“We’re aiming for heads.”
Those are the words of a Muir football player when asked if the Mustangs are seeking redemption when they host Diamond Ranch next Friday at 7. There are posters all over Muir’s campus promoting the school’s new football field, which is generating buzz around campus with students who will attend their first game just to see their team play on a new field. Muir will try to do what it couldn’t do in the first round of the Southeast Division playoffs. We’ll see how the Mustangs fare against the runner-up. Here’s a list of Week 0 games in the WSGV … Who’s ready to get this party started? By the way: the football preview tab publishes Wednesday, Sept. 2.
WEEK 0
(All games 7 p.m. unless noted)
Thursday, Sept. 3
La Puente at Gabrielino — Harold Sanin, a longtime assistant coach, begins his first season after Vince Lopez resigned to become assistant principal. After La Puente’s debacle last year, the Falcons Warriors could give Sanin a tough Week 0.
Friday, Sept. 3
Diamond Ranch at Muir — All year long, a certain D-Ranch assistant coach has taken friendly jabs at Muir coach Ken Howard. It’s time to put that to rest, Kenny. The Mustangs won at Diamond Ranch last year in the season opener but faltered in the playoffs. Muir will protect its home field and reclaim SGV supremacy.
Arcadia at Monrovia — No truth to rumors Arcadia will jog to Monrovia High and use it as pre-game warmups (that visual popped in my head for whatever reason). Anyway, Nick Bueno & Co. takes on a revamped Apaches team that includes one of the area’s top QB in Garret Tuck and newcomers Taylor Legace and Rodney Arnett.
Linfield Christian at Maranatha — Yawn …. When’s that game vs. La Salle again? Oh yeah, but either way ‘Natha fans will finally get a chance to see what Cody Keith’s all about. Call this one a tune-up to the Minutemen’s showdown with La Salle and then Bakersfield Christian.
Village Christian at La Salle — The Lancers were routed last year at Village Christian. They hope to have regained their form with a revamped staff and renewed enthusiasm in the Lancers program.
Pasadena at Westchester — Isn’t Westchester a basketball school? I didn’t even know Westchester had a football team. Well, in that case, pencil in a “W” for the boys on Sierra Madre. The McFarland era gets off to a good start.
San Gabriel at Cathedral — Got a lot of heat for picking Cathedral last year. Someone still owes me a steak dinner. I’ll let it slide. With vengeance on his mind, Isaac Valdez leads the Matadors to an impressive victory.
Pomona at Keppel — Keppel has a 50 percent chance to win this game. But so does Pomona. My coin has the Aztecs breaking out of their 30-plus game skid.
Alhambra at Roosevelt — Alhambra’s Gil Ruedaflores and Roosevelt’s Javier Cid are very good friends and practically hung out all summer as coaches of the SoCal Fiesta Bowl. Ruedaflores, however, will feel no remorse when the Moors put the beat down.
Blair at St. Margaret’s — Why?
Duarte at Cajon — Tip Sanders gets his shot at reviving another program.
Rio Hondo Prep at Mission Prep — The area’s lone CIF champion last year opens the season with a victory.
Saturday, Sept. 4
Contreras at Bosco Tech, 1:30 p.m. — Tiger fans, save your Saturday afternoons for football games. All of Bosco Techs’ home games will be Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Animo Leadership at Pasadena Poly, 11 a.m. — Grab a cup of coffee and read your favorite sportswriter in Saturday’s paper while also watching Poly cook up a win.
