Huntley’s Semifinal/Final 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 6-1 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>LA CITY SECTION</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>OPEN DIVISION</strong> <strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>EAGLE ROCK VS. GARFIELD</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eagle Rock is coming off a major come from behind upset win over top-seeded San Pedro. <strong>Tanner Erwin</strong> is a productive quarterback for the Eagles who doesn't make a lot of mistakes with a 5/1 touchdown to interception ratio. <strong>Barry Weatherspoon</strong> is one of the best receivers in the City Section. <strong>Brooklyn Pasten</strong> has well over 100 tackles to lead the defense and <strong>Jacob Bernal</strong> has 14 tackles for a loss with six sacks. Garfield's only losses this year are to Southern Section teams Cathedral and Golden Valley who are still playing in the semifinals. <strong>Damian Cornejo</strong> is one of the best running backs in the Section with nearly 10 yards per carry and 23 touchdowns.<strong> Juju Zamudio</strong> has 117 tackles and <strong>Jayden Barnes</strong> has seven interceptions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Garfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_rockfootball/status/1590955140592570371?s=20u0026t=trtpTscI-tNytwFbccLA7w","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/_rockfootball/status/1590955140592570371?s=20u0026t=trtpTscI-tNytwFbccLA7w </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>SOUTHERN SECTION</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>DIVISION 4</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>NEWPORT HARBOR VS. CYPRESS</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newport Harbor was the fourth place team in the Sunset League and won the CIF Division 6 championship last season. Much of the team from last season is back but quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='384765' first='Colton' last='Joseph'] has been an excellent addition. [player_tooltip player_id='147761' first='Josiah' last='Lamarque'] and [player_tooltip player_id='145263' first='Kashton' last='Henjum'] each had two receiving touchdowns last week. Cypress has the top dual threat junior quarterback in Orange County in <strong>Aidan Houston</strong>. [player_tooltip player_id='173344' first='Trevor' last='Monteleone'] is a very good two-way player and [player_tooltip player_id='35436' first='Matthew' last='Morrell'] causes matchup problems at receiver. The Centurions barely escaped against Millikan last week and will need its defense to continue stepping up this week. They allowed a lot of passing yards so Henjum and Lamarque may be able to find holes in the Cypress defense. This is a really fun matchup but I think Cypress is a little better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Cypress</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/562sports/status/1591309376975147009?s=20u0026t=trtpTscI-tNytwFbccLA7w","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/562sports/status/1591309376975147009?s=20u0026t=trtpTscI-tNytwFbccLA7w </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>DIVISION 3</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>CORONA DEL MAR VS. YORBA LINDA</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='145236' first='David' last='Rasor'] threw six touchdown passes for Corona del Mar against Chaparral last week. [player_tooltip player_id='383956' first='Cooper' last='Hoch'] had 141 yards receiving with two touchdowns. The Sea Kings had eight sacks and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='145264' first='Mason' last='Kubichek']</strong> had 20 tackles. Yorba Linda is a balanced offense but wants to run the ball with <strong>William Saucedo</strong>. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='270909' first='Reyn' last='Beal'] is more than capable of airing it out if the Mustangs need to play from behind. [player_tooltip player_id='270026' first='Wyatt' last='Mosier'] is the best defensive player for Yorba Linda but if Corona del Mar passes the majority of the game, it could decrease the impact Mosier has. Corona del Mar is hotter right now but I respect the coaching staff and discipline of Yorba Linda too much to pick against them until they lose.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Yorba Linda</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/RogginsHeroes/status/1592040563221880832?s=20u0026t=trtpTscI-tNytwFbccLA7w","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/RogginsHeroes/status/1592040563221880832?s=20u0026t=trtpTscI-tNytwFbccLA7w </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>DIVISION 2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>SIERRA CANYON VS. BISHOP AMAT</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a rematch of a Mission League game where Bishop Amat won 31-28 in overtime. [player_tooltip player_id='195520' first='Stacy' last='Bey'] ran the ball well in that game and came back from injury last week against Oak Hills. [player_tooltip player_id='145208' first='Delano' last='Franklin'] had nearly 100 yards receiving and can make a big play at any time. [player_tooltip player_id='282703' first='Dane' last='Dunn'] ran for 253 yards and three touchdowns for Sierra Canyon last week against Serra. [player_tooltip player_id='282739' first='Nevada' last='Miller'] led the defense with 10 tackles and two for a loss. <strong>Carnell Fergusson</strong> and <strong>Seifanga Langi</strong> had two sacks as well. Sierra Canyon's poor passing game against Serra last week scares me a bit and Amat is a tough place to play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Bishop Amat</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AmatLancer/status/1592966425098211328?s=20u0026t=trtpTscI-tNytwFbccLA7w","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/AmatLancer/status/1592966425098211328?s=20u0026t=trtpTscI-tNytwFbccLA7w </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>CHAMINADE VS. INGLEWOOD</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chaminade stumbled into the playoffs but beat San Clemente and Citrus Valley in the first two rounds. The Eagles ran for 397 yards and six touchdowns last week with [player_tooltip player_id='261749' first='Jaelon' last='Barbarin'] leading the charge. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='145138' first='Javance' last='Tupouata-Johnson'] ran the ball effectively as well. [player_tooltip player_id='261754' first='Isaiah' last='Chisom'] led the defense in tackles and [player_tooltip player_id='115429' first='Marquis' last='Gallegos'] had two interception. Inglewood has been dominant in the passing game this season with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='406636' first='Husan' last='Longstreet'] and receivers [player_tooltip player_id='261865' first='Jamari' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='115468' first='Terrell' last='Bradshaw'] Jr. They have so much talent on defense like [player_tooltip player_id='145167' first='Makhi' last='Connor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='384784' first='Justin' last='Johnson'] among others. This may be the championship season for Inglewood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Inglewood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/InglewoodSports/status/1592788098098032640?s=20u0026t=trtpTscI-tNytwFbccLA7w","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/InglewoodSports/status/1592788098098032640?s=20u0026t=trtpTscI-tNytwFbccLA7w </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>DIVISION 1</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>ST. JOHN BOSCO VS. MISSION VIEJO</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mission Viejo upset Centennial last week and has its most talented roster since 2004. [player_tooltip player_id='25441' first='Kadin' last='Semonza'] is one of the more polished quarterbacks in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='25408' first='Mikey' last='Matthews'] is the best uncommitted receiver in Southern California and [player_tooltip player_id='261722' first='Edward' last='Schultz'] has been getting open a lot lately. [player_tooltip player_id='384830' first='Michael' last='Damato'] should be back from injury this week. [player_tooltip player_id='270905' first='Treyvon' last='Tolmaire'] had a huge interception last week and [player_tooltip player_id='310030' first='Joseph' last='Libutti'] played well. Bosco crushed Orange Lutheran behind a six touchdown performance from [player_tooltip player_id='25367' first='Pierce' last='Clarkson']. [player_tooltip player_id='115464' first='Chauncey' last='Sylvester'] ran the ball well and [player_tooltip player_id='398389' first='Cameron' last='Jones'] is always dangerous. [player_tooltip player_id='115443' first='Kyngstonn' last='Viliamu-Asa'] is the best defensive player Mission Viejo will play this season and the secondary is loaded which may make things difficult for Semonza. This is a matchup nightmare for the Diablos and I think Bosco is better in the trenches with [player_tooltip player_id='261803' first='Sean' last='Haney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='25417' first='Sean' last='Na'a'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>St. John Bosco</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/johnwdavis/status/1593319016101072897?s=20u0026t=trtpTscI-tNytwFbccLA7w","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/1593319016101072897?s=20u0026t=trtpTscI-tNytwFbccLA7w </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/johnwdavis/status/1593317914941136896?s=20u0026t=trtpTscI-tNytwFbccLA7w","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/1593317914941136896?s=20u0026t=trtpTscI-tNytwFbccLA7w </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>SAN DIEGO SECTION</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>OPEN DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>CARLSBAD VS. LINCOLN</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams dominated their semifinal games and are without question the best two teams in San Diego. Alabama commit [player_tooltip player_id='115456' first='Julian' last='Sayin'] is the best quarterback in San Diego and he is connecting with receiver [player_tooltip player_id='384784' first='Justin' last='Johnson'] right now. [player_tooltip player_id='190362' first='Zack' last='Marshall'] could cause matchup problems for Lincoln and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='398452' first='Luke' last='Ferrelli']</strong> is a great defensive player. Lincoln has the best running back in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='145173' first='Roderick' last='Robinson II']. <strong>Makhi Gray</strong> is a real No. 1 receiver and BYU commit [player_tooltip player_id='261717' first='Josiah' last='Cox'] is an elite defensive back. This game will come down to which team creates an untimely turnover or who has the ball last. This is the first high school game at the new Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Carlsbad</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/SnapdragonStdm/status/1592880397188304896?s=20u0026t=trtpTscI-tNytwFbccLA7w","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/SnapdragonStdm/status/1592880397188304896?s=20u0026t=trtpTscI-tNytwFbccLA7w </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Huntley's Record:&nbsp;</strong>62-29</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Playoff Record: </strong>10-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->