SGV vs The O.C.

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When I was told that I would be covering the SGV, one of the first things that I asked myself was, ‘How good are the schools in that area?’

I knew of South Hills, and that’s about it.

As Week 1 comes up, I’ve learned a lot about the area, but the question still stands, ‘How good are the schools in that area?’

I was spoiled the last two years covering high school football for the Orange County Register. The O.C. has a lot of good football teams. I still can’t believe how much talent can live in one area.

Well, what better measuring stick for the SGV than to see its teams take on teams from the The O.C. The regions go head-to-head in more than a few games this week and next, and that will allow me to get a good idea as to how good schools in the SGV area are.

This week:

• No. 1 Mater Dei hosts West Covina
• No. 11 Orange Lutheran travels to Bishop Amat
• No. 25 South Hills hosts Trabuco Hills.

(My predictions, SGV goes 1-2 versus The O.C. teams).

Last week #12 Edison beat Diamond Ranch 27-13, in a game that was a lot closer than the score would indicate.

Next week, South Hills hosts CIF-SS Southweast division semifinalist La Habra and, in a much smaller division, St. Margaret’s and Maranatha hook up in a rematch of last year’s CIF-SS Northweast Division Championship.

Marantha has love on their side (as in running back Mark Love), but the Tartans have former Canyon Country Canyon coach Harry Welch.

These game will tell me a lot about the SGV, not everything, but a lot.

- Jaime Cárdenas