The Inland and Western Divisions have pretty much gone according to plan, but in the Pac-5 the lower-seeded team has won three of the last six games, including both semifinals. Here’s a look at the Top 10 as we try and make sense of the playoff madness.
No. 1 Vista Murrieta had its bad game against Norco two weeks ago. Rancho Cucamonga wasn’t so lucky. The Broncos took over a close game in the second half with superior defense and special teams. FOX Sports Southern Section MVP Su’a Cravens is a difference maker in all three phases of the game, blocking two punts against Rancho Cucamonga. Vista Murrieta will need a complete game to contain the explosive offense of No. 2 Corona Centennial, but I think they’re up to the task and will repeat as Inland Division Champs.
No. 2 Corona Centennial used a different formula to reach the finals against Upland. First-year starter Robert Webber runs the Huskies’ option-based spread offense to perfection. Centennial was able to contain Upland’s offense when it needed to and survived a perfectly-run hook and ladder to get the Highlanders back in the game. When it counted though, Centennial could get points on the board. Centennial will get its points against the Broncos, but will they be able to slow down No. 1 Vista Murrieta enough to get the win?
No. 3 Long Beach Poly has had a roller coaster of a season. On Sept. 15 the Jackrabbits were sitting at 1-3, having lost three-straight games by a combined score of 105-18. Fast forward to November, and Poly has knocked off three Pac-5 opponents, the last two coming into the game with a combined 23-0 record on the field. Poly is big and fast on defense, and their running game is the envy of teams across the Southland. Washington State-commit Gerard Hicks has been running like a man possessed and quarterback Tai Tiedemann has been doing just enough to keep defenses honest. Head coach Raul Lara deserves Coach of the Year talk for bringing this team together.
No. 4 Mater Dei survived the fog in the first half against St. Bonaventure, but the Monarch defense kept the Seraphs in a shroud of fog the entire game in a 21-0 shutout. If Poly gets bounce-back team of the year, how about Mater Dei for the bounce-back unit of the year? The Mater Dei defense gave up 42 points to Alemany just two weeks ago before shutting out St. Bonaventure last week. Quarterback Chase Forrest has turned Mater Dei into an explosive offense, mostly by targeting tight end Thomas Duarte, who makes an impact on both sides of the ball. Mater Dei contained St. Bonaventure’s big back Zachary Green, but can they do the same with the Jackrabbit running game?
No. 5 St. John Bosco got the wrong team at the wrong time in Poly. Bosco had lived dangerously several times this season, much like the undefeated Servite team of 2011. Bosco survived overtime with JSerra on Oct. 12, came from behind to beat Jordan of Utah on Sept. 29 and came back again on Notre Dame just two weeks ago, but they couldn’t muster any offense against the swarming Jackrabbit defense. Bosco is loaded for 2013, and barring any major changes in the roster, will likely open the 2013 rankings at No. 1.
No. 6 Mission Viejo had its season ended by Long Beach Poly two weeks ago. Head Coach Bob Johnson, his staff and the rest of the Diablos must have thought to themselves, “good, it wasn’t a fluke. Poly is that good.”
No. 7 St. Bonaventure literally played through the fog during the first half of its game against Mater Dei, and figuratively played in a fog during the second half. Sophomore quarterback Ricky Town proved he was human after all, making uncharacteristic mistakes throwing into coverage and looking rattled. St. Bonaventure will miss running back Zachary Green next year, but the Seraphs return plenty of talent including Town and tight end Bryce Dixon.
No. 8 Chaminade hopes to remember that other teams will hit them back when they play Serra this week. The Eagles have been on a run in which they’ve averaged 59 points over the last two months. It was following the loss to Oaks Christian that Chaminade settled on quarterback Brad Kaaya, and not coincidentally, running back Terrell Newby exploded as running lanes and opportunities became more abundant. Serra just got done shutting down the powerful running game of Lompoc, but Chaminade is a more balanced attack. Chaminade’s lack of competition in the last two months could pose a problem allowing Serra to get off to a fast start.
No. 9 Edison advanced to the Southwest Division Finals after trailing early to a good Foothill squad. Edison has a balanced attack both in scheme and personnel. Edison averages nearly the same yardage rushing and throwing, and while they don’t have a single running back with over 750 yards, they have five players with over 250. Edison plays Villa Park this week, which brings a lofty 12-1 record into the game and is fresh off knocking previously undefeated Tustin out of the playoffs. Edison beat Villa Park, 27-7, on Sept. 6.
No. 10 Upland fell in the Inland semifinals to Vista Murrieta last year, and the Scots didn’t have any better luck against the other Inland power Corona Centennial this week. Upland probably had some doubters about that 12-0 record they brought in with a less-than-stellar schedule, but Upland made believers out of Centennial with their never-quit attitude. Upland’s defense let them down against the powerful Centennial offense. The Highlanders lose a lot of talent, but they lost a lot of talent last year before going on a 12-0 run in 2012.
