Friday Gameday Countdown: Muir takes control of Pacific; St. Francis keeps rolling; Monrovia, San Marino stay on course for showdown

With every passing game, Muir looks like a player in the upcoming CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division playoffs. The Mustangs took control of the Pacific League with a 24-17 victory over Burbank. The Mustangs remain as the only undefeated team in the Pacific League after Dejon Williams threw for 202 yards and three TDs and Muir held the usually productive Bulldogs under 200 yards.
Muir trailed 10-9 at halftime before Williams keyed touchdowns on the Mustangs first two drives of the second half. He capped the first with a 7-yard pass to Tony Claxton for a 15-9 lead late in the third quarter, then tossed 69 yards to Taeon Mason for a 22-10 lead.
The Mustangs, who sacked Burbank’s Ryan Meredith six times, got him in the end zone for a 24-10 lead.
Muir’s Dejon Williams: “This win was big,” Dejon Williams said. “We needed this win. We’re going to take this win straight to the playoffs.”

Dejon Williams threw for 202 yards and three TDs as Muir stayed in control of the Pacific League race with a 24-17 win over Burbank. (Staff photo by Keith Birmingham)

Dejon Williams threw for 202 yards and three TDs as Muir stayed in control of the Pacific League race with a 24-17 win over Burbank.
(Staff photo by Keith Birmingham)

FRIDAY’S RESULTS
HOW THE TOP 10 FARED

No. 1 St. Francis 31, Cathedral 21 — A big victory for the Golden Knights, who not only improved to 7-0, but could set them up for a favorable draw for the Western Division playoffs. Joe Mudie rushed for 185 yards and two TDs.
No. 2 Monrovia 46, South Pasadena 0 — The Wildcats, getting 190 yards rushing and four TDs from Kurt Scoby, have now outscored their first two Rio Hondo League officials, 100-0. I don’t see them losing the rest of the CIF-SS season.
No. 3 Muir 24, Burbank 17 — This one wasn’t as close as the final score. The Mustangs held Burbank standout RB James Williams under 100 yards and limited the Bulldogs to 187. Come playoff time, this team looks like a player in the Southeast.
No. 4 Rio Hondo Prep 63, Flintridge Prep 22 — The Rebels were no match for the Kares, who rolled another opponent. I’ve been saying it all year, but Rio Hondo Prep looks destined to three-peat in the Northeast Division.
No. 5 San Marino 55, La Canada 7 — If any team in the Rio Hondo League or the Mid-Valley Division for that matter can slay the King that is Monrovia, it’s these Titans, who have scored 50 or more points in five of their seven games, four of them wins. Andrew Ferraco led the charge, accounting for four scores in an easy win.
No. 6 La Salle 51, Mary Star 20 — Will Pyburn passed for 209 yards and four scores as the Lancers set up next week’s first-place showdown with Bishop Montgomery with an easy win. Those early losses in a tough nonleague schedule look like a distant memory now.
No. 7 Pasadena Poly 42, Webb 10 — The Panthers, one of two area teams who are undefeated (St. Francis is the other), improved to 6-0 with an easy win. This is a team that looks to be a major player in the playoffs. We could be looking at an All-Prep League final for the Northeast title, but I’m sure Mission Prep begs to differ.
No. 8. Rosemead 37, South El Monte 7 — And the Panthers just keep on rolling. The win streak is six and counting after Rosemead rolled up nearly 500 yards. Can they beat Arroyo? We find out in Week 10.
No. 9 Arcadia 41, Pasadena 14 — The Apaches stayed in a second-place tie with Burroughs and Crescenta Valley by routing the Bulldogs. The win sets up a first-place showdown against Muir next week. But likely only in name.
No. 10 Maranatha, at Heritage Christian on Saturday
OTHER SCORES
Alhambra 35, Keppel 20
Montebello 42, San Gabriel 0
Cantwell 54, Bosco Tech 7
Temple City 48, Blair 0
La Puente 30, Duarte 29
Gabrielino 28, Mountain View 21
Windward 28, Marshall 21

AREA ROUNDUP: Gabrielino takes step toward playoffs with win against Mountain View

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Star-News Super 23 Football Rankings: St. Francis leads the way; Maranatha makes an entrance at No. 10

Maranatha, led by QB Eli Snyder, has won back-to-back games to jump into area top 10.  (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/Pasadena Star-News)

Maranatha, led by QB Eli Snyder, has won back-to-back games to jump into area top 10.
(Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/Pasadena Star-News)


STAR-NEWS SUPER 23 RANKINGS
1. St. Francis (6-0) –
Now comes the real fun for the Golden Knights, who after dominanting en route to a 6-0 start, close the regular season against four teams ranked in the CIF-SS Western Division, including stalwarts Serra and Chaminade. How good is St. Francis? We’re about to find out.
2. Monrovia (5-1) – The Wildcats rebounded from last week’s loss to St. Francis by routing Temple City in their Rio Hondo League opener. I expect this to the first nine wins en route to the Mid-Valley title.
3. Muir (5-1) — The Mustangs, after another blow-out win are pushing for a top spot, but we’ll keep them hear for now. I picked Muir to run the table in the Pacific League, and it gets the opportunity to take a major step when it faces Burbank on Friday, likely for the Pacific League title.
4. Rio Hondo Prep (5-1) – The Kares continue to roll, looking more like a team capable of three-peating with each blowout victory. They’ll decide the Prep League against Poly in a few weeks. Until then, expect more easy wins.
5. San Marino (5-1) — The Titans, who were averaging more than 50 points a game during a four-game stretch, showed it can win a defensive game, beating South Pasadena, 21-6. They should roll in their next three before host Monrovia on Nov. 8.
6. La Salle (4-2) — The Lancers were pushed to the limit before holding off Verbum Dei in a shootout. They still look like a team capable of repeating as Del Rey League champs, but will need to step it up defensively to beat Bishop Montgomery in two wees.
7. Pasadena Poly (5-0) — The Panthers keep living up to their No. 2 ranking in the Northeast Division, routing rival Flintridge Prep. The Panthers barometer test comes in two weeks against Rio Hondo Prep.
8. Rosemead (5-1) — The Panthers are the feel good story of 2013, following up a season-opening loss with five consecutive victories. They look like the only contender to Arroyo in the Mission Valley League.
9. Arcadia (4-2) – The Apaches were just good enough to beat Glendale in a Pacific League encounter they had to have. But the question remains if they can keep up with Burroughs and Crescenta Valley. They’ll need to beat one to get in the postseason.
10. Maranatha (5-2) — Suddenly, the Minutemen look like the favorite in the Olympic League, opening with a rout of Village Christian. They are the only team in the league above .500, and you have to like their chances the rest of the way, especially with their passing game, which by the numbers, ranks better than any team in the area.
The Rest: 11. Gabrielino (4-2), 12. Duarte (3-3), 13. South Pasadena (3-3), 14. La Canada (3-3), 15. San Gabriel (1-5), 16. Temple City (1-5), 17. Pasadena (1-5), 18. Flintridge Prep (0-6), 19. Marshall (2-4), 20. Keppel (1-5), 21. Alhambra (0-6), 22. Bosco Tech (0-6), 23. Blair (0-6).
LEADERS
PASSING (Comp-Att-Yds-TDs)

1. Eli Snyder, Maranatha, 123-205-1,897-14
2. Tyler Gangi, St. Francis, 72-131-1,262-15
3. Elijah Peters, Gabrielino, 77-151-1,172-10
4. Joey Harmon, Arcadia, 78-130-948-4
5. Johnny Bolinger, Rio Hondo Prep, 40-70-709-10
6. Robbie Fueling, La Canada, 22-68-492-3
7. Will Pyburn, La Salle, 26-51-459-3
8. Deshawn Potts, Monrovia, 29-58-458-4
9. Michael Bowman, Pasadena, 29-49-406-7
10. Dejon Williams, Muir, 16-24-375-3
RUSHING (Att-Yds-TDs)
1. Kurt Scoby, Monrovia, 98-1098-14
2. Baile McDavid, Maranatha, 88-738-8
3. Griffin Carter, Pasadena Poly, 51-715-12
4. Nate Tayco, Rio Hondo Prep, 96-587-9
5. Joe Mudie, St. Francis, 79-575-5
6. Stefan Smith, Flintridge Prep, 39-515-7
7. Alec Zavala, Rosemead, 72-479-6
8. Areg Nazarian, St. Francis, 45-417-4
9. Milan Acquaah, La Salle, 45-389-6
10. Michael Valenzuela, Alhambra, 102-377-1
RECEIVING (Rec.-Yds-TDs)
1. Darron McWhorter, Maranatha, 38-655-6
2. Xavius Boone, Maranatha, 39-573-4
3. Dylan Crawford, St. Francis, 24-529-7
4. Christopher Montoya, Gabrielino, 24-353-2
5. Joe Mudie, St. Francis, 18-329-4
6. John Franco, Gabrielino, 15-308-3
7. Mark Pachorek, Arcadia, 23-300-0
8. Aidan Yamada, Maranatha, 17-292-1
9. John Carroll, St. Francis, 20-282-3
10. Jared Atkins, La Salle, 10-250-1

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Star-News Pick’em: Muir takes center stage, faces Burbank for Pacific supremacy

pickem

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

muir

LAIR: 103-15 (19-0 last week)
RAMIREZ: 99-19 (17-2 last week)

Last week: My gains the previous week were lost in not seeing Maranatha beating Village Christian and Marshall getting past Webb.
This week: Muir takes center stage with a battle that likely decides the Pacific League when it travels to Burbank for first place. I said the Mustangs would run the table in the Pacific, and won’t change now, especially after Muir destroyed Burroughs last week. Other interesting matchups feature St. Francis hosting Cathedral, La Puente at Duarte and South Pasadena at Monrovia. I like the Golden Knights, the Falcons and Wildcats.

Here’s this week’s schedule and predictions
Friday

Muir vs. Burbank at Burroughs HS — Ramirez (Muir); Lair (Burbank)
South Pasadena at Monrovia — Ramirez (Monrovia); Lair (Monrovia)
La Puente at Duarte — Ramirez (Duarte); Lair (Duarte)
Cathedral at St. Francis, 7:30 p.m. — Ramirez (St. Francis); Lair (St. Francis)
La Canada at San Marino — Ramirez (San Marino); Lair (San Marino)
Rosemead at South El Monte — Ramirez (Rosemead); Lair (Rosemead)
Pasadena at Arcadia — Ramirez (Arcadia): Lair (Arcadia)
Mary Star of the Sea at La Salle — Ramirez (La Salle); Lair (La Salle)
Mountain View at Gabrielino — Ramirez (Gabrielino); Lair (Mountain View)
Keppel vs. Alhambra at Moor Field — Ramirez (Keppel); Lair (Alhambra)
Montebello at San Gabriel — Ramirez (Montebelo); Lair (Montebello)
Marshall vs. Windward at Pasadena HS — Ramirez (Windward): Lair (Windward)
Cantwell-Sacred Heart at Bosco Tech — Ramirez (Cantwell); Lair (Cantwell)
Flintridge Prep at Rio Hondo Prep, 7:30 p.m. — Ramirez (Rio Hondo): Lair (Rio Hondo)
Pasadena Poly vs. Webb at South Pasadena HS — Ramirez (Poly); Lair (Poly)
Blair vs. Temple City at Muir HS — Ramirez (Temple City); Lair (Temple City)
Saturday
Maranatha at Heritage Christian, 1 p.m. — Ramirez (Maranatha); Lair (Maranatha)
ALL GAMES ARE AT 7 P.M., UNLESS NOTED

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Friday Night Final: Gabrielino no match for Arroyo…St. Francis, Muir and Monrovia all win big; La Salle gets close call in Del Rey


FEATURED GAME
ARROYO 41, GABRIELINO 7
EL MONTE —
Arroyo and Gabrielino high schools opened Mission Valley League play Friday each with 4-1 records.
That’s where the similarities ended for the Knights and Eagles’ football teams.
Nathan Coto threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns and Randy Amezcua rushed for 117 yards and two scores as host Arroyo rolled to a 41-7 victory.
Nico Lozano had 106 yards receiving and two touchdowns for the Knights, who are ranked No. 2 in the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division
Elijah Peters had 140 yards passing and a touchdown for Gabrielino, which was held under 200 yards.
Arroyo coach Jim Singiser: “We knew we had to have better starts than we’ve been having. We were able to jump on them early. We were up 21-0 in the first quarter. The kids did a real good job.”
Gabrielino coach Harold Sanin: “Arroyo’s defense did a good job. I give them all the credit. We weren’t tackling and they were running hard.”
– Steve Ramirez
@steverramirez on Twitter

HOW THE TOP 10 FARED
No. 1 St. Francis 63, St. Paul 18 — Jim Bonds picks up win No. 100 as the Golden Knights (6-0) continued their amazing season. The schedule gets tougher from here on out, with a home game vs. a very good Cathedral team next.
No. 2 Monrovia 54, Temple City 0 — The Kurt Scoby just keeps on rolling, getting 212 yards and four TDs in an easy win. The Wildcats (5-1), back in their comfort zone, might run the table the rest of way en route to the Mid-Valley Division title.
No. 3 Muir 42, Burroughs 7 — The Mustangs (5-1) set up next week’s showdown vs. Burbank with an easy win. If the rest of the Southeast Division wasn’t already scared of the Mustangs, they are now. Dejon Williams threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns.
No. 4 Rio Hondo Prep 35, Chadwick 0 — The Kares (5-1) opened the Prep League with an easy win. It should be the first of four.
No. 5 San Marino 21, South Pasadena 6 — The Titans (5-1) take the Crowley Cup, with defense, shutting down the Tigers. Tenny McFarlane rushed for 155 yards to lead San Marino.
No. 6 La Salle 48, Verbum Dei 42 — The Lancers stretch their Del Rey League win streak to seven games in an encounter that was closer than expected. But a win’s a win.
No. 7. Pasadena Poly 41, Flintridge Prep 8 — Griffin Carter scored three touchdowns and the Panthers continued to look like one of the best in the Northeast Division, stretching their record to 5-0.
No. 8 Rosemead 34, Mountain View 27, OT — This one was also closer than expected. But the Panthers improved to 5-1 and at this point, look to be Arroyo’s chief challenger in the Mission Valley League.
Arroyo 41, No. 9 Gabrielino 7 — The Knights led 21-0 after one quarter and 27-0 at halftime before coasting. Are the Eagles, who dropped to 4-2, in for another Mission Valley League slide? It’s beginning to look that way.
No. 10 Arcadia 14, Glendale 6 — The Apaches improved to 4-2 with their win on Thursday. But they’ll need to improve to win the necessary games to make the playoffs.

10-11-13 ARROYO02

Other scores
Bell Gardens 48, Alhambra 0
Montebello 55, Keppel 6
Bishop Montgomery 43, Bosco Tech 8
Pasadena 33, Hoover 13
La Canada 56, Blair 12
Schurr 47, San Gabriel 0
Maranatha 48, Village Chr. 12

ROUNDUP: Pasadena scores first win of the seaosn with blow-out win over Hoover

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