SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE’S SUPER 35 RANKINGS

1. Bishop Amat (1-0-1) — The Lancers avoided their first loss to an area team since 2002 by rallying in the final minute to tie No. 2 Chino Hills (48-48) in a game they could have won if they finished the Huskies off with an extra point or lost if not for some big pass interference calls. If you would have told Amat they would be undefeated after the first two weeks against Servite and Chino Hills they would’ve gladly taken it. I looks like the concern isn’t the offense, it’s Amat’s pass defense.

2. Chino Hills (1-0-1) — To win big football games or to be competitive in big football games you need a big weapon and the Huskies have it in quarterback Matt Simko. He is this years Travis Santiago only he’s more of a prototypical Division 1 recruit because of his size. The Huskies’ outlook looks super and they traditionally take on the best with Tesoro visiting town this week.

3. Charter Oak (1-0) — The Chargers’ defense lived up to its billing in a 35-0 shutout over Roosevelt, although it struggled offensively before finally putting the game away. They will get a much bigger test against Los Alamitos (1-0) at Veterans Stadium on Friday. Los Alamitos opened with a slim 29-16 win over Paramount so I’m already liking the Chargers’ chances.

4. South Hills (2-0) — If you could give coach of the year awards after two weeks, Huskies first-year coach Albert Rodriguez probably takes it. He’s already a win away from matching last year’s win total, and he’s improved the Huskies’ most glaring weakness from 2011, defense, getting a 14-0 shutout over Bonita.

5. Ayala (2-0) – The biggest leap in the rankings goes to Ayala after a huge 16-15 non-league win over back-to-back Mid-Valley Division champ Monrovia. With Ayala and South Hills off to great starts, imagine what the Sierra League is going to be like week-to-week.

6. West Covina (0-2*) — There’s trouble for the Kings of Cameron Ave. The Bulldogs did not look like themselves in a lopsided home loss to Loyola and may not have QB Jon Najera back for several weeks after an MRI revealed his knee injury is worse than coaches thought. But you know what cures all that? A win over their bitter rival South Hills at the District on Friday.

7. Damien (0-1) — The Spartans were not what we expected in a 31-14 loss to Orange Lutheran, but they have a chance to right the ship with Palm Desert, Temescal Canyon and Los Alamitos up next before starting the Sierra. If they lose any of those games, it should be a bigger concern than a loss to OLU.

8. San Dimas (2-0) — For a team that generally has started slow the past few years the Saints look like world beaters and serious Mid-Valley Division contenders. Their offense is piling up the points and their defense got much better in a 50-7 rout of Azusa. Can’t wait for the annual Monrovia game in a couple weeks.

9. Diamond Ranch (2-0) — After years of starting 0-and-whatever scheduling Southland giants they weren’t ready for, the Panthers are piling up wins the old fashioned way, scheduling more beatable teams and soaking in the confidence. I like this formula much better than the last.

10. Los Altos (2-0) — There should be no doubt now that coach Dale Ziola is a pretty good coach and a great find for Los Altos. After everything they lost from last years 8-3 team, many thought they would go back to 5-5 or 4-6. It sure doesn’t look like.

The Rest: 11. Glendora (1-0), 12. Rowland (2-0), 13. Gladstone (1-0), 14. Mountain View (2-0), 15. El Monte (1-1), 16. Covina (2-0)* 17. Walnut (1-1), 18. Bonita (0-2), 19. Azusa (0-1), 20. Arroyo (1-1), 21. South El Monte (1-0), 22. Rosemead (0-1), 23. Claremont (0-2), 24. Baldwin Park (0-2), 25. La Puente (0-1), 26, Northview (1-1), 27. Diamond Bar (0-2), 28. (Duarte 1-1), 29. Workman (1-1), 30. Wilson (1-1), 31. Sierra Vista (0-1), 32. Bassett (1-1), 33. Nogales (0-1), 34. Pomona (0-2), 35. Ganesha (0-2)
*Covina forfeit win; West Covina forfeit loss

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