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In what has to be a record, Smith Center ( Kan.) High School dropped 72 points on some poor team in the FIRST QUARTER of its 86-0 win Friday. Here is the story. The state champs have outscored opponents 640-0 this year.
Suffice it to say the Patriots are lucky the road to the Super Bowl doesn't go through Smith Center.
Fresh off an 0-10 season, Ayala has climbed into the Daily Bulletin's top 10. A forfeit here, two touchdowns in 27 seconds there, throw in a game-clinching blocked field goal and you have the No. 8 Ayala Bulldogs...
1. Miller (8-0)
2. Norco (7-1)
3. Diamond Ranch (1-7)*
4. Colony (6-2)
5. Los Osos (6-2)
6. Etiwanda (5-3)
7. Chaffey (7-1)
8. Ayala (6-2)
9. Upland (5-3)
10. San Dimas (7-1)
Also receiving votes: Chino Hills (5-2-1), Ontario Christian (6-2).
Dropped out: No. 9 Chino Hills.
* - Diamond Ranch forfeited its five wins last week due to an ineligible player.
With only two weeks remaining in the regular season, discussion of potential movement in the top 10 begins with this week's showdown of undefeateds, No. 1 Miller and the San Bernardino Sun top-ranked team, Redlands East Valley (8-0).
Ayala has a chance to complete its about face when it plays Glendora (6-2, 3-0) for the Sierra League title Friday. A little about how the Bulldogs reached this point: They scored two touchdowns in the final 27 seconds of their 34-33 win over Damien two weeks ago. Then last week, before they beat then No. 9 Chino Hills 19-10 by blocking a potential game-winning field goal with less than 30 seconds left, No. 3 Diamond Ranch's forfeiture awarded Ayala yet another win.
No. 9 Upland and No. 6 Etiwanda don't face off until the regular season finale. Same for No. 2 Norco, who will matchup with CIF-SS Inland Division No. 1 Corona Centennial next week when 2,000-yard rusher Joshua Nakamoto returns from a dislocated ankle that shelved him for five games.
Most football players call it a career when they fail to draw a college scholarship offer. Or when they go undrafted. Or are cut during training camp. Or buried on the depth chart, clinging to a roster spot with all-out effort on special teams.
For Wes Welker, that was a career path.
Now the 5-foot-9 kid from Oklahoma City has more trade value than Randy Moss, next to whom he happens to line up in the most prolific offense in NFL history.
After he was named the Oklahoma State Player of the Year by USA Today his senior year at Heritage Hall High School in Oklahoma City, a scholarship to Texas Tech was only made available to Welker when another recruit backed out of his commitment. The 185-pounder was too small to play college football, they said.
All he did was return an NCAA record eight punts for touchdowns in his career (the record still stands). Oh, he caught 259 passes for 3,019 yards and 21 touchdowns too.
People were confounded season after season.... how does this little white kid have the game of his life against my team - every year? THat's some coincidence. (It took a couple years of Welker torching my Texas Longhorns for me to come around) Eh, its a good story: The gritty kid who didn't have a position in high school carved out a nice little college career in Lubbock, Texas.
Hope Wes got his degree, though...
Sure enough, he wasn't drafted to the NFL in 2004. The San Diego Chargers took a look at him in training camp then kicked the fiesty kid back towards the Oklahoma plains.
Welker overshot the Southwest by a few miles, landing in Miami where the Dolphins gave him a roster spot as a return specialist. In 2005 he worked his way up to No. 3 on the receiving depth chart, caught 29 passes and finished 11th in the league in punt returns.
Well, maybe he'll hang on for a few years, earn enough money to live on for a while...
Last season he turned his Dolphins roster spot into a team-leading 67 receptions. All of a sudden he was targeted by the best player personnel organization in the NFL - the New England Patriots. The Patriots didn't even bother with the complications of signing a restricted free agent, impatiently trading their 2007 second- and seventh-round draft picks for Welker (the Raiders traded Moss to New England for a fourth-rounder). Part of a brand new receiving corps with Moss and former first-round draft pick, free-agent signee Donte Stallworth, Welker's name was somehow never lost in the mix.
Not only did the situation in New England offer fresh talent gauranteed to draw defense's attention away from Welker, to say he is part of the most talented group of receivers ever tp have the pleasure of showcasing Tom Brady's talent would be the understatement of the salary-cap era. We're finally seeing the real Tom Brady thanks to, uh, Wes Welker? You know Brady, he was the guy winning without significant surrounding talent while Peyton Manning couldn't win with a Pro Bowl cast until Brady's unit was dimished to a new low last season.
If the situation is half the battle, Welker hit the lottery.
He tied his touchdown total of last season in Week 1, set career highs for yards (124) and receptions (11) Week 6. His career-high yardage total lasted a week before he broke it again.
Halfway through the 2007 season, Welker has 56 receptions for 613 yards and 6 TD's. He is one of the premier slot receivers in football at the age of 26.
I don't know if you own a television or, say, live in America, but maybe you've heard Welker also happens to be playing in the biggest game of the NFL's regular season this week.
I won't try to expand on the deluge of Patriots-Colts analysis already flowing freely as of Tuesday night with game time rapidly approaching: T-minus 105:32:21...20...19...
So how 'bout a score - Patriots 38, Colts 24
Due to the poor air quality created by the wild fires, several high school football games scheduled for tonight have been either moved or postponed.
These are the games going on tonight as scheduled:
Alta Loma vs. Etiwanda at Colony High School
Claremont vs. Rancho Cucamonga
Los Osos at Upland
Hacienda Heights Wilson vs. Diamond Ranch at Ganesha High School
Colony at Montclair
Damien at Diamond Bar
Ganesha at Covina
Northview at San Dimas
These games will be played tonight at the new location listed below:
Fontana vs. Yucaipa at Palm Springs High School
Carter vs Redlands East Valley at La Quinta High School
Garey vs. Don Lugo at El Rancho High School
These games have been postponed:
Chino Hills at Ayala, Monday at 7 p.m.
Glendora at Chino, Monday at 7 p.m.
Norco at Corona, it will be decided Saturday if this game will be played Saturday or Monday.
I'll bring you any new information on these games as soon as I receive it.
If the Southern California firefighters could somehow bottle the cold emanating from my prep football picks last week, it would be a devastating fire retardant.
Week 7: 8-7
Overall: 46-26-1
THURSDAY
No. 7 Chaffey (6-1) at Ontario (4-3)
It won't take steady Chaffey long to recover from its crushing loss to Colony last week. I'm thinking maybe a quarter or so.
Chaffey 28, Ontario 13
Baldwin Park (5-2) at Pomona (2-5)
The last time Baldwin Park played a Pomona school, it rung up 38 first-half points on Garey. This one won't be that bad, but Baldwin Park won't let Pomona ruin its shot at a Valle Vista League title.
Baldwin Park 28, Pomona 12
FRIDAY
No. 1 Miller (7-0) vs, Redlands (2-5)
Underachieving Redlands catches Miller in a trap game between Carter and Redlands East Valley. But A.J. Springer won't let the Rebels tarnish a showdown of undefeateds with REV.
Miller 28, Redlands 20
No. 2 Norco (6-1) at Corona (3-4)
Used to life without running back Joshua Nakamoto, Norco will fend off a furious upset bid from Corona.
Norco 28, Corona 27
No. 3 Diamond Ranch (5-2?) vs. Hacienda Heights Wilson (3-4)
Facing theprospect of forfeiting its five wins because of a paperwork issue with a transfer player, distracted (and potentially desperate) Diamond Ranch will still beat Wilson.
Diamond Ranch 20, Wilson 6
No. 4 Colony (5-2) at Montclair (0-7)
The Titans won't have a let down game after throttling Chaffey last week. They'd probably win even if they did.
Colony 40, Montclair 0
No. 5 Los Osos (5-2) at No. 6 Upland (5-2)
The offenses are averaging 31 and 33 points a game. The Los Osos defense, which has shown noticeable improvement, will determine this outcome of this shootout.
Los Osos 38, Upland 31
No. 8 Etiwanda (4-3) vs. Alta Loma (4-3)
After two nice Baseline League wins, it won't get any easier for Etiwanda against an Alta Loma team angry about its 42-0 loss to LosOsos last week.
Etiwanda 31, Alta Loma 21
No. 9 Chino Hills (4-2-1) at Ayala (4-3)
Ayala has come a long, long way from 0-10 last year, but they'll hit a speed bump this week.
Chino Hills 27, Ayala 14
No. 10 San Dimas (6-1) vs. Northview (5-2)
San Dimas will recover from its tough loss to Baldwin Park to create some parity in the Valle VIsta League.
San DImas 21, Northview 14
Claremont (0-7) at Rancho Cucamonga (2-5)
Rancho is reeling after three straight losses, but they'll get back on track with a win over a Claremont team that dropped 40 on Upland last week.
Rancho Cucamonga 31, Claremont 28
Redlands East Valley (7-0) vs. Carter (3-4)
Carter will finish third in the Citrus Belt League, but one of the two teams that'll finish ahead of it will be REV.
REV 34, Carter 21
Damien (2-4-1) at Diamond Bar (2-5)
Diamond Bar will take advantage of a reeling Damien team that gave up two TD's in the last 27 seconds last week to lose 34-33 to Ayala.
Diamond Bar 34, Damien 21
Walnut (1-6) at Bonita (3-4)
Upwardly mobile Bonita will continue on its course.
Bonita 28, Walnut 7
Don Lugo (4-3) vs. Garey (2-5)
Feisty Garey will hang with Don Lugo for longer than expected, but it won't be enough.
Don Lugo 34, Garey 21
This is remarkable, funny and sad all at the same time.
Miaim Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder - who's team is playing the New York Giants in London on Sunday - told the Palm Beach Post he couldn't find London on a map and wasn't aware the people there spoke English.
Here's the story.
An error with the paperwork of a Diamond Ranch football player that transferred to the school this year may cost the team all five of its wins this year.
Here is the story I wrote today.
The forfeiture is not a done deal yet, but Diamond Ranch is acting like it's only a matter of time until it is.
If the wins are forfeitted, here is what the Miramonte League standings will look like:
Bonita 2-0
Los Altos 1-0
Charter Oak 1-0
Wilson 0-2
Diamond Ranch 0-2
Diamond Ranch splattered Bonita 19-0 two weeks ago and beat Los Altos 28-24 in a thriller last week. Now it's Bonita that needs only one win for a playoff berth. Even if it wins its last two league games, Diamond Ranch may not crack the postseason.
I may be more famaliar with Diamond Ranch's football team anybody in America who doesn't work for or attend the school - I've seen five of its seven games this season.
I can comfortably say Diamond Ranch absolutely has the potential to win a CIF title. It is the No. 5 team in the CIF-SS Southwest Division and It'd be higher if it hadn't scheduled state champion Oaks Christian and nationally-ranked Huntington Beach Edison, its only two losses.
The Panthers have a stingy defense, a great running game and a heady quarterback. Sounds like the right ingredients to me. We'll get another shot to gauge the Panthers talent on Nov. 8 when they face Charter Oak, the No. 2 team in the Southwest Division.
If Diamond Ranch's wins are forfeitted or not, if the Panthers find a way into the playoffs they're not going to be short on motivation.
Yes, the Colts have the best offense in the league that doesn't reside in New England. But what about their performance through six games indicates they have any chance of slowing the Patriots offense when the two meet Nov. 4?
It'll be like old times when New England visits the RCA Dome.
I won't inundate you with Colts-Pats analysis two weeks away from the game (let's leave that to ESPN), but I don't see the game living up to the hype. A couple of reasons: Undefeated Indianapolis isn't the juggernaut it was last year - it beat Tennessee and Houston by a combined total of eight points. Plus, the eventual Super Bowl-champion Colts beat a Pats team last year whose leading receiver was Reche Caldwell. The revenge-minded Patriots made a slight upgrade at that position.
On to more current events...
The most interesting NFL development in the last few weeks may be the budding NFC East, now the undisputed best division in football. The same New York Giants (5-2) that began an injury-littered, tabloid-pasting 0-2, is the hottest team outside the two participants in THE game on Nov. 4.
The same Redskins (4-2) who were an overtime field goal away from being responsible for the phrase first-place Dolphins, have lost only to the Giants and Packers.
Anytime the Eagles (2-4) are the worst team in the division, it's a difficult one. It's way, WAY, too early to count out Donovan McNabb and Co.. I know McNabb doesn't have any weapons besides Brian Westbrook. He never does. Philly's defense is allowing 17 points a game, not terribly concerning. The Eagles are just losing the close games they usually find a way to win. They'll be back, just maybe not all the way back.
That leaves the best team in the NFC - the Cowboys (6-1). A popular opinion seems to be that the Cowboys are headed for (or already in) a skid. I don't see it. Dallas only allowed the Vikings 65 passing and 131 rushing yards (63 to the league's leading rusher) in a 24-14 win over Minnesota on Sunday. After an impressive game-opening touchdown drive, the Vikings next-best possession ended in a blocked field goal the Cowboys returned for a score. And when THE GAME is over, I'll bet the Cowboys will have given the Patriots a better run than Peyton and the boys. Remember, against the Patriots Week 6, the Cowboys drove past midfield at the beginning of the fourth quarter trailing by a touchdown before a non-play-effecting holding call negated Dallas' fourth down conversion, ending the drive and, as it turned out, the game.
Happenings within the NFC East will be frequent over the next few weeks. After a bye, the Cowboys are at Philadelphia, at the Giants, then home against Washington. The Redskins play Philadelphia week 10.
Lets glance at how the other divisions measure up to the NFC East:
NFC North: We all love Green Bay (5-1) but deep down we know the Packers are a flimsy first-place team. I think that makes the second-place Lions (4-2) down right fragile.
NFC South: David Carr - who is doing his best to prove it wasn't the offensive line's fault in Houston - is quarterbacking the first-place team (Carolina, 4-2). 'Nuff said.
NFC West: The Arizona Cardinals (3-4) may not be in first yet, but they're going to win this historically mediocre division.
AFC East: Seven weeks into the season, the Patriots (7-0) are leading the division by FIVE games.
AFC North: A non-playoff team last year, Pittsburgh (4-2) is showing some chinks in the armor.
AFC South: This is the second-best division in the league, comprised of Indy (6-0), Jacksonville (4-2), Tennessee (4-2) and Houston (3-4).
AFC West: The Chiefs (4-3), who once appeared destined for a top-five draft pick, lead a division that will produce only one quality team - San Diego (3-3).
Making bold predictions is a win-win situation as far as I'm concerned. If I happen to live up to said prediction, well, I'm a genius. On the off chance I don't, I get to make fun of myself (not quite as fun as being a genius, but close).
So, hypothetically, if I declared I would pick 80 percent last week, hypothetically, I could make fun of myself for it.
Week 6: 10-5
Overall: 38-19-1
THURSDAY
No. 3 Diamond Ranch (4-2) vs. Los Altos (4-2)
I would say this game will decide the Miramonte League title, but this league is way too wide open for that. But Diamond Ranch will take a big step towards widening the gap between it and everybody else.
Diamond Ranch 24, Los Altos 14
No. 10 Etiwanda (3-3) at Rancho Cucamonga (2-4)
The Eagles will come out flat after their emotional win last week at Los Osos but its second-half comeback will be enough, unlike the Los Osos' last week.
Etiwanda 36, Rancho Cucamonga 31
Kaiser (1-5) vs. Bloomington (3-3)
Kaiser's win streak will end at one in a matchup that will go a long way towards determining the Sunkist League champion.
Bloomington 20, Kaiser 17
Northview (4-2) at Ganesha (0-6)
Doing some research today for Paul Oberjuerge's upcoming column, I discovered poor Ganesha hasn't won a game on the field - forfeits awarded it a win each in 2005 and 2003 - since it's season opener four years ago.
Northview 42, Ganesha 7
No. 1 Miller (6-0) vs. Carter (3-3)
Speedy Carter, more highly regarded than Miller coming into this season, will win its fourth straight, upsetting the top-ranked Rebels. Besides, isn't it time a No. 1 team lost again; it's been three weeks for cryin' out loud.
Carter 33, Miller 27
No. 2 Norco (5-1) at Roosevelt (3-4)
Norco will continue to roll. It's roll may continue until it meets CIF-SS Inland Division No. 1 Corona Centennial in its regular-season finale.
Norco 27, Roosevelt 7
No. 4 Chaffey (6-0) vs. No. 9 Colony (4-2)
This game, I can say, will unequivocally determine the Mt. Baldy League champion (unless there is an upset or something later in the year).
Chaffey 21, Colony 18
No. 5 San Dimas (6-0) at Baldwin Park (4-2)
The Saints running game will prove a more potent weapon than Baldwin Park's air attack.
San Dimas 28, Baldwin Park 17
No. 6 Chino Hills (4-1-1) vs. Glendora (4-2)
I'm tempted to pick Glendora after its 21-point trouncing of Damien last week, but Michael Harris and Chino Hills are getting down to business now that league play has begun.
Chino Hills 34, Glendora 21
No. 7 Upland (4-2) at Claremont (0-6)
Upland will continue to surge towards next week's showdown with Los Osos.
Upland 38, Claremont 14
No. 8 Los Osos (4-2) vs. Alta Loma (4-2)
A Los Osos team fuming from its three-point loss to Etiwanda last week will earn a hard-fought first league victory.
Los Osos 28, Alta Loma 21
Ayala (3-3) at Damien (2-3-1)
Who would have figured defending Sierra League champ Damien would be 0-1 in league and the same Ayala team that didn't win a game last season would be 1-0 when these two met. Damien will pull out a wild victory.
Damien 27, Ayala 24
Diamond Bar (2-4) at Chino (2-4)
This is almost a playoff elimination game considering what's left on these two team's Sierra slate.
Diamond Bar 28, Chino 20
Garey (2-4) at Ontario (3-3)
Garey will play the Jaguars closer than expected but won't have enough for the win.
Ontario 21, Garey 14
Redlands East Valley (6-0) at Rialto (1-5)
I don't think I'll give this one any analysis.
REV 50, Rialto 10
Who else is waiting for a football coach to call one of those en vogue timeouts only to have the opposing kicker miss the field goal that doesn't count and make the one after the timeout?
Really, aren't you just giving the kicker a practice attempt? Not only a practice attempt, but one under pressure that's impossible to simulate.
The only way this strategy works is if the kicker lets himself feel the overwhelming relief of making the kick before he realizes the timeout has been called - or if you're Sabastian Janikowski. The more of these timeouts that are called, the less likely the kicker is going to celebrate prematurely.
Does it amaze anybody else that Adrian Peterson - now officially THE Adrian Peterson - has establshed himself as the best player on his team five games into his NFL career? The Minnesota Vikings rookie running back just hung 224 yards and 3 TDs on not just any defense, but the one that carried the Bears to the Super Bowl eight months ago. It was the most rushing yards the Bears have allowed in their 88 years of existence. And nobody can blame this one on "Train" Rex Grossman.
Peterson was the best player on the University of Oklahoma roster when he arrived from Palestine, Texas in 2004. I should know, I watched the manchild run for 225 yards against my Texas Longhorns as a freshman.
With the score tied at 31 on Sunday, Peterson was even inserted to return the game's final kickoff. All he did was nearly break it for a score, slicing through the coverage for a 53-yard return that set up the game-winning field goal (he may even be good enough to make the Vikings relevant this season).
The 22-year-old's performance launched him into the league lead for rushing yards, 80 yards ahead of Texas brethren LaDanian Tomlinson. Peterson has only failed to eclipse the 100-yard mark once in five games.
My buddy Lingo insists Peterson better get his runnin' in sooner than later because his maniacal style coupled with a workload that hasn't been light since kindergarten is going to shorten his career considerably. He did miss seven games last season with a broken collar bone he re-injured in the FIesta Bowl against Boise State. As a sophomore he missed time in four games with a high-ankle sprain. He broke the NCAA record for carries with 339 as a freshman in 2004. He also led the nation with 1,925 rushing yards that helped him to a second-place finish to Matt Leinart for the Heisman Trophy.
So far, I think it's safe to say he's making the most of his time in the NFL.
Time for another bold prediction: I'll pick at least 80 percent this week.
Week 5: 8-4-1
Overall: 28-14-1
No. 1 Miller (5-0) at Yucaipa (3-2)
Miller will let Yucaipa hang around for a while before closing this one out.
Miller 28, Yucaipa 17
No. 2 Norco (4-1) at Santiago (4-2)
Norco will continue to heat up heading towards league play.
Norco 21, Santiago 7
No. 3 Los Osos (4-1) vs. Etiwanda (3-2)
Los Osos will win narrowly avoid an upset to begin Baseline League play.
Los Osos 36, Etiwanda 31
No. 4 Diamond Ranch (3-2) at Bonita (2-3)
Bonita will make a spirited effort but the Diamond Ranch D will cause costly turnovers.
Diamond Ranch 24, Bonita 17
No. 5 Chaffey (5-0) vs. Garey (2-3)
A focused Chaffey team will roll over Garey in its Mt. Baldy League opener.
Chaffey 31, Garey 7
No. 6 San Dimas (5-0) vs. Pomona (2-3)
Pomona has won two straight, but won't sneak up on San Dimas.
San Dimas 28, Pomona 7
No. 7 Chino Hills (3-1-1) at Chino (2-3)
Chino will give the Huskies problems early, but Chino Hills will pull away late.
Chino Hills 31, Chino 20
No. 8 Alta Loma (3-2) vs. Claremont (0-5)
Claremont will nearly upset Alta Loma, but the Braves will hold on.
Alta Loma 22, Claremont 21
No. 9 Damien (2-2-1) vs. Glendora (3-2)
In a matchup with huge implications in the Sierra League, Damien will establish itself as a contender for the league title.
Damien 28, Glendora 20
No. 10 Upland (3-2) vs. Rancho Cucamonga (2-3)
Upland will suffer an upset in its first league game to a dangerous Rancho team.
Rancho Cucamonga 24, Upland 21
Don Lugo (3-2) at Colony (3-2)
Colony will end its two-game losing streak with a win its first Mt. Baldy League game.
Colony 19, Don Lugo 10
Fontana (1-4) at Redlands East Valley (5-0)
REV will continue to cruise towards a CBL title.
REV 38, Fontana 7
Diamond Bar (2-3) at Ayala (2-3)
This matchup could eventually decide the third and final playoff spot in the Sierra League.
Diamond Bar 27, Ayala 20
Jurupa Valley (3-2) at Bloomington (2-3)
Jurupa Valley will establish itself as the front-runner for the Sunkist League title.
Jurupa Valley 20, Bloomington 14
Summit (2-3) at Kaiser (0-5)
Kaiser will break into the win column at an opportune time, it's Sunkist League opener.
Kaiser 13, Summit 7
Admit it, you thought that I either (a) forgot about the Miramonte League, or (b) thought I'd let the fact that I hardly know anything about three of the five teams stop me from making a prediction. Turns out you were wrong on both accounts. Apology accepted.
Here is how I see the league finishing:
1. Diamond Ranch (3-1)**
2. Los Altos (3-1)*
3. Hacienda Heights Wilson (2-2)*
4. Charter Oak (1-3)
5. Bonita (1-3)
** - league champion
* - playoff berth
You thought I forgot about the Valle VIsta too? Shame on you(s).
1. San Dimas (5-0)*
2. Baldwin Park (4-1)*
3. Covina (3-2)*
4. Northview (2-3)
5. Pomona (1-4)
6. Ganesha (0-5)
* - playoff berth
To add a little perspective on the Baseline League (and potentially save me some embarrassment), entering the final week of the regular season last year, five of the six teams were still in contention for three playoff spots.
It doesn't get much closer than that, but that won't stop the Baseline from trying to tighten up the race this season.
Here is how I think the league will finish:
1. Los Osos (5-0)*
2. Upland (3-2)*
3. Rancho Cucamonga (3-2)*
4. Etiwanda (2-3)
5. Alta Loma (2-3)
6. Claremont (0-5)
*-playoff berth
As for the Citrus Belt League, I know it's already two games in but I'm going to do this anyway...
1. Redlands East Valley (7-0)*
2. Carter (6-1)*
3. Miller (5-2)*
4. Redlands (4-3)*
5. Eisenhower (3-4)
6. Yucaipa (2-5)
7. Rialto (1-6)
8. Fontana (0-8)
*-playoff berth
Browsing some college football schedules, I came across that of the undefeated Kansas Jayhawks. While the odds may be against it, now that the Jayhawks (5-0) proved some worth with a win at Kansas State, it's within the rhelm of possibility they could run the table until their season finale against No. 11 Missouri...
Here is the Kansas slate:
10/13 Baylor
10/20 at Colorado
10/27 at Texas A&M
11/03 Nebraska
11/10 at Oklahoma State
11/17 Iowa State
11/24 No. 11 Missouri
Yes, Colorado may be developing into a quality team (evidenced by their not-so-fluky win over Oklahoma) and the Jayhawks have to play Texas A&M (O-ver RA-ted) in College Station, but Nebraska is fading fast and Oklahoma State is definitely beatable. If it's 9-0, you can bet Kansas will come after Mike Gundy even if he is a man (and he's 40).
Granted, Kansas State was basically Kansas' first win of consequence this season but the No. 20 Jayhawks - who, of the undefeateds in Division I may be the least likely - have a chance to turn this year into something special without overcoming insurmountable odds. Even if it doesn't stay undefeated to that point, what a story it would be if this basketball school had a showdown with Missouri for the Big 12 North title and/or played in a big-time bowl game.
In fact, Missouri may fall behind Kansas as early as this week when the Tigers pay a visit to Oklahoma.
So, keep an eye on your first-place Jayhawks.
Interestingly, the week before Mt. Baldy League play got underway last season, Colony lost to an Upland team that didn't even crack the playoff field. Then Colony ripped off nine wins in a row to take not only the Mt. Baldy League title, but the CIF-SS Central Division championship. So, guess what happened Friday? Colony lost to Upland...
Unlike last season it won't be a precursor to a championship. The Mt. Baldy League title will come down to one game: Colony vs. Chaffey Oct. 19. Chaffey is simply too good. Here's how I think the teams will finish...
1. Chaffey (5-0)*
2. Colony (4-1)*
3. Don Lugo (3-2)*
4. Ontario (2-3)
5. Garey (1-4)
6. Montclair (0-5)
* - playoff berth
As for the Sunkist League, about which I am much less knowledgeable...
1. Jurupa Valley (4-1)**
2. Bloomington (4-1)*
3. Kaiser (3-2)*
4. Summit (2-3)
5. Patriot (1-4)
6. Norte Vista (1-4)
** - league champion
* - playoff berth
Coming tomorrow...
Baseline and Citrus Belt League predictions
It'd be a lot easier to wait five more weeks to do this, but with high school football league play set to begin Friday, I figured I'd take a stab at how the leagues will play out. Beginning with the Sierra League...
1. Chino Hills (4-1)*
2. Damien (3-2)*
3. Diamond Bar (2-3)*
4. Glendora (2-3)
5. Ayala (2-3)
6. Chino (2-3)
* - playoff berth
Wednesday: Mt. Baldy and Sunkist Leagues
Thursday: Baseline and Citrus Belt Leagues
Sam Hurd, Tony Curtis and Nick Folk were the ones who saved Terrell Owens and Tony Romo Monday night... because South Florida vs. Florida Atlantic was a big game on Saturday... because the Colorado Rockies are four wins away from the World Series...
Because 40-point underdog Stanford beat the same Southern Cal team its OWN coach labeled "maybe the best ever."... in the Coliseum... playing its backup quarterback, who converted a fourth-and-20 on the game-winning drive... and a fourth-and-goal after that... because LSU's Les Miles rested national title hopes on a fourth-and-1 trailing by three in chip-shot field goal range with less than two minutes to play... because Steve Spurrier is back in the top 10... because Jhonny Peralta went 7-for-15 in the ALDS while Derek Jeter went 3-for-17... because five interceptions doesn't mean you've lost the game... because timeouts before field goals make the game twice as entertaining... so do field goals after timeouts... well, maybe sports aren't so great in Buffalo... but if they were, how would they be great in Dallas?
The curse is apparently over; the streak has been broken. For the first time this season, a Daily Bulletin No. 1 prep football team did not lose. Believe it, folks. Of course, 1-4 Rialto may have had a little something to do with the Miller Rebels accompishing with Chino Hills, Norco, Los Osos and Colony could not.
Here are the rankings after Week 5 (last week's ranking in parantheses).
1. Miller (1)
2. Norco (2)
3. Los Osos (4)
4. Diamond Ranch (3)
5. Chaffey (5)
6. San Dimas (8)
7. Chino Hills (6)
8. Alta Loma (9)
9. Damien (10)
10. Upland (NR)
Here is my ballot:
1. Miller (5-0, 2-0)
2. Norco (4-1)
3. Los Osos (4-1)
4. Chaffey (5-0)
5. Diamond Ranch (3-2)
6. San Dimas (5-0)
7. Chino Hills (3-1-1)
8. Damien (2-2-1)
9. Upland (3-2)
10. Colony (3-2)
For the first time we have a unanimous No. 1: All four voters topped their ballot with undefeated Miller. The Rebels probably won't flirt with losing until Carter Week 7.
It may have been a little harsh to drop Diamond Ranch a couple spots for losing 34-21 to powerhouse Oaks Christian (3-2) on Thursday, but the defending state champs aren't what they were last season with Jimmy Clausen and Co., evidenced by their winning streak ending at 48 three weeks ago.
Now that Sam Dimas is entering the tougher part of its schedule, if it can maintain that undefeated record it will count for more and more.
Even after Colony lost its second game in a row, I couldn't drop the defending CIF champs out of the top 10. But they are hanging on by a fraying thread.
I delivered on my promise yet again. Only last week I boldly declared I'd improve on a losing record. Please hold your applause, you're embarrassing me.
Week 4: 8-4
Season record: 20-10
No. 1 Miller (4-0, 1-0) vs. Rialto (1-3, 0-1)
The Rebels won't be the fifth No. 1 team in a row to lose. Of course, none of the former No. 1's were facing Rialto.
Miller 36, RIalto 10
No. 2 Norco (3-1) vs. Bloomington (2-2)
Well-coached Bloomington will provide a scare, but the Cougars will pull this one out.
Norco 22, Bloomington 21
No. 4 Los Osos (3-1) at Colton (2-2)
Colton is the second-best team Los Osos has seen this season, but the Grizzlies talent will win out.
Los Osos 31, Colton 24
No. 5 Chaffey (4-0) at Hacienda Heights Wilson (3-1)
Chaffey won't fall victim to an emotional let down after a dramatic win over La Quinta last week.
Chaffey 21, Wilson 10
No. 6 Chino Hills (3-1) vs Silverado (2-2-1)
Chino Hills defense will improve slightly this week against a banged-up Silverado team.
Chino Hills 34, Silverado 21
No. 7 Colony (3-1) at Upland (2-2)
Colony will get back on track after the defending CIF champs were blown out last week by Serrano.
Colony 24, Upland 17
No. 8 San Dimas (4-0) vs. Bonita (2-2)
Underrated Bonita will surprise the undefeated Saints in the original Smudge Pot rivalry game.
Bonita 28, San Dimas 22
Ontario (2-2) at Ontario Christian (2-2)
Ontario and veteran QB Robert Robles will end Ontario Christian's two-game win streak.
Ontario 30, Ontario Christian 17
Eisenhower (3-1) at Carter (1-3)
Carter got its first win last week just as Eisenhower took its first loss. The trend will continue for both.
Carter 17, Eisenhower 12
Pomona (1-3) at Garey (2-2)
Pomona won't be able to make it two straight in a close one with Garey.
Garey 20, Pomona 14
Ayala (1-3) at West Covina (2-2)
After a near upset of Diamond Ranch last week, Ayala will get more than a moral victory.
Ayala 24, West Covina 13
Charter Oak (2-1-1) at Claremont (0-4)
The losses will continue to mount for young, hapless Claremont.
Charter Oak 31, Claremont 20
Jurupa Valley (2-2) at Walnut (0-4)
Jurupa Valley will quietly continue to improve and put one more in the win column.
Jurupa Valley 27, Walnut 13
LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES
NL
Chicago Cubs over Arizona Diamondbacks in 5
Philadelphia Phillies over Colorado Rockies in 4
AL
Cleveland Indians over New York Yankees in 5
Boston Red Sox over Anaheim Angels in 4
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
NL
Chicago Cubs over Philadelphia Phillies in 7
AL
Cleveland Indians over Boston Red Sox in 6
WORLD SERIES
Cleveland Indians over Chicago Cubs in 6