Huntley’s Semifinal and Final Playoff Picks
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YORBA LINDA VS. CORONA DEL MAR This is a rematch of the Southern Section Division 3 championship game from last season. Yorba Linda lost a lot of talent from that team but is heating up at the right time. Holden…
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Continue ReadingYORBA LINDA VS. CORONA DEL MAR
This is a rematch of the Southern Section Division 3 championship game from last season. Yorba Linda lost a lot of talent from that team but is heating up at the right time. Holden Nagin Holden Nagin 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Yorba Linda | 2025 State CA has been sharp at quarterback for the playoffs and Dylan Gardner Dylan Gardner 6'0" | 190 lbs | WR Yorba Linda | 2024 CA is as reliable a target as ever. Jason Escovar and Chase Jones can also make big plays on offense. Corona del Mar is led by Boise State commit Kaleb Annett Kaleb Annett 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Corona Del Mar | 2024 CA at quarterback. Christian Brooks may be the best defensive player in this game and Colin Pene Colin Pene 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Corona Del Mar | 2024 CA can make plays in all three phases of the game.
The pick: Yorba Linda
CARSON VS. BIRMINGHAM
Birmingham has won three consecutive City Section Open Division championships and knocked off Narbonne last week. Peyton Waters Peyton Waters 6'2" | 170 lbs | ATH Birmingham | 2024 State CA had a big game receiving and Ronnell Hewitt Ronnell Hewitt 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB Birmingham | 2026 State CA is a dominant sophomore running back. Carson is having a fantastic season led by running back Jerry Misaalefua. Kameryn Hurst is also nearly a 1,000-yard rusher for the Colts and freshman Troy Taulua Troy Taulua 5'10" | 165 lbs | DB Carson | 2027 State CA is an impact player on defense.
MISSION VIEJO VS. MURRIETA VALLEY
Murrieta Valley had a controversial one-point win over Rancho Cucamonga in the second round. Dorian Hoze Dorian Hoze 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Murrieta Valley | 2025 CA ran for over 100 yards with a touchdown and quarterback Bear Bachmeier Bear Bachmeier 6'2" | 225 lbs | QB Murrieta Valley | 2025 State CA ran for a touchdown. Asa Chatman had two touchdowns. Mission Viejo cruised in its win over Oaks Christian. Jaden Williams Jaden Williams 6'4" | 240 lbs | DL Mission Viejo | 2025 State CA had four sacks with eight hurries. Trey Tolmaire Trey Tolmaire 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Mission Viejo | 2024 State CA had two interceptions and Vance Spafford Vance Spafford 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Mission Viejo | 2026 State CA blocked a crucial field goal. Mission Viejo lost to San Clemente this season and Murrieta Valley beat San Clemente.
The pick: Mission Viejo
SERRA VS. SERVITE
Serra beat a very good Los Alamitos team 38-28 in the second round of the Division 2 playoffs last week. Cincere Rhaney Cincere Rhaney 5'11" | 210 lbs | RB Serra | 2024 State CA ran for 212 yards with three touchdowns. Jimmy Butler threw for 240 yards with two touchdowns. Khary Wilder Khary Wilder 6'3" | 230 lbs | LB Serra | 2026 State CA led the defense with four sacks. Quaid Carr Quaid Carr 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Servite | 2025 State CA had a big running game for Servite in its win over Long Beach Poly last week and Gavin Gutierrez had two rushing touchdowns. Tristin Ordaz led the defense and Justin De La Rosa had a big interception. I am breaking my rule here of picking against a Trinity League team in a Division lower than one.
The pick: Serra
GRANITE HILLS VS. LINCOLN
Lincoln is the defending Open Division champion in San Diego and will defend its title against Granite Hills. Aden Jackson had three rushing touchdowns for Lincoln in its semifinal win over Helix. Akili Smith Jr. Akili Smith Jr. 6'5" | 200 lbs | QB Lincoln | 2025 State CA overcame an interception and threw for over 260 yards. Granite Hills upset Carlsbad in the semifinals and Nokoi Maddox Nokoi Maddox 6'0" | 200 lbs | DB Granite Hills | 2024 State CA was the only player to have an interception against Carlsbad this season. Defensive end Damarrion White Damarrion White 6'4" | 215 lbs | LB Granite Hills | 2024 State CA is the leader of the Granite Hills defense and Zachary Benitez Zachary Benitez 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Granite Hills | 2027 State CA is a quality freshman quarterback.
The pick: Lincoln
CENTENNIAL VS. ST. JOHN BOSCO
Both teams had strong running games in their first round playoff wins. Cornell Hatcher Cornell Hatcher 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB Centennial | 2024 State CA ran for 190 yards with five touchdowns in Centennial’s first round win over Orange Lutheran. Husan Longstreet Husan Longstreet 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Centennial | 2025 State CA also had a big game passing with 311 yards and three touchdowns. Chauncey Sylvester Chauncey Sylvester 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB St. John Bosco | 2024 State CA was dominant running the ball for Bosco in its win over San Clemente. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa 6'3" | 225 lbs | LB St. John Bosco | 2024 State CA led the defense and Tamal Johnson Tamal Johnson 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB St. John Bosco | 2024 State CA had a big game in the secondary. This game may come down to who turns over the ball less frequently. Tayten Beyer Tayten Beyer 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Corona Centennial | 2024 State CA (Centennial) and Marcelles Williams Marcelles Williams 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB St. John Bosco | 2024 State CA (Bosco) are two elite defensive backs that can intercept passes at any time.
The pick: St. John Bosco
SIERRA CANYON VS. MATER DEI
Sierra Canyon is undefeated for the first time since 2016 and can give Mater Dei a run for its money. Dane Dunn Dane Dunn 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Sierra Canyon | 2025 State CA and Terrell Cooks Terrell Cooks 5'9" | 160 lbs | RB Sierra Canyon | 2024 State CA Jr. were excellent in the running game in the Trailblazers first round win over Santa Margarita. Quarterback Wyatt Becker Wyatt Becker 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB Sierra Canyon | 2025 State CA committed to Utah this week. Marquis Gallegos Marquis Gallegos 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Sierra Canyon | 2024 State CA and Madden Riordan Madden Riordan 5'11" | 160 lbs | DB Sierra Canyon | 2026 State CA each had interceptions in the win and Ruben Gamboa Ruben Gamboa 5'11" | 185 lbs | DB Sierra Canyon | 2024 State CA led the team in tackles. Ajon Bryant Ajon Bryant 5'7" | 160 lbs | RB Mater Dei | 2024 State CA had three rushing touchdowns for Mater Dei and Elijah Brown Elijah Brown 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Narbonne | 2024 State CA threw two touchdown passes in Mater Dei’s first round win over JSerra. Zabien Brown Zabien Brown 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Mater Dei | 2024 State CA had a late interception. Sierra Canyon could be standing in the way of a seventh consecutive Division 1 final between Mater Dei and St. John Bosco.
The pick: Mater Dei
Huntley’s Playoff Record: 12-2
Overall record: 65-26