Programming note: The football tab will run on Wednesday, Sept. 3. Hope you all enjoy it!

Star-News preps writer Keith Lair and I will be going head-to-head throughout the season, and I will update our records each Monday on the “Star Picks” thread. This will be the first time Lair and I go head-to-head so we’ll come up with a bet for the loser to pay at the end of the season. Lunch perhaps? Any thoughts on what Lair should pay at the end of the season?

Here are this week’s predictions.

(Week 0) Friday, Sept. 5

Monrovia at Arcadia, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Monrovia); Lair (Arcadia)

Muir vs. Diamond Ranch at Ganesha High, 7 p.m. — Melendez (D-Ranch); Lair (Diamond Ranch)

Pasadena vs. Arroyo Valley at PCC, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Pasadena); Lair (Pasadena)

Ayala at Duarte, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Ayala); Lair (Ayala)

Gabrielino at La Puente, 7 p.m. — Melendez (La Puente); Lair (La Puente)

Cathedral vs. San Gabriel at St. Matthias, 7 p.m. — Melendez (San Gabriel); Lair (San Gabriel)

Pomona at Keppel, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Keppel); Lair (Pomona)

Maranatha at Linfield Christian, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Maranatha); Lair (Maranatha)

Bosco Tech at Contreras, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Bosco Tech); Lair (Contreras)

Saturday, Sept. 6

La Salle vs. Villlage Christian/Sun Valley at Kennedy/Granada Hills, 7 p.m. — Melendez (La Salle); Lair (Village Christian)

Miguel’s Thoughts: The most intriguing match here has to be Muir-Diamond Ranch. I don’t think this will be a high-scoring game but I do see the Panthers coming away with a 24-21 victory. I will be covering Arcadia-Monrovia. What a way to start the season: a Todd Golper-Marquise Williams clash down the middle! Maranatha and Linfield Christian both are ranked in its division so that’ll be an interesting matchup. So here are my thoughts, what are yours? Don’t be shy and have your say. What are your predctions?