Huntley’s Round 2 Picks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The playoffs are here and the games will be much more competitive and difficult to pick.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite it getting harder to pick just seven quality games to break down, I will continue previewing and making picks throughout the playoffs. I went 4-3 last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at seven of the top playoff games in Southern California this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>SAN DIEGO</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>DIVISION 1</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>LA COSTA CANYON VS. MATER DEI CATHOLIC</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>La Costa Canyon played a brutal schedule this season in the brutal Avocado League and playing two Southern Section playoff teams in nonleague. They walked through their first round matchup against Steele Canyon and quarterback <strong>Conner Annicharico</strong> had a big game. Mater Dei Catholic is the defending Division 1 champion and dominated the Metro-Mesa League after a tough nonleague slate. USD commit [player_tooltip player_id='145214' first='Dominic' last='Nankil'] has been great at quarterback with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Crusaders are loaded at receiver with [player_tooltip player_id='145192' first='Surahz' last='Buncom'] and [player_tooltip player_id='145133' first='Jeremiah' last='McClure']. [player_tooltip player_id='25375' first='Tre' last='Edwards'] leads the defense. Both teams are battle tested and this should be a close game, but I expect Mater Dei to pick up a close win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Mater Dei Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KUSIPPR/status/1586434636917313536?s=20u0026t=dYiHVQ3KCmaJ9Gi5MUIPXQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KUSIPPR/status/1586434636917313536?s=20u0026t=dYiHVQ3KCmaJ9Gi5MUIPXQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>SOUTHERN SECTION</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>DIVISION 5</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>ALEMANY VS. AQUINAS</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams want to run the ball here and Alemany has been playing without a quarterback for over a month now. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='241619' first='Paden' last='White']</strong> runs the ball well for Alemany from the quarterback position and [player_tooltip player_id='219675' first='Jeremiah' last='Claiborne'] is a 1,000 plus yard rusher. [player_tooltip player_id='145204' first='Siaosi' last='Tapaatoutai'] and [player_tooltip player_id='145258' first='Siale' last='Uluave'] lead the line and [player_tooltip player_id='281243' first='La'Mario' last='Claiborne'] is a great young defender. [player_tooltip player_id='282756' first='Jusyis' last='Solis'] is an excellent sophomore running back for Aquinas and <strong>Dre Robles</strong> is a good dual threat quarterback. This game could go either way but I think Aquinas is a bit deeper and can throw if the run doesn't work out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Aquinas</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/bandnproduction/status/1590156069174935552?s=20u0026t=dYiHVQ3KCmaJ9Gi5MUIPXQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/bandnproduction/status/1590156069174935552?s=20u0026t=dYiHVQ3KCmaJ9Gi5MUIPXQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>DIVISION 4</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>CYPRESS VS. MILLIKAN</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millikan is red hot since having to forfeit its first five games of the season. [player_tooltip player_id='115449' first='Myles' last='Jackson'] has been putting up numbers at quarterback and defenses have to pick their poison with receivers [player_tooltip player_id='115471' first='Ryan' last='Pellum'] and [player_tooltip player_id='115423' first='Jordan' last='Anderson']. The Rams ran the ball last week with running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='145190' first='Jaden' last='Hunt']</strong>. Cypress is 11-0 and it has a lot to do with junior quarterback <strong>Aidan Houston</strong>. [player_tooltip player_id='35436' first='Matthew' last='Morrell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='173344' first='Trevor' last='Monteleone'] are matchup nightmares and will be some of the more physical skill players that Millikan will face this season. Cypress is going to try to slow the game down and dictate pace while Millikan will try to speed things up. This game will come down to penalties and who makes one less mistake late in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Cypress</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/johnwdavis/status/1590784382960558081?s=20u0026t=dYiHVQ3KCmaJ9Gi5MUIPXQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/johnwdavis/status/1590784382960558081?s=20u0026t=dYiHVQ3KCmaJ9Gi5MUIPXQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>DIVISION 2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>SIERRA CANYON VS. SERRA</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two Mission League foes will play in a rematch after Sierra Canyon won the first matchup 35-21. The Sierra Canyon running back duo of [player_tooltip player_id='282703' first='Dane' last='Dunn'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='147709' first='Terrell' last='Cooks'] Jr.</strong> were excellent in the first matchup and [player_tooltip player_id='282704' first='Alonzo' last='Esparza'] managed the game well. <strong>Xavier White</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='282739' first='Nevada' last='Miller'] led the defense in that game. Sierra Canyon forced Serra to throw the ball and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='115478' first='Zacharyus' last='Williams']</strong> had a big game receiving. Serra wants to get [player_tooltip player_id='147716' first='Cincere' last='Rhaney'] to run the ball better this time around and maybe get the ball to [player_tooltip player_id='190271' first='Rodrick' last='Pleasant'] in space. The big question is can Serra beat Sierra Canyon through the air if the Trailblazers shut down the run again? Stanford commit [player_tooltip player_id='273549' first='Cameron' last='Brandt'] sure is hard to block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Sierra Canyon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/prepzone/status/1588757834770046977?s=20u0026t=dYiHVQ3KCmaJ9Gi5MUIPXQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/prepzone/status/1588757834770046977?s=20u0026t=dYiHVQ3KCmaJ9Gi5MUIPXQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>BISHOP AMAT VS. OAK HILLS</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oak Hills is 11-0 but the schedule has not been as hard as Bishop Amat's. They do hold impressive wins over Highland, Citrus Valley, Apple Valley and two wins over Saint Bonaventure. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='282696' first='Karson' last='Cox']</strong> ran the ball well in the first round matchup last week and quarterback <strong>Diego Lopez</strong> was efficient through the air. Bishop Amat scored 70 last week behind seven rushing touchdowns by [player_tooltip player_id='190351' first='Aiden' last='Ramos'], but the Oak Hills defense is much better than Murrieta Valley's. [player_tooltip player_id='147734' first='Richard' last='Munoz Jr']. is playing his best ball at quarterback right now and [player_tooltip player_id='145208' first='Delano' last='Franklin'] is a great receiver. [player_tooltip player_id='195520' first='Stacy' last='Bey'] is back from injury which is big for the Lancers. It will be near freezing at game time which may make Bishop Amat uncomfortable. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Bishop Amat</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/chriscfore/status/1590175190688108546?s=20u0026t=dYiHVQ3KCmaJ9Gi5MUIPXQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/chriscfore/status/1590175190688108546?s=20u0026t=dYiHVQ3KCmaJ9Gi5MUIPXQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>DIVISION 1</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>MISSION VIEJO VS. CENTENNIAL</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game was a blowout last season but I think Mission Viejo is better than they were a year ago and Centennial is slightly worse. <strong>Jayson Cortes</strong> is back from injury at running back to help <strong>Cornell Hatcher Jr.</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='25365' first='Izzy' last='Carter'] has been great at quarterback and [player_tooltip player_id='25368' first='Carson' last='Conklin'] is back and playing well too. [player_tooltip player_id='25434' first='Malachi' last='Riley'] is the best receiver Mission Viejo has faced since it played Long Beach Poly in week two. [player_tooltip player_id='270906' first='Samarai' last='Anderson'], [player_tooltip player_id='145196' first='Lucas' last='Conti'] and [player_tooltip player_id='145197' first='Owen' last='Chambliss'] lead the defense. Mission Viejo has an elite offense of its own with [player_tooltip player_id='25441' first='Kadin' last='Semonza'] at quarterback. [player_tooltip player_id='25408' first='Mikey' last='Matthews'], [player_tooltip player_id='190360' first='Jackson' last='Holman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='261773' first='KJ' last='Reed'] are great receivers. [player_tooltip player_id='384830' first='Michael' last='Damato'], [player_tooltip player_id='195570' first='Jack' last='Matranga'] and [player_tooltip player_id='261806' first='Jonathan' last='Becerra'] will try to stop the fast-paced Centennial offense. I think this will be closer than last year, but I don't know if the Diablos can close the gap that much.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Centennial</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/prepzone/status/1590091170486812673?s=20u0026t=dYiHVQ3KCmaJ9Gi5MUIPXQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/prepzone/status/1590091170486812673?s=20u0026t=dYiHVQ3KCmaJ9Gi5MUIPXQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>LOS ALAMITOS VS. LONG BEACH POLY</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the most anticipated matchup of the week. Los Alamitos has an elite offense led by USC commits [player_tooltip player_id='25419' first='Malachi' last='Nelson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='25398' first='Makai' last='Lemon']. [player_tooltip player_id='384703' first='Damian' last='Henderson'] has been elite at running back this year and a revelation for Los Alamitos. [player_tooltip player_id='398382' first='T.A.' last='Cunningham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='25362' first='Sinn' last='Brennan'] lead the Los Alamitos front seven. Long Beach Poly is undefeated for the first time since 2008. [player_tooltip player_id='115447' first='Darius' last='Curry'] has been mistake-free at quarterback and [player_tooltip player_id='261774' first='Devin' last='Samples'] is back from injury at running back. [player_tooltip player_id='115473' first='Jason' last='Robinson JR'] is a great receiver but Poly may have the edge on defense here. [player_tooltip player_id='184158' first='Dylan' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='261827' first='Phoenix' last='Tusa'] and [player_tooltip player_id='190357' first='Ikenasio' last='Mikaele'] can get in the backfield and cause problems for Los Alamitos. [player_tooltip player_id='144960' first='Daylen' last='Austin'] can matchup well with one of the Los Al receivers, but they are deep there with [player_tooltip player_id='145170' first='Ethan' last='O'Connor'], [player_tooltip player_id='145234' first='Gavin' last='Porch'] and [player_tooltip player_id='401253' first='Ja'Myron' last='Baker']. This game will come down to if Los Alamitos' offensive line can block Poly and if Henderson can have a big game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Los Alamitos</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Malachi/status/1588632303525580800?s=20u0026t=3xZpFU3QKK-zJeDKQ5XZ7A","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Malachi/status/1588632303525580800?s=20u0026t=3xZpFU3QKK-zJeDKQ5XZ7A </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Huntley's Record:&nbsp;</strong>56-28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Playoff Record: </strong>4-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->