Football:

If there was one week-five game to see, you couldn’t go wrong attending the San Dimas-Monrovia showdown at MHS.

Statistically, the Saints and Wildcats are evenly matched, but Monrovia has a 555-413 advantage in total offense, and that includes edges in passing (222-125) and rushing (323-288).

MHS has an average margin of victory of 45-19, as compared to 37-18 for SDHS.

San Dimas (253) is 15 points higher than Monrovia (268) in the MaxPreps state rankings.

Calpreps, the website that CIF-SS uses to formulate the playoff brackets, is projecting a 38-34 final score in favor of the Wildcats.

If you’ve followed SGV area football for any length of time, it’s no surprise that SDHS is a run-heavy offense.

The Saints have three running backs with at least 238 yards on the ground.

Julian Vigil (29-for-371 & 3 TD’s), Caleb Morquecho (55-for-369 & 6 TD’s) and Tristan Fierro (32-for-238 & 1 TD) have combined for 978 yards rushing on 116 carries and 10 TD’s.

Joshua Griffiths has done the Lion’s share of the work for the Wildcats’ ground game.

Griffiths has carried the ball 39 times for 666 yards and 10 scores.

His next closest teammate, Byron Bell (35-for-273 & 3 TD’s), has 393 less rushing yards and seven fewer TD’s.

Jesse Saucedo is off to a terrific start to his high school career.

The MHS freshman has completed 33 of his 49 pass attempts for 839 yards.

He’s tossed seven TD’s and one interception.

Saucedo was ill last week, and he did not play in Monrovia’s 29-28 thrilling victory at Don Lugo.

Brandon Meredith runs the SDHS offense.

Meredith is 19 of 32 for 499 yards.

He’s thrown four TD passes and one pick.

Vince Paez (12-for-295 & 2 TD’s) and Troy Grise (9-for-255 & 3 TD’s) have combined for 21 catches for 550 yards and five scores to pace the MHS receiving corps.

San Dimas’ Julian Vigil (10-for-254 & 2 TD’s) and Jeremiah Gibson Fernandez (3-for-128 & 1 TD) have been Meredith’s two favorite targets to the tune of 13 receptions for 382 yards and three TD’s.

In a ‘Captain Obvious’ statement, San Dimas and Monrovia hope to escape week five with a win and no significant injuries, because both programs open its respective league play on October 3rd.

The Wildcats will host San Marino in a Rio Hondo League showdown, and the Saints begin their quest for what they hope ends with a Valle Vista League title by welcoming West Covina to their campus.

By the Numbers:
Records: SD (3-1); M (4-0)
Points Scored: SD (149); M (178)
Points Allowed: SD (71); (74)
Passing Yards Per Game: SD (125); M (222)
Rushing Yards Per Game: SD (288); M (323)
Total Offense Per Game: SD (413); M (545)
Average Margin of Victory: SD (37-18); M (45-19)
Most Points Scored in a Game: SD (49 vs Pasadena & Burbank); M (59 vs Eagle Rock)
Most Points Allowed in a Game: SD (47 vs Bonita); M (40 vs Eagle Rock)
MaxPreps State Rankings: SD (253); M (268)
Opponents Combined Records: SD (8-10); M (7-11)
San Dimas’ Road Record: (2-0)
Monrovia’s Home Record: (2-0)
Calpreps’ Final Score Projection: Monrovia 38, San Dimas 34
Calpreps Projection for Chance of Winning: SD (40%); M (60%)

Stat Leaders:
QB’s:
Jesse Saucedo (M): 33-of-49 for 839 yards, 7 TD’s & 1 INT
Brandon Meredith (SD): 19-of-32 for 499 yards, 4 TD’s & 1 INT

RB’s:
Joshua Griffiths (M): 39-for-666 & 10 TD’s
Julian Vigil (SD): 29-for-371 & 3 TD’s
Caleb Morquecho (SD): 55-for-369 & 6 TD’s
Byron Bell (M): 35-for-273 & 3 TD’s
Tristan Fierro (SD): 32-for-238 & 1 TD
Troy Grise (M): 23-for-201 & 1 TD

Receivers:
Vince Paez (M): 12-for-295 & 2 TD’s
Troy Grise (M): 9-for-255 & 3 TD’s
Julian Vigil (SD): 10-for-254 & 2 TD’s
Jeremiah Gibson Fernandez (SD): 3-for-128 & 1 TD
DJ Young (M): 7-for-119 & 2 TD’s
Joshua Griffiths (M): 10-for-118 & 0 TD’s

San Dimas & Monrovia Results in 2024:
Week 0:
San Dimas 49, Burbank 14
Monrovia 35, Palmdale 7

Week 1:
SDHS 49, Pasadena 0
Monrovia 59, Eagle Rock 40

Week 2:
San Dimas had a bye
Monrovia 56, Glendale 0

Week 3:
Bonita 47, San Dimas 7
Monrovia 28, Don Lugo 27

Week 4:
San Dimas 44, Sunny Hills 10
Monrovia had a bye

Week 5:
San Dimas at Monrovia