Tribune Super 35 Rankings: No. 1 Charter Oak faces big tests the next two weeks; West Covina the champion that keeps on winning


Tribune Super 35 Rankings
1. Charter Oak (7-1) — Ranked sixth in the Inland Division, the Chargers need to win out, finish 9-1, win the Sierra League and then hope for a top four seed. That would give them the best chance of advancing a round or two in the playoffs, then who knows? I said it last year, and it’s true again: Charter Oak’s back-to-back Southeast titles were great, but a deep run in the Inland could be their finest hour, and what I mean by that is a semifinal or championship appearance. Do they have a chance? The next two weeks are telling, if they whip Damien and Chino Hills, they’ve got a good chance. If they sneak past or lose to one of those two, It’s a sign they’re not ready for the big boys.
2. West Covina (7-1) — At the end of the day, they’re playing like defending champions. They’ve got the athletes, swagger, coach, and a division that anyone with their talent would love to be in. They’re dominating like Charter Oak, Los Altos and South Hills did earlier this century. Farrar’s got five titles and Bogan and Gano have four each. This should be the year Maggiore gets to three, and if the Division remains as it is for the next two years, you’re looking at La Habra North.
3. Bishop Amat (6-3) — That swagger, the momentum finally gained in the Crespi win left with Rio Ruiz’s injured knee in Friday’s 14-3 loss to Loyola. It took that long for the Lancers to get over the Servite loss and get their mojo back, but now with Ruiz’s future uncertain, they’re going to have to dig deep to get a win on the road at Notre Dame and make the playoffs. And since we all like predictions, here’s one: If Amat makes the playoffs, Ruiz, providing he gets a favorable MRI and feels good, will play in the playoffs. My gut is you don’t come this far and miss the glory part of your senior year.
4. Covina (8-1) — You get the question, how would Covina do in the Southeast? Answer, win the Mid-Valley first. The Colts are in that dangerous position of being ranked No. 1, being the team everyone is talking about to win it. They have a week off then finish with rival Northview. I’m on board, I won’t pick them to lose against anybody.
5. Chino Hills (5-3) — It didn’t take a football expert to know this might happen, that the Huskies’ tough preseason schedule and the losses that came with it had no bearing on the Sierra League. Although it faces Charter Oak next week in what could be two undefeated teams playing for the league title, they better not sleep on South Hills, who scores on everyone.
6. Damien (6-2) — The Spartans are probably still kicking themselves after feeling they gave one away to Chino Hills. They better get over it quick because Charter Oak is sitting at home ready to deliver another dagger on Friday. It’s been a solid year for the Spartans, but I’m sure Gano and the boys would love to top it off with a signature win, something Gano’s still searching for since arriving at Damien.
7. San Dimas (6-2) — The Mid-Valley pollsters jumped the Saints a few spots to No. 4, moving them past No. 5 Monrovia, who was mysteriously ranked ahead of San Dimas last week, even though the Saints beat them at their place, and has a better record. The Saints still have work left to keep the No. 4 ranking. I’m not so sure they beat Pomona in week 10, and in fact, I may go with the Red Devils in that one.
8. Arroyo (7-1) — Quarterback Steven Rivera continues adding to his legacy with another great fourth quarter in the Knights’ 28-21 win over Rosemead. Here’s what’s concerning though: If this is a Mid-Valley contender, don’t they need to win in more convincing fashion? The Knights have had a few close calls, it’s that time of the year where I would like them to step on the gas.
9. La Puente (8-0) –– If I used the Maxpreps computer rankings, La Puente would be ranked 18th in the area, despite being the only undefeated team. But this is where Aram’s, “how you fare in your own world,” kicks in. Hey, when you’re unbeaten you’re unbeaten. But let’s see how the Boise State Warriors do in the last two weeks against Duarte and Azusa, their toughest two opponents in the Montview.
10. Bonita (4-4) — I don’t know if they deserve the No. 10 ranking, but they feel like a top ten team. They’ve beaten Los Altos and Walnut back-to-back and with a win over Diamond Bar, will probably make the playoffs.
The rest: 11. South Hills (3-5); 12. Los Altos (6-3), 13. Pomona (5-3), 14. El Monte (6-2), 14. South El Monte (6-2), 15. Duarte (6-1), 16. Diamond Ranch (4-4), 17. Glendora (3-5), 18. Claremont (4-4), 19. Ayala (3-5), 20. Diamond Bar (4-4), 21. Azusa (4-3), 22. Rosemead (4-4), 23. Walnut (2-7), 24. Nogales (4-5), 25. Rowland (2-6), 26. Northview (2-6), 27. Sierra Vista (4-4), 28. Baldwin Park (2-6), 29. Mountain View (3-5), 30. Gladstone (2-6), 31. Mountain View (3-5), 32. Workman (3-5), 33. Ganesha (1-7), 34. Bassett (1-7), 35. Wilson (0-8).

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