The Playoffs have arrived. Four weeks of frenzy and fury wrapped up into 48 minutes of unbridled chaos. And in the end, one team will be left standing. From our original 28 teams in the Del Rio, Hacienda, Pacific and Suburban, we’re left with our final 16 teams, four from each league.
The rest of the way is simple, win or go home. This week, the first and second place teams, are hosting the third and four place teams. West Covina, by way of going 9-0 after dropping the season opener to Covina, earned the top seed in the brackets. La Serna took the second spot, while La Mirada and Burroughs rounded out the top four seeds.
We’re 100 miles from Chicago, we got half a tank of gas, 16 teams to play, it’s dark and we’re wearing sunglasses…
Hit it...
PLAYOFFS ROUND 1
(Note, all games scheduled for 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted)
Bellflower (5-5, Suburban #4) at West Covina (9-1, Hacienda #1)
MATCHUP: The Bulldogs have done nothing but dominate every single week since the second week of the season. Except for the Glendora game, every game has been a double digit blowout. The Buccaneers were on a rollercoaster of wins and losses, but they dropped their last three games, including a 12-7 upset by Cerritos that nearly doomed their chances. All in all, The Buccaneers would rather be facing the Flying Dutchman; at least they’d have a fighting chance.
Prediction: West Covina 48, Bellflower 24
Burbank (7-3, Pacific #3) at Santa Fe (6-4, Del Rio #2)
MATCHUP: The Bulldogs took two costly losses in league that dropped them down to third, a 28-point thrashing to the Apaches and a three-point decision to the Indians in the “Media City Showdown.” The Chiefs overcame a difficult non-league season, including the one-point heartbreaker to Bonita, but except for the shutout loss to La Serna, the Chiefs dominated the rest of the league. We’ll see if Coach Jack Mahlstede’s defense can contain Ulisies Ochoa and Adam Colman.
Prediction: Santa Fe 35, Burbank 31
Diamond Ranch (5-5, Hacienda #3) at Mayfair (6-4, Suburban #2)
MATCHUP: There’s only one thing that has been consistent for Evan Hunko and the Monsoons, in their three losses this season, they were held to less than three touchdowns. Another interesting stat for the Panthers is that in their five wins, they allowed exactly 14 points per game in each of those wins, but in their five losses, they failed to score more than 21 points. The key to victory is which teams is held to 21 points or less,
Prediction: Mayfair 35, Diamond Ranch 20
El Rancho (6-4, Del Rio at-large) at Burroughs (6-4, Pacific #1)
MATCHUP: This might be the game that ends up being the upset of the playoffs. The Indians went winless in their three-game Foothill League tour then all but rolled through the Pacific, the only loss coming from the real dark horse of the bracket, Muir. The Ranch, on the other hand, didn’t lose any game by more than 21 points, the shutout to Santa Fe. The key for the Dons is to shut down the Yanez brothers, while the key for the Indians is to shackle Andrew Romero and Ronnel Lone.
Prediction: El Rancho 41, Burroughs 38 (OT)
Muir (6-4, Pacific #4) at La Mirada (7-3, Suburban #1)
MATCHUP: Did anyone really expect the Matadores to end up on top of the Suburban after losing three of their first four games by a total of 17 points? Did anyone expect the Mustangs to right their own ship after dropping four straight? Both teams have potential “payback” games in the semi-finals, but only one of them will have a shot.
Prediction: Muir 45, La Mirada 42
California (3-7, Del Rio #3) at Bonita (9-1 Hacienda #2)
MATCHUP: Six weeks of humiliating defeats would have sunk any other programs, but somehow Cal always knew how to throw the switch when needed, they got three wins at the right time and not only played spoiler to Pioneer’s playoff chances, they managed to latch on to the third and final automatic qualifier spot in the Del Rio. Bonita rode the Smudge Pot mojo all season until they ran into the West Covina buzz saw, but managed to recover and hold off D-Ranch for second place. We’re not going to see another miracle run by the Condors this season, but they have the foundation to improve for next year.
Prediction: Bonita 48, California 21
Norwalk (6-4, Suburban #3) at Arcadia (7-3, Pacific #2)
MATCHUP: All that stood in the way of an Apache title run was the overtime loss to Burroughs in the “Pacific Indian War.” The Lancers also could have contended for the Suburban League title had it not been for the losses to Mayfair and La Mirada. Elijaa Penny is the key to Norwalk’s chances for victory, but he’s also going to be Arcadia’s primary target in shutting down the Lancers.
Prediction: Arcadia 48, Norwalk 25
Walnut (6-4, Hacienda #4) at La Serna (9-1 Del Rio #1)
MATCHUP: The Mustangs had a golden opportunity slip through their fingers when they lost in double overtime to Diamond Ranch. The Lancers had a stumble against Downey blemish an otherwise near-perfect season. However, on two occasions, the Lancers were nearly caught napping. La Mirada nearly upset them and El Rancho held the Lancers to their lowest output all season. If Andrew Buenrostro is going to finally put to rest the notion that La Serna collapses at the most-inopportune moment, this is the game. Otherwise, Walnut will be the College of Charleston of these playoffs.
Prediction: La Serna 42, Walnut 28
BONUS PICK: LA City Section Division I First Round
#9 Kennedy (5-5) at #8 Garfield (6-4)
MATCHUP: It has been many years since the Bulldogs faced the Cougars in a playoff game. This year, Kennedy has been up and down, closing out a .500 season in the Valley Mission League with a win over San Fernando in the “San Fernando Mission Melee” while Garfield overcame a four-game skid against the likes of Orange Lutheran and Bishop Amat to run the table in the Eastern League, including a 13-3 win over Roosevelt in the 76th East LA Classic. Regardless of the outcome, the winner faces top seed Carson next week down in the South Bay. But it’s the Bulldogs’ game to lose, and they haven’t lost when playing at Dr. Damon Lamarr Field.
Prediction: Garfield 31, Kennedy 17
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