If you’re Monrovia (7-0, 2-0) how do you stay pumped when you’re going up against the likes of South Pasadena, La Canada and Blair? You remember that if you don’t beat those teams there’s a good chance you drop from the No. 1 ranking in the CIF-SS Mid Valley Division. But even so, Paraclete is the defending Mid Valley Division champion. They put a whoop on Rosemead last year and if the Wildcats are to claim a CIF championship they realize it’s Paraclete’s to defend first.

“Absolutely,” Monrovia coach Ryan Maddox said. “They proved last year that they’re the team to beat. Until somebody in our division beats them and as long as they come out of their league on top, which in all likelyhood will happen, they’re the team to beat.”

Desert Rat, Spirit Xpress, what have you say?