)

PHS over West Ranch (There backs are against the wall...must win.)

SG over TC by 3 (close game but TC doesn't have it yet or haven't learned how to play without DO yet.

Monrovia over Beckman ( M-town rebounds after getting ripped last week)

St. Francis over Burroughs (Burroughs loses by a touchdown)

Glendale over SP (Completely better glendale finally gets SP)

Jefferson over Muir ( Muir is haunted by last week mishap.)

Arcadia over Lynwood (this game will be close...this is the last winnable preseason game for Lynwood so they may be pumped up....close game)

Blair over Hoover (another "easy" game for the new Blair...way too much speed for Hoover)

Alhambra over Arroyo (tight game that can actually go either way...the backs prove to be too much for Arroyo)

West Ranch over PHS (I don't care what anyone says, until the dawgs prove they can compete upfront they are a bad team with some decent talent)

TC over SG (TC is an animal backed into a corner right now and facing 0-3...they will come out fighting)

Monrovia over Beckman ( I know nothing about Beckman AT ALL...with that said Monrovia, like TC and Muir, must avoid an embarassing third loss)

St. Francis over Burroughs (Burroughs is tough to figure out...I thought they had some returning talent, so how do they get smacked by Schurr? Last year's Burroughs team EASILY beats this year's SF team, fortunately for SF they play this year's Burroughs team)

Glendale over SP (Upset special? Not quite sure. I think that Glendale over powers SP...I can't believe I just wrote that.)

Muir over Jefferson (The Stangs MUST come out with a sense of urgency. Last week's loss was frustrating to say the least, however this week the Stangs refocus and execute)

anonymous 8:29 pm,

I watched the Campbell Hall game too...And I agree, Poly looked awful; however, I also saw the Marshall game and it was a completely different team. I am not quite sure Poly's youth can overcome Maranatha's experience but the Poly offense will definitely be able to put points on the board.

You are right...It will be very interesting to watch.

It seems that the entire Rio Hondo league has taken a step back so far this year. La Canada is young in so many ways. TC lost their coach and now their running back, Monrovia has gotten killed the last couple of weeks, Blair has not played anyone of significance, San Marino??? What do you all think?

PrepL-

Excuse me but are you talking about the same Poly team that I saw get beat by a weak Campbell Hall team at home a week ago?

MHS may be using their third string QB and their "close 2nd" tailback but poly should have a very tough time doing much on offense and you will most likely be very surprised by the Minutemen's success with what they have left.

It should be very interesting to watch.

prepL--
Well the Maranatha v. Poly game has gotten a lot more interesting (read close) with Maranatha's recent player losses. I don't know that it makes Poly a lot stronger than people thought however. I do think Marshall is terrible, if you catch my drift.

The only trend so far this season is their is no trend. I think that may continue at least two more weeks. Maybe then who's who will become clearer.

...maranatha has no qb/rb...and poly is stronger that anyone expected this year...should be closer that calpreps has it

Scott,

Come on man. You don't look at Calpreps first? Then what do you base your picks on? You couldn't possibly know anything about the Murrieta team RHP is playing except to speculate. And you have only disagreed with Calpreps a couple of times--amazing coincidence? You are just stirring the pot which is fine. Fact is however that 90% of the bloggers here have seen their team and the competition far more than you, the new kid on the block, rookie, has. Take that and remember to stay with Blair...they get yet another lay up this weekend.

I'd like to see John Muir take care of business this week.

Blair should roll against Hoover. South Pas may get a surprise in Glendale. Arroyo will need a stellar run defense because Alhambra's dynamic duo are hard to stop.
Pasadena Bulldogs- We've heard your bark, let's see your bite.

I will go out on a limb also - La Salle will notch its first win against Ontario Christian. The offense has been an experiment so far this year implementing a run and shoot, and the defense has had some down moments, but I hope that this is the game where it all comes together for La Salle. Of course if it rains, I may reconsider.

Out on the limb go I...Temple City will post their first win against San Gabriel. Defensive adjustments will play a major factor. No more getting burned by the long ball for TC this week. Going to be a punt fest on both sides. Punt returnees could make or break the game either way. Looks like it could be in the mud, all the better.

With as young team as la canada.. theres no way there going to be able to contain senior runningback Fabian Gutierrez, watch out for this kid

This is not the same Pacific Coast League that was a good D-8 league back in the 1990's though. I agree though, I'm sure these guys will be well conditioned and play some fundamental football.

Anon,

Your stupid! West Ranch and the rest of the teams the Dogs play will get slayed! Oh, your a Blair guy and you think the Vinkings can get some? I wish we could play yall instead of going up to Magic Mountain to get this first victory. Blair will be lucky to go 5-5 the best record since Mills. PHS scored 63 on Hoover, so beating them is nothing, just good for Blair.

New York, generally, I already have my picks before I see the Calpreps ones. Even if I'm looking at theirs, that won't sway me one way or the other. I don't feel so bad with my record after seeing theirs though. :)

If Blair scores 50 or more this week they've got to get in the top 5 instead of the 10 spot that they now hold. They are the leading scoring team in the entire state of California and perhaps the most exciting team in all of CIF.

What happen to the Mustangs? Did they really lose the game.

I'll take:
Blair
Glendale
West Ranch
Muir
St. Francis

I did some research... Beckman was 6-4 last year. I wouldn't call that horrible. The Pacific Coast League is better than all of the Leagues that include WSGV schools with maybe the exception of the Pacific League. Beckman has a few former SGV'ers leading the way. Brian Mustain played at TC and coached at Wilson (HH). This is the first year with seniors that went all four years to BHS. Should be a good game.

You never know with these new OC schools. Will Beckman turn into a lower division power and future Pac-5 team like Aliso Nigel and Tesoro did, or I they filled with a bunch of Irvine leftovers?
Do they have a senior class yet? Last year they had a horrible record but they seem to be off to a good start so far this year.

san marino will destroy and then go on to win the rio hondo. And john trawick will score five touchdowns against workman

SGV WILL UPSET OC
Monrovia in an upset over Beckman
TC SQUEAKS BY SG
Secondary tightens, Rams grind it out, barely
ROSEMEAD D MAKES ITS MARK
low scoring, not the high scoring anticipated
MOORFIELD-MADNESS
not even a guess

HELL YEA SCOTT!!

Way to pick the 'Mead with a victory over N-View. I think Rosemeads defense will be the deciding factor.

How far has La Canada fallen from last year? They are only predicted to beat Gabrielino by a point? Also, the Blair-Hoover game should be interesting. Last year this game marked the beginning of Blair's descent from cloud 9 and with the close score they had with SoPas a week ago...this could be a benchmark game for the Vikings. I hope the RHL begins to show the talent it has on paper (ahem, Monrovia and TC..and SP's offense). I want the league race to be tight, but not for lack of quality teams.

Scott,
Do you look at CalPreps poll before or after you set your poll?

the MOORS are loaded-defense wins championships-too much perimeter speed for the knights-although much props to the QB for Arroyo-he's excellent-Moors have too much firepower-they will continue to dominate-T.C. will bounce back-coach backus will get them prepared foe there first victory against the Matadors-Too much SIZE up-front for S.G. to handle-

what is the lowdown on Beckman?