An Early Look At 10 Must-See Football Matchups in the SGV

With the summer passing schedule all but over and the three-week dead period set to begin next Monday, now seems like an appropriate time to set our sights toward the regular season and pick out some of the choice matchups in the San Gabriel Valley Patch community.

Keep in mind that this is just an early look and it’s highly likely that some games that didn’t make the initial list will become juicy matchups those Friday Night Lights flick on.

If you think we got it wrong – or if you feel a particular matchup needs more pub – feel free to voice your opinion in the comments.

Without further ado, here’s a look at 10 must-see games this fall:

Glendora at Monrovia, Thursday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m.

Why you should go: It’s never a bad call to watch the Wildcats, and there should be plenty of excitement in the air as the ’Cats open up their in a special Thursday night showdown against a tough Glendora squad that beat Monrovia 21-7 last year. One of the top storylines of the game will be how junior quarterback George Frazier handles his first start under center for the Wildcats. Frazier has displayed a live arm this summer, but he has big shoes to fill in replacing Nick Bueno.

St. Francis at Arcadia, Friday, Sept. 9, 7 p.m.

Why you should go: This Week 1 contest marks the St. Francis debut for junior quarterback Jared Lebowitz, who transferred to St. Francis from South Burlington High (Vermont) this past winter. Lebowitz (6-foot-3, 190 pounds) has impressed during spring and and already has developed a rapport with star senior wide receiver Travis Talianko. There’s a big difference between live games and 7-on-7 drills in the summer, however, and you can be sure that Arcadia senior safety/wide receiver Taylor Lagace will be ready to welcome Lebowitz to the world of Sothern California high school football.

Monrovia at Arcadia, Friday, Sept. 16, 7 p.m.

Why you should go: It’s Monrovia-Arcadia. Two of the best teams in the area. Need we say more? Monrovia has won the past two games in the series, including a 34-7 thumping last year, but the Apaches experience at quarterback and receiver should make for a more competitive game this year. Monrovia’s ability to slow down Myles Carr and Lagace could decide the winner. While Arcadia may hold the edge on the outside, the Wildcats’ all-everything defensive tackle will be just as big of a challenge for the Apaches’ offensive line. 

Rancho Cucamonga at Muir, Friday, Sept. 16, 7 p.m.

Why you should go: For the last three years Rancho Cucamonga has been one of the best teams in the Inland Empire, compiling a 34-5-1 record. The Cougars are known for their monstrous size on the offensive and defensive lines (it’s a safe bet that every starter on the o-line will weigh north of 250 pounds), so it will be interesting to see how and the small, but quick Mustangs can handle that kind of physicality. 

San Dimas at Monrovia, Friday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m.

Why you should go: The Wildcats exercised their San Dimas demons during in the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division playoffs last year, . Before that win, San Dimas had taken the previous two games of the series, including a shocking 12-7 win over an undefeated Monrovia squad in the 2009 Mid-Valley Division title game.

Arcadia at Muir, Friday, Sept. 30, 7 p.m.

Why you should go: It’s a shame that the Mustangs and the Apaches will square off in the first week of Pacific League action. A game between the likely top two teams of the PL deserves to be played in November – not on the last day of September. Arcadia snapped a seven-year losing streak to Muir last year with a win that was also coach Jon Dimalante’s 100th of his career at Arcadia.

Crescenta Valley at Pasadena, Friday, Oct. 14, 7 p.m.

Why you should go: The Falcons’ matchup against the Bulldogs could be a pivotal moment of the season for Crescenta Valley. Assuming the Falcons’ split their first two Pacific League games (at Hoover and against Muir), this one could dictate how the rest of their season plays out. Last year Crescenta Valley lost to Pasadena to fall to 2-2 in league and proceeded to drop its final five games of the year.

Temple City at La Cañada, Friday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m.

Why you should go: The past three years the Spartans and Rams have battled for second place in the Rio Hondo League with Temple City getting the better of La Canada each of the past two years. The Spartans youthful offense (their run-heavy attack will feature a new quarterback and a slew of new tailbacks) should be ready for Temple City by this point of the season.

San Marino at South Pasadena, Friday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m.

Why you should go: San Marino-South Pasadena is one of the more under rated rivalries in the area. The two schools are separated by a little more than four miles, and recent between both sides. 

Muir vs. Pasadena (Rose Bowl), Friday, Nov. 11, 7 p.m.

Why you should go: While the Mustangs haven’t lost to rival Pasadena since 1998, the is always one of the highlights of the prep football season. Fans tailgate as if they were attending a UCLA game, and nothing beats stepping out of the tunnel and running onto the pristine grass of the Rose Bowl. Muir scored a Turkey Tussle record 63 points in last year’s game, so you know the Bulldogs will be looking for revenge this time around.