By Steve Ramirez

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE — The St. Francis and La Mirada high school football teams began Thursday on opposite sides of the spectrum.
They both stayed on their respective courses.
Senior Joe Mudie accounted for 388 yards and scored four touchdowns, including a 99-yard kickoff return to begin the second half, and the host Golden Knights improved to 3-0 with a 49-20 victory over the Matadores in a nonleague game that ended with a running clock during the fourth quarter.
Mudie rushed for 141 yards and two scores, and also had 73 yards receiving with a touchdown. Quarterback Ty Gangi threw for 216 yards and two touchdowns for St. Francis, which opened the season with easy wins over Chino and Righetti.

Kevin Dillman had 170 yards passing and two touchdowns for the Matadores, who slipped to 0-4. Running back Adam Carrasco had 99 yrds rushing. La Mirada has allowed at least 35 points in each of its four losses.
St. Francis coach Jim Bonds: “I was really happy with the way the guys executed. Joe Mudie had just an unbelievable game, and capped it off with a kickoff return for a touchdown. Anytime you’re 3-0, you’re feeling good. Our schedule is not the best, so we’re just trying to get better every week.”

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OTHER SCORE
Diego Rivera 38, Marshall 6

Monrovia, like Kurt Scoby here, is all alone as the elite team in the Mid-Valley Division
(Staff photo by Keith Birmingham)

This week’s CIF-Southern Section football rankings are out, with Monrovia being the only area team to receive a top ranking. Poly is No. 2 in the Northeast, with St. Francis, following its 2-0 start, up to No. 6 in the always tough Western Division.

CIF-SS TOP 10 RANKINGS
MID-VALLEY
1. Monrovia (2-0), 2. Paraclete (2-1), 3. Northview (3-0), 4. Windward (3-0), 5. Arroyo (2-1), 6, Viewpoint (3-1), 7. Gabrielino (3-0), 8. Baldwin Park (3-0), 9. San Marino (1-1), 10. Pomona (3-0).
Steve’s take: It’s Monrovia’s Division to win. San Marino could come into play, but needs to find a defense.
NORTHEAST
1. Mission Prep (2-1), 2. Pasadena Poly (2-0), 3. St. Anthony (2-0), 4. Rio Hondo Prep (2-1), 5. Chadwick (3-0), 6. Salesian (1-2), 7. St. Genevieve (1-2), 8. Capistrano Valley (3-0), 9. Silver Valley (3-0), 10. Saddleback Valley Chr. (1-1).
Steve’s take: I still can’t see the logic in Rio Hondo Prep at No. 4. The Kares won the division last year and their only loss this year was by two points to No. 1 Mission Prep. Rio should be a solid No. 2.
NORTHWEST
1. Bishop Diego (3-0), 2. Nordhoff (2-0), 3. Carpinteria (3-0), 4. Oak Park (2-1), 5. El Segundo (2-0), 6. Whittier Christian (3-0), 7. Centennial/Compton (1-2), 8. La Salle (1-2), 9. Bishop Montgomery (2-0), 10. Workman (2-1).
Steve’s take: La Salle got a taste of the elite, losing big to Bishop Diego. The question remains to be seen if they have enough to be a final four team. Jury is still out.
Other: Maranatha (2-1).
SOUTHEAST
1. Norwalk (3-0), 2. Santa Fe (3-0), 3. Downey (1-2), 4. Diamond Ranch (2-1), 5. La Serna (2-1), 6. Los Altos (3-0), 7. Bonita (2-1), 8. La Mirada (0-3), 9. West Covina (2-1), 10. Muir (1-1).
Steve’s take: Muir, at No. 10, seems a bit low. I think the Mustangs, with their talent level, will be able to make a run at a final four.
WESTERN
1. Serra (3-0), 2. Chaminade (2-1), 3. Lompoc (2-1), 4. Harvard-Westlake (3-0), 5. Cathedral (3-0), 6. St. Francis (2-0), 7. Santa Monica (2-0), 8. Camarillo (1-1), 9. Culver City (1-1), 10. Ventura (1-1).
Steve’s take: The Mission League is dominating, with five of the top six spots. It bodes well for St. Francis, which appears to have a shot at the Final Four.

COMING AT YOU: Scoby rushes for 292 yards and five TDs to lead Monrovia to 49-7 win over Arcadia
STAFF PHOTO BY KEITH BIRMINGHAM

SUPER 23 RANKINGS
1. Monrovia (2-0) — The Wildcats looked like the real deal Friday, getting 292 yards and 5 TDs from Kurt Scoby, who played like a man among boys. They should take care of business this week against San Dimas, with two big challenges lying in the wings, next week against South Hills, followed by a possible area showdown against St. Francis. Win those, and Monrovia could run the table all the way to a SoCal Bowl bid.
2. St. Francis (2-0) — The Golden Knights have looked impressive, routing their first two opponents. Most seasons, the Golden Knights would be No. 1, but not with a team like Monrovia in the area. In three weeks, they get the opportunity to change my mind.
3. Muir (1-1) — The Mustangs pushed Pac-5 Alemany two weeks ago. They get Verdugo Hills this week before beginning Pacific League play, where they have a good chance to run the table again.
4. Rio Hondo Prep (2-1) — The Kares rebounded from a tough loss to Mission Prep with a solid win against Big Bear. No losses seem to be in their immediate future, which will feel likely includes another Northeast title.
5. San Marino (1-1) — The Titans keep the No. 5 spot despite losing to Crescenta Valley, 56-53. They benefit from losses from other ranked teams. This is a team that can score in bunches, but they will need to be better defensively to compete with Monrovia.
6. La Salle (1-2) — The Lancers sub-.500 record has more to do with their schedule than their talent level. The question is whether the tougher competition will help in league play in the playoffs. We find out in Novemeber.
7. Pasadena Poly (2-0) — The Panthers take advantage of losses to move up to No. 7. They have looked good early, but the barometer reading comes in league against Rio Hondo and Flintridge.
8. Gabrielino (3-0) — The Eagles, who won their first six before falling off in league play last season, are off to another quick start, taking care of business during the first three weeks. The real test comes in the Mission Valley League.
9. La Canada (2-0) — Sparta has looked good early. But they get a big test Friday when they face region rival Crescenta Valley, who outlasted San Marino last week.
10. Arcadia (1-1) — The Apaches were overwhelmed by Monrovia last week. But the Wildcats will likely do that to a lot of teams. This week is more of a test when they face Azusa, which beat previous No. 7 Maranatha.
The Rest: 11. Maranatha (2-1), 12. Rosemead (1-1), 13. South Pasadena (1-1), 14. Flintridge Prep (0-2), 15. Duarte (1-2), 16. Temple City (1-2), 17. Pasadena (0-2), 18. Keppel (1-2), 19. San Gabriel (0-3), 20. Alhambra (0-3), 21. Marshall (1-2), 22. Bosco Tech (0-3), 23. Blair (0-3).

STAT LEADERS
Passing
1-Eli Snyder, Maranatha, 38 of 56 for 599 yards, 7 TDs
2-Tyler Gangi, St. Francis, 29 of 43 for 454 yards, 6 TDs
3-Johnny Bolinger, Rio Hondo Prep, 26 of 48 for 413 yards, 4 TDs
4-Dejon Williams, Muir, 16 of 24 for 375 yards, 3 TDs
5-Deshawn Potts, Monrovia, 16 of 30 for 258 yards, 2 TDs
6-Isaia Ah-hing, Rosemead, 16 of 30 for 245 yards, 3 TDs
7-Michael Bowman, Pasadena Poly, 17 of 23 for 219 yards
8-Robbie Fueling, La Canada. 10 of 24 for 208 yards, TD
Rushing
1-Stefan Smith, Flingridge Prep, 499 yards, 7 TDs
2-Kurt Scoby, Monrovia, 429 yards, 6 TDs
3-Nate Tayco, Rio Hondo Prep, 355 yards, 5 TDs
4-Michael Valenzuela, Alhambra, 239 yards
4-Alec Zavala, Rosemead, 239 yards, 2 TDs
6-Nasser Banihani, Temple City, 216 yards, 2 TDs
7-Griffin Carter, Pasadena Poly, 215 yards, 3 TDs
8-Baile McDavid, Maranatha, 147 yards, 3 TDs
9-Mario Martinez, La Canada, 141 yards, 2 TDs
10-Angel Lopez, Rosemead, 139 yards
11-Isaac Holguin, Rio Hondo Prep, 139 yards
12-Joe Mudie, St. Francis, 136 yards, 2 TDs
13-Deshawn Potts, Monrovia, 132 yards, 2 TDs
14-Kameron Johnson, Monrovia, 118 yards, TD
15-Jadon Henry, La Canada, 109 yards
Receiving
1-Joe Mudie, St. Francis, 8 rec., 171 yards, 2 TDs
2-Xavius Boone, Maranatha, 11 rec., 165 yards, 2 TDs
3-Dylan Crawford, St. Francis, 9 rec., 158 yards, 2 TDs
4-Isaac Holguin, Rio Hondo Prep, 4 rec., 158 yards, 2 TDs
5-Darron McWhorter, Maranatha, 12 rec., 144 yards, 3 TDs
6-Stephan Smith, Flintridge Prep, 5 rec., 140 yards, TD
7-Aidan Yamada, Maranatha, 6 rec., 131 yards
8-Oscar Noriega, Rosemead, 7 rec., 114 yards, TD

Keith and I are matching our knowledge of the area and high school football by offering our picks on the area’s games.

Lair: 39-8 (14-3 last week)
Ramirez: 38-9 (13-4 last week)
Last week: Keith edged me by one, taking advantage of Montclair’s 38-14 victory over Duarte. We both missed on Crescenta Valley outlasting San Marino, 56-53; Rosemead’s 41-33 win over South Torrance, and Maranatha losing to Azusa, 33-14.
This week: There’s three big games this week, highlighted by the annual showdown for the private bragging rights in Pasadena when La Salle hosts Maranatha. La Salle won easily last season, and I like the Lancers again this year, who might be too physical for the Minutemen. The other two big games in the area are St. Francis hosting La Mirada on Thursday, and Monrovia at home vs. San Dimas on Friday. The Golden Knights are my pick to keep the Matadores’ reeling, while Monrovia has too much for San Dimas, which will be trying to avoid an 0-4 start.

This week’s schedule and predictions:
Thursday
La Mirada at St. Francis — Ramirez (St. Francis); Lair (St. Francis)
Marshall vs. Diego Rivera at Pasadena HS — Ramirez (Marshall); Lair (Marshall)
Friday
Maranatha at La Salle — Ramirez (La Salle); Lair (La Salle)
San Dimas at Monrovia — Ramirez (Monrovia); Lair (Monrovia)
Azusa at Arcadia — Ramirez (Arcadia); Lair (Arcadia)
Calvary Murrieta at Rio Hondo Prep — Ramirez (Rio); Lair (RH Prep)
Crescenta Valley at La Canada — Ramirez (CV); Lair (Crescenta Valley)
Keppel at Sierra Vista — Ramirez (SV); Lair (Sierra Vista)
Rosemead at Warren — Ramirez (Warren); Lair (Rosemead)
Salesian at Pasadena — Ramirez (Salesian); Lair (Salesian)
San Gabriel at Beverly Hills — Ramirez (Bev. Hills); Lair (Beverly Hills)
San Marino at Nogales — Ramirez (San Marino); Lair (San Marino)
South Pasadena at Glendale — Ramirez (South Pas); Lair (South Pas)
Westminster at Bosco Tech — Ramirez (Westminster); Lair (Westminster)
Alhambra at L.A. Wilson — Ramirez (Alhambra); Lair (Wilson)
Blair at Douglass — Ramirez (Douglass) ; Lair (Douglass)
Eagle Rock at Temple City — Ramirez (Temple City); Lair (Eagle Rock)
Mar Vista (Imperial Beach) at Gabrielino — Ramirez (Gabrielino); Lair (Gabrielino)
Verdugo Hills at Muir — Ramirez (Muir); Lair (Muir)
Flintridge Prep at Boron — Ramirez (Boron); Lair (Boron)
Saturday
Malibu at Pasadena Poly, 3 p.m — Ramirez (Poly); Lair (Poly)