As the high school football season reaches its climax, several key matchups are set for Thursday evening in the San Gabriel Valley, Whittier, and Pasadena areas. These games, crucial for league titles, promise excitement and fierce competition.
Charter Oak vs. Bonita: Sierra League Showdown
Charter Oak (8-1, 4-0) will face Bonita (6-3, 4-0) at 19:00 in a decisive clash for the Sierra League title. Last season, Bonita overwhelmed Charter Oak with a commanding 49-21 victory, establishing their dominance. This year, the Chargers are poised for revenge, riding a five-game winning streak led by quarterback Corin Berry, a Purdue commit who has amassed 1,794 yards and 21 touchdowns this season.
Defensively, Charter Oak is anchored by standout linebacker JD Sanchez, enhancing their prospects against a Bonita team that has faced challenges due to injuries. The Bearcats lost star running back Joseph Lara to a torn ACL early in the season but have seen quarterback Travis Lippert regain form after recovering from an ankle injury. Bonita’s defense has been formidable, limiting their last seven opponents to 14 points or fewer.
While Bonita seeks to replicate last year’s success, Charter Oak will aim to showcase their improved capabilities. The prediction leans toward a Charter Oak victory.
Northview Looks to Bounce Back Against West Covina
Also at 19:00, Northview (7-3, 3-1) will take on West Covina (7-3, 4-0) in a critical Valle Vista League matchup. Northview’s chances of contending for the league title were dampened by a surprising loss to Alta Loma, where they fell by a single point, 21-20. Now, they must secure a win against West Covina to share the league title.
Despite last week’s setback, Northview boasts a strong resume, including a non-league victory over La Serna. The Vikings will depend on quarterback Robert Lucero and receiver Jaishon Bledshoe, along with their robust running game. However, the team faces uncertainty regarding the status of star receiver Isaiah Lucero, who suffered an injury in the previous game.
West Covina, a team that has exceeded expectations this season, has triumphed in close contests against teams like Alta Loma, San Dimas, and Baldwin Park. Junior quarterback Elvis Irvin has been a standout, surpassing 1,000 yards in passing with 12 touchdowns to his name. The Bulldogs clinched at least a share of the league title last week with a decisive 35-13 win over Diamond Ranch. Given their strong performances, West Covina may present a formidable challenge for Northview.
El Monte Aims for Mission Valley League Title
In another exciting matchup, Gabrielino (7-2, 4-1) will face El Monte (7-2, 5-0) at 19:00. El Monte is on a remarkable run in the Mission Valley League and is striving for an outright league title. They previously defeated Arroyo convincingly, 41-7, and narrowly edged South El Monte, 28-21, last week. Quarterback Alex Aleman has been exceptional, throwing for 2,198 yards and 20 touchdowns, while running back Aaron Rivera has also topped 1,000 yards with 12 touchdowns.
Gabrielino can still share the league title with a win, but their recent performance raises concerns. They suffered a surprising 35-10 loss to Arroyo a fortnight ago but managed to secure a narrow victory against South El Monte. The Eagles will rely on the dual-threat capabilities of quarterback Ely Loban and running back Alijah Shepard to challenge El Monte. Based on their recent form and performance against common opponents, El Monte enters this matchup as the favorite.
Other Notable Matchups
Several additional games are scheduled across various leagues, all starting at 19:00. Teams like Artesia will visit Pioneer in the 605 League, while Montebello faces San Gabriel in the Almont League. In the Baseline League, Damien will take on Ayala, and Whittier will compete against California in the Del Rio League. The action continues with games in the Epsilon League, Gateway League, Hacienda League, Miramonte League, Mission Valley League, Montview League, Pacific League, Rio Hondo League, and the Sierra League.
These matchups promise to deliver thrilling football as teams vie for playoff positioning and league titles. With the stakes high, fans can expect intense competition under the Friday night lights.
