BREAKING NEWS: On Friday we will have co-games of the week with photographers at both games. Steve will cover San Dimas-Azusa, and I will be at Diamond Ranch-South Hills. We will live blog both games on coveritlive and twitter. On coveritlive, you can sign on with facebook and talk about the game with other commenters as it unfolds.
Steve and I will go head-to-head throughout the season. Here is our updated records on the Tribskin Pick’em thread.
Robledo: Last week/Total: 8-1/183-42
Ramirez: Last week/Total: 5-4/166-59
Last Week: Bishop Amat’s loss to Lakewood stopped what would have been a perfect week. Steve took some chances trying to catch-up, but it backfired, picking Burbank, Paraclete and Baldwin Park, all who lost. My final four predictions in the Southeast are all still alive, my Mid-Valley Division final picks of Monrovia-San Dimas are on a collission course, and I also took Rancho Cucamonga in the Central, and they’re looking good.
This week: Let’s start with the Southeast, and the rematch from last year’s quarterfinals where Diamond Ranch knocked off (I won’t say upset, Roddy hates when I call it an upset) South Hills. All that really matters is the Panthers are 5-0 over the last month, and they’re scoring points, averaging about 32 points during that span. The Huskies have won nine straight, haven’t been as dominating in the playoffs, but with a game they’re going to be up for more than any other outside West Covina, I like the Huskies to pull it out at home. Charter Oak has a mighty tough task at home against California, but the Chargers proved they’re the best team in the division, and will take care of business. In the Mid-Valley, you have to love the Azusa-San Dimas semifinal, two teams that lost of bunch of seniors but somehow look better than last year’s teams. This is the Aztecs’ toughest opponent of the season by far. To take that next step you have to beat teams that people believe you have no business beating, so this is it for them. The problem, the Saints are bigger, stronger, faster and will advance. Will it be close? Calpreps says Saints by 14. I’m thinking more like 21. Monrovia will have no problem with Whittier Christian, not after what they did last week in the cold. I’m predicting the Central because next year it will be a big part of our coverage area. We will include Chino Hills and Ayala in the mix since they will be competing with a couple of our area’s best football teams. Isn’t that something, next year Bishop Amat, Glendora, South Hills, Charter Oak and now Damien with Gano will compete at super high levels and could be finished by this time. In any case, I like Rancho to finish the job again in the Central.
CIF-SS Semifinals
Southeast Division
Friday
Diamond Ranch (6-6) vs. South Hills (10-2) at CDF, 7 p.m. — Robledo (SHills); Ramirez (SHills)
Saturday
California (9-2-1) at Charter Oak (11-1), 7 p.m. — Robledo (Charter Oak); Ramirez (Charter Oak)
Mid-Valley Division
Friday
Azusa (11-1) at San Dimas (11-1), 7 p.m. — Robledo (San Dimas); Ramirez (San Dimas)
Saturday
Whittier Christian (9-3) at Monrovia (12-0), 7 p.m. — Robledo (Monrovia); Ramirez (WChrs)
Central Division
Friday
Upland (10-2) at Chino Hills (10-2), 7:30 p.m. — Robledo (Upland); Ramirez (Upland)
Saturday
Los Osos (8-4) at Rancho Cucamonga (10-2), 7:30 p.m. — Robledo (Rancho Cucamonga); Ramirez (Los Osos)
