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No. 1 Vista Murrieta finally played a team that didn't shudder at the sight of the mighty Broncos. Norco stood toe to toe with the Broncos and while they didn't flinch, Vista Murrieta needed a game like last week's. The Broncos were turnover and mistake prone, but they are a good enough team to win when they're not at their best. Vista Murrieta will need to be better this week, because if they turn the ball over against Rancho Cucamonga the way they did against Norco, the Cougars have the athletes on defense to turn an interception into six points the other way.
No. 2 St. Bonaventure needed overtime, but the Seraphs avenged an earlier loss to Santa Margarita. That loss was quarterback Johnny Stanton's last game and the first two rounds have done nothing to change the notion that Santa Margarita would be the Pac-5 favorite if fully healthy. But injuries are part of the game and St. Bonaventure took care of business behind a stellar senior running back in Zachary Green and a poised sophomore quarterback in Ricky Town. Next up is a suddenly potent Mater Dei squad who has its own questions on defense.
No. 3 St. John Bosco survived one of the hottest teams in the Southern Section and their comeback win over Notre Dame epitomized the Braves' season. Bosco has overcome a lot of adversity this year including a forfeiture of their first four games. After leading 10-0 at halftime, Bosco watched Notre Dame pull its weekly second-half magic act and take a 17-10 lead. A fast, hard hitting defense made the plays when it needed to and Bosco came back to win, 24-17. The Braves dispatched of one hot team, but here come the Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits fresh off sending Mission Viejo home.
No. 4 Corona Centennial has hit its stride on offense scoring 70 in two of its last three games. Murrieta Valley brought a 10-1 record into its game with the Huskies, but they were blown out. For those of you keeping score at home, the score differential in Valley's two losses was -28 to Vista Murrieta and -35 to Corona Centennial. What can we learn from those scores? Probably only that Vista Murrieta and Corona Centennial were by far the best two teams on Murrieta Valley's schedule. Up next for Corona Centennial is an Upland team that can play a little defense.
No. 5 Upland needed to shut down Craig Lee to advance past Redlands and into the Inland Division Semi-Finals. They did what they needed to do and held Redlands to just 14 points. The big question this week is if the Scots have enough firepower to keep up with Centennial should their defense not be able to keep the Huskies in the teens, which they likely won't.
No. 6 Mission Viejo can't say that Long Beach Poly snuck up on them, not after Poly's convincing first round win over Bishop Amat. The Diablos found out that Poly's size and speed are all heading in the same direction in November after being MIA in September. Mission Viejo has a lot to look forward to next year, especially on offense should quarterback Ian Fieber, running back Alex Suchesk and receiver Sean Modster all continue to progress along with any talented transfers that annually make their way to coach Bob Johnson's squad.
No. 7 Mater Dei had an epic battle with Alemany last week. A Monarch team that had relied so heavily on its defense most of the season has suddenly switched roles and is putting up and giving up points in droves. Tight end Thomas Duarte is a mismatch on every play and new quarterback Chase Forrest has found him for five touchdowns in the first two rounds already. The Monarchs are going to have to shore up its defense which gave up 42 to Alemany last week if they're going to knock off the Pac-5's No. 1 seed St. Bonaventure.
No. 8 Chaminade isn't going to be challenged in the Western Division until it meets either Lompoc or Serra in the Finals. Morro Bay wasn't up to the challenge as the Eagles put 61 on the board. FOX Sports Next's Southern Section Offensive Player of the Year Terrell Newby continues to put up Techmo Bowl numbers with another four touchdowns in a little over two quarters of work. He should be done in the third quarter this week as well against an outmatched Cathedral team who Chaminade beat 62-26 on Nov. 2.
No. 9 Edison continues to roll through the Southwest Division with a 52-14 win over Valencia. The Chargers are a balanced team that put points on the board rushing, passing, and on defense in its win. A 10-2 Foothill team, which played its way into the Semi-Finals with wins over Laguna Hills and a good La Habra squad, is up next.
No. 10 Lompoc is one of three elite teams in the Western Division - Chaminade and Serra being the other two. This week the Western Division finally gets compelling as Lompoc squares off with Serra in the semifinals. Lompoc rides a powerful running game including Washington Husky commit Lavon Coleman to victories. The key to knocking off Serra and earning a date with Chaminade will be to control the ball and play its best game on defense. Lompoc hasn't faced an opponent as fast as Serra all season. How quickly the Braves adjust to the speed of the game will determine the outcome.
