Huntley’s Championship Picks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each week I will pick the top seven games in Southern California and break them down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had a rough semifinals going 4-3 but still had a winning week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LA CITY SECTION</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SAN PEDRO VS. NARBONNE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Narbonne ended Birmingham's 48-game winning streak against City Section opponents last week in the semifinals. <strong>Jamari Ladd</strong> ran for over 130 yards with a pair of touchdowns for Narbonne and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='401257' first='Jaden' last='O'Neal'] ran for a touchdown. Two Narbonne players, including [player_tooltip player_id='406703' first='Mark' last='Iheanachor'] were ejected last week but will be allowed to play this week. <strong>Dylan Franklin</strong> had a big game running the ball for San Pedro last week in its win over Carson and <strong>Abraham Radisic</strong> had a pick-six. San Pedro was one of the teams that elected not to play Narbonne in league play this season, so Narbonne will be hungry to come out and win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Narbonne</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="in" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='401257' first='Jaden' last='O'Neal'] four-yard TD run. Narbonne 7, Birmingham 0 <a href="https://t.co/zonRNxXL4k">pic.twitter.com/zonRNxXL4k</a></p>&mdash; eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) <a href="https://twitter.com/latsondheimer/status/1860161539723895042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SAN DIEGO SECTION</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MATER DEI CATHOLIC VS. POWAY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei Catholic has won 9 consecutive games and won a defensive battle against Helix last week. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406722' first='Kartell' last='Purvis']</strong> has been very good at quarterback for the Crusaders and <strong>Isaiah Cook</strong> has been the team's top receiver. <strong>Noah Cook</strong> had six tackles for a loss against Helix and <strong>Matt Carr</strong> had a nice game. Poway won a high-scoring game over University City. <strong>Ty Hurst</strong> is Poway's quarterback and <strong>Luke Jorgensen</strong> ran the ball well against University City with four touchdowns. <strong>Oliver Vera</strong> leads the defense. Mater Dei Catholic has more recent experience in big playoff games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Mater Dei Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mater Dei Catholic 17<br>Helix 14<br>FINAL<br><br>The Crusaders are headed to the <a href="https://twitter.com/cifsds?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CIFSDS</a> Division II Championship‼️ <a href="https://t.co/uWLKwvrT0A">pic.twitter.com/uWLKwvrT0A</a></p>&mdash; Ray from SDFN (@sdfootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdfootball/status/1860204252909699314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SAN MARCOS VS. GRANITE HILLS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Granite Hills won the Open Division last season and has been rolling after its rough loss to Cathedral Catholic. [player_tooltip player_id='691923' first='Zachary' last='Benitez'] had a nice semifinal game against Carlsbad and [player_tooltip player_id='612834' first='Maxwell' last='Turner'] has been arguably the top running back in San Diego this season. <strong>Trevor Smith </strong>leads Granite Hills' defense along with <strong>Gavin Taylor</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='780314' first='Kreet' last='Makihele']</strong> puts up big numbers at quarterback for San Marcos and [player_tooltip player_id='406676' first='Jase' last='Nix'] is one of the best receivers in San Diego. [player_tooltip player_id='976895' first='Elijah' last='Bechtel'] leads San Marcos' defense with <strong>Ty Sagaser</strong> and <strong>Luke Freeling</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Granite Hills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congrats Parker Vance (Granite Hills, El Cajon).<br>SoCal Defensive Player of Week.<br>Had 8th interception of season to seal CIFSD D1 semi win vs Carlsbad. Also fumble recovery, 12 tackles. <a href="https://twitter.com/parkervance14?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@parkervance14</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HaroldAbend?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HaroldAbend</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SDPrepInsider?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SDPrepInsider</a> <a href="https://t.co/LGIAHUmXK6">https://t.co/LGIAHUmXK6</a> <a href="https://t.co/3tgbvYIV4Y">pic.twitter.com/3tgbvYIV4Y</a></p>&mdash; Cal-Hi Sports (@CalHiSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalHiSports/status/1861635202910765192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SOUTHERN SECTION</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LA SERNA VS. PALOS VERDES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='709444' first='Ryan' last='Rakowski'] led Palos Verdes to a win over Foothill last week with clutch throws down the stretch. Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1621252' first='Weston' last='Reis']</strong> has been a breakout player on Palos Verdes' defense and had eight tackles last week. <strong>Jordan Bonilla</strong> had a big game running the ball last week for La Serna against Summit and <strong>Ayden Contreras </strong>has run the ball well this season. <strong>Grady Long</strong> can make big plays at quarterback when needed and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1338371' first='Kaimana' last='Tufaga']</strong> is one of the best defensive players in the San Gabriel Valley. La Serna is the more physical team and has experience in championship games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>La Serna</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just felt like taking it to the house!! Love my brothers!!! <a href="https://t.co/ciXaqWRTK2">https://t.co/ciXaqWRTK2</a></p>&mdash; Kaimana Lafaele Tufaga (@KaimanaTufaga) <a href="https://twitter.com/KaimanaTufaga/status/1860267732077543653?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PACIFICA VS. ST. BONAVENTURE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pacifica has won six consecutive games and has ramped up the offense in the playoffs. <strong>Dominic Duran</strong> has 26 touchdowns and just eight interceptions this season and he has an excellent receiving trio in [player_tooltip player_id='282760' first='Savion' last='Taylor'], [player_tooltip player_id='723755' first='Isaiah' last='Dillon'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1698887' first='Alijah' last='Royster']</strong>. <strong>Budder Aina</strong> has an insane 155 tackles and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='352373' first='Nick' last='Lavizzo']</strong> is a defensive star for the Tritons. St. Bonaventure has won five in a row and won each playoff game comfortably. Running back <strong>Koen Glover</strong> has been the major piece of the offense. St. Bonaventure has some talented defensive players like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1645753' first='Jaden' last='Few']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1183006' first='Jeremiah' last='Barrios']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>St. Bonaventure</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am absolutely Honored to join my former teammate <a href="https://twitter.com/DelonThompson3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DelonThompson3</a> in the 2,000 yard club. I am also proud to have reached my goal of 30+ touchdowns. It would not have been possible without my O line! <br><br>Stats:<br><br>98 yards <br>2 tds<br>1 ff<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachSpears_CCP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachSpears_CCP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeGoyeneche?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeGoyeneche</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachPage805?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachPage805</a></p>&mdash; Koen Glover 3⭐️RB (@KoenGlover) <a href="https://twitter.com/KoenGlover/status/1860256076488409180?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NEWBURY PARK VS. MURRIETA VALLEY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newbury Park coach <strong>Joe Smigiel</strong> was upset with how his team played in the semifinals against Yorba Linda, but the Panthers are 13-0 with quality playoff wins. [player_tooltip player_id='282755' first='Brady' last='Smigiel'] is the best junior quarterback in the state and [player_tooltip player_id='406725' first='Shane' last='Rosenthal'] has broken a state record for receptions. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='976866' first='Drew' last='Cofield']</strong> is an excellent two-way player for Newbury Park and <strong>Balen Betancourt</strong> has been hot in the playoffs. Murrieta Valley's offense has been led by running back [player_tooltip player_id='1027779' first='Dorian' last='Hoze'] and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='282686' first='Bear' last='Bachmeier'] has added a new element to the offense since his return from injury. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Murrieta Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Top running back [player_tooltip player_id='1027779' first='Dorian' last='Hoze'] of Murrieta Valley. <a href="https://t.co/g2lzqgk59c">pic.twitter.com/g2lzqgk59c</a></p>&mdash; eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) <a href="https://twitter.com/latsondheimer/status/1861109240787579188?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ST. JOHN BOSCO VS. MATER DEI</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I wrote a more in depth "Players to Watch" story on this game which you can read here on Prep Redzone. Mater Dei dominated the first matchup between the two teams and its defense is the best I've seen at the high school level. [player_tooltip player_id='282774' first='Nasir' last='Wyatt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='212233' first='Shaun' last='Scott'] have been great pass rushers off the edge for Mater Dei. The secondary is hard to throw on with multiple elite recruits. [player_tooltip player_id='1396184' first='Maliq' last='Allen'] has ran the ball well for Bosco as of late and the offensive line is clicking at the right time. Typically, the team that wins the regular season matchup loses the rematch in the championship, but Mater Dei is simply too talented this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Mater Dei</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">👀One of the most impressive stats on Mater Dei football: +23 on turnover ratio (28 takeaways, five turnovers)<br><br>Dynamic defense, disciplined offense<a href="https://t.co/ZsNhhPTQWQ">https://t.co/ZsNhhPTQWQ</a></p>&mdash; Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) <a href="https://twitter.com/ocvarsityguy/status/1861546327810974089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HUNTLEY'S PLAYOFF RECORD: </strong>15-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HUNTLEY'S OVERALL RECORD: </strong>72-27<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->