TODAY’S GAMES

Northview (9-0, 4-0) at Baldwin Park (5-4, 3-1), 7 p.m.

Analysis: The Braves have been the surprise of the Valle Vista League with wins over Alta Loma, West Covina and Diamond Ranch. They beat Diamond Ranch 36-25 last week to punch their ticket to the CIF Southern Section playoffs. They overcame an 0-3 start to the season by getting healthy and with strong play from quarterback Jake Garcia. He has passed for 1,704 yards and 21 touchdowns. The Braves also average 160 yards per game on the ground. Baldwin Park might be a force in the playoffs depending on where it is placed in the playoff pairings that will be released Sunday. The Vikings have been one of the area’s most dominant teams, but in their last two games they struggled to put their opponents away. They beat Alta Loma 22-7 and pulled away late to beat struggling West Covina, 34-17. That’s not an encouraging sign with the Vikings likely headed to the Division 4 playoffs. With a chance to go 10-0, expect the Vikings to be sharper this week. The Braves can clinch a share of the Valle Vista League title with a victory, but if they can make it a competitive game, that’s a win too. It’s just not likely.

The pick: Northview

Diamond Ranch (0-9, 0-4) at San Dimas (7-2, 3-1), 7 p.m.

Analysis: The Saints will finish second in the Valle Vista League with a victory. If Baldwin Park upsets Northview, that could force a three-way share of the league title, though it’s not likely. Saints senior Julian Vigil has rushed for over 1,200 yards with 16 touchdowns, and the Saints average more than 330 yards per game on the ground. The Panthers have not won a game, but have been blown out only twice. It’s been a trying season for first-year coach Chris Williams, whose team was expected to battle for a playoff spot. But nothing has gone their way and facing the Saints is a tough way to end the season.

The pick: San Dimas

Azusa (3-6, 1-3) at Nogales (5-4, 3-1), 7 p.m.

Analysis: The Nobles have punched their ticket to the playoffs and will finish second in the Montview League with a victory. The Nobles could be a Division 13 or 14 team and one to watch in the playoffs, especially with a quarterback like Tyler Lewis. In the Nobles’ 40-6 win over Ontario, Lewis threw for 305 yards and three touchdowns, and the Nobles ran for 200 yards on the ground. The Nobles are hoping to go to the playoffs on a three-game win streak and have allowed only six points over their last two games. If their defense improves even slightly for the playoffs, they will be a tough out. The Aztecs can do no better than fourth in league. They have struggled recently and nothing points to anything changing this week.

The pick: Nogales

Sonora (5-4, 2-2) vs. Irvine (6-3, 3-1) at La Habra HS, 7 p.m.

Analysis: The Raiders sit in fourth place in the Iota League, but a victory could pull them into a three-way tie for second or possibly two-way tie for third, in which case they would have an opportunity for an automatic playoff berth depending on league tiebreaking scenarios. But winning Thursday will be no easy task. Irvine had won four straight before last week’s 49-13 loss to league-leading Troy. But the Raiders played Troy tougher, losing 35-21, and they played one of their most complete games last week, beating Canyon, 71-54. Raiders running back Anthony Abaad ran for 339 yards and four touchdowns in the win over Canyon, but the Raiders gave up a lot of points and have allowed nearly 30 points a game. With a better defensive effort and their offense humming, the Raiders could take this.

The pick: Sonora

TODAY’S OTHER GAMES

All games start at 7 p.m.

ALMONT LEAGUE

Alhambra at Keppel

CAMINO REAL LEAGUE

St. Genevieve at Bosco Tech

605 LEAGUE

Glenn at Pioneer

MONTVIEW LEAGUE

Azusa at Nogales

Sierra Vista at Ontario

VALLE VISTA LEAGUE

Alta Loma at West Covina

— Fred Robledo