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 (13-4, last week); (139-56, season total)
Fred Robledo (12-5, last week); (140-55, season total)
Last Week: Aram picked up another game and so I’ve got a one-game lead heading into Week 10. We both missed taking Los Altos over Bonita, Bishop Amat over Crespi and Damien over South Hills. Aram missed his fourth taking Glendora over Los Osos, but he picked up one because I missed taking Gladstone over Ganesha and Bassett over Duarte for five losses total.
This Week: In the Valle Vista, San Dimas has won by a margin of 41 points and Pomona by 30 points. The Red Devils, however, are a perfect 9-0 and though it played a much softer pre-season schedule, my guess is they’ve been waiting for this opportunity far too long and will finally knock San Dimas off its perch on Friday. Bassett had a terrible fourth quarter against Duarte and figures to give Azusa a tough game for the Montview league title. But the Aztecs have handled the Montview better and at home, I expect them to close it out. Arroyo hasn’t lost since the season opener to Los Altos and is trying to secure the No. 2 seed in the Mid-Valley Division. But Rosemead has been tough as nails. It figures to be a classic MVL showdown for the title, but Arroyo will be just a little better. In other games, I expect South Hills to clinch a playoff berth with a win at Ayala. In the Hacienda I never thought anyone would go unbeaten and still feel that way so I’m taking Bonita over Diamond Ranch, especially after the way it handled Los Altos. I also expect Los Altos to bounce back and beat West Covina. Diamond Bar should close out Walnut on Friday and regardless of what happens, I expect Diamond Bar to at least get a wild-card berth if it doesn’t finish top three in league. I’m taking Amat in the league finale against Loyola, but their season in all likelihood ends unless you believe CIF is giving the Serra league both at-large berths, which would be the stunner of all stunners.
THURSDAY’S GAMES AND PREDICTIONS
HACIENDA LEAGUE
Bonita at Diamond Ranch, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Bonita); Aram (D-Ranch)
West Covina at Los Altos, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Los Altos); Aram (West Covina)
FRIDAY’S GAMES AND PREDICTIONS
BASELINE LEAGUE
Glendora vs. Alta Loma at Chaffey, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Glendora); Aram (Glendora)
HACIENDA LEAGUE
Diamond Bar at Walnut , 7 p.m. — Robledo (DBar); Aram (D-Bar)
MISSION VALLEY LEAGUE
Arroyo at Rosemead, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Arroyo); Aram (Arroyo)
Gabrielino at El Monte, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Gabby); Aram (Gabrielino)
Mountain View at South El Monte, 7 p.m. — Robledo (MView); Aram (MVHS)
MONTVIEW LEAGUE
Azusa at Bassett, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Azusa); Aram (Azusa)
Ganesha at Duarte, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Duarte); Aram (Duarte)
La Puente vs. Gladstone at Citrus College, 7 p.m. — Robledo (LP); Aram (LP)
Sierra Vista vs. Workman, 7 p.m. — Robledo (SVista); Aram (SV)
SERRA LEAGUE
Loyola at Bishop Amat, 7 p.m. — Robledo (BAmat); Aram (Amat)
SIERRA LEAGUE
Charter Oak at Claremont, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Charter Oak); Aram (CO)
Chino Hills at Damien, 7 p.m. — Robledo (CHills); Aram (CH)
South Hills at Ayala, 7 p.m. — Robledo (SHills); Aram (SH)
VALLE VISTA LEAGUE
Pomona at San Dimas, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Pomona); Aram (SD)
Baldwin Park at Wilson, 7 p.m. — Robledo (BPark); Aram (BP)
Northview at Nogales, 7 p.m. — Robledo (Northview); Aram (Nview)
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