Aram Tolegian and I will go head-to-head picking football games throughout the season. He edged me out the past two seasons, but it’s not happening this year, not when we’re playing for a Slater’s 50-50 burger.

Aram Tolegian (13-5, last week); (13-5, season total)
Fred Robledo (14-4, last week); (14-4, season total)

Last week: I edged Aram in week 0, but it was a good week for both of us. We both missed taking Bosco Tech over Wilson, Keppel over Ganesha and El Dorado over Ayala. Aram got me taking Bishop Amat over Santa Margarita, but I picked up a game taking Bonita over San Dimas and Duarte over Valley Christian.

This week: Obviously, there are a few big games that stand out, like Chino Hills and Bishop Amat. After what happened in last year’s thriller, which ended in a 48-48 tie on a few controversial calls down the stretch, it’s huge again, especially given Chino Hills’ smackdown of Arlington and Amat’s big win over Santa Margarita last week. In recent years, however, I never pick against Amat in area games and I’ve been rewarded every time so I’m not changing now. South Hills and Bonita is another great one given each teams’ week 0 performance. Tell you what, I like the Huskies. Another super game to watch is Ayala at Monrovia. You know, the three-time champ Super Cats may be great in the Mid-Valley and Rio Hondo, but when they step up in class, the big boys usually get ’em. But this time I like the ‘Cats for one reason. KURT SCOBY. He is, big-boy football.

This weeks games and predictions
Thursday
La Puente vs. Covina at CDF, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Covina); Aram (Covina)
Northview vs. Gladstone at Citrus College, 7 p.m. — Robledo (NView); Aram (Northview)
Friday
Bonita vs. South Hills at CDF, 7 p.m. — Robledo (SHills); Aram (Bonita)
Chino Hills at Bishop Amat, 7 p.m. — Robledo (BAmat); Aram (Amat)
San Dimas at Los Altos, 7 p.m. — Robledo (LA); Aram (LA)
Ayala at Monrovia, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Monrovia); Aram (M-Town)
Azusa vs. Whittier at Citrus College, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Azusa); Aram (Azteca)
Bassett at Mountain View, 7 p.m. — Robledo (MView); Aram (Bassett)
El Monte at Ontario Christian, 7 p.m. — Robledo (OChristian); Aram (OC)
El Rancho at Diamond Ranch, 7 p.m. — Robledo (DRanch); Aram (DR)
Ganesha at Garey, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Garey); Aram (Garey)
Glendora at Claremont, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Glendora); Aram (G-High)
Irvine at Rosemead, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Irvine); Aram (Irv)
Lutheran vs. Damien at OCC, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Orange Lutheran); Aram (OLu)
Nogales at South El Monte, 7 p.m. — Robledo (SEM); Aram (SEM)
Norwalk at Diamond Bar, 7 p.m. — Robledo (DBar); Aram (Noodles)
Pomona at Don Lugo, 7 p.m. — Robledo (DLugo); Aram (Lugo)
Sierra Vista at Baldwin Park, 7 p.m. — Robledo (BPark); Aram (SV)
Temple City at Arroyo, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Arroyo); Aram (Arr)
West Covina at Long Beach Wilson, 7 p.m. — Robledo (WCovina); Aram (LB Wils)
Wilson at Rowland, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Rowland); Aram (Rowland)
Workman at Keppel, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Keppel); Aram (Kep)