CIF-SS FOOTBALL QUARTERFINALS
GAME OF THE WEEK
DIVISION 2
Long Beach Poly (10-1) vs. Servite (6-5)
Where, when: Cerritos College, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Long Beach Poly has been led this season by Colorado State-committed senior quarterback Darius Curry, who is averaging 265 passing yards a game. Curry had a rough start in the Jackrabbits’ first-round playoff game last week before settling down to beat Vista Murrieta 30-21. Servite beat Valencia 40-24 last week. The key to this game, from the Servite perspective, might be the first 6-12 minutes of the game. If Poly is ahead by a hefty margin early, like 14-0 or 21-7, that could be the disadvantage that the youngish Servite guys can’t overcome. The Friars’ best skill-position players are juniors or sophomores like junior running back Quaid Carr and junior quarter Leo Hannan. If Servite is ahead or even during that time frame, the Friars just might win it by a close margin. Poly’s only loss was Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas, which is ranked No. 1 in the nation by MaxPreps. The Jackrabbits are so fast at the skill positions they will likely race to an early lead and keep it.
Winner: Long Beach Poly
Los Alamitos (9-2) vs. Serra (8-3)
Where, when: Serra High School, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: The Los Alamitos football team that yours truly watched beat Edison two weeks ago was not the same team viewed in September when the Griffins lost to Mission Viejo. The Griffins are better now. The biggest difference from September to now is the Los Alamitos defense. It starts with 312-pound sophomore Manoah Faupusa at nose tackle and goes out to linebackers Kamar Mothudi and Jackson Reguse and defensive back Isaiah Rubin. The Griffins beat Upland 56-31 last week. Serra, which finished second to Division 1 playoff team Sierra Canyon in the great Mission League, defeated league rival Bishop Amat 48-14 in the first round. The Cavaliers’ offensive star is running back Cincere Rhaney, who averages 152 rushing yards a game and 10 yards a carry. The Los Alamitos defense is going to deny Rhaney the running room he often enjoys and the Griffins will create enough points to win what looks to be a close game.
Winner: Los Alamitos
Oaks Christian (9-2) vs. Mission Viejo (8-3)
Where, when: Mission Viejo High School, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Five Marmonte League teams qualified for the CIF Southern Section playoffs. Four of them won their first-round games including Oaks Christian which beat Chaparral 41-7. Senior quarterback Nate Bennett (Baylor commit) completed 16 of 20 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns. Senior receiver Chase Farrell (Stanford commit) had 10 receptions for 167 yards and three touchdowns. Mission Viejo, a 59-35 winner over Palos Verdes last week, can challenge an opponent’s passing game with a pass rush led by junior defensive end Jaden Williams (10.5 sacks, 23 tackles for loss) and a shutdown defensive backfield that features junior Dijon Lee Jr. That group will bring victory to the Diablos.
Winner: Mission Viejo
DIVISION 1
Orange Lutheran (5-5) vs. Centennial (8-2)
Where, when: Centennial High School, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Orange Lutheran might be a year away from winning a game like this one, a playoff away game against an outstanding opponent. Lancers quarterback TJ Lateef and running back Steve Chavez are juniors as is leading tackler Keelan Tagoa’i, a defensive lineman. Orange Lutheran tied with JSerra for third place in the tremendous Trinity League. The Lancers lost their final two regular-season games to the two best teams in California, Mater Dei and St. John Bosco. Like Orange Lutheran, Centennial lost to Mater Dei and defeated Santa Margarita. Centennial’s other loss was to national No. 1 Bishop Gorman. Huskies senior running back Cornell Hatcher averages 185 rushing yards a game and 9 yards a carry. The Centennial offensive line, including Iowa State-committed Wade Helton, is splendid. Centennial quarterback Husan Longstreet, All-CIF last year at Inglewood, has offers from Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Oregon, UCLA and many others. Centennial has too much at just about every position for Orange Lutheran.
Winner: Centennial
DIVISION 4
La Serna (8-3) vs. Trabuco Hills (8-3)
Where, when: Trabuco Hills High School, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: La Serna is seeded second in Division 4. The Lancers, champions of the Del Rio League, beat Great Oak in the first round 46-21. Their three losses were to Los Alamitos, Warren and Damien. During the regular season La Serna beat Tesoro 30-17; Trabuco Hills lost to Tesoro 42-14. Trabuco Hills grits out whatever wins they get, and that’s how the Mustangs beat Newport Harbor 24-21 in last week’s first round. Trabuco senior Taylor Bowie ran for 223 yards and three touchdowns last week. La Serna averages 219 rushing yards a game. Trabuco Hills can be counted upon for a spirited fight, but that La Serna ground game is quite the force.
Winner: La Serna
Fryer on Football last week: 2-3
Season to date: 40-20
