Star-News Pick’em: Sorry St. Francis, Serra looks too much like the New York Giants, the good version of the G-men…But Muir and Maranatha should come through in first-place matchups

pickem

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

LAIR: 131-20 (14-2 last week)
RAMIREZ: 129-22 (15-1 last week)

St. Francis and coach Jim Bonds has a tough task this week against Serra (Staff photo by Keith Birmingham)

St. Francis and coach Jim Bonds has a tough task this week against Serra
(Staff photo by Keith Birmingham)

Last week: I scored another solid week, picking 15 of 16 winners, but Keith Lair was a solid as well, going 14-2, allowing me to pick up just one game on him in this friendly battle. His mistake was going with Keppel, which lost a 13-12 to San Gabriel. We both missed on Temple City’s win over South Pasadena.
This week: St. Francis is having its best season in nearly 50 years, but the task this week looks too much to overcome when they travel to Gardena to face Serra, arguably one of the top teams in the state that destroyed South Region Division III No. 2 Chaminade two weeks ago. I’d like to go with the Knights, who have looked Golden. But the Cavaliers look more like the New York Giants than a high school football team. I’m sure Jim Bonds and company can keep it close — it was last season for a half — but they have too much firepower to overcome. Other key matchups this week feature Muir vs. Crescenta Valley in a battle for first in the Pacific League, and Maranatha hosting Whittier Christian, which might settle the Olympic League. CV’s offense is a difficult task for the Mustangs, but Muir’s should win a shootout to claim the crown. I also like Maranatha, which has been clicking lately under new coach Jude Oliva. On Saturday, Rio Hondo Prep visits Pasadena Poly for first in the Prep League. Poly has yet to lose, but that changes Saturday.

HERE’S A VIDEO THAT MIGHT INSPIRE THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS

This week’s schedule and predictions
Friday

St. Francis at Serra — Ramirez (Serra); Lair (Serra)
Whittier Christian at Maranatha — Ramirez (Maranatha); Lair (Maranatha)
Crescenta Valley vs. Muir at Glendale HS — Ramirez (Muir); Lair (Muir)
La Salle at Cantwell-Sacred Heart — Ramirez (La Salle); Lair (La Salle)
Rosemead at Gabrielino — Ramirez (Rosemead); Lair (Rosemead)
Duarte at Bassett — Ramirez (Bassett); Lair (Bassett)
Burroughs at Arcadia — Ramirez (Burroughs); Lair (Burroughs)
Blair at Monrovia — Ramirez (Monrovia); Lair (Monrovia)
La Canada at South Pasadena — Ramirez (South Pasadena); Lair (South Pasadena)
Temple City at San Marino — Ramirez (San Marino); Lair (San Marino)
Glendale at Pasadena — Ramirez (Glendale); Lair (Glendale)
Alhambra at Montebello — Ramirez (Montebello); Lair (Montebello)
San Gabriel at Bell Gardens — Ramirez (Bell Gardens); Lair (Bell Gardens)
Schurr at Keppel — Ramirez (Schurr); Lair (Schurr)
Bosco Tech vs. Mary Star of the Sea at Daniels Field (San Pedro) — Ramirez (Mary Star); Lair (Mary Star)
Flintridge Prep at Hawkins (Los Angeles) — Ramirez (Flintridge Prep); Lair (Flintridge Prep)
Saturday
Rio Hondo Prep at Pasadena Poly, 3 p.m. — Ramirez (Rio Hondo Prep); Lair (Rio Hondo Prep)
Brentwood vs. Marshall at Pasadena HS, 1 p.m. — Ramirez (Brentwood); Lair (Brentwood)
ALL GAMES ARE AT 7 P.M., UNLESS NOTED

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