Big Games : Bishop Amat vs. Hacienda Heights Wilson

It was one of the wildest prep football games of the year in the San Gabriel Valley when these teams met last season. The final score was 37-37 and the game was every bit as wide open as the score indicated. Both teams will be hard pressed to approach that score when they play in a non-league game at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Los Altos High in Hacienda Heights. But the accent will be on offense. Bishop Amat (4-0), averaging 33 points in rolling to a perfect non-league record, has been led by junior running back Eric Bieniemy, who has rushed for 684 yards and 8 touchdowns in 96 carries. But Bieniemy suffered a hip-pointer injury in last week’s 21-0 win over St. Francis and is questionable for tonight’s game. If he doesn’t play, speedy Lee Barrett will be his replacement. The Lancers have a strong passer in quarterback Rick Carter. Wilson (2-2) has looked strong on offense in most of its games this season, led by quarterback Brian Chavez, but the Wildcats must find a way to penetrate Bishop Amat’s rugged defense, which has allowed only six points this season.

Pasadena vs. Temple City

Pasadena has the upper hand in its annual matchup against Temple City, with a 2-0-1 record since the series started three years ago. But Pasadena’s usually high-powered offense has yet to get on track this season and that could mean problems for the Lancers when they visit Temple City for a non-league game at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Pasadena is 2-2 and Temple City is 2-1. One factor will be the same as usual for this match-up. There does not figure to be a lot of passing since both teams have run-oriented offenses. Pasadena, which passed only once in its 12-0 win over Monrovia last week, is led by sophomore running back Chris Fleming and junior running back W. C. Morrison. Temple City, which made most of its yardage on rushing plays in its 20-7 win over Rosemead last week, is led by halfbacks Dave Rodoracio and Kevin Moore, fullback Mike Mooney and quarterback Tom Ball. Both teams are strong on defense, which should make for a low-scoring game.

Arcadia vs. West Covina

After dropping its first two games of the season, Arcadia has had a changed look in its last two. The Apaches won both--and looked impressive doing it--to gain momentum for their non-league game against a strong West Covina team at 7:30 p.m. Friday in West Covina. Arcadi scored only 12 points in its first two games, but has scored 60 in its last two. The Apaches (2-2) have posted surprisingly easy wins over Temple City (31-7) and Hacienda Heights Wilson (29-16), thanks mostly to an improved offense. That offense has rolled up 695 total yards in the last two games led by quarterback Brad Scott and running backs Chris McCarn and Tom Longo. The defense also has looked sharp and that may help the Apaches against West Covina (3-0), which has an outstanding offense that features quarterback Vince Aguilar, running back Leland Adams and wide receiver Mike Culwell. Adams, a 9.5-second speedster in the 100-yard dash, rushed for 122 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-22 win over South Hills last week.

Muir vs. St. Francis

With most of his team’s offensive and defensive linemen weighing less than 200 pounds, there is a good reason why Muir Coach Jim Brownfield dreads the thought of his team playing a big, physical opponent. The Mustangs faced their first last week against North Torrance and the result was the first loss (29-28) of the season for Muir. Brownfield and his team can look forward to meeting another big, strong squad this week when they host St. Francis in a non-league game at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Pasadena City College. Muir is 3-1 and St. Francis is 1-3 but the records were similar last year when the Mustangs were upset, 23-21. Muir will rely on its outstanding speed against St. Francis and the Mustangs have an ample supply led by running back Ricky Ervins, a junior who rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown and had a 98-yard kickoff return for another touchdown against North Torrance. Another speedster for Muir is wide receiver Cary Grant. St. Francis will counter with its ground-oriented offense featuring running back Brian Miller.

San Gabriel Valley’s Top Ten Prep Teams

Rank, School, League Record Opponent 1 Bishop Amat (Angelus) 4-0-0 HH Wilson 2 Claremont (Baseline) 4-0-0 Don Lugo 3 Diamond Bar (Hacienda) 4-0-0 Garey 4 Rowland (Sierra) 4-0-0 LB Jordan 5 Muir (Pacific) 3-1-0 St. Francis 6 Los Altos (Sierra) 3-1-0 Lakewood 7 West Covina (Sierra) 3-0-0 Arcadia 8 Charter Oak (Montview) 4-0-0 Gladstone 9 Pomona (Baseline) 4-0-0 Glendora 10 Temple City (Rio Hondo) 2-1-0 Pasadena

OTHERS: Arroyo (4-0-0), Nogales (3-1-0), Pasadena (2-2-0), San Dimas (3-0-0), South Hills (2-1-1).