Week 8 high school picks
Heading out to Colton in a bit for a rare Thursday night showdown. Missed Barstow-Silverado, the Los Osos upset of Rancho Cucamonga and Arrowhead Christian last week.
Cajon at Colton
This was the game last year where Cajon overpowered Colton in the second half to grab a blowout victory and wrest the San Andreas League title from the Yellowjackets' grasp. Well, it looks like its time for Colton to do the wresting. Cajon has not been very effective against quality competition and Colton is the best team its faced to date. Like the Yellowjackets to roll right now.
Colton 28, Cajon 6
Kaiser at Summit
Another great Thursday night bash, as SoFo goes to NoFo for a matchup that should be dope, yo. Anthony Brown has been running around crazy for the Cats in recent weeks, scoring eight touchdowns in two Sunkist League games. If he can continue that clip of production against a Summit defense that's pitched consecutive shutouts, Kaiser will roll. He likely won't, but I'll pick Kaiser anyway.
Kaiser 24, Summit 16
Redlands at Miller
The first of three titanic Citrus Belt League showdowns from now until the end of the season, as Redlands has won six in a row and Miller has won four in a row. It will be interesting to see how well the resurgent Miller offense does against the stingy Terrier defense. I personally think that Redlands comes in to Miller and pulls one out.
Redlands 20, Miller 14
Upland at Etiwanda
The classic battle between the explosive offense (Etiwanda) and the suffocating defense (Upland). With Rancho inexplicably slipping up to Los Osos, this game all of a sudden is a battle for first place. While Angel Santiago and company are enjoyable to watch, in a battle like this, I almost always go with defense. Upland will choke 'em out.
Upland 21, Etiwanda 10
Colony at Chaffey
The Tigers took it to Colony last year, going to the southside and defeating the Titans to grab the Mt. Baldy League title. You know that the Titans, who have won six in a row, are looking to settle the score and get this rivalry back in their favor. Chaffey will have some success, but this might be the best Colony team that Anthony Rice has had, which says a lot.
Colony 27, Chaffey 14
Ridgecrest Burroughs at Silverado
Having gone up the 15 and blasted Barstow, Silverado - winners of six straight games - can put a hammerlock on the Desert Sky League with a victory against a Burroughs team that has split heart-wrenching games to Barstow and Granite Hills. The Hawks have some pretty solid pelts and are on a huge roll, a roll I don't expect the Burros to stop.
Silverado 30, Burroughs 20
Glendora at Chino Hills
Finally, the cream of the Sierra League crop is actually going to play each other. After two weeks of pretty bad games, this one should be OK. I'm only going with OK because Glendora isn't quite what it's been the last two years. Chino Hills, on the other hand, is looking pretty strong and should have its way here.
Chino Hills 28, Glendora 16
Apple Valley at Rim of the World
It's been a tough two weeks for the Sun Devils, who have lost close games to Granite Hills and Serrano that very easily could be wins. It doesn't get much easier for Apple Valley, as they head up the hill to face a Rim team that traditionally gives it fits. The Sun Devils don't need to win this to make the playoffs, which is good for them, because I see the Fighting Scots fighting on.
Rim of the World 20, Apple Valley 17
Aquinas at Arrowhead Christian
Sort of a weird vibe coming into this game, as ACA is the team that comes in with a CIF ranking while Aquinas hasn't won on the field since Oct. 2. The Falcons aren't winless during that time, as the two-time defending Christian League champions got a forfeit win over La Verne Lutheran, but they want to show ACA that the road to the Christian title goes through them still. They will.
Aquinas 24, Arrowhead Christian 9
Yucca Valley at Twentynine Palms
The De Anza co-champs have been resurgent of late, as Twentynine Palms has won four straight after starting 0-4 while Yucca Valley has won back-to-back games after an 0-5 start. The winner of The Victory Bell takes control of the league championship race and while I like what Yucca has done, the Wildcats take this at home.
Twentynine Palms 28, Yucca Valley 13
Other games of interest:
Chino 48, Diamond Bar 40
Garey 30, Ontario 10
Los Osos 23, Claremont 20
Rancho Cucamonga 45, Alta Loma 0
Redlands East Valley 48, Carter 14
Yucaipa 35, Fontana 20
Rialto 42, Eisenhower 36
Big Bear 21, Desert Mirage 16
Granite Hills 23, Victor Valley 21
Serrano 27, Hesperia 6
Don Lugo 31, Montclair 10
Arroyo Valley 34, San Gorgonio 27
San Bernardino 38, Pacific 20
Ayala 28, Damien 17
Bloomington 35, Jurupa Valley 7
Barstow 28, Sultana 12
Murrieta Mesa 24, Citrus Valley 18
Laguna Beach 30, Oak Hills 24
Week: 26-3
Overall: 179-49
Comments
Joe the Plumber's Picks
Friday, October 30
BASELINE LEAGUE
Claremont 28, Los Osos 21
Rancho Cucamonga 56, Alta Loma 0
Upland 28, Etiwanda 24
CHRISTIAN LEAGUE
Aquinas 14, Arrowhead Christian Academy 10
Ontario Christian 44, Perris California Military Institute 0
CITRUS BELT LEAGUE
Redlands East Valley 35, Carter 14
Redlands 21, Miller 17
Rialto 17, Eisenhower 7
Yucaipa 21, Fontana 17
MIRAMONTE LEAGUE
Bonita 28, Diamond Ranch 21
MT. BALDY LEAGUE
Colony 21, Chaffey 20
Don Lugo 31, Montclair 14
Garey 21, Ontario 14
SIERRA LEAGUE
Damien 28, Ayala 14
Diamond Bar 30, Chino 17
Chino Hills 35, Glendora 17
SUNKIST LEAGUE
Bloomington 37, Jurupa Valley 0
VALLE VISTA LEAGUE
Covina 44, Ganesha 7
San Dimas 38, Pomona 6
Posted by: Joe the Plumber | October 30, 2009 5:07 PM
Damien over Ayala Joe? Like the fact that you are going out on a limb there.
Posted by: TJ Berka
|
October 30, 2009 5:27 PM
He said it, and then it was so... lol
T.J.,
The reality is, taking the preseason into consideration, Ayala's record is really nothing more than smoke and mirrors. Damien always plans an aggressive preseason schedule and with the exception of the blowout by Chino Hills it has served them well. Now they're in the driver's seat for the Championship with Chino and Diamond Bar left on their schedule. Last year's champs, Chino Hills, Glendora and Ayala will all be competing with each other in some form or another for a shot at the playoffs. Ayala's got the longest row to hoe, having both Chino Hills and Ayala left on its schedule.
My Prediction:
1. Chino Hills 4-1
1. Damien 4-1
2. Glendora 3-2
2. Ayala 3-2
5. Diamond Bar 1-4
6. Chino 0-4
Posted by: Joe the Plumber | October 31, 2009 9:41 AM
You called it Joe. I kept Ayala out of my top 10 up to this point because, quite frankly, they had not had any quality wins. The Damien game was a litmus test and the Bulldogs didn't pass.
Posted by: TJ Berka
|
October 31, 2009 10:02 AM
Correction: Ayala's got the longest row to hoe, having both Chino Hills and Glendora left on its schedule.
Posted by: Joe the Plumber | October 31, 2009 3:22 PM