Huntley’s Round 2 Playoff Picks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each week I pick and break down seven of the top games in Southern California.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was alright last week going 4-3 but competitive equity has made predicting playoff games harder than ever.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CATHEDRAL VS. LA HABRA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>La Habra dominated in the run game last week against El Modena. [player_tooltip player_id='1611382' first='Kevika' last='Martinez'] ran for 142 yards with two touchdowns and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='765936' first='DJ' last='Mitchell'] ran for 92 yards with two scores. <strong>Bobby Brooks</strong> had three interceptions for La Habra and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1743436' first='Noah' last='Barajas']</strong> led the team in tackles. [player_tooltip player_id='709616' first='Jaden' last='Jefferson'] had a huge game for Cathedral in its first round win over Western with 310 passing yards with two touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns. <strong>Glenn Carrera III</strong> had 163 yards receiving with a touchdown and [player_tooltip player_id='1382553' first='Kayden' last='Brooks'] had two interceptions. Cathedral had six sacks against Western and may be chasing Mitchell around the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>La Habra</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/s5XJiWSr0f">pic.twitter.com/s5XJiWSr0f</a></p>&mdash; Coach Mazzotta LH FB (@LHHighlanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/LHHighlanders/status/1988393772800237716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MURRIETA VALLEY VS. RANCHO CUCAMONGA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Murrieta Valley was missing its star running back last week but still cruised to a win over Corona del Mar. The Nighthawks ran for 308 yards with <strong>Jacob Taddi</strong> leading the way with 141 yards. [player_tooltip player_id='1717673' first='Ty' last='Isaia'] threw four touchdown passes and ran for a score and <strong>Kayden Borden</strong> had three touchdown receptions. <strong>Makhi Criss</strong> had two interceptions and <strong>Gabriel Lomeli </strong>added one. Rancho Cucamonga dominated Tustin in round one. Fresno State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1000930' first='Jacob' last='Chambers'] threw for 194 yards with three touchdowns and ran for another. The Cougars held Tustin to 86 yards of total offense. Murrieta Valley beat Rancho Cucamonga 28-26 in the season-opener. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Rancho Cucamonga</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">DEEP IN MY HEART <a href="https://t.co/sZwVh2AYPC">https://t.co/sZwVh2AYPC</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1000930' first='Jacob' last='Chambers'] (@jacobchambers__) <a href="https://twitter.com/jacobchambers__/status/1984840271541256449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SAN JUAN HILLS VS. LOS ALAMITOS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>San Juan Hills beat Downey last week on a walk-off field goal. [player_tooltip player_id='283687' first='Timmy' last='Herr'] overcame two interceptions and threw three touchdown passes. [player_tooltip player_id='1639259' first='Luke' last='Frith'] is a big playmaker on both sides of the ball and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1858610' first='Ryan' last='Matheson']</strong> had a big day receiving. <strong>Jacob Mullen</strong> led the defense and [player_tooltip player_id='1149003' first='Cooper' last='Javorsky'] has been taking more reps on the defensive line after some key linemen were ruled ineligible. Los Alamitos rallied in the second half to beat Yorba Linda in the first round. [player_tooltip player_id='1598356' first='Lenny' last='Ibarra'] had two touchdowns in the second half and had an interception with 9 seconds left to seal the game. [player_tooltip player_id='1205414' first='Kamden' last='Tillis'] ran the ball well and <strong>Jackson Renger</strong> had a big sack. I think the rain plays a big factor in this game and Los Alamitos runs the ball a little better than San Juan Hills does. But Herr is capable of making plays with his legs and I like San Juan Hills' defense a bit better.</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">2sec remaining<br>Down 25-27<br>Walk-off Game Winning FG!<br>Thank you to our San Juan Hills coaches and my teammates for getting us in position and believing in me. <a href="https://twitter.com/sjhhsfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sjhhsfootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FrithRobert?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FrithRobert</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/8nicknovak?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@8nicknovak</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/3hep?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@3hep</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Chris_Sailer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Chris_Sailer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CSKRECRUITING?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CSKRECRUITING</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/latsondheimer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@latsondheimer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/mikehuntley63?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mikehuntley63</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveFryer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SteveFryer</a>… <a href="https://t.co/GtZq5Yfk9d">pic.twitter.com/GtZq5Yfk9d</a></p>&mdash; Kyle Donahue - 4.5 ⭐️ Kicker (@KyleDonahue2026) <a href="https://twitter.com/KyleDonahue2026/status/1987243444121842059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CARLSBAD VS. LA COSTA CANYON</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is an Open Division game in San Diego and La Costa Canyon dominated Carlsbad 50-22 when they played recently. [player_tooltip player_id='401286' first='Quinn' last='Roth'] threw for 240 yards with two touchdowns in that game and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598369' first='Coby' last='Herman']</strong> ran for 170 yards with three touchdowns. La Costa Canyon had three interceptions against Carlsbad including one by <strong>Ford Mitchell</strong>. [player_tooltip player_id='401244' first='Eli' last='MacNeal'] has been very good this season with the exception of that game and <strong>Kai Brown</strong> runs the ball well. [player_tooltip player_id='1611338' first='Travis' last='Jeffrey'] is a good two-way player and <strong>Chase Harris</strong> leads the team in tackles. I think this game will be closer than the last one, but it's a big gap to overcome and La Costa Canyon is a tough place to play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>La Costa Canyon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2026 QB 6'4 185 <br><br>LCC Mavericks 9-1 <br>CA State Ranking 10th <br><br>2007 Yards • 67% Comp • 27 Pass TDs • 1 Rush • 3ints <br><br>3 year starter. <a href="https://t.co/amMo3iqRds">pic.twitter.com/amMo3iqRds</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='401286' first='Quinn' last='Roth'] (@quinnroth18) <a href="https://twitter.com/quinnroth18/status/1985915720006525432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC VS. MISSION HILLS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is another Open Division game in San Diego. [player_tooltip player_id='1000878' first='Brady' last='Palmer'] came back from injury recently for Cathedral Catholic and was dominant in a win over University City. [player_tooltip player_id='1197204' first='Honor' last='Faalave'] is the Player of the Year in San Diego and has 18 touchdowns on offense. <strong>Isaac Cook</strong> is the top receiver for the Dons and [player_tooltip player_id='1308108' first='Chase' last='Deniz'] leads the offensive line. [player_tooltip player_id='780269' first='Bronx' last='Letuligasenoa'] gets into the backfield regularly and can block kicks. Mission Hills is led by former Penn State commit [player_tooltip player_id='401299' first='Troy' last='Huhn'] at quarterback who has been excellent this season. <strong>Josh Gonzales</strong> is his top target. These teams are incredible evenly-matched but I think Faalave will be the best player on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The pick: </strong>Cathedral Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Playoff time!! Lord, protect us. <a href="https://t.co/SJoXBfzdxY">pic.twitter.com/SJoXBfzdxY</a></p>&mdash; Honor Fa'alave Johnson (@HonorFaalave) <a href="https://twitter.com/HonorFaalave/status/1988835538309206232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MISSION VIEJO VS. MATER DEI</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams have a case to be the best two teams in Orange County. Mater Dei is coming off its best performance of the season in a win over St. John Bosco. [player_tooltip player_id='1284693' first='Ryan' last='Hopkins'] threw for 295 yards with five touchdown passes. [player_tooltip player_id='284103' first='Chris' last='Henry Jr']. had 213 yards receiving on five catches with two touchdowns and [player_tooltip player_id='401273' first='Kayden' last='Dixon-Wyatt'] had three touchdown catches. [player_tooltip player_id='401232' first='Cory' last='Lavender'] had two big interceptions and Dailon Clanton led the defense in tackles. [player_tooltip player_id='1000890' first='Luke' last='Fahey'] threw for a school-record 569 yards in Mission Viejo's last game and [player_tooltip player_id='1197564' first='Jack' last='Junker'] had a huge game receiving. Mission Viejo is banged up on defense and its two best defensive players: [player_tooltip player_id='1614528' first='JD' last='Hill'] and [player_tooltip player_id='283628' first='Jeron' last='Jones'], may be unavailable. The Diablos missing their top cornerback against this Mater Dei receiving corps is a tough break.</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">Five-Star Ohio State WR commit [player_tooltip player_id='284103' first='Chris' last='Henry Jr']. went OFF last night against the #1 ranked team in the country 😤<br>- 5 Catches <br>- 213 Yards <br>- 2 TDs <br>📸 Legendarysportsmedia (Instagram) <a href="https://t.co/5g4xT7XIIz">pic.twitter.com/5g4xT7XIIz</a></p>&mdash; Swish (@swishxvibes) <a href="https://twitter.com/swishxvibes/status/1984589269202321795?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SANTA MARGARITA VS. SIERRA CANYON</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are two of the top defenses in the state. Sierra Canyon has allowed just 4.3 points per game and nobody has scored more than 14 points against them. [player_tooltip player_id='1000953' first='Ronen' last='Zamorano'] leads the team in tackles and the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1197202' first='Richard' last='Wesley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1182984' first='Mikhal' last='Johnson'] and <strong>Jonah Nadley</strong> can get into the backfield. Wesley is a defensive player of the year candidate and also has five interceptions. [player_tooltip player_id='1182944' first='Laird' last='Finkel'] averages 221 yards per game with 19 touchdown passes and [player_tooltip player_id='584471' first='Jaxsen' last='Stokes'] has 12 rushing touchdowns. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1553136' first='Leki' last='Holani'] and [player_tooltip player_id='283606' first='Dash' last='Fifita'] lead Santa Margarita in tackles. [player_tooltip player_id='1705993' first='Trace' last='Johnson'] can move the ball down the field for Santa Margarita's offense but has just 10 touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='668822' first='Jaion' last='Smith'] is the leading rusher and [player_tooltip player_id='283690' first='Trent' last='Mosley'] is one of the top playmakers in school-history. </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">Last night we completed a 10-0 regular season. Grateful to my teammates, and our coaches for putting us in position to be successful. I was 12-16, 173 yards, 3 TDs in the 1st half. <a href="https://t.co/ALKQSIDryq">https://t.co/ALKQSIDryq</a><a href="https://twitter.com/SierraCanyonFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SierraCanyonFB</a> <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/bruce_bible?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bruce_bible</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Tarek_Fattal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tarek_Fattal</a>…</p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1182944' first='Laird' last='Finkel'] (@laird_finkel) <a href="https://twitter.com/laird_finkel/status/1984756162806628609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HUNTLEY'S PLAYOFF RECORD: </strong>4-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HUNTLEY'S SEASON RECORD: </strong>54-30</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->