Now that the CIF Southern Section playoffs have started OC Varsity is doing a new version of area rankings. It’s a list of the Top 10 county teams most likely to win a CIF-SS championship when the finals are played Nov. 24-25.
TOP 10 CIF-SS TITLE CONTENDERS
1. Mater Dei (9-1) Division 1
Why the Monarchs will win: Mater Dei has won the CIF-SS Division 1 championship or been a finalist in every season since 2015. The Monarchs suffered their first shutout loss since 2011 against St. John Bosco earlier this year, so some of the mystique around Mater Dei is lacking compared to previous seasons.
That 28-0 loss shouldn’t cause people to write off the Monarchs in the Division 1 bracket. Elijah Brown is 38-2 as a starting quarterback and the Monarchs are loaded with top talent at nearly every position.
2. Whittier Christian (7-4), Division 14
Why the Heralds will win: Whittier Christian won the Division 14 championship last season and dominated Duarte 41-14 in round one of the playoffs last week. Jake Martinez ran for over 1,000 yards this season and had 90 yards against Duarte.
Quarterback Caleb Mer had a completion percentage below 50 this season but had a big game against Duarte. The senior completed 10 of 16 passes for 197 yards with four touchdowns. John Rojas had 16 tackles with an interception to lead the defense.
3. San Juan Hills (10-1), Division 3
Why the Stallions will win: San Juan Hills was very impressive in its convincing first-round win over St. Francis. The defense took advantage of three turnovers in the first half and scored off all three of them.
The linebacking duo of Weston Port and Jake Javorsky is among the best in the county and the secondary stepped up against St. Francis. Christopher Williams had two interceptions and Isaiah Bennett recovered a fumble. Javorsky had 14 tackles with three sacks in the win.
If the Stallions keep winning the turnover battle, they have the talent on both sides of the ball to make a championship run.
4. Mission Viejo (8-3), Division 2
Why the Diablos will win: The Diablos scored eight touchdowns in a win over previously undefeated Palos Verdes in the first round. Sophomore quarterback Luke Fahey had the best game of his young career with 236 yards and three touchdown passes.
Draiden Trudeau also threw three touchdown passes and Hinesward Lilomaiava had two touchdown runs. Vance Spafford had 173 yards receiving with three touchdowns.
If the offense keeps rolling the way it did in the first round, the Diablos can beat anybody in the bracket.
5. Los Alamitos (9-2), Division 2
Why the Griffins will win: Defense and special teams were big for Los Alamitos in its first-round win over Upland. Isaiah Rubin returned an interception for a touchdown and on the ensuing kickoff, Jackson Bennett recovered a fumble and scored for a 14-point swing.
On offense, Alonzo Esparza is an All-County candidate at quarterback and the running back duo of Anthony League and Lenny Ibarra can score at any time.
6. El Dorado (6-5), Division 7
Why the Golden Hawks will win: El Dorado held a high-powered Laguna Beach offense to just seven points last week and 22 yards rushing. The Golden Hawks are physical and dominated Laguna Beach at the line of scrimmage.
Nate Bento completed all 10 of his pass attempts for 131 yards and a pair of touchdowns. El Dorado ran for 171 yards with Isaiah Quintero leading the way with 84.
El Dorado is healthy at the right time. If it can physically bully teams the way it did in the first round, the Golden Hawks could make a playoff run.
7. La Habra (7-4), Division 6
Why the Highlanders will win: The La Habra quarterback duo of Kenneth Saucedo and DJ Mitchell completed 13 of 14 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns in a first-round win over West Ranch. Saucedo also ran for a touchdown.
La Habra has a tough quarterfinals matchup against Murrieta Mesa, which is coached by former JSerra, Tesoro and Servite assistant coach Oscar McBride.
8. Western (10-1), Division 5
Why the Pioneers will win: Western dominated Colony of Ontario in the first round of the Division 5 playoffs and ran for 246 yards. Malachi Alatorre ran for 140 yards and Joshua Faulkner ran for 102 with a touchdown.
Anthony Luna performed well at quarterback with 195 yards passing and three touchdowns. Clayton Corbett had a team-high 14 tackles and Alatorre added 12 tackles with an interception.
9. Buena Park (6-5), Division 12
Why the Coyotes will win: Buena Park has the talent at the skill positions to overwhelm a lot of teams in Division 12.
Jaden Moore ran for 262 yards with three touchdowns in round one against Arroyo Valley. Running back Danny Washington had over 100 yards of offense with two touchdowns. Anthony Irons returned an interception for a touchdown.
Buena Park has more talent than a lot of teams in Division 12 and playing a tough Freeway League schedule will pay off for the Coyotes.
10. Aliso Niguel (7-4), Division 8
Why the Wolverines will win: Hunter Najm is a dual-threat quarterback who ran for two touchdowns in a first-round win over Lawndale. Jarett Sabol ran for a touchdown against Lawndale.
Aliso Niguel will face Jurupa Hills and its high-powered running offense in the quarterfinals. The Wolverines have experience against teams who run the ball well, having faced Capistrano Valley and San Juan Hills this season.
