Star-Picks: Week 9 is here and will be gone in a flash!
The Stang Fan last week: (TSF, anyway you can e-mail me your picks/results?)
Melendez last week (overall): 14-5 (95-52-1)
Last week: My five losses were Pasadena (lost to Crescenta Valley); Alhambra (lost to San Gabriel); Bosco Tech (lost to Cantwell); La Salle (lost to Mary Star); and San Marino (lost to La Cañada). PHS and San Marino made it close, but can't say the same about the rest.
This week: This week's "game of the week" is still up in the air. Does La Cañada have a chance against Monrovia? Not many expected the Spartans to come into Titan territory and knock them with a dose of reality. What about St. Francis at Alemany? A huge Mission League showdown. Both teams are 1-0 in league and the winner all but claims the league title, something St. Francis hasn't done in quite a while. For the record, Calpreps has the Golden Knights winning by 10. My only problem with this game is that it's way over in Mission Hills, and with a 7:30 start it could get ugly come deadline. Then we have Schurr at San Gabriel, a HUGE Almont League showdown. The winner of this game gets in the driver's seat for a league championship. I hear folks at San Gabriel are worried I might pick the Matadors to win. As you recall, every time I've picked San Gabriel to win they've lose and every time I've picked them to lose, they've won, except for the Keppel game. Nevertheless, the nod here goes to Schurr because lets face it, the Spartans own the Matadors. Most likely I'll be covering PHS on Thursday night. It's homecoming, isn't it? The 30 minute halftime show should be fun. So we'll have PHS in the cover Friday, a school TBD in the cover Friday.
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE -- WITH PREDICTIONS
THURSDAY'S GAMES
Pasadena vs. Burbank at Burroughs, 7 p.m. -- Burbank
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Monrovia at La Cañada, 7 p.m. -- Monrovia
Bell Gardens at Alhambra, 7 p.m. -- Bell Gardens
Schurr at San Gabriel, 7 p.m. -- Schurr
Cantwell Sacred Heart at La Salle, 7 p.m. -- Cantwell
Arcadia vs. Hoover at Glendale, 7 p.m. -- Arcadia
South Pasadena at Temple City, 7 p.m. -- Temple City
Glendale at Muir, 7 p.m. -- Muir
St. Francis at Alemany, 7:30 p.m. -- St. Francis
Duarte vs. Workman at La Puente, 7 p.m. -- Duarte
Rosemead vs. El Monte at Arroyo, 7 p.m. -- Rosemead
Keppel at Montebello, 7 p.m. -- Montebello
Viewpoint vs. Flintridge Prep at Oxy, 7 p.m. -- Flintridge Prep
Maranatha vs. Marshall at Paadena, 7 p.m. -- Maranatha
South El Monte at Gabrielino, 7 p.m. -- South El Monte
Blair at San Marino, 7 p.m. -- San Marino
SATURDAY'S GAMES
Rio Hondo Prep at Pasadena Poly, 2:30 p.m. -- Rio Hondo Prep
Serra at Bosco Tech, 1 p.m. -- Serra
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
Miguel 2x in Burbank this season! More pictures?
Don't forget to get there early to get the good parking!
Don't know that I'd make Burbank a heavy favorite-all eyes are on next week's matchup.
You going to be there Huckster? Game is at Burroughs-don't forget Burbank defeated PHS at PCC last season.
JAB
You are correct. Burbank has new turf, but not enough seating and Burbank doesn't have a Bulldog painted on it like PHS does. Memorial Field (Burroughs) will be getting turf soon.
Good, miguel picks schurr, that means guaranteed win for san gabriel
Goldenarm,
Couldnt agree with you more. LC is a passing team, and against the wildcats, i dont know how that will work out for the spartans. But I think the first qtr LC is gonna come with swag, plus its at their house should be a good game. but the 2nd half it should cats all nite in La Cananda
Philly B,
Your D line IS the best in the RHL. Especially when allowed to T -off knowing it is another pass play, and they have little to fear from the run.
Somebody has got to establish a run first mentality against the Cats and so far, no one has been able to.
La Canada will not be the team to establish the run either, but they do an excellent job of giving Moore time to throw and so far, he has shown he is selective about throwing balls that are potential picks. Of course, having 55 breathing down on you can alter you throwing accuracy.
As has been the case all season and as stated preseason by myself and many others - it is the M-town defense that will seal the deal one way or the other. Beating that defense requires discipline, preparation and forward looking play calling - and maybe some luck,,,and most of all another bye week.
If LC cannot tackle #27 (and he is slick) they are in a world of hurt. If M-town scores under 20, LC will be in the game and COULD pull off the upset. 21 and above Monrovia walks with an easy win. Wish I could see the game.
Friday night is the EAST LA CLASSIC - GARFIELD VS ROOSEVELT at ELAC. They expect 25,000 (I dont know how they can fit so many into small stadium stands) and the cost is ALMOST as much as the LAKERS!! LOL
General Admission $12.00
Students/Children $10.00
Goldenarm,
Even though San Marino should have won that game last week, and everyone thought they would of and didnt. This showed what Ive been preaching all season. San Marino is good.....but not that good. You got alot of If's for La Canada to pull some sort of an upset????? I mean Im glad they put the titans on their butts of reality as miguel put it so well. But I think our D-line is the best in the RHL. Let me add some if's. IF LC can give moore max protection, his receivers STILL have to get open, and against our DB's. I dont see that happening enough to keep it close.
I would like to see LC in the playoffs, but they're going to need T.C.'s help in week 10 for that to happen and even then we got ourselves a tie if im not mistaken
Burbank plays all home games at Memorial Field at Burroughs. Burbank's field is new, but I believe it doesn't have stands substantial enough to support a crowd.
Blair plays at San Marino, not PCC.
Miguel,
You said it was Homecoming? for who? PHS always plays Muir for Homecoming (both school's Homecoming). Thursday's game is at Burroughs, see you there
Reyes: CalPreps has the wrong site. I have twice confirmed PHS's game Thursday is against Burbank AT BURROUGHS. I'll be there.
Good analysis Goldenarm. Monrovia speed is a huge concern. #4 & 27 are real quick. Hansen didn't play against TC. He played one quarter plus against Blair and 3 quarters against SM. He is full go against Monrovia. He makes a huge difference on both sides of the ball. This is a key game in the RHL. The last week all eyes turn to TC against San Marino. RHL could be a three way tie for first or a three way tie for second.
THURSDAY'S GAMES
Pasadena vs. Burbank at Burroughs, 7 p.m. -- Burbank (-8.5)
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Monrovia at La Cañada, 7 p.m. -- Monrovia (-4.5)
Bell Gardens at Alhambra, 7 p.m. -- Bell Gardens (-2.5)
Schurr at San Gabriel, 7 p.m. -- Schurr (-4)
Cantwell Sacred Heart at La Salle, 7 p.m. -- Cantwell (-3)
Arcadia vs. Hoover at Glendale, 7 p.m. -- Arcadia (-7)
South Pasadena at Temple City, 7 p.m. -- Temple City (-20)
Glendale at Muir, 7 p.m. -- Muir (-22)
St. Francis at Alemany, 7:30 p.m. -- Alemany (-3)
Duarte vs. Workman at La Puente, 7 p.m. -- Workman (-23)
Rosemead vs. El Monte at Arroyo, 7 p.m. -- Rosemead (-11)
Keppel at Montebello, 7 p.m. -- Montebello (-13)
Viewpoint vs. Flintridge Prep at Oxy, 7 p.m. -- Flintridge Prep (-9)
Maranatha vs. Marshall at Pasadena, 7 p.m. -- Maranatha (-15)
South El Monte at Gabrielino, 7 p.m. -- Gabrielino (-2)
Blair vs. San Marino at PCC, 7 p.m. -- San Marino (-32)
SATURDAY'S GAMES
Rio Hondo Prep at Pasadena Poly, 2:30 p.m. -- Rio Hondo Prep (-38)
Serra at Bosco Tech, 1 p.m. -- Serra (-37)
Hey Reyes, make sure that PHS school officials know there is a game at PHS, and that the lights need to be ON for the entire game this week! LOL. Last week, the lights at Muir went out with 6 minutes left in the TC/Blair contest.
Miguel Melendez,
Calpreps, have PHS at home against Burbank (CA)*
Thu 11/05/2009 7pm.
I check with PHS,also said they are at home this Thursday.
If La Canada were to upset M-town...it would throw the RHL into turmoil.
LC played the Cats tough last year and will again this year. TC was fortunate to play the Spartans early and LC handed us the game in 1st quarter take-aways.
Speed is the enemy of La Canada and Monrovia has it. If LC defends and tackles well - they have a legitimate shot at the upset. I know I am the minority in that belief, but I am feelin bad about losing my faith in the SM match up, where I picked the Titans.
One important factor, LC does a very fine job of pass protection for Moore. He will need it against the M-town D line.