Week 9 Sun top 10

Probably the toughest set of rankings to come up with yet. Positions 3-7 are basically interchangeable at this point.

1. Redlands East Valley (8-0)
Previous ranking: 2. Last week: def. Carter, 41-14. Up next: Friday vs. Miller (4-4)

2. Colton (7-1)
Previous ranking: 3. Last week: def. Cajon, 38-9. Up next: Friday at San Gorgonio (2-6).

3. Rancho Cucamonga (7-1)
Previous ranking: 4. Last week: def. Alta Loma, 34-14. Up next: Friday at No. 7 Upland (7-1)

4. Colony (7-1)
Previous ranking: 5. Last week: def. Chaffey, 35-13. Up next: Friday vs. Don Lugo (5-3).

5. Redlands (7-1)
Previous ranking: 7. Last week: def. Miller, 28-27. Up next: Friday at Rialto (0-8).

6. Etiwanda (6-2)
Previous ranking: 8. Last week: def. No. 7 Upland, 18-16. Up next: Friday at Los Osos (4-4).

7. Upland (7-1)
Previous ranking: 2. Last week: lost to No. 6 Etiwanda, 18-16. Up next: Friday vs. No. 3 Rancho Cucamonga (7-1).

8. Serrano (6-2)
Previous ranking: 9. Last week: def. Hesperia, 42-6. Up next: Friday at Ridgecrest Burroughs (4-4).

9. Silverado (7-2)
Previous ranking: 10. Last week: def. Ridgecrest Burroughs, 35-21. Up next: Friday at Granite Hills (6-2).

10. Kaiser (5-3)
Previous ranking: NR. Last week: def. Summit, 13-7. Up next: Friday vs. Bloomington (3-5).

Just missed the cut: Rim of the World (8-1), Chino Hills (6-2), Los Osos (4-4), Barstow (6-2).

Dropped out: No. 6 Chino Hills (6-2).

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Scorelist

Saw Redlands win a classic over Miller. Great game.

Aquinas 63, Arrowhead Christian 3
Arroyo Valley 27, San Gorgonio 21
Barstow 36, Sultana 3
Big Bear 32, Desert Mirage 0
Bloomington 28, Jurupa Valley 7
Colony 35, Chaffey 13
Colton 38, Cajon 9
Damien 17, Ayala 7
Diamond Bar 34, Chino 17
Eisenhower 32, Rialto 20
Etiwanda 18, Upland 16
Glendora 24, Chino Hills 23
Granite Hills 21, Victor Valley 14
Kaiser 13, Summit 7
Los Osos 54, Claremont 21
Oak Hills 43, Laguna Beach 29
Ontario Christian 55, California Military Institute 0
Rancho Cucamonga 34, Alta Loma 14
Redlands 28, Miller 27
Redlands East Valley 41, Carter 14
Rim of the World 31, Apple Valley 0
San Bernardino 44, Pacific 14
Serrano 42, Hesperia 6
Silverado 35, Ridgecrest Burroughs 21
Twentynine Palms 37, Yucca Valley 20
Yucaipa 27, Fontana 6

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Week 9 college picks

I’m nothing if not average as far as college football is concerned. If only I knew which five I’d get every week – I could be rich. But alas, I’m not.

USC (-3) at Oregon
The game of the Pac-10 season by far, as the Ducks have destroyed everything in their path lately while the Trojans have kept winning, albeit in heart-stopping fashion at times. The Trojans have already won in Columbus, Berkeley and South Bend, so there will be no intimidation here. This is a type of game that the Trojans just don’t lose, and that’s what I’m going with.
Pick: USC

UCLA (+9.5) at Oregon State
Having a chance to watch the Bruins live in Tucson last week was eye-opening. UCLA is really not good, as they couldn’t cover despite Arizona giving them five turnovers. The Bruins’ best hope is an Oregon State letdown after its close loss to USC, but I don’t see it. Easy money for the Beavers here.
Pick: Oregon State

California (-6.5) at Arizona State
The Bears seem to have recovered from whatever swine-flu like disorder plagued it during the Oregon and USC games. But Cal does not do well on the road and while Arizona State is hardly a power this year, they have played pretty well at Sun Devil Stadium. I have a feeling ASU keeps it close.
Pick: Arizona State

Washington State (+28) vs. Notre Dame
This game is being played in San Antonio for some reason, with the Cougars expected to play the role of the sacrifical lamb to Notre Dame. However, Wazzu has been very good at covering obscene spreads. It still gets killed, but killed by less than the spread. Considering that ND revels in closer games, I expect the Cougars to stay within four touchdowns, if just barely.
Pick: Washington State

Texas (-9.5) at Oklahoma State
Good news, bad news scenario for the Cowboys. The good news is that star RB Kendall Hunter will be back from injury but WR Desmond Bryant has been ruled ineligble, which, obviously, is the bad news. Okie State finds creative ways to lose to Texas and likely will again, but they always seem to be heartbreaks. Translation: Take the points.
Pick: Oklahoma State

Georgia (+15) vs. Florida
The “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” is going a bit under the radar this year, with the Bulldogs meandering around .500 and the Gators somewhat struggling despite being No. 1. Florida has owned this series of late, but these Gators seem more like the 2006 champions than the 2008 ones, meaning take the points and watch Florida ugly out another win.
Pick: Georgia

Central Michigan (+5.5) at Boston College
Why am I picking this game? A couple reasons. The first is that its not a very good week for college football in the ACC or Big East. The second is that this is a sneaky-good matchup, as the Chippewas have won seven in a row while BC has been as pesky as it normally is. Central has won at Michigan State and I think they’ll win in the Northeast.
Pick: Central Michigan

Penn State (-17.5) at Northwestern
Yeah, its a crappy week in the Big Ten too, with Iowa playing Indiana and Ohio State playing New Mexico State randomly. So I guess this game gets my pick. Penn State impressed by destroying Michigan and could be ripe for a letdown, but Northwestern, although 5-3, just isn’t that good. I’ll take Penn State to cover and continue its surge.
Pick: Penn State

South Carolina (+6) at Tennessee
The Volunteers lead the nation in moral victories, as the Vols have given Florida and Alabama tough tussles on the road, coming within a blocked field goal of shocking the Crimson Tide. But they are still 3-4 and South Carolina is a pretty darn good team. I think you have to take the points, especially with Tennessee on letdown alert.
Pick: South Carolina

Kansas (+6.5) at Texas Tech
Reason this game is included is because of this awesome press conference rant by Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, which I’ve added below.

That being said, I expect Texas Tech to be a little more focused this week, which is bad news for Kansas.
Pick: Texas Tech

Last week: 5-5
Overall: 39-39-2

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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

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Week 8 CIF polls

Upland makes the leap to No. 1 with Rancho’s loss, with Colton right behind them. Serrano and Silverado were the big winners in the Eastern Division, and deservedly so. Don’t get why Palm Desert is No. 2 and Silverado, which whipped them a few weeks back, is No. 4 though.

CENTRAL DIVISION

1. Upland
2. Colton
3. Rancho Cucamonga
4. Colony
5. Chino Hills
6. Ayala
7. Etiwanda
8. Elsinore
9. Cajon
10. Arroyo Valley
Others receiving consideration: West Valley, Chaffey, Los Osos

EASTERN DIVISION

1. Citrus Hill
2. Palm Desert
3. Serrano
4. Silverado
5. San Jacinto
6. Rim of the World
7. Barstow
8. Kaiser
9. Norte Vista
10. Victor Valley
Others receiving votes: Riverside Notre Dame, Coachella Valley, Granite Hills, Palm Springs, La Quinta, Summit

EAST VALLEY DIVISION

1. St. Margaret’s
2. Campbell Hall
3. Maranatha
4. Santa Paula
5. Kern Valley
6. Sage Hill
7. Sierra Canyon
8. Arrowhead Christian
9. Fillmore
10. Frazier Mountain
Others receiving votes: Brethren Christian, Twentynine Palms, Brentwood

INLAND DIVISION

1. Redlands East Valley
2. Corona Centennial
3. Vista Murrieta
4. Norco
5. Rancho Verde
6. Redlands
7. Great Oak
8. Chaparral
9. Arlington
10. Roosevelt
Others receiving votes: La Sierra, Miller

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Week 8 Top 25

A little late on this after getting back from Arizona. Nothing too crazy this week.

1) Florida (1) – Not pretty, but still undefeated. And the Gators were prettier than No. 2.
2) Alabama (2) – Huge sigh of relief from the Tide after ekeing one out over Tennessee.
3) Texas (3) – Looked as good as they have all season in rolling Missouri 41-7.
4) USC (4) – Passed part one of the Oregon double-dip this week. Part two should be tougher.
5) TCU (6) – Their destruction of BYU moves them into the top 5. Previous victim Clemson’s win over Miami helps too.
6) Boise State (5) – Sucks to win 54-9 and still move down. Such is life in the WAC.
7) Cincinnati (7) – Just imagine if Boise hadn’t won by 45. Cincy would definitely be in their spot.
8) Iowa (8) – Hawkeyes pull off last-second win at Michigan State to remain undefeated.
9) LSU (10) – Looked good against a fading Auburn team. Kind of quietly lurking in the shadows.
10) Georgia Tech (12) – Yellowjackets roll on to a spot in the top 10. Watching them run the triple-option is a thing of beauty.
11) Oklahoma State (11) – Big test comes this week with Texas rolling into town.
12) Penn State (13) – Made surprisingly easy work of Michigan for first win in Ann Arbor in 13 years.
13) Oregon (16) – Still probably have the Ducks rated too low, but a win over USC will definitely fix that. I promise.
14) Virginia Tech (14) – Had a bye. Not much else to say here really.
15) Pittsburgh (17) – Panthers continue to surge, though their schedule will get tougher in the last month of the season.
16) Houston (18) – Kept winning, which is all you can really do when you are a Conference USA team.
17) Miami (Fla) (9) – Overtime loss to Clemson sends Hurricanes downward.
18) Mississippi (20) – Best output of season thus far in win over Arkansas.
19) Ohio State (21) – Whipped Minnesota in nice bounce-back from upset loss to Purdue.
20) Utah (22) – Had to go overtime to topple Air Force.
21) South Carolina (23) – Ugly win over Vanderbilt, but a win is a win as they say.
22) BYU (15) – I didn’t drop them farther because I think TCU is legit.
23) Oklahoma (NR) – Nice impressive win at Kansas gets the Sooners back in the poll after a brief hiatus.
24) West Virginia (NR) – No real signature win, but having six of them gets WVU a spot.
25) Arizona (NR) – Almost put Central Michigan here, but the Wildcats beat Central in the season opener. Hence Zona making the cut.

Receiving consideration: Central Michigan, Notre Dame, California
Dropped out: No. 19 Texas Tech, No. 24 Nebraska, No. 25 South Florida

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Mecate wins gold at Super 32

Redlands East Valley junior wrestler Chris Mecate won first place in the 119-pound class at the Super 32 high school wrestling tournament in Greensboro, N.C. Saturday. Mecate was the best of a field of 145 wrestlers in the 119-pound class from all over the country. According to Mecate’s father Perry, Chris defeated two All-Americans, two state champions and three other state placers en route to the title. The 119-pound class included eight All-Americans, 23 state champions, 57 state placers and 68 regional placers, respectively.

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Week 7 NFL picks

Back above .500 last week. Don’t know why it happened, but I’m happy it did.

San Diego (-5.5) over KANSAS CITY
Indianapolis (-14.5) over ST. LOUIS
Chicago (even) over CINCINNATI
CLEVELAND (+9) over Green Bay
Minnesota (+6) over PITTSBURGH
TAMPA BAY (+15.5) over New England
HOUSTON (-3) over San Francisco
N.Y. Jets (-6) over OAKLAND
Buffalo (+7) over CAROLINA
MIAMI (+6.5) over New Orleans
Atlanta (+4) over DALLAS
N.Y. GIANTS (-7) over Arizona
Philadelphia (-7) over WASHINGTON

Last week: 8-6
Overall: 49-40

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Sun Top 10

A little late, but this is it. REV is No. 1 now.

Sun Top 10

1. Redlands East Valley (7-0)
Previous ranking: 2. Last week: def. Rialto, 49-6. Up next: Friday vs. Carter (3-4)

2. Upland (7-0)
Previous ranking: 3. Last week: def. Alta Loma, 42-7. Up next: Friday at No. 8 Etiwanda (5-2).

3. Colton (6-1)
Previous ranking: 4. Last week: def. San Bernardino, 41-7. Up next: Friday vs. Cajon (5-2).

4. Rancho Cucamonga (6-1)
Previous ranking: 1. Last week: lost to Los Osos, 31-28. Up next: Friday at Alta Loma (0-7)

5. Colony (6-1)
Previous ranking: 5. Last week: def. Garey, 55-7. Up next: Friday at Chaffey (4-3).

6. Chino Hills (6-1)
Previous ranking: 6. Last week: def. Chino, 49-7. Up next: Friday vs. Glendora (4-3).

7. Redlands (6-1)
Previous ranking: 8. Last week: def. Yucaipa, 35-13. Up next: Friday at Miller (4-3).

8. Etiwanda (5-2)
Previous ranking: 9. Last week: def. Claremont, 24-21. Up next: Friday vs. No. 2 Upland (7-0).

9. Serrano (5-2)
Previous ranking: 10. Last week: def. Apple Valley 13-7. Up next: Friday vs. Hesperia (3-4).

10. Silverado (6-2)
Previous ranking: NR. Last week: def. Barstow, 40-12. Up next: Friday vs. Ridgecrest Burroughs (4-3).

Just missed the cut: Ayala (6-1), Kaiser (4-3), Rim of the World (7-1), Miller (4-3)

Dropped out: No. 7. Barstow (5-2).

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