Huntley’s Round 2 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 had a strong round one going 6-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LA CITY SECTION</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NORTH HOLLYWOOD VS. PALISADES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Palisades survived a late rally by South East last week. <strong>Jack Thomas</strong> threw four touchdown asses for the Dolphins and <strong>Max Hejazi </strong>had three touchdown catches. North Hollywood is undefeated and runs a variation of a WIng-T offense. <strong>Omar Muhammed</strong> leads North Hollywood in rushing with 1929 yards and 25 touchdowns. <strong>Jagger Belson</strong> also has 19 rushing touchdowns and the team averages 396 yards per game on the ground. This game is a fun contrast of styles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>North Hollywood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SAN DIEGO SECTION</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC VS. LA COSTA CANYON</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Open Division game features two of the best quarterbacks in San Diego in [player_tooltip player_id='1000878' first='Brady' last='Palmer'] (Cathedral Catholic) and [player_tooltip player_id='401286' first='Quinn' last='Roth'] (LCC). Cathedral's only California loss was to Lincoln but has blown out five of its last six opponents. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1084696' first='Hunter' last='Harrington']</strong> is the top receiver for the Dons and <strong>Jake Funderburg</strong> can run the ball well. [player_tooltip player_id='780269' first='Bronx' last='Letuligasenoa'], [player_tooltip player_id='1344387' first='Sidney' last='Dupuy'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1338410' first='Luke' last='Westfall']</strong> can all get into the backfield and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1362381' first='Josh' last='Faraimo']</strong> is a strong defender. [player_tooltip player_id='1197204' first='Honor' last='Faalave'] is a great athlete who was a MVP of the National Preps Showcase. La Costa Canyon is undefeated this season with Roth and running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598369' first='Coby' last='Herman']</strong>.<strong> Tanner Doyle</strong> leads the defense and the Mavericks have forced 16 turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Cathedral Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SOUTHERN SECTION</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MURRIETA VALLEY VS. LOS ALAMITOS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Los Alamitos had a standout round one win over a good Leuzinger team. [player_tooltip player_id='282704' first='Alonzo' last='Esparza'], who got injured in week 10 against Mission Viejo, played well with two touchdown passes and [player_tooltip player_id='221860' first='Jerod' last='Terry Jr']. ran for nearly 150 yards with three touchdowns. Murrieta Valley won a high-scoring game over Rancho Cucamonga and [player_tooltip player_id='1027779' first='Dorian' last='Hoze'] had five touchdown runs. [player_tooltip player_id='282686' first='Bear' last='Bachmeier'] threw for 188 yards with a touchdown and a touchdown run. Murrieta Valley's defense can give up yardage but also force turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Murrieta Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/6YJ6FW7tNx">pic.twitter.com/6YJ6FW7tNx</a></p>&mdash; NIGHTHAWK FOOTBALL (@MVNighthawkFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MVNighthawkFB/status/1857116410985734308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MAYFAIR VS. PALOS VERDES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Palos Verdes won an overtime game against a previously undefeated Brea Olinda team in round one. [player_tooltip player_id='709444' first='Ryan' last='Rakowski'] is a dual threat quarterback who can make big plays. Palos Verdes' defense is very good and freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1621252' first='Weston' last='Reis']</strong> has had a breakout season. Mayfair won a high-scoring game over Trabuco Hills last week. [player_tooltip player_id='723758' first='Jeremiah' last='Calvin'] threw for 242 yards with three touchdowns and <strong>Louis Johnson</strong> ran for 195 yards with a score. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1000938' first='Chaz' last='Gilbreath']</strong> had 156 yards receiving with a touchdown and is a big time playmaker. Mayfair won a CIF championship in a lower division last season. This will be a rare night game played at Palos Verdes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Palos Verdes</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In 🏈🏈news, Palos Verdes AD confirmed in a text with <a href="https://twitter.com/DamianCalhoun?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DamianCalhoun</a> &amp; I that <a href="https://twitter.com/CIFSS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CIFSS</a> has approved a night game at PV HIGH. <br><br>For the first time in the program's history, PV will HOST a CIF playoff game! <a href="https://twitter.com/SeaKingFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SeaKingFootball</a> v Mayfair. Friday at 7. Under the lights 👀👀 <a href="https://twitter.com/GoSeaKings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GoSeaKings</a></p>&mdash; Nick Ingram (@NickIngram310) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickIngram310/status/1856550889936564447?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CREAN LUTHERAN VS. LOYOLA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crean Lutheran had what I consider an upset win over Millikan in round one. [player_tooltip player_id='282721' first='Carter' last='Jones'] led Crean's excellent defense effort along with <strong>Mason McCullough</strong>. [player_tooltip player_id='780464' first='Dillon' last='Booth'] can make plays on offense for the Saints along with <strong>Eli Bray</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='1197522' first='Caleb' last='Bey']. Loyola had a dominant second half in a big win over Tustin. [player_tooltip player_id='212212' first='Ashton' last='Pannell'] is an efficient quarterback and [player_tooltip player_id='780469' first='Markus' last='Kier'] is one of the best receivers in this division. [player_tooltip player_id='780472' first='Sean' last='Morris'] II struggled against Tustin but has had huge games this season at running back. <strong>Henry Casani</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401234' first='Daequan' last='Jeffes']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1362377' first='Max' last='Meier']</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1158474' first='Scott' last='Taylor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='401223' first='Brandon' last='Lockhart'] make up a very good Loyola defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Loyola</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Chasing the process, not the end goal! <a href="https://twitter.com/Markus_Kier8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Markus_Kier8</a> <a href="https://t.co/TIVQcMAZhX">pic.twitter.com/TIVQcMAZhX</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='212212' first='Ashton' last='Pannell'] (@pannell_ashton) <a href="https://twitter.com/pannell_ashton/status/1856378657897623947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>JSERRA VS. ORANGE LUTHERAN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams played earlier this season and Orange Lutheran grinded out a 23-17 win. [player_tooltip player_id='282728' first='TJ' last='Lateef'] threw for 190 yards with two touchdowns for Orange Lutheran in that game and [player_tooltip player_id='282694' first='Steve' last='Chavez'] ran for 105 yards and a score. The Lancers' defense was constantly in the backfield and had six sacks with [player_tooltip player_id='780311' first='Auma' last='Jennings'], [player_tooltip player_id='958763' first='Marcus' last='Fakatou'] and [player_tooltip player_id='723736' first='Jireh' last='Moe']. [player_tooltip player_id='1284693' first='Ryan' last='Hopkins'] threw two touchdown passes for JSerra and [player_tooltip player_id='1182920' first='Simote' last='Katoanga'] had a sack. Orange Lutheran has a slight edge in the trenches and I think that can carry the Lancers to a playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Orange Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congratulations to [player_tooltip player_id='780311' first='Auma' last='Jennings'] on being selected as our Defensive Player of the Game for Week 10.<a href="https://twitter.com/OLu_Athletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OLu_Athletics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/auma_jennings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@auma_jennings</a> <a href="https://t.co/ggxjFHLDco">pic.twitter.com/ggxjFHLDco</a></p>&mdash; OLu Football (@OLuFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/OLuFootball/status/1853835745980535149?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CENTENNIAL VS. MISSION VIEJO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are the top public schools in the state and they have playoff history against each other. Mission Viejo makes the two quarterback system work with [player_tooltip player_id='406731' first='Draiden' last='Trudeau'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1000890' first='Luke' last='Fahey']. <strong>Hinesward Lilomaiava</strong> runs the ball hard and the Diablos have playmaking receivers in [player_tooltip player_id='282688' first='Phillip' last='Bell'], [player_tooltip player_id='283692' first='Vance' last='Spafford'] and <strong>Cash Semonza</strong>. The skill players on Mission Viejo's defense: [player_tooltip player_id='723683' first='Dijon' last='Lee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='283628' first='Jeron' last='Jones'], are elite along with pass rusher [player_tooltip player_id='841044' first='Jaden' last='Williams']. <strong>Dominick Catalano</strong> has filled in nicely at quarterback for Centennial in the absence of [player_tooltip player_id='406636' first='Husan' last='Longstreet']. [player_tooltip player_id='401280' first='Malachi' last='Roby'] had three rushing touchdowns in Centennial's last game against Chaparral. <strong>Cory Butler </strong>has been a top receiver for the Huskies and [player_tooltip player_id='406661' first='Noah' last='Westbrook'] makes big plays. Centennial's secondary, led by [player_tooltip player_id='780276' first='Therman' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1161242' first='Cade' last='Paterson'], is solid enough to hang with Mission Viejo's receivers. This is the best game of the week and neither outcome would surprise me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Mission Viejo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final: Mission Viejo 49, Edison 24<br><br>Mission Viejo clinches at least a share of the Alpha League championship. 114 rushing yards and 3TDs for Hinesward Lilomaiava. Diablos are 9-0 <a href="https://twitter.com/SoCalVarsity?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@socalvarsity</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveFryer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@stevefryer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/latsondheimer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@latsondheimer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Tarek_Fattal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tarek_Fattal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ocvarsityguy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ocvarsityguy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/missionfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@missionfootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/BptBUfNJen">pic.twitter.com/BptBUfNJen</a></p>&mdash; Michael Huntley (@mikehuntley63) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikehuntley63/status/1850032932959768712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HUNTLEY'S PLAYOFF RECORD: </strong>6-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HUNTLEY'S OVERALL RECORD: </strong>62-22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->