Who’s the best football team in the West Valley?
We’re about to find out as No. 1 Monrovia and No. 2 St. Francis scored wins, setting up a battle for the top spot next week at Monrovia.
The Wildcats, getting four TDs from Deshawn Potts and Kurt Scoby, rallied for a 31-13 victory over South Hills, scoring the final 21 points. St. Francis, meanwhile, across town got 188 yards rushing and a score from Joe Mudie and two rushing TDs from Areg Nazarian to beat Damien, 34-16.
The Spartans had closed to within 20-16 early in the fourth quarter before St. Francis put together a 66-yard drive that was capped by a Zach Washington’ 1-yard run. Nazarian, who rushed for 86 yards, then ran 66 yards to seal it at 34-16.
Monrovia beat St. Francis last season, 17-13, when the Golden Knights fumbled at the 1 in the waning moments.
St. Francis coach Jim Bonds: “I want to savor this one a little bit. They’re a good foootball team, and have a heckuva running back. We have our work cut out. We want to enjoy this one.”
Staff photo by Keith Birmingham
TOP TEN
HOW THEY FARED
No. 1 Monrovia 31, South Hills 13 — The ‘Cats get ready for St. Francis by whipping South Hills. The Scoby and Potts show is tough to beat.
No. 2 St. Francis 34, Damien 16 — The Golden Knights withstood a challenge before beating the Spartans. There has to be a concern that after giving up 187 to Damien’s Leroy Cloud, how do they expect to stop Scoby.
No. 3 Muir 35, Hoover 3 — The Mustangs looked every bit like the league favorite on Thursday, but 212 penalties is a concern.
No. 4 Rio Hondo 50, Kilpatrick 8 — The Kares just keep on rolling, routing Kilpatrick on Thursday.
No. 5 San Marino 68, Beverly Hills 6 — The Titans look like a runaway locomotive, averaging more than 60 points during the past three weeks.
No. 6. La Salle 55, St. Bernard 0 — The Lancers opened defense of their Del Rey League title with a runaway win. Yep, I would say they are the favorite.
No. 7 Pasadena Poly 34, Brentwood 27 — Guess who’s 4-0 and No. 2 in the Northeast? It’s the Panthers.
Burbank 51, No. 8 Arcadia 14 — Some have Burbank as the favorite in the Pacific, and it looked the part tonight. The Apaches, getting 58 yards rushing from Joshua Benson, may be playing for third.
No. 9 Rosemead 30, San Gabriel 9 — The Panthers are looking like Mission Valley League contenders, winning their third consecutive game. Joe Nava led the way with 189 yards passing and three touchdowns. San Gabriel’s long season continues.
Eagle Rock 35, No. 10 La Canada 0 — The Spartans suffer their second consecutive big loss. Can they regroup in the Rio Hondo League?
OTHER RESULTS
Azusa 23, Duarte 22 — Sam Edwards caught two TD pass as the Falcons lost at Citrus Collge, giving up a 24-yard field goal with about three minutes to play.
Maranatha 42, South El Monte 32 — A good rebound for the Minutemen, who were shutout last week at La Salle.
South Pasadena 27, Alhambra 7 — The Tigers get a much-needed win; The Moors’ struggles continue.
Crescenta Valley 42, Pasadena 18 — The Bulldogs were no match for the upstart Falcons.
California Military Institue 47, Blair 8 — The Vikings scored for just the second time this season.
Frazier Mountain 36, Flintridge Prep 29 — The Rebels, who made the quarterfinals last season, appear to have take a step back, falling to 0-4.
Sotomayor 41, Keppel 12 — The Aztecs drop to 1-3.
Gabrielino 28, California City 19 — The Eagles complete a solid nonleague slate. Can they keep it up in the Mission Valley League? We’ll find out.
