Week 8 High School football picks
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