Mid-Valley Prediction: Monrovia makes 10th finals count


Southeast, Northeast Division predictions come Tuesday and Wednesday.

Freddy and Steve Ramirez agree: Monrovia will be crowned Mid-Valley Division champion when it’s all said and done. Monrovia will kill one bird with two stones. They’ll beat San Dimas in the semifinals and finally avenge three losses to the Saints over the last two years, including last year’s 12-7 loss in the Mid-Valley Division finals. Azusa will be a worthy opponent. If nothing else, we’ll see a great matchup with a potential shootout. Maranatha’s taste of a victory in the Mid-Valley Division will fuel its drive in 2011. A lot of you will get blown away by the poise, quickness and textbook-play of sophomore quarterback Andrew Elffers. Don’t be surprised if you see this kid play at a major Division I school in a few years. Omar Younger is a beast on the ground. He’s a crashing machine, never fazed by tough collisions. Back to Monrovia … Steve Ramirez has said it all season, Ellis McCarthy gives the Wildcats a huge advantage. The 6-foot-5, 290 pound defensive tackle sets the tone and trickles to every facet of the game, allowing the Wildcats to control the tempo and ultimately their own momentum. Nick Bueno’s ability to balance his arsenal is a huge asset to the Wildcats. He’s proven that when the passing game isn’t there he can kick it into third gear and run defenses wild with his speed and elusiveness. What people forget about Monrovia is its much-improved defense over the last few weeks. Linebacker Derrick Johnson, safety Charlie Cimmarusti and cornerback Derrin Jenkins are just a few of the key pieces anchoring a hard-nosed defense that worked hard in nearly shutting out the Rio Hondo League. Sure, it’s a sub-par league this season for the most part, but these seniors took pride in recording the shutouts. Granted, there was In-N-Out for the taking, but still.

Mid-Valley Division Predictions
Top Seeds:
1. Azusa (10-0), 2. Monrovia (8-2), 3. Arroyo (9-1), 4. Covina (9-1)
Unseeded Sleepers: San Dimas, Whittier Christian, Maranatha.

Mid-Valley Division
Top Bracket

Village Christian (6-4) at No. 1 Azusa (10-0) — Azusa
Temple City (4-6) at Rosemead (7-3) — Rosemead
Bell Gardens (7-3) at Whittier Christian (9-1) — Whittier Christian
La Canada (5-5) at No. 4 Covina (9-1) — Covina
Bottom Bracket
San Dimas (6-4) at No. 3 Arroyo (9-1) — San Dimas
La Puente (8-2) at Maranatha (7-3) — Maranatha
Baldwin Park (5-5) at Schurr (6-4) — Baldwin Park
Gladstone (5-5) at No. 2 Monrovia (8-2) — Monrovia

Quarterfinals
Top Bracket

Azusa over Rosemead
Covina over Whittier Christian
Bottom Bracket
San Dimas over Maranatha
Monrovia over Baldwin Park
Semifinals
Azusa over Covina
Monrovia over San Dimas
Championship
Monrovia over Azusa

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