Okay sports fans, this is gonna be a long one, so strap in. First, just to let you know, my picks for the Southeast will NOT be posted on the Mid Valley website. Apparently, my right to free speech and my desire to lampoon one of my “colleagues” has upset my bosses there. Fine, we’ll get through this, but in case anyone asks, that’s what’s going on.
Anyway, let’s move on. So we have 16 games Friday night in both the Division I and II brackets. As I mentioned when the brackets were released, the first round has been moved to Friday now, which not only takes away the section’s showcase of the teams separate from the Southern Section. However, the goal remains the same, for the Division II schools, reach the finals at East LA College on December 10th, while the Division I schools are aiming for the Finals at the Coliseum the next day. So let’s jump into the frying pan and see what cooks up…
City Section Division I playoffs
First-round Friday, November 19th, 2010
All Games - 7:00 p.m. (tent.)
No. 16 Sylmar (5-5) at No. 1 Carson (8-2)
MATCHUP: The Colts grabbed the top seed from the defending champs, Crenshaw, when the brackets were released. So they are hosting a Spartans team who barely made the playoffs after dropping a one-point loss to Canoga Park to close out the Valley Mission season.
Prediction: Carson 63, Sylmar 14
No. 9 Kennedy (5-5) at No. 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
No. 12 West Adams (2-8) at No. 5 Taft (7-3)
MATCHUP: When you play in the Coliseum League, there’s always one constant, Crenshaw or Dorsey will come out on top and the real league battle is for third place. Since moving from the City Section’s old Southern League, the Panthers have been the best of the rest. The Toreadors, on the other hand, have been a long time championship contender, bit haven’t reached the finals since losing to Crenshaw in 2005. All hopes lie with quarterback Michael Bercovici to get the Toreadors back to the Coliseum.
Prediction: Taft 45, West Adams 21
No. 13 Gardena (2-8) vs. No. 4 Dorsey (9-1) at Jackie Robinson Stadium
MATCHUP: What happens when you roll into your annual rivalry game and get blown out 34-0 just in the First quarter? Ask the Dons, who had that happen to them against the Cougars to close out the season. So to find a way to send some payback, they’re starting out with a Panthers team who limped into the playoffs with a two-game winning streak that followed an eight-game losing streak. No question which team’s moving on here.
Prediction: Dorsey 63, Gardena 10
No. 14 Locke (5-5) at No. 3 Venice (6-4)
MATCHUP: Once upon a time, Locke was feared amongst the teams in Division I. Those days are long gone. Although the Saints were shut out by both Crenshaw and the LKWD(Lakewood for you Valley girls) and were doubled up by Dorsey, they went 5-4 against other Division I squads. The Gondoliers opened the season by kicking Harvard-Westlake square in the balls in week Zero, but then got racked themselves by Southeast Favorite West Covina, Chaminade, St. Francis and Bishop Amat before running the table in the Western League. The fat lady is tuning up and she don’t think the Saints gonna come marchin’ in.
Prediction: Venice 31, Locke 10
No. 11 Westchester (6-4) at No. 6 San Pedro (7-3)
MATCHUP: The Comets started off the season with an impressive win over Pasadena the same week Venice brought the smack down on Harvard Westlake. However they dropped two league games to Venice and Fairfax but managed to hold on to reach the post season. The Pirates have been to the big dance before, losing to Birmingham in 2006 and earning the infamous tie with Narbonne in 2008. They have their own “Chosen One” in junior quarterback Kenny Potter, but don’t expect him to conjure up any bad throws against this Comet defense. However, considering they barely closed out the season with a four-point win over Narbonne, the Comets could catch the Pirates off-guard and send them packing.
Prediction: San Pedro 31, Westchester 24
No. 10 L.A. Jordan (6-4) at No. 7 Narbonne (5-5)
MATCHUP: The Bulldogs were expected to not only compete for the Eastern League title but also had visions of going deep into the playoffs. Of course, they weren’t expecting head coach Elijah Asante to leave for Carson, but first year coach Sheron Butler has managed to keep the Bulldogs focused on the task at hand, getting past the first round. The Gauchos, on the other hand, could have won four of their five losses if they had managed to score a combined total of 15 points in those games. Narbonne needs to be careful not to underestimate Jordan lest they end up bounced out of the playoffs.
Prediction: Jordan 34, Narbonne 31 (OT)
No. 15 Granada Hills (4-6) at No. 2 Crenshaw (8-2)
MATCHUP: Nine points separated the Cougars from an unbeaten record. Those two losses also constituted the most points given up by Crenshaw this season, 42 points in the losses to North Gwinnett, in Georgia and Norco. By contrast, they surrendered 29 points in the eight wins the remainder of the season, including four shutouts. The Highlanders have not had much luck so far this season. Four of the six losses came against teams who made the post season. This one isn’t so much a question of if the Highlanders score, but by how much will they lose by? Could they try to pull a Wisconsin on them or will coach Robert Garrett call off the dogs early on?
Prediction: Crenshaw 56, Granada Hills 13
City Section Division II playoffs
No. 16 Hamilton (4-6) at No. 1 Reseda (10-0)
MATCHUP: What a difference a year makes. This time a year ago, the Yankees were about to start a playoff run that ended in the school hoisting its first Championship in the school’s history. This year, however, the Yankees fell on some hard times, losing a game against Leuzinger from their schedule and despite going 1-4 in league, reached the postseason. The Regents, on the other hand, were perfect all season and claimed the top seed in Division II. There will be no repeat champion in Division II this season.
Prediction: Reseda 42, Hamilton 10
No. 9 Fairfax (6-3) at No. 8 Marshall (8-2)
MATCHUP: The Lions rode the Western League rollercoaster all year, but overall rolled through their season, only giving up a loss to Chaminade and ending their game against Harvard-Westlake in a 14-14 tie. However, one of those non-league wins came against the Barristers. Marshall’s only losses this season were Fairfax’s blowout and a three-point loss to Arleta. On paper, it should be an upset win for the Lions, but something tells me Marshall hasn’t forgotten that beat down and is going to offer up some payback.
Prediction: Marshall 42, Fairfax 35
No. 12 Franklin (7-3) at No. 5 Jefferson (9-1)
MATCHUP: Another potential trap game, the Panthers have a chance at knocking off the Democrats like the Tea Party nearly did in Delaware and Nevada. After losing the first two Northern League games, they bounced back with three straight wins, including their season finale against traditional rivals Eagle Rock in the annual “Foothill Fight.” Jefferson actually was rolling towards an undefeated season when they ran into a snag against fourth-seeded Arleta. However, with a 1,000+ rusher Davion Roberts in the Democrats’ backfield, the Panthers will be hard pressed to stop the ground game.
Prediction: Jefferson 28, Franklin 25
No. 13 Roosevelt (6-4) at No. 4 Arleta (9-1)
MATCHUP: The Mustangs are two years removed from their 14-0 run to the Division II championship in their second year of existence. They’re averaging 288 yards of total offense this season, and Dejon Coleman is their multi-purpose offensive weapon for quarterback Javy Lopez. Rough Rider head coach Javier Cid had hoped for a better showing from his players, but despite wins over Alhambra and Whittier, the Riders dropped three straight, including the 13-3 loss to cross-town rival Garfield in the East LA Classic. However, Coach Cid is relying on linebacker Aaron Jones to keep Coleman and Lopez on their toes.
Prediction: Arleta 24, Roosevelt 21
No. 14 Panorama (5-5) at No. 3 South East (7-3)
MATCHUP: What else can you call this meeting between the 5-5 Pythons and the 7-3 Jaguars except a trouble match? South East was one play away from upsetting Garfield in the season finale and earning a tie for the Eastern League crown, but a last-second field goal lost them the title, but earned them a three-seed. Panorama would be 9-1 had the wins against South Gate, Chatsworth and Arleta not been forfeited because of an ineligible player. Expect the Jaguars to be all over the ball
Prediction: South East 35, Panorama 31
No. 11 Hollywood (7-3) at No. 6 Chatsworth (8-2)
MATCHUP: To say that this has been a good year is the same as saying that James Cameron’s movie “Avatar” made some money. The Sheiks have had a resurgence that the very city they play in would be clamoring to make into a movie. Junior quarterback Jeremi Ross has been the savior of the Sheiks ever since he took up the game almost two years ago. Meanwhile, the Chancellors kept a very respectable season, losing only to Taft in league and Reseda in their non-league schedule, although their loss to Panorama was reversed. Don’t be surprised if there’s a Hollywood ending in this game.
Prediction: Hollywood 42, Chatsworth 38
No. 10 Lincoln (9-1) at No. 7 Palisades (5-5)
MATCHUP: According to sources present at the Seeding meetings, no one lobbied more for their team than Palisades’ head coach, Perry Jones, who argued that the Dolphins should be seeded as high as third. However, losses to Venice and Santa Monica High in the “PCH Punchout” didn’t help the Dolphins. The Tigers would have easily won the Northern League but stumbled against Marshall and lost out on a perfect regular season and a higher seed. This battle by the Ol’ Pacific is going to be one-sided, and it won’t end well for the Dolphins.
Prediction: Lincoln 34, Palisades 24
No. 15 El Camino Real (4-6) at No. 2 Poly (8-2)
MATCHUP: Once upon a time, the Division II title went through the ECR. However, Taft’s elevation to Division I have given the Conquistadors another shot at greatness. However, the Parrots are looking to continue an unprecedented run to the East Valley title. The ECR is going to need another year to improve their fortunes. The Parrots are squawking for a deep run, they just might get it.
Prediction: Poly 45, El Camino Real 28
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