Aram and I will go head-to-head in Tribskin Pick’em throughout the season with the loser buying lunch in December.

Last week: Robledo (3-6); Tolegian (6-3)
Season standings: Robledo (191-55); Tolegian (193-53)

Last week: A week after going 15-0, I choked in the quarterfinals, no other way to explain it. I knew I was going out on a limb taking Charter Oak and Arroyo, but I lost all the 50-50 games too. Aram wasn’t the greatest either, but on a week like this, going 6-3 was huge. Give him credit for taking Muir, and all the other favorites, it paid off. I’m two down with two weeks left, let’s see what happens.

This week: The only guarantee is West Covina at La Mirada, though on the road in Whittier strange things happen. The Bulldogs are playing well, but it may take more work to get rid of La Mirada than it did their previous two opponents, but the Bulldogs should advance. Muir looked phenomenal in the first two rounds. I know DRanch had some players missing, etc, etc, but nobody smoked them like that, and that came a week after whipping No. 2 Santa Fe. When Muir is committed and focused, this is what you get, a dangerous team capable of beating anyone. Monrovia-Covina is a super fight in the Mid-Valley. No respect to the bottom half, but this is for the championship. I thought about going with Monrovia after the way the Wildcats dispatched Whittier Christian, but I think this will be Covina’s finest hour, a week before the real finest hour occurs. I’m taking CTown to go to the final. San Dimas is an unbelievable situation. When they beat Azusa, San Gabriel and Monrovia back-to-back-to-back in October, who would have thought they may have to do it again to win a championship. After already beating Azusa in the rematch, now it’s San Gabriel’s shot at the rematch after losing 59-6 the first time. The Matadors will make it closer, but they won’t make up all the difference after a 53-point blowout. And if Monrovia wins, San Dimas would have to pull the trifecta again. Now that would be amazing, especially since the Saints technically didn’t have any “home” games this year. Of course if Covina wins, then it’s San Dimas’ shot at the rematch.

CIF-SS Playoffs
Friday’s Semifinal games and predictions
Southeast Division
West Covina (11-1) at La Mirada (8-4), 7:30 p.m. — Robledo (WCovina); Tolegian (The WC)
Muir (8-4) at La Serna (9-3), 7:30 p.m. — Robledo (Muir); Tolegian (Muir)
Mid-Valley Division
Monrovia (9-3) vs. Covina (11-1) , CDF, 7:30 p.m. — Robledo (Covina); Tolegian (Covina)
San Dimas (10-2) at San Gabriel (8-4), 7:30 p.m. — Robledo (SDimas); Tolegian (Saints)

Take a peak at Muir’s highlights from Friday’s win over Diamond Ranch.