Huntley’s Round 1 Playoff 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 wrapped the regular season with a 6-1 week last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SAN DIEGO SECTION</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BRAWLEY VS. RANCHO BERNARDO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a strength on strength matchup between Brawley's high-powered offense and Rancho Bernardo's excellent defense. Brawley quarterback <strong>Matthew Gutierrez</strong> has 23 touchdown passes and just six interceptions and has ran for 12 touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='723763' first='Sergio' last='Garcia'] has 793 yards receiving with 12 touchdowns. Rancho Bernardo, led by former Chargers safety <strong>Eric Weddle</strong>, is coming off a dominant win over a good Mt. Carmel team. Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1621180' first='Gaige' last='Weddle']</strong> is a dual threat QB with 11 passing touchdowns and eight rushing touchdowns. <strong>Gavin Valencia</strong> is one of the better defensive players in San Diego.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Rancho Bernardo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brawley Vs. RB at Home. 7PM | Buy tickets on GOFAN ONLY! NO tickets sold at game! <br><br>Use link: <a href="https://t.co/BMndTHYC9M">https://t.co/BMndTHYC9M</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blueinblueout?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#blueinblueout</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/letsbegreat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#letsbegreat</a> <a href="https://t.co/vwJusnBBSo">pic.twitter.com/vwJusnBBSo</a></p>&mdash; Rancho Bernardo High School Football (@RBHSFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RBHSFootball/status/1854933864868643317?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SOUTHERN SECTION</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BEAUMONT VS. SAN JUAN HILLS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is another matchip between a good Beaumont offense and a stout San Juan Hills defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1000964' first='Jeremiah' last='Duhu']</strong> has been atop the passing leaderboards all season and the Cougars run the ball well too. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1448228' first='Matthew' last='Casas']</strong> leads Beaumont's defense. San Juan Hills ran through a tough Bravo League in impressive fashion. [player_tooltip player_id='283687' first='Timmy' last='Herr'] has improved greatly from last season and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1296204' first='Elijah' last='Ayala']</strong> has improved running the ball the past few weeks. UCLA commit [player_tooltip player_id='155848' first='Weston' last='Port'] leads the defense along with <strong>Tanner Rohan</strong>, <strong>Grant Kitteredge</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='406736' first='Chris' last='Williams'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>San Juan Hills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨CIF ROUND 1 🚨 <br><br>🔵 BEAUMONT <br>🗓️ FRIDAY, NOV 8TH<br>⏰ 7PM<br>🏟️ BADLANDS<br>🎟️ GOFAN<br>📺 NFHS<br><br>LETS GO🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoBetterPlace?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NoBetterPlace</a>🐎<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BuiltAtTheBadlands?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BuiltAtTheBadlands</a>🏟️ <a href="https://t.co/FGiTRbJFfi">pic.twitter.com/FGiTRbJFfi</a></p>&mdash; SJH Football (@sjhhsfootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/sjhhsfootball/status/1854719156970832357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LEUZINGER VS. LOS ALAMITOS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These teams are ranked close together on MaxPreps. Los Alamitos quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='282704' first='Alonzo' last='Esparza'] suffered an injury last week against Mission Viejo and it is not known if he will play or not. The Griffins run the ball well with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598356' first='Lenny' last='Ibarra']</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='221860' first='Jerod' last='Terry Jr']. [player_tooltip player_id='401253' first='Ja'Myron' last='Tron Baker'] is an elite receiver and [player_tooltip player_id='1344401' first='Jackson' last='Raguse'] leads the defense. Leuzinger is led by running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598387' first='Journee' last='Tonga'] </strong>who is second in the Southern Section in rushing yards with 2016. Freshman quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='432272' first='Russell' last='Sekona'] played well last week against Lawndale and [player_tooltip player_id='401293' first='Samu' last='Moala'] is an elite defensive player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Leuzinger</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My regular season highlights! 214 Car 2,016 Rush yards, 18 Rec 324 Yards, and 29 touchdowns! BEST Oline in the nation!!⁦⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/Leuzinger_FB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Leuzinger_FB</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/BManu86?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BManu86</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/GregBiggins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GregBiggins</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/adamgorney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@adamgorney</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/recruitcoachmc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@recruitcoachmc</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/breezepreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@breezepreps</a>⁩ - <a href="https://t.co/Ehm7ypaLkU">https://t.co/Ehm7ypaLkU</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1598387' first='Journee' last='Tonga'] (@journee_tonga) <a href="https://twitter.com/journee_tonga/status/1853672283212284283?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BONITA VS. CATHEDRAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cathedral is 9-1 and coming off a tough 16-14 win over St. Paul. [player_tooltip player_id='709616' first='Jaden' last='Jefferson'] is a great dual threat quarterback who leads the team in rushing and passing. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1197535' first='Quentin' last='Hale']</strong> is a promising young receiver and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1611209' first='Faruq' last='Muhammad']</strong> leads a solid defense. Bonita is undefeated and blew through the Sierra League. <strong>Travis Lippert</strong> had a good game last week against Colony and <strong>Joseph Lara </strong>runs the ball well. Bonita's defense is led by two elite prospects in [player_tooltip player_id='282738' first='Noah' last='Mikhail'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1158475' first='Dylan' last='Robinson']. I think these teams are pretty even but Cathedral is coming off a tough, physical game and has to play another physical team in Bonita.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Bonita</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🏠<a href="https://twitter.com/AggieFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AggieFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GigEm?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GigEm</a> 👍🏼 <a href="https://t.co/3Ac930ZrI9">https://t.co/3Ac930ZrI9</a></p>&mdash; Noah Karim Mikhail 6'3” 220 lbs LB ‘25 (@noahmikhail3) <a href="https://twitter.com/noahmikhail3/status/1808214499058672099?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DAMIEN VS. SAN CLEMENTE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Damien won a tough Baseline League despite a last-minute coaching change right before the season. [player_tooltip player_id='212219' first='Isaiah' last='Arriaza'] has been hot at quarterback and [player_tooltip player_id='1382568' first='Travon' last='Garrison'] has been his most reliable receiver. [player_tooltip player_id='294308' first='Caden' last='Arellano'] leads a good defense with <strong>Declan Becher</strong>. San Clemente got a much-needed win last week against Edison. <strong>Collin Kuhl</strong> ran the ball well with three touchdowns behind an improving offensive line. [player_tooltip player_id='723866' first='Dawson' last='Martinez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1149075' first='Jack' last='Ferguson'] will both play quarterback in this game. [player_tooltip player_id='976882' first='Lee' last='Fuimaono'] and [player_tooltip player_id='820596' first='Matai' last='Tagoa'i'] lead San Clemente's defense with <strong>Riley Kelley</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149017' first='Max' last='Bollard']</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='270882' first='Max' last='Kotiranta'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>San Clemente</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our Tritons hit the road as we take on a very talented 8-2 Damien football team tonight in the first round of the CIF Playoffs <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveFryer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SteveFryer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ocvarsity?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ocvarsity</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ocvarsityguy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ocvarsityguy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/mikehuntley63?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mikehuntley63</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SGVNSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SGVNSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/II1IMZCYQw">pic.twitter.com/II1IMZCYQw</a></p>&mdash; Triton Football (@Tritonfootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tritonfootball/status/1855001994898878500?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SERVITE VS. SIERRA CANYON</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Servite is stumbling into the playoffs with four straight losses and it lost its last two games by a score of 82-8. [player_tooltip player_id='406664' first='Leo' last='Hannan'] returned at quarterback recently but is clearly still banged up. [player_tooltip player_id='723744' first='Quaid' last='Carr'] is a great running back but Servite has become one dimensional. <strong>Saxon Churchwell</strong> and <strong>Brando Mosqueda</strong> lead Servite's defense with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1197211' first='Isaiah' last='Leilua']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158489' first='Tomas' last='Cernius']</strong>. Sierra Canyon had an excellent one-point win over a great Serra team last week. [player_tooltip player_id='282687' first='Wyatt' last='Becker'] is an experienced quarterback who can make big plays down the field. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='282703' first='Dane' last='Dunn']</strong> can run the ball but Sierra Canyon's strength is its defense which features so many big names like [player_tooltip player_id='401278' first='Madden' last='Riordan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1000953' first='Ronen' last='Zamorano'], [player_tooltip player_id='1182984' first='Mikhal' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1197202' first='Richard' last='Wesley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='282739' first='Nevada' last='Miller']. Sierra Canyon is the more healthy and hotter team right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Sierra Canyon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Regular Season highlights <br>- 10 interceptions (#2 in California)<br>- 11 pbus<br>- 37 tackles<a href="https://twitter.com/GregBiggins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GregBiggins</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonHuffman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrandonHuffman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BlairAngulo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BlairAngulo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/adamgorney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@adamgorney</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ChadSimmons_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChadSimmons_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/bruce_bible?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bruce_bible</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aldo_bruce?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@aldo_bruce</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/latsondheimer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@latsondheimer</a> <a href="https://t.co/kS42WJMmBV">https://t.co/kS42WJMmBV</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='401278' first='Madden' last='Riordan'] (@maddenriordy) <a href="https://twitter.com/maddenriordy/status/1853281558331109687?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>INGLEWOOD VS. SANTA MARGARITA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Inglewood had the unfortunate task of being the 10 seed in Division 1 rather than a top seed in Division 2. The Sentinels had a fantastic season going 10-0. [player_tooltip player_id='406730' first='Kingston' last='Tisdell'] played well at quarterback last week against Culver City and <strong>Wyatt McCauley</strong> filled in nicely at quarterback when needed. [player_tooltip player_id='283693' first='Victor' last='Santino'] runs the ball well and Inglewood has good receivers in <strong>Kevin Jannett</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1158480' first='Ray' last='Gilbert'] and Andre Nickerson. Venilaitte Wolfgramm III is among the tackle leaders in the Section and [player_tooltip player_id='1158485' first='Lucien' last='Holland'] plays well on defense. Santa Margarita is finally healthy and dominated Servite last week. [player_tooltip player_id='283690' first='Trent' last='Mosley'] is back at receiver and [player_tooltip player_id='283630' first='Jonah' last='Smith'] made his season debut last week. [player_tooltip player_id='406660' first='John' last='Gazzaniga'] took advantage of the health at receiver with 185 yards on 76 percent completions. [player_tooltip player_id='283606' first='Dash' last='Fifita'] and [player_tooltip player_id='283684' first='Leki' last='Holani'] have led a stout defense as of late.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Santa Margarita</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">See you tonight Eagle community. 7pm kick off. Wear red, white and blue. 🔴⚪️🔵 <a href="https://t.co/89rr47XNaK">pic.twitter.com/89rr47XNaK</a></p>&mdash; SANTA MARGARITA Catholic High School (@SMCHSEagles) <a href="https://twitter.com/SMCHSEagles/status/1854951506510065923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HUNTLEY'S RECORD:&nbsp;</strong>56-21<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->