Scott Kennedy's CIF-SS Scouting Report (9/10)
Relatively speaking, it was a quiet week in the CIF-SS as all of the Top 20 won their games, save Redlands East Valley who faced off with St. Bonaventure. Teams seem to be tuning up for league schedules, but there are more intriguing matchups on the docket this week.
No. 1 Santa Margarita had very little trouble as the Eagles steamrolled Trabuco Hills, 55-0. It doesn't look as if Santa Margarita will have much trouble this week as Carson is a glutton for punishment lining up against No. 6 Mater Dei last week, No. 1 Santa Margarita this week and No. 15 Corona Centennial the week after. Carson should provide one last tuneup before Santa Margarita's Sept. 21 showdown with No. 7 St. Bonaventure.
No. 2 Vista Murrieta wasn't exactly sure what they would get from their visitors from Alaska who had outscored their opponents, 199-9. Turns out, not much. The Broncos hung 42 on South before giving up a score en route to an easy 49-8 victory. No. 20 Redlands East Valley will provide a tougher test for Vista Murrieta, coming off a stinging loss to No. 7 St. Bonaventure.
No. 3 Mission Viejo hasn't exactly challenged itself with its non-league schedule the way St. Bonaventure has and the Diablos aren't likely to be challenged this week by La Quinta either. We'll likely have to wait until Sept. 28 and Oct. 12 when Mission Viejo gets back to back games with Redlands East Valley and San Clemente to see what the Diablos are all about this year.
No. 4 Bishop Alemany is a squad that appears a bit out of place at first glance on this list. But after rolling through a couple of bad teams from Pasadena, the Warriors did the same with a stronger JW North squad in a 54-14 route. We should get a better idea of Bishop Alemany belongs among the Southern Sections big boys when the Warriors take on one of the biggest of them all this week in No. 15 Corona Centennial. The Huskies were toppled by St. Bonaventure in Week 1, but most Husky teams get stronger as the season goes on.
No. 5 Oaks Christian has looked as impressive as any team not from Rancho Santa Margarita this year. We knew the Lions would be talented, but the transition from legendary coach Bill Redell to Jeff Woodruff has been seamless. Francis Owusu had a huge night against Venice with four touchdowns and sophomore running back Darick Holmes is becoming a go-to weapon in his own right. Chaminade should provide a good opponent for the Lions, but right now, Oaks Christian is rolling.
No. 6 Mater Dei was the beneficiary of Carson's kamikaze scheduling as the Monarchs won 48-13 in a game that wasn't really that close. Mater Dei gets a look at Santa Monica this week who is 2-0 on the season and boasts one of Southern California's most explosive athletes in Sebastian LaRue (USC).
No. 7 St. Bonaventure has the toughest early schedule in the Southern Section, and I'm not sure that's even debatable. After hanging on for a win against Corona Centennial, the Seraphs came from behind to beat a good Redlands East Valley team. This week St. Bonaventure gets a breather against Atascedero, but then it's right back in the meat-grinder with trips No. 1 Santa Margarita and No. 11 Westlake. If the Bonnies win the next three, they'll move to No. 1 on this list.
No. 8 Serra was expecting a battle against Mira Costa, and the Cavaliers got one, having to come from behind to win 27-20. The battle tested Cavs have been in three close games and are 3-0. This week offers a brief respite against Banning, but then the Cavs take on City-Section power Narbonne who just walloped Long Beach Poly, 56-0. Some of the luster of Serra's week two win over the Jack Rabbits was taken away after Poly laid down against Narbonne.
No. 9 Lompoc isn't likely to be challenged until the playoffs. That's a statement that coaches aren't willing to say, but I am. The Braves ran over, around and through Pioneer Valley in a 42-3 win and are likely to do the same the rest of the way including this week's opponent Dos Pueblos.
No. 10 Tesoro is holding on to its place in the Top 10, barely. After coming from behind to beat Hart, the Titans were rather lackluster in their victory last week over Chino Hills. Tesoro has Colony this week to try and work on work on execution, because the Titans should be able to win this game handily.