Report cards …

Bring this back signed by momz …

If you don’t like your grade, you can always pull them up by the end of the semester.

MID-TERM GRADES FOR EVERY SGV FOOTBALL TEAM.

San Antonio League
West Covina (C+) – Suspensions are like claiming “The dog ate my homework.”
South Hills (C) – Four losses in six games is never acceptable. It’s like an honor student getting a D in PE.
Rowland (B+) – This would’ve been an “A” with a win over Glendora.
Nogales (C) – Shows up to class all the time, but looks out the window – all the time.
Walnut (D) – The kid who was in band with you freshman year and in a gang by senior year. And you’re like “Huh?”

Miramonte League
Los Altos (C+) – Kinda like the prom queen who gets “Cs”, not “As”. But hey, she’s pretty.
Charter Oak (D) – Straight to detention.
Wilson (B) – If the Wildcats were “A” students, they’d have beaten Schurr. Solid attendance, though.
Diamond Ranch (C-) – Thrown into AP classes for no reason at all.
Bonita (A) – Aced every quiz, all homework is in, but yet to take a test.

Sierra League
Damien (B+) – The tough luck kid who was headed toward valedictorian, but got mono.
Glendora (A) – The counselor said no AP classes, but mom and dad persisted. And here we are with a 4.0.
Chino Hills (B) – Not quite a 1600 on the SAT, but 1280 isn’t bad.
Chino (C) – Struggling in AP classes, but still not just a common student.
Diamond Bar (D+) – The kid who can’t read, but always gets picked in class to … well … read.
Ayala (D-) – Science project (new offense) blew up at Science Fair (first five games).

Mission Valley League
Arroyo (D) – You can’t be an A-student for your frosh, soph and jr. year, and then stop attending class.
El Monte (C+) – Very consistent “C” student who sometimes gives teachers the impression there’s more (see Aram’s HS years)
Rosemead (D) – Hey, lotsa people went to junior college and turned out all right.
South El Monte (C) – Nobody was expecting much. Test scores have been good … project scores (games) not so good.
Mountain View (D) – Beat Hoover, but everyone gets an “A” in “Home Ec.”

Valle Vista League
Covina (B) – Ended last year with a 4.0, then discovered hip-hop, MTV’s Laguna Beach and PS2. Naturally, the grades suffered a little.
Northview (C+) – Got “Fs” early and then started to use the study guide to prepare for exams.
San Dimas (C+) – It’s OK, even if you don’t graduate, you’ll probably inherit Dad’s business.
Baldwin Park (A) – Mom took away the TV, dad took away the car. All there was left to do was study (win).

Montview League
Workman (A) – The kid on 60 Minutes who went to teen boot camp and came back a changed person.
Duarte (B) – Acing every quiz, but getting “Cs” on the actual tests.
Gladstone (D) – Teachers are calling home wondering if there’s a domestic problem. Divorce? Money problems?
La Puente (C) – Relying on PE for an easy “A.”
Sierra Vista (D) – Pencil keeps snapping everyime they try to write.
Azusa (C+) – The kid who coudln’t read in Jr. High, but now holds his own in the big show.
Bassett (D-) – Might be time to start looking at other people’s answers.

Other
Bishop Amat (D) – The prom queen is pregnant?
Western Christian (B) – Got into athletics and the grades came up as a result.

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Aram’s response to last Friday’s wacky results and the North Korean nuclear crisis …

You’re telling me St. Francis is coming to the Eastside this year to beat Los Altos and Bishop Amat???

That, my friends, is the Ortega Burger at Victor’s Villa ($5.41 in case Rachel Ray is counting).

NOTE: Nobody sabotaged, I did it to myself … but Robledo and Guerrero were enablers.

And you wonder why I cracked: While we’re driving to Victor’s Villa, I’ve got Robledo breathing down my neck asking “What if St. Francis beats both Los Altos and Bishop Amat in the same season, then what are you going to say?” …. my response can only be “Is St. Francis in the west SGV or east San Fernando Valley?”
While I’m trying to eat my burger, I’ve got Robledo asking “What would happen if we just had a playoff, your top teams against our (west) top teams?
Instead of passing the ketchup, he’s asking “Who even are your top teams?”

REALITY: Do any of you think I actually have the answer to that after last week? Some teams are starting league this Friday and some teams have one last major nonleague game tune-up. Workman and Duarte are already way into league and are playing in what amounts to the Montview League title game on Friday. Lets face it, after the past two weeks, we all basically know less today than we did in August.

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Is Damien No. 1?

It’s hard to argue against it …

I’m gonna make some calls and talk to some of the boys at the office, but I’m leaning toward Damien being the top-ranked team in the Valley. Los Altos lost, Rowland lost, Damien was No. 3 heading into last week and did not play. I know LA fans are going to say “But we beat them.” That’s true, you did. But I am talking about right now. Who else can it be? West Covina? Maybe. Glendora? Maybe. I think Damien has the best claim right now.

By the way … be ready for your report cards this week. I will be posting grades for EVERY TEAM IN THE VALLEY for the first half of the season as every team begins league, continues league or has its final tune-ups before league.

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Temple City stunned by La Salle!!!

DiFiori lands on his former employer … and my alma mater!

What’s the world coming to? La Salle 21, Temple City 14

The Rams don’t play well unless it’s under the lights. Everyone knows that. What are they doing playing a Saturday afternoon game at La Salle? You know what Rams are usually doing at that time of day? Eating … and other things … not playing football. What’s next, La Salle schedules Amat and DiFiori beats them too? I may have grown up on the westside of the SGV and I might even still live there, but I don’t like what happens there. Weird stuff. TC was the No. 1-ranked team in the Mid-Valley Division!!!! Robledo, get ahold of your teams.
With South Pas cranking, San Marino convinced it’s 1988 again, Monrovia owning half of the Best in the West list, and The Dealer owning what some call the best running back in the West, TC had better pick it up.
As bad as it might seem, you know what Mooney usually does after a loss like this? He comes back and wins league.

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POSTGAME: Talk your smack or cry me a river …

Glendora fans, here’s your respect. Pickup tomorrow’s Tribune … you’re on the cover of the entire thing!

Say what you want, the Tartans have heart.

Rosemead 28, Orange 27 (STUNNER!) Who’d have thunk it that Koffmead would represent for the SGV in Orange County? Nice! I don’t get it, but nice!
Glendora 30, Rowland 29 (huge 2nd half for GHS)
Bonita 35, San Dimas 14
Carson 21, Bishop Amat 13
Western 21, Los Altos 20 (had a feeling LA wouldn’t be awake for this one)
Covina 40, Sonora 14 (McDonough threw for 183 yards, ran for 177 and had 4 TDs combined).

Aram’s Glendora vs. Rowland takes: This was one of the oddest games I’ve ever seen. Glendora looked dominating at times and then looked like the first day of practice at others. But as I said above, this team has heart. Also, Glendora is 3-0 against other Tribune Top 10 teams this season. That’s pretty darn good. Maybe this team just wins ugly. It’s high school football, I guess we’re not supposed to know.
About Rowland … what can you say? Great effort, disappointing result. Are the Raiders world beaters? No. Are they one of the top teams around? Obviosuly, yes. I was impressed with QB Philip Chase and RB Rene Small. They were almost unstoppable on the option. The defense obviously has seen better days. Coach Snyder put it best by saying that having so many guys go two ways took its toll. Your quarterback isn’t supposed to be flying up and making tackles on Jordan Edmond or Zach Butler, but that’s exactly what Chase had to do.
Lastly, Joe or somebody at Rowland can maybe help with this – you guys have one of the worst hecklers I’ve ever heard. No clue who he is, but wow, very bad.
Bottom line: This was a great high school football game with the momentum changes you’d expect to see on any given Friday.

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The Weekly Aaron Harris OVER/UNDER game …

Nobody does more with less (carries)

Aaron Harris was the No. 1 overall pick in most SGV fantasy prep football leagues this season.

This week’s OVER/UNDER: 250 1/2 yards (No, I’m not crazy. Read below)

Note: Most of you will say “That’s high, Aram.” OK, it is. But I have a vibe that BP coach James Heggins is going to leave Harris in this week. Why, you ask? Because Glenn isn’t local. Yep, I do. I think that Heggins has taken Harris out in BP’s blowouts because he’s been playing local teams. Glenn will probably get no such luxury. Just a vibe, that’s all.

Week 1: 133 yards vs. Azusa UNDER
Week 2: 139 yards vs. West Covina OVER
Week 3: 156 yards vs. Sierra Vista UNDER
Week 4: 192 yards vs. El Monte UNDER

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CRYSTAL BALL TIME: Do your game predictions aqui (here) …

Two teams on a quest for respect

I’m excited for this one. I haven’t seen the Raiduhs this season and I haven’t seen G-Hi since Week 1. I picked Rowland in this game, but honestly, it’s a crapshoot. Can Jordan Edmond run wild with Chad Norys on the hunt? Can P-Chase do his thing with Todd Bruno prowling around? Oh yes, there’s gonna be a throwdown. And the great news is that you guys are going front page, so bring it, bring it, bring it!!!

There’d better be some fans in the stands, dang it!

Don’t bother picking if you’re not going to leave a final score!!! Dang!!!

Friday
Western Christian vs. St. Anthony, at Clark Field (Long Beach)
San Dimas at Bonita
Carson at Bishop Amat
Claremont at Charter Oak
Western at Los Altos
Diamond Ranch at Oaks Christian
Wilson at South El Monte
Tustin at Arroyo
Orange at Rosemead
La Serna at El Monte
Duarte vs. Azusa, at Citrus College
Sierra Vista at Bassett
Workman vs. Gladstone, at La Puente HS
West Covina at Ayala
Rancho Cucamonga vs. South Hills, at Chaffey Coll.
Walnut at Jurupa Valley
Silverado vs. Chino, at Victor Valley HS
Glenn at Baldwin Park
Northview vs. Nogales, at Covina District Field
Covina vs. Sonora, at La Habra HS

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