San Diego Open-Division Preview: #1 Carlsbad vs. #4 Poway 

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Previewing San Diego's Open-Division Playoff matchup between Carlsbad and Poway on Friday 11/11. Carlsbad enters the playoffs 9-1 overall with their only loss to 11-0 Inglewood early in the season. They're led by a trio of D-I playmakers in QB [player_tooltip player_id='115456' first='Julian' last='Sayin'], WR [player_tooltip player_id='384784' first='Justin' last='Johnson'], and DB [player_tooltip player_id='398432' first='Justus' last='Woods']. Poway is an undefeated 10-0 with some dominant performances from their run-heavy attack led by senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='384817' first='Conner' last='Rath']. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["115456"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PrepRedzone's #2-overall player in CA's 2024 class just committed to Alabama one week before the start of the Open Division playoffs. Sayin has continued to prove his elite-level arm talent and QB skillset in his second season as the starter for Carlsbad going 9-1 in the regular season and 6-0 in the Avocado League. He navigates the pocket extremely well and throws with accuracy at all three levels. Last season's playoff run as the 1-seed ended in a 48-19 loss to Cathedral Catholic in the Open Division championship, they'll be looking for a better outcome as the 1-seed again this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/juliansayin2/status/1587935910678523904?s=20u0026t=4JTIfaDBw-b3Mo6EdYznrw","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/juliansayin2/status/1587935910678523904?s=20u0026t=4JTIfaDBw-b3Mo6EdYznrw </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["384784"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carlsbad's top wideout committed to Fordham on 10/31. Johnson consistently produces explosive plays downfield with his ability to create separation at the top of his routes and strong hands at the catch point. He flashes downhill speed and ability to track the downfield. He's impactful in the secondary at DB showing ball-skills and anticipation in coverage. Johnson's one of Carlsbad's most impactful two-way players heading into the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JustinJohnson_4/status/1587158757909200896?s=20u0026t=4JTIfaDBw-b3Mo6EdYznrw","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/JustinJohnson_4/status/1587158757909200896?s=20u0026t=4JTIfaDBw-b3Mo6EdYznrw </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Cassius Murphy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Carlsbad","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Murphy provides a physical presence for Carlsbad's front-seven as a tenacious pass rusher and active tackler in the run game. He's explosive at the snap and excels as a disruptor behind the LOS. He shows power and technique in his pass-rush with the versatility to beat both guards and tackles. Murphy and the Carlsbad defense will look to slow down Poway's strong run game in round one.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CassiusMurphy4/status/1574065492821569537?s=20u0026t=4JTIfaDBw-b3Mo6EdYznrw","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/CassiusMurphy4/status/1574065492821569537?s=20&amp;t=4JTIfaDBw-b3Mo6EdYznrw </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["384817"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rath led Poway's offense as one of the best RBs in the area with 178 carries for over 1,600 yards and 24 TDs. He's a physical runner between the tackles that can cut to space and breakaway with speed at the second/third levels. He posted 235 rushing yards and 4 TDs in Poway's regular season finale vs. Rancho Bernardo. Rath has offers from Valparaiso, Stetson, Quincy, and Utah Tech.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/SanSpotlight/status/1584927739496132608?s=20u0026t=4JTIfaDBw-b3Mo6EdYznrw","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/SanSpotlight/status/1584927739496132608?s=20&amp;t=4JTIfaDBw-b3Mo6EdYznrw </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Brandon Myers","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Poway","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Myers leads a talented and physical front-seven on both sides of the ball for Poway. He's a versatile OL that can push interior DL off the ball at his RG spot and finishes blocks with powerful leg drive. He delivers a strong punch at the LOS and sets up with good hand placement. Poway's success against Carlsbad will largely depend on their ability to control the LOS and be effective in the run game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>More Players to Watch:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='398452' first='Luke' last='Ferrelli']</strong>- LB, Carlsbad, 2024&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Jacob Sisson</strong>- DL, Carlsbad, 2023&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='398432' first='Justus' last='Woods']</strong>- DB, Carlsbad, 2024</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Nico Arboit</strong>- ATH, Carlsbad, 2023&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Payton Spratt</strong>- DB, Poway, 2023&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='273587' first='David' last='Clifford']</strong>- OL, Poway, 2024&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='351251' first='Brady' last='Tremble']</strong>- DL, Poway, 2023</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Luke Gonzalez- </strong>ATH, Poway, 2023</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->