SEEKING REDEMPTION: The La Salle High School girls volleyball team is hoping for a happier finish when it faces St. Lucy’s today. The Regents beat the Lancers in the CIF-SS playoffs last season. Staff file photo by Keith Birmingham

By Keith Lair, SGVN
Twitter.com/KeithLLair

It is not just a match between teams that played for last year’s CIF-Southern Section Division 2AA volleyball championship.
When La Salle High School plays at St. Lucy’s Priory tonight, it’s a match between arguably the two best teams in the Valley. La Salle (18-1) is coming off two tournament victories, including a sweep in the Otay Ranch Invitational last weekend in southern San Diego County.
St. Lucy’s (6-5), which defeated La Salle in last year’s division title match, is coming off an impressive top 16 finish in the Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas.
Today’s match is scheduled to start at 5:45 p,m,
“These type of matches make us all better,” St. Lucy’s coach Sean Douglas said. “Heck, even losing them makes you better.
“You learn from those losses.”
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Gabrielino High School football coach Harold Sanin is the first to admit his team hasn’t played the toughest nonleague schedule in the area.
But the Eagles also have done what’s expected of them – win.
Gabrielino, which defeated visiting Contreras, 35-8, last week, is off to its best start in eight seasons with wins in each of its four games and outscoring the opposition, 121-36. The Eagles are ranked No. 7 in the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division.
“We’ve anticipated, based on the schedule, we would do well,” Sanin said. “But every year we expect to do well. Traditionally, we start well, than get hit by injuries.
“But we have a little more depth this year.”
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ELFFERS OUT: Maranatha quarterback Andrew Elffers
suffered a torn meniscus and will require season-ending
knee surgery.
Staff Photo by Keith Birmingham

As we reported on tonight’s Prep Xtra Live show, Maranaha quarterback Andrew Elffers, arguably the top signal-caller in the area the past three seasons, suffered a knee injury during the Minutemen’s 63-7 loss to La Salle and is out for the season.
Elffers, who has thrown for 677 yards and three touchdowns this season, injured his knee during the second series on Friday. Maranatha coach Pete Karavedas said he suffered a torn meniscus that will require surgery, ending his season.
“Obviously, he will be missed on the field as he always gives 110 percent on every play,” Karavedas said. “His leadership will still be needed on our team. But it will just be carried out in a different way. He is still the heart of this team.”
Elffers is a three-year starter, who has ranked among the area leaders in passing the past three years. He threw for 2,029 yards and 22 touchdowns last season, and 3,328 and 37 touchdowns in 2010.
Maranatha, which is 0-4, travels to South El Monte on Friday.
Steve’s take: This is one that’s difficult to fathom. The hit on the field is unmeasurable. Elffers is that good and a quarterback like that can’t be replaced. But there’s also the loss to the kid, and that’s the most disappointing thing. It’s a tough break for a good kid. And that’s the real disappointment. But as coach Karavedas said, he will just have to lead from the sidelines.

WATCHING OVER THE WILDCATS: Monrovia moves back to No. 1 in the Star-News rankings.
Staff file photo by Sarah Reingewirtz
STAR-NEWS FOOTBALL RANKINGS
1. Monrovia (2-1) – The next two weeks are huge for the Wildcats. If they can beat South Hills and St. Francis, the rest of the schedule sets up nicely for a chance at a regional state bowl. But first they must take care of the Huskies in s step-up game, which I think they can win.
2. St. Francis (2-1) – The Golden Knights still might be the area’s best, but drop after losing close to La Mirada. They take to the road for the third consecutive week, then get Monrovia at home.
3. San Marino (3-0 – The Titans haven’t been toughed in their three games. I don’t see that happening this week, or until they face Monrovia in Week 9.
4. Rio Hondo Prep (3-1) – The Kares are taking care of business, and look capable of another CIF-SS playoff run.
5. La Salle (4-0) – Do you believe in the Lancers now? I do, especially after beating rival Maranatha, 63-7. This team looks like the real deal, but the schedule gets tougher when league play begins in a few weeks.
6. Gabrielino (4-0) – The Eagles are also off to a surprising start, but like La Salle, will be challenged in league.
7. South Pasadena (2-1) – The Tigers rebounded nicely, and might be able to make some noise in the Rio Hondo.
8. Muir (0-3) — The Mustangs, who played three games they had no chance at winning, now begin their real season – Pacific League play. Despite the three-blowout losses, this team might be the favorite, although Burroughs will be the top challenger.
9. Pasadena Poly (3-0) – The Panthers are also taking care of business and could challenge Rio Hondo Prep in the Prep league.
10. San Gabriel (1-3) – The Matadors looked impressive in routing Baldwin Park. If they can get that consistent play on defense, they could run the table in the Almont League.
Others: 11. Pasadena (0-3), 12. Alhambra (2-2), 13. Duarte (1-2), 14. La Canada, (1-2), 15. Arcadia (0-3), 16. Rosemead (1-2), 17. Maranatha (0-4), 18. Temple City (1-3), 19. Flintridge Prep (1-2), 20. Marshall (2-2), 21. Bosco Tech (0-4), 22. Keppel (0-4), 23. Blair (0-4).

Keith Lair and I will go head-to-head in the Star-News Pick’em. Here is this week’s predictions along with how we did last week.

Last Week: Ramirez (15-4); Lair (15-4)
Season: Ramirez (45-21); Lair (45-21)

Last week: Keith and I had decent weeks, tying, splitting our different picks. I got him with Monrovia’s win over San Dimas and Crescenta Valley beating La Canada. But I gave him two back, chosing the wrong side of La Salle’s big win over Maranatha and Blair’s loss to Douglass.
This Week: This week’s big game comes on Thursday when Monrovia has its big step-up game vs. South Hills at Covina District Field. I’ve got the Wildcats in a close game, low-scoring game. South Hills plays good defense, where Monrovia seems to have an athletic advantage, which should be enough in a 14-10 win. The other interesting angle this week is the opening of Pacific League play. I like Muir over Crescenta Valley and Pasadena over Glendale, but going with Burroughs over Arcadia.

This week’s schedule and predictions:
Note: Keith Lair will provide his picks later
THURSDAY
Monrovia vs. South Hills at Covina District Field, 7 p.m. – Ramirez (Monrovia); Lair (Monrovia)
Duarte at Ganesha, 7 p.m. — Ramirez (Duarte); Lair (Duarte)
FRIDAY
Crescenta Valley at Muir, 7 p.m. — Ramirez (Muir); Lair (Muir)
Pasadena at Glendale, 7 p.m. — Ramirez (Pasadena); Lair (Pasadena)
San Gabriel at Rosemead, 7 p.m. — Ramirez (San Gabriel); Lair (San Gabriel)
Beverly Hills at San Marino, 7 p.m. — Ramirez (San Marino); Lair (San Marino)
Alhambra at South Pasadena, 7 p.m. — Ramirez (South Pasadena); Lair (South Pasadena)
Maranatha at South El Monte, 7 p.m. — Ramirez (South El Monte); Lair (Maranatha)
St. Francis vs. West Ranch at Valencia HS, 7 p.m. — Ramirez (St. Francis); Lair (St. Francis)
Roybal at Gabrielino, 7 p.m. — Ramirez (Gabrielino); Lair (Gabrielino)
Arcadia at Burroughs, 7 p.m. — Ramirez (Burroughs); Lair (Arcadia)
Eagle Rock at La Canada, 7 p.m. — Ramirez (La Canada); Lair (Eagle Rock)
Flintridge Prep vs. Malibu at Occidental College, 7 p.m. – Ramirez (Malibu); Lair (Malibu)
La Salle at Westchester — Ramirez (La Salle); Lair (La Salle)
Santa Clarita Chr. at Keppel, 7 p.m. — Ramirez (SCC); Lair (SCC)
Paraclete vs. Marshall at PHS, 7 p.m. — Ramirez (Paraclete); Lair (Paraclete)
SATURDAY
Verbum Dei at Bosco Tech, 10 a.m. — Ramirez (Bosco Tech); Lair (Verbum Dei)
Villanova Prep at Pasadena Poly, 1 p.m. — Ramirez (Poly); Lair (Poly)

Monrovia, fresh off a 35-23 victory over San Dimas, moved up to No. 3 in the Mid-Valley Division when the CIF-Southern Section released its divisional polls on Monday. Rio Hondo Prep is the highest ranked team among the area contingent, coming in No. 2 in the Northeast. Other area teams ranked are San Marino and Gabrielino in the Mid-Valley; Pasadena Poly in the Northeast; La Salle in the Northwest and St. Francis in the Western.
Here are the rankings for divisions with area teams:
MID-VALLEY
1. Sierra Canyon (3-0), 2. Paraclete (3-1), 3. Monrovia (2-1), 4. San Dimas (3-1), 5. San Marino (3-0), 6, Brentwood (3-0), 7, Gabrielino (4-0), 8. Covina (*3-1), 9. Mountain View (3-1), 10. Arroyo (2-2). Others include: South Pasadena (2-1).
*-includes forfeit win
NORTHEAST
1. Mission Prep (4-0), 2. Rio Hondo Prep (3-1), 3. Boron (3-1), 4. Salesian (3-1), 5. Bishop Union (2-1), 6. Pasadena Poly (3-0), 7, Desert (3-1), 8. Chadwick (2-1), 9. St. Anthony (3-1), 10. California City (2-1).
SOUTHEAST
1. La Serna (4-0), 2. La Mirada (3-1), 3. Norwalk (4-0), 4. Paramount (2-1), 5. Diamond Ranch (3-1), 6. West Covina (*1-3), 7. California (3-0), 8. Los Altos (3-1), 9. Downey (2-2), 10. Gahr (3-1). Others include: Muir (0-3).
*-forfeit loss
NORTHWEST
1. Nordhoff (4-0), 2. Bishop Diego (4-0), 3. La Salle (4-0), 4. North Torrance (3-1), 5. Gladstone (3-0), 6. El Segundo (2-1), 7. South Torrance (2-1), 8. Heritage Christian (3-1), 9. Oak Park (2-2), 10. Torrance (1-2).
WESTERN
1. Serra (4-0), 2. Lompoc (4-0), 3. Chaminade (3-1), 4. St. Francis (2-1), 5. Harvard-Westlake (3-1), 6. Culver City (2-1), 7. Cathedral (4-0), 8. Ventura (3-1), 9. Santa Monica (2-1), 10. Camarillo (2-1).

Photo by Chris Burt

Monrovia has heard all the talk that it can win these step up games. Friday, the Wildcats did something about it, routing San Dimas, which was 3-0 and averaging nearly 50 points a game. The ‘Cats, getting 168 yards passing and three touchdowns from Blake Heyworth, cruised to a 35-23 victory over the Saints. The other two big area cames saw La Mirada roll up 307 yards rushing to beat St. Francis, 28-21; and La Salle improve to 4-0 by routing Maranatha, 63-7. The Minutemen, who started 6-0 last season, are 0-4.
Here’s a brief look at Friday’s games:
La Mirada 28, No. 1 St. Francis 21 – The host Mats took over this game in the second half, going on a pair of 80-yard drives to beat the Golden Knights, who got 221 yards passing and three touchdowns from Jared Lebowitz. La Mirada, which now has wins over parochials St. Paul and St. Francis, improved to 3-1. The Mats got 220 yards rushing from Adam Carrasco.
No. 2 Monrovia 35, San Dimas 23 – This is a big step-up game for the Wildcats, who face South Hills and St. Francis in the coming weeks. Win those, then run the table in the Rio Hondo League and Mid-Valley Division and could Monrovia find itself in a region bowl game?
No. 3 San Marino 63, Nogales 0 – Ryan Wood rushed for 134 yards and four touchdowns and Matt Wofford rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns as the Titans’ machine continued to roll, improved to 3-0. Every week it looks like San Marino can run the table heading into a late season tilt against Monrovia.
No. 4 Rio Hondo Prep 48, Boron 6 – A long bus ride didn’t stop the Kares, who rolled easily.
No. 5 La Salle 63, Maranatha 7 – Are there any doubters left? The Lancers (4-0), under Russell Gordon, look impressive every week. They continued with a 49-point second quarter to put this one away. The Minutemen, 0-4, are free-falling.
No. 6 Gabrielino 35, Contreras 8 – The Eagles, getting 119 yards passing from quarterback Elijah Peters, are off to their best start in years. Yes, the competition hasn’t been the best, 4-0 is 4-0.
No. 7 South Pasadena 39, Glendale 7 – The Tigers, getting 179 yards rushign and two touchdowns from Nathan Lee, bounced back from last week’s loss to Hoover with an impressive win. If it can stay consistent, this might be a team to watch in the Rio Hondo.
Salesian 35, No. 10 Pasadena 6 — The Bulldogs found life without Brandon Cox tough. He’s expected to miss the next two weeks, which could spell a poor Pacific League start.
San Gabriel 41, Baldwin Park 10 – An impressive win for the Matadors, who received 337 yards passing and four touchdowns from Marqus Valenzuela.
Crescenta Valley 48, La Canada 21 — The Falcons, getting 171 yards rushing from William Wang, win the battle for the 210 freeway. La Canda, after winning its opener, is now 1-2.
Rosemead 35, Warren 7 – Everardo Camacho accounted for 270 yards and the Panthers broke through for their first win against the Bears. Can they get on a streak?
Alhambra 21, L.A. Wilson 7 – The Moors, getting an 80-yard blocked field goal return from Christian Caraveo, won for the second time in as many weeks. It looks like Alhambra is rounding into form after a slow start.
Douglass 54, Blair 14 – The Vikings’ struggles continue.
Sierra Vista 59, Keppel 0 — Another loss for the Aztecs, who were no match for the Dons.
Marshall 28, South Region #2 7 – A nice win for the Eagles, who saw quarterback De’Angelo Swinney account for two scores.
Westminster 13, Bosco Tech 10 — The Tigers’ Steven Barron rushed for 49 yards.

St. Francis run over by La Mirada — LA MIRADA – There’s nothing complex about the La Mirada High School football team’s offensive attack.
The Matadores believe they can run against anybody, and they continued to prove the point Friday night.
Adam Carrasco ran for 220 yards and two touchdowns and host La Mirada rolled up 307 yards rushing to rally for a 28-21 victory over St. Francis in a nonleague game.
The Matadores (3-1), also receiving 181 yards passing from Gerry Myres, got a key fumble recovery from Tyler Hallock at the La Mirada 26 with 3:55 left.

MONROVIA STEPS UP — In another installment of the Monrovia-San Dimas football rivalry Friday night, it was the two-time defending Mid-Valley Division champs, and some flag-happy referees, who stole the show.
After a back-and-forth first half, Monrovia (2-1) pulled away, outscoring San Dimas 23-7 to close the game for a 35-23 nonleague victory.
The Wildcats also had four touchdowns called back on penalties during their run to close the game, including three in the fourth quarter.

PAYDIRT!: Temple City scored its first victory of the season Thursday, defeating host Hoover, 15-14.

Staff photo by Sarah Reingewirtz
Thursday’s Result
Temple City 15, Hoover 14

By Keith Lair, SGVN
Twitter.com/KeithLLair

GLENDALE - The streaks have ended.
Temple City High’s three-game scoreless drought and the Rams’ three-game losing streak were put to rest Thursday night in a 15-14 victory over Hoover at Glendale High’s Moyse Field.
The Rams bombarded coach Mike McFarland with a near-gang pile when the clock expired after Temple City successfully converted on fourth down to end the game. The Rams converted twice on fourth down in the final three minutes.
“Every week we look at those championship banners and the past success and we all feel that, gosh, we can do better,” McFarland said. “It would be really easy for them to quit. But not these guys. We have 30 kids that have been through a lot of losing and have never ever, ever quit and stopped working to get better. It’s a credit to the heart of our players.
“Its an unbelievable release. The last two years, it’s been a struggle.”
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