Melendez last week (overall): 13-5 (108-57-1)
Last week: I’m still buzzing from last Thursday’s game. PHS’s Aaron Simpson connects on a 45-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Wells with 1.7 seconds left to give the Bulldogs an incredible 45-41 win over Burbank. It was easily the best game I’ve covered all season. I got wrong picks when I went with Bell Gardens (lost to Alhambra); Cantwell (lost to La Salle); St. Francis (lost to Alemany); Duarte (lost to Workman); and Burbank (lost to Pasadena).
This week: This is it. After today, some of you will never wear a football uniform again. For the seniors, soak in the experience. The lights. The band. The smell of the food. The smell of the dirt. The smell of the grass. When you walk onto that field it may be the last time you get to enjoy the roar of a crowd. Enjoy the night or day while it’s still there. Win or lose, you were part of something special you’ll cherish the rest of your lives. We will have Turkey Tussle coverage every day this week, leading up to Friday’s game at the Rose Bowl. But this game isn’t the only one with playoff implications on the line. St. Francis, Temple City, San Marino, Alhambra, La Salle, Flintridge Prep and Pasadena Poly all need to win to get an automatic bid. Flintridge Prep seems to have the hardest road there because it not only plays Chadwick but the Rebels also need the Panthers to lose. Thursday I’ll be covering Arcadia and Friday I’ll once again be at the Rose Bowl.
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE — WITH PREDICTIONS
Thursday
Arcadia vs. Crescenta Valley at Glendale, 7 p.m. — Arcadia
Sierra Canyon vs. Marshall at Pasadena, 7 p.m. — Sierra Canyon
Friday
Muir vs. Pasadena at Rose Bowl, 7 p.m. — Pasadena
Temple City at San Marino, 7 p.m. — Temple City
St. Francis at Chaminade, 7:30 p.m. — St. Francis
La Canada at South Pasadena, 7 p.m. — La Canada
Campbell Hall at Maranatha, 7 p.m. — Maranatha
Keppel vs. Alhambra at Moor Field, 7 p.m. — Alhambra
Blair at Monrovia, 7 p.m. — Monrovia
La Salle at Bosco Tech, 1:30 p.m. — La Salle
Duarte at Bassett, 7 p.m. — Duarte
Rosemead at Gabrielino, 7 p.m. — Rosemead
Montebello at San Gabriel, 7 p.m. — Montebello
Rio Hondo Prep at Webb, 2:30 p.m. — Rio Hondo Prep
Pasadena Poly at Viewpoint, 2:30 p.m. — Pasadena Poly
Flintridge Prep at Chadwick, 3 p.m. — Chadwick
