… I guess you can go to passing games and say things like “Little Joey looks great at receiver,” but what’s that really tell anybody? ALMOST EVERYBODY looks great in passing games. However, once in a while there are legit clues one can uncover about a team’s intentions.

Take yesterday’s throw between Charter Oak, South Hills and Crespi, for instance. There was Charter Oak receiver Dennis Rufus taking snaps at quarterback. I’m no Bill Walsh, but it appears pretty clear that Chargers offensive guru Dom Farrar is doing some tinkering. Wildcat, anybody?

Oh yeah, and by the way, if you want a professional photo gallery of yesterday’s action, here it is compliments of Staff Photog Keith Durflinger.

POOL ONE A.M.

1. MARANATHA 2. PACIFIC 3. L.B. WILSON
4. CLAREMONT 5. YUCAIPA

GAME TIMES
8:00-8:40 8:55-9:35 9:50-10:30
TEAM 1 VS 4 FLD 1 TEAM 1 VS 2 FLD 2 TEAM 1 VS 3 FLD 2
TEAM 2 VS 5 FLD 2 TEAM 3 VS 4 FLD 1 TEAM 5 VS 4 FLD 1
TEAM 3 BYE TEAM 5 BYE TEAM 2 BYE

10:45-11:25 11:40-12:20
TEAM 5 VS 3 FLD 2 TEAM 1 VS 5 FLD 1
TEAM 4 VS 2 FLD 1 TEAM 2 VS 3 FLD 2
TEAM 1 BYE TEAM 4 BYE

POOL TWO A.M

1. MUIR 2. ETIWANDA 3. PALM SPRINGS
4. JSERRA 5. BURROUGHS

GAME TIMES
8:00-8:40 8:55-9:35 9:50-10:30
TEAM 1 VS 4 FLD 3 TEAM 1 VS 2 FLD 3 TEAM 1 VS 3 FLD 3
TEAM 2 VS 5 FLD 4 TEAM 3 VS 4 FLD 4 TEAM 5 VS 4 FLD 4
TEAM 3 BYE TEAM 5 BYE TEAM 2 BYE

10:45-11:25 11:40-12:20
TEAM 5 VS 3 FLD 3 TEAM 1 VS 5 FLD 3
TEAM 4 VS 2 FLD 4 TEAM 2 VS 3 FLD 4
TEAM 1 BYE TEAM 4 BYE

POOL THREE A.M

1. CULVER CITY 2. ONTARIO CHR. 3. PALMDALE
4. CRESCENTA VALLEY 5. SANTA MARGARITA

GAME TIMES
8:00-8:40 8:55-9:35 9:50-10:30
TEAM 1 VS 4 FLD 5 TEAM 1 VS 2 FLD 5 TEAM 1 VS 3 FLD 5
TEAM 2 VS 5 FLD 6 TEAM 3 VS 4 FLD 6 TEAM 5 VS 4 FLD 6
TEAM 3 BYE TEAM 5 BYE TEAM 2 BYE

10:45-11:25 11:40-12:20
TEAM 5 VS 3 FLD 5 TEAM 1 VS 5 FLD 5
TEAM 4 VS 2 FLD 6 TEAM 2 VS 3 FLD 6
TEAM 1 BYE TEAM 4 BYE

POOL FOUR P.M

1. AB MILLER 2. CRESPI 3. SUMMIT
4. HUNTINGTON BEACH 5. LAKESIDE

GAME TIMES
2:00-2:40 2:55-3:35 3:50-4:30
TEAM 1 VS 4 FLD 1 TEAM 1 VS 2 FLD 1 TEAM 1 VS 3 FLD 1
TEAM 2 VS 5 FLD 2 TEAM 3 VS 4 FLD 2 TEAM 5 VS 4 FLD 2
TEAM 3 BYE TEAM 5 BYE TEAM 2 BYE

4:45-5:25 5:40-6:20
TEAM 5 VS 3 FLD 1 TEAM 1 VS 5 FLD 1
TEAM 4 VS 2 FLD 2 TEAM 2 VS 3 FLD 2
TEAM 1 BYE TEAM 4 BYE

POOL FIVE P.M.

1. COLONY 2. LA SALLE 3. CHINO HILLS
4. POMONA 5. WALNUT

GAME TIMES
2:00-2:40 2:55-3:35 3:50-4:30
TEAM 1 VS 4 FLD 3 TEAM 1 VS 2 FLD 3 TEAM 1 VS 3 FLD 3
TEAM 2 VS 5 FLD 4 TEAM 3 VS 4 FLD 4 TEAM 5 VS 4 FLD 4
TEAM 3 BYE TEAM 5 BYE TEAM 2 BYE

4:45-5:25 5:40-6:20
TEAM 5 VS 3 FLD 3 TEAM 1 VS 5 FLD 3
TEAM 4 VS 2 FLD 4 TEAM 2 VS 3 FLD 4
TEAM 1 BYE TEAM 4 BYE

POOL SIX P.M.

1. SANTIAGO 2. BONITA 3. CANYON
4. BEVERLY HILLS 5. SOUTHWEST

GAME TIMES
2:00-2:40 2:55-3:35 3:50-4:30
TEAM 1 VS 4 FLD 5 TEAM 1 VS 2 FLD 5 TEAM 1 VS 3 FLD 5
TEAM 2 VS 5 FLD 6 TEAM 3 VS 4 FLD 6 TEAM 5 VS 4 FLD 6
TEAM 3 BYE TEAM 5 BYE TEAM 2 BYE

4:45-5:25 5:40-6:20
TEAM 5 VS 3 FLD 5 TEAM 1 VS 5 FLD 5
TEAM 4 VS 2 FLD 6 TEAM 2 VS 3 FLD 6
TEAM 1 BYE TEAM 4 BYE

POOL SEVEN P.M.

1. AYALA 2. HESPERIA 3. VILLA PARK
4. UPLAND 5. SAN CLEMENTE

GAME TIMES
**1:00-1:40** **1:55-2:35** **2:50-3:30**
TEAM 1 VS 4 FLD 7 TEAM 1 VS 2 FLD 7 TEAM 1 VS 3 FLD 7
TEAM 2 VS 5 FLD 8 TEAM 3 VS 4 FLD 8 TEAM 5 VS 4 FLD 8
TEAM 3 BYE TEAM 5 BYE TEAM 2 BYE

**3:45-4:25** **4:40-5:20**
TEAM 5 VS 3 FLD 7 TEAM 1 VS 5 FLD 7
TEAM 4 VS 2 FLD 8 TEAM 2 VS 3 FLD 8
TEAM 1 BYE TEAM 4 BYE

South El Monte’s nonleague schedule is essentially its resume for an at-large berth in the Mid-Valley Division playoffs. The Eagles will play FIVE games against Mid-Valley Division opponents and they are: San Dimas, Workman, Nogales, Temple City and Bell Gardens.

Isn’t it beautiful? That covers four of the five other leagues in the Mid-Valley Division. So hypothetically, if the Eagles finish third in the Mission Valley League, which is a decent bet since the MVL looks like a two-horse race between Arroyo and Rosemead, then they will need to get ONE of the FOUR at-large berths in the division.

And who will they likely be up against to get that berth? Teams from Valle Vista, Montview, Rio Hondo, Almont and Olympic leagues. There’s a strong chance that Temple City, Bell Gardens and Workman will also be needing an at-large berth. Heck, if things get crazy in the Valle Vista, San Dimas might even need one, too.

And knowing what loyal readers of this blog know about CIF’s at-large system, head-to-head results are the biggest factor in the formula. Which reminds me, it appears some of you need a refresher in what the criteria will be to determine the at-large berths.

Several coaches in the Mid-Valley Division seem to still be confused about this, which is fine, they’re busy. But it pains me many of them don’t know where to turn for CORRECT info so they’re unfortunately left to speculate with blabbering wannabe media types about how CIF actually determines the at-large berths. It’s a formula, and here it is once again:

(a) Head-to-head competition of teams under consideration (4 points)
(b) Overall strength of the league from which the team is entered (1 point)
(c) Overall win-loss record (1 point)
(d) Strength against common opponents (1 point)
(e) Strength of schedule (2 points, using overall win-loss record of opponents)

Now go back and look at South El Monte’s nonleague schedule and tell me it’s not a beautiful thing that we have what amounts to playoff qualifiers in September. And believe me, The Swamp ain’t the only place this will be happening.

Former Duarte standout Jordan Canada, who transferred to South Hills prior to last season only to never be granted eligibility by CIF, has signed a letter of intent to play next season at Division I FCS power Montana.

Aram’s take: All’s well that ends well. Good to see Canada get a ride somewhere. His transfer was a hot-button issue that left many shaking their head, one way or the other. South Hills fans can’t help but wonder what might have been had Canada been eligible last season. I can tell you that Huskies coach Steve Bogan has heaped high praise on Canada, which says something considering how much skill talent he’s seen through the years.

Chino Hills won the linemen competition, beating out 35 other teams, last weekend at the Santa Fe Tournament of Champions.