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 (13-9, last week); (26-14, season total)
Fred Robledo (15-7, last week); (29-11, season total)
Last week: For the second straight week I bettered Aram, this time by two games to take a three-game lead. We both lost taking Covina over La Puente, Azusa over Whittier, Garey over Ganesha, Diamond Bar over Norwalk, Pomona over Don Lugo and Keppel over Workman. Aram got me taking Bonita over South Hills, but I got him back taking Mountain View over Bassett, Baldwin Park over Sierra Vista and West Covina over LBWilson.
This week: When you look over the schedule in the summer and try to forecast the area’s best games week-by-week, Northview vs. Rowland didn’t register on the radar. But, it’s arguably the game of the week on Friday between the early unbeatens who have looked impressive. Northview has outscored its two opponents 85-7 while Rowland has taken care of Nogales and Wilson. Both teams will be facing their toughest test, but I like the mojo the Vikings are playing with so I’m sticking with the Vikes. Rancho Cucamonga will give Bishop Amat all it can handle and won’t be surprised if the Lancers get beat on the road. RC has been impressive in two games, beating Redlands and Norco convincingly and only allowing seven points in each. I still like Amat, but not as confident as I was a week ago. San Dimas and Diamond Bar is a big confidence game for both after last week’s losses. I just like Diamond Bar a little more. Glendora and Bonita could be great and after watching the ‘Cats’ first two games, I’m going with Jake Payton and Co. South Hills and West Covina is always epic. You have to take WC after its first two wins coupled with South Hills’ loss to Bonita. I also like Damien over Palm Desert and Los Alamitos over Charter Oak, which will make the Chargers 0-2.
This week’s games and predictions
Thursday’s game
Chino Hills at Tesoro, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Tesoro); Aram (Chino Hills)
South Torrance at Rosemead, 7 p.m. — Robledo (South); Aram (ST)
Friday’s game
Northview vs. Rowland at CDF, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Northview); Aram (Rowland)
South Hills at West Covina, 7 p.m. — Robledo (WCovina); Aram (South Hills)
Palm Desert at Damien, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Damien); Aram (P-Desert)
San Dimas at Diamond Bar, 7 p.m. — Robledo (DBar); Aram (SD)
Rancho Cucamonga vs. Bishop Amat at Los Osos, 7 p.m. – Robledo (Amat); Aram (Amat)
Los Alamitos at Charter Oak, 7 p.m. — Robledo (LosAl); Aram (LA)
Glendora at Bonita, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Bonita); Aram (Bonita)
Arroyo at La Puente, 7 p.m. — Robledo (La Puente); Aram (Arroyo)
Azusa at Maranatha, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Maranatha); Aram (Azusa)
Bassett at El Monte, 7 p.m. – Robledo (El Monte); Aram (Bassett)
Bloomington at Pomona, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Bloom); Aram (Bloom)
Claremont at Walnut, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Claremont); Aram (Claremont)
Covina at San Gabriel, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Covina); Aram (Covina)
Diamond Ranch at Ayala, 7 p.m. — Robledo (DRanch); Aram (DR)
Gladstone vs. Baldwin Park at Citrus, 7 p.m. — Robledo (BPark); Aram (BP)
Los Altos at Wilson, 7 p.m. — Robledo (LA); Aram (LA)
Marshall vs. Workman at Pasadena, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Workman); Aram (Workman)
Montclair at Duarte, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Duarte); Aram (Duarte)
Ontario at Nogales, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Ontario); Aram (Nogales)
Sierra Vista at Mountain View, 7 p.m. — Robledo (MView); Aram (MV)
South El Monte at Montebello, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Montebello); Aram (Montebello)
