Star Picks: Now that Maranatha and St. Francis are done invading our airwaves, let’s get back to making Week 4 (or Week 5 if that’s more your cup of tea) predictions.

I went 15-1 last week, the lone loss coming in the San Gabriel-Baldwin Park pick. Big games this week with the Pacific League opener that also happens to be a league showdown. Arcadia visits Muir. You all remember last year the Apaches pulled through to give coach Jon Dimalante his 100th career win at Arcadia. A first half domination allowed the Apaches to rest their starters in the second half against Temple City while at the same time giving the second and third units some valuable playing time. Muir is coming off a bye, and here’s hoping the game isn’t marred with penalty after penalty after penalty after penalty, etc … I still think the Apaches are on a roll and, at this point in the season, are more disciplined. The teams are tied, I think, when it comes to skill players. Muir’s Kevon Seymour, Tairen Owens and Darick Holmes Jr. are formidable weapons just as Arcadia’s Taylor Lagace and Sheldon McKinely. Arcadia, though, has the edge at quarterback with Myles Carr playing like a man on a mission. In the trenches, Muir seems a bit bigger up front but they’re prone to getting drawn offsides and into false starts. In short, this game could be a nail biter. South Hills will give Monrovia another wake-up call Friday. If you don’t think so just look at who the Huskies have played this season and the results: Lost to Colony 30-29, beat St. Monica 61-0; lost to West Covina 35-33. Cal Preps predicts the Wildcats beating South Hills in a close game 31-30, but I just don’t buy it after what Monrovia was selling last week. Blake Hayworth got the start at quarterback, and while the St. Francis transfer proved accurate in his throws, Hayworth’s first five attempts fell incomplete, though he had little help from his receivers. He’s a true pocket guy, but he needs protection and saw his lineman getting pushed back forcing the pocket to collapse. Defensively, the Wildcats were getting beat in the secondary and poor tackling led to extended drives. This is not the Monrovia anybody expected to see: undisciplined and lack for focus. Monrovia coach Ryan Maddox is too experienced and too good a coach to not have these kinks fixed come playoff time, but at this point the Wildcats definitely are in search of their identity: are they a passing team? are they a running team? Monrovia by my count handed the ball just five times apiece to DeShawn Ramirez and Marquise Bias. To make matters worse, defensive lineman Levi Helm dislocated his right shoulder, adding more to Monrovia’s plight when it comes to injuries.

WEEK 4 GAMES WITH PREDICTIONS
Friday’s Games

Arcadia at Muir, 7 p.m. — Arcadia
South Hills at Monrovia, 7 p.m. — South Hills
Alhambra vs. South Pasadena at Moor Field, 7 p.m. — Alhambra
La Canada at Maranatha, 7 p.m. — Maranatha
Burroughs at Pasadena, 7 p.m. — Burroughs
South El Monte at Temple City, 7 p.m. — South El Monte
Rosemead at San Gabriel, 7 p.m. — Rosemead
La Salle vs. Bosco Tech at Cantwell-Sacred Heart, 7 p.m. — Bosco Tech
West Ranch at St. Francis, 7:30 p.m. — St. Francis
Fulton at Keppel, 7 p.m. — Keppel
Pasadena Poly at Gabrielino, 7 p.m. — Gabrielino
Duarte at Bassett, 7 p.m. — Duarte
San Marino at Bell Gardens, 7 p.m. — Bell Gardens
Marshall vs. Paraclete at Antelope Valley College, 7 p.m. — Paraclete
Blair vs. St. Monica at Santa Monica College, 7 p.m. — Blair

Saturday’s Game
Flintridge Prep at Malibu, 1 p.m. — Malibu

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