Huntley's Championship Picks

<p>Each week I pick and break down seven of the top games in Southern California.</p>   <p>I struggled in the semifinals going 3-4. There are some great championship games throughout Southern California this week.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CRENSHAW VS. CARSON</strong></h2>   <p>This is the LA City Section Open Division championship game. Both defenses for these teams have been very good in the playoffs and have allowed a combined 14 points. [player_tooltip player_id='569767' first='Chris' last='Fields III'] has thrown 26 touchdowns with just three interceptions and has rushed for 1 touchdowns. <strong>Eric Myers</strong> is the leading rusher for the Colts and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1659078' first='Craig' last='Walker']</strong> has eight touchdown catches. [player_tooltip player_id='1586705' first='Xavier' last='Allen'] and <strong>Kingston Sula</strong> lead the defense and Sula has 14 sacks. Crenshaw snapped Birmingham's 55-game City Section winning streak in the semifinals. <strong>De'Andre Kirkpatrick</strong> is the standout for Crenshaw who returned 14 starters from last year's team. <strong>Danniel Flowers</strong> threw the game-winning touchdown pass to <strong>Deance Lewis</strong> against Birmingham. This could be a defensive battle, but I think Carson is a bit deeper.</p>   <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Carson</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/xrey4224/status/1992683874514776381?s=20 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>VENTURA VS. ST. PIUS X-ST. MATTHIAS</strong></h2>   <p>St. Pius won the Division 9 championship last season and is vying for the Division 6 title Saturday against Ventura. Quarterback <strong>Jassi Williams</strong> ran for 202 yards last week in its 39-6 win over Roosevelt. [player_tooltip player_id='780277' first='Demari' last='Nunley'] and <strong>Gregory Taylor</strong> lead St. Pius' defense. Nunley is also a top receiver for St. Pius along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182948' first='Jaylen' last='Stokes']</strong>. Ventura beat Agoura 28-14 in the semifinals. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1182938' first='Derek' last='Garcia'] has 33 passing touchdowns and nine rushing touchdowns. <strong>Jack Cunningham</strong> has 1,799 receiving yards with 24 touchdowns and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1621257' first='Tristan' last='Savage']</strong> has 15 rushing touchdowns. Oregon commit [player_tooltip player_id='780327' first='Tristan' last='Phillips'] leads the defense with <strong>Nathan Radwich</strong> who has 11 sacks.</p>   <p><strong>The pick: </strong>St. Pius</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/latsondheimer/status/1993391949152403868?s=20 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LA HABRA VS. SAN JACINTO</strong></h2>   <p>La Habra is quietly one of the most successful programs in the state in recent years. The Highlanders are seeking their eighth CIF championship, all under coach <strong>Frank Mazzotta</strong>. [player_tooltip player_id='1611382' first='Kevika' last='Martinez'] has averaged 148 rushing yards per game throughout the playoffs and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='765936' first='DJ' last='Mitchell'] has run for 283 yards in the playoffs with four touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1743436' first='Noah' last='Barajas']</strong> and <strong>Bobby Brooks</strong> lead the defense. San Jacinto has won its three playoff games by a combined total of six points. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1162326' first='Josue' last='Estrada']</strong> has 17 passing touchdowns this year and <strong>Jomani Ransom</strong> has been hot running the ball threw the playoffs.</p>   <p><strong>The pick: </strong>La Habra</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LHHighlanders/status/1993364282004980176?s=20 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>PACIFICA/OXNARD VS. PALOS VERDES</strong></h2>   <p>Pacifica is one of the few undefeated teams in the state and is looking to bring home its second consecutive CIF championship. [player_tooltip player_id='1197356' first='Taylor' last='Lee'] has thrown for 3,345 yards with 47 touchdowns for the Tritons this season. <strong>Anthony Jacobs Jr.</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1698887' first='Alijah' last='Royster']</strong> both have over 10 touchdown receptions and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1197369' first='Angel' last='Sepulveda']</strong> runs the ball well. [player_tooltip player_id='1197241' first='Isaiah' last='Phelps'] is one of the best defensive players in the state and Pacifica has 18 fumble recoveries. Palos Verdes won the Division 5 title last season. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='709444' first='Ryan' last='Rakowski'] had a cast on his throwing hand at the CIF championship luncheon and is doubtful to play in this game. I expect <strong>Giorgio Di Mascio</strong> to play quarterback for the Sea Kings. Palos Verdes' defense may have to carry this one and it's led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1621252' first='Weston' last='Reis']</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='1686063' first='Jalen' last='Flowers'].</p>   <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Pacifica</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TritonsFootball/status/1994288852627014004?s=20 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>GRANITE HILLS VS. LINCOLN</strong></h2>   <p>These two teams played for the Open Division title in San Diego two years ago and are now playing for the Division 1 championship. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1686191' first='Junior' last='Curtis']</strong> has been one of the best running backs in San Diego recently with an average of 315 yards per game in the playoffs. <strong>Rashad Robinson</strong> has also been excellent running the ball and had three touchdowns last week against San Marcos. [player_tooltip player_id='632310' first='Prince' last='Tavizon'] has been leading the defense with <strong>Clarence Tucker</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='780325' first='Cammeron' last='Purnell']. Granite Hills has a good offense as well with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='691923' first='Zachary' last='Benitez'] and receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992793' first='Noah' last='Walker']</strong>. The Eagles' defense isn't as strong as it has been the past two years and I expect a lot of points in this game.</p>   <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Lincoln</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/THEHIVEFB/status/1992990741459837318?s=20 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LOS ALAMITOS VS. SAN CLEMENTE</strong></h2>   <p>San Clemente beat Los Alamitos in an Alpha League game 28-9 just a few weeks ago. The Tritons are undefeated since naming <strong>Preston Beck</strong> as its starting quarterback and <strong>Carson Sloan</strong> is grinding out positive plays on the ground. <strong>Thomas Alexander</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='661909' first='Jaxson' last='Rex'] have been excellent two-way players at receiver and defensive back. Los Alamitos knocked off top-seeded Murrieta Valley last week. [player_tooltip player_id='1598356' first='Lenny' last='Ibarra'] is one of the best all-purpose players in Orange County and [player_tooltip player_id='1205414' first='Kamden' last='Tillis'] is a speedy back. [player_tooltip player_id='1686058' first='Beckham' last='Hofland'] is a big tight end who can gain big chunks of yardage over the middle. <strong>Jackson Renger</strong> is the top defensive player for Los Alamitos and he did not play in the first game. It's hard to beat good teams twice, but I really like San Clemente's defense.</p>   <p><strong>The pick: </strong>San Clemente</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/mikehuntley63/status/1993395870658969890?s=20 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CENTENNIAL VS. SANTA MARGARITA</strong></h2>   <p>These are two teams most people didn't expect to be playing for the Southern Section Division 1 championship. Centennial beat Mater Dei in the semifinals and took advantage of some injuries in Mater Dei's secondary. <strong>Dominick Catalano</strong> was very good at quarterback for the Huskies throwing big passes to <strong>Ty Plinski</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='1598329' first='Keawe' last='Browne']. [player_tooltip player_id='427500' first='Malaki' last='Davis'] is a strong running back who has a knack for finding the endzone. Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='1698870' first='Brett' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='780276' first='Therman' last='Williams'] were very good at cornerback against Mater Dei and [player_tooltip player_id='1611201' first='Jaden' last='Walk-Green'] has 10 interceptions with five defensive touchdowns. Santa Margarita's defense has carried the Eagles all season and is the best in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='1553136' first='Leki' last='Holani'] and [player_tooltip player_id='283606' first='Dash' last='Fifita'] don't miss tackles at linebacker and [player_tooltip player_id='1182920' first='Simote' last='Katoanga'] is a tough matchup off the edge. Santa Margarita star receiver [player_tooltip player_id='283690' first='Trent' last='Mosley'] did not play in the first game between these two teams and has been the biggest playmaker in the Trinity League for the last three years. The first game between these two teams went to overtime and [player_tooltip player_id='1475821' first='Adrian' last='Petero'] ran for the game-winning touchdown. For an in-depth look at <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/centennial-vs-santa-margarita-players-to-watch/">players to watch in this game, check out my story here</a>.</p>   <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Santa Margarita</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/SMCHS_Football/status/1992116734736945309?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong>HUNTLEY'S PLAYOFF RECORD: </strong>10-11</p>   <p><strong>HUNTLEY'S SEASON RECORD: </strong>60-38</p>

Each week I pick and break down seven of the top games in Southern California.