Star Picks: The season’s finally. Let’s make this happen.

Here we go.

The season kicks off Thursday with one area home game featuring Blair against Fulton of Van Nuys. The Vikings won convincingly last year in the season opener, so expect the same result. I’ll be at Muir to cover my first ever Blair football game. Our Keith Lair will travel to Ocean View High to cover Pasadena Poly at Brethren Christian.

Most of Friday’s games are pretty much no-brainers, but here’s hoping even though I picked Muir to beat San Gabriel that I still get to see a very competitive game featuring some of the most skilled players in the West San Gabriel Valley. La Salle shockingly opened the season ranked No. 5 in the Northwest Division, but the Lancers will open the season with a loss to a much tougher Village Christian team out of the Mid-Valley Division. How’s this for a shocker: Keppel will beat Bassett and Marshall will beat Duarte. If Pasadena can come away from Alemany without sustaining injuries, count that as a win for the Bulldogs. As for the win/loss column, mark an “L” for Pasadena in the road season opener.

I’d really like to make a nice bet this season. The Stang Fan and I never came thorugh on our bet, which I’m clueless about right now. I’m thinking of inviting longtime Star-News correspondent Nathan Cambridge to go head-to-head with me this season with a bet to be named later. In case you don’t know Nathan Cambridge (and I don’t see how you can not) he’s the guy who makes hilarious TV commercials, like the Swiffer one below. He’s the DJ. Nathan Cambridge is a commercial and TV actor, but he’s passionate about covering preps. I feed off his enthusiasm and look forward to inviting him to make picks with me this season.

That’s it for now.

Look for the 2-minute drill video later today as Aram Tolegian and I discuss Muir-San Gabriel. Hope you all enjoyed the 2011 Star-News PrepXtra Magazine. Enjoy!

Thursday’s games
Blair vs. Fulton at Muir, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Blair)
Pasadena Poly vs. Brethren Christian at Ocean View, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Poly)

Friday’s games
Muir at San Gabriel, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Muir)
Village Christian at La Salle, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Village Christian)
Big Bear at Maranatha, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Maranatha)
Alhambra vs. Mountain View at Moor Field, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Alhambra)
Cerritos at Gabrielino, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Cerritos)
Keppel at Bassett, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Keppel)
Bosco Tech at Wilson, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Wilson)
Marshall at Duarte, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Marshall)
Rio Hondo Prep at Parker San Diego, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Parker)
Pasadena at Alemany, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Almeany)
Flintridge Prep at Bell-Jeff, 7 p.m. — Melendez (Flintridge Prep)

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