TODAY’S PLAYOFF GAMES

DIVISION 9

Alemany (5-5) vs. Sonora (6-5) at La Habra High, 7 p.m.: This is an intriguing first-round game. Alemany went winless in the Angelus League, but because it went 5-0 during nonleague with a light schedule, it was able to make the Division 9 playoffs as an at-large team. Alemany has a notable 21-17 victory over Salesian, a team in the Division 8 playoffs, but there are still a lot of questions when it runs up against quality teams. Sonora finished the regular season strong, beating Irvine 28-20 to finish second in the Iota League. Raiders running back Anthony Abad has rushed for 1,609 yards and 21 touchdowns. This should be a close game with the Raiders’ physicality putting them over the top.

The pick: Sonora

DIVISION 11

Bell Gardens (7-2) vs. El Rancho (6-5) at California High, 7 p.m.: El Rancho beat Bell Gardens 42-20 in August and the Dons were in the tougher league, Del Rio. The Dons played played Santa Fe to a close loss, 21-14, two weeks ago before beating Whittier 28-6 last week. El Rancho quarterback Ryan Dominguez has thrown for 1,552 yards and 18 touchdowns, but the Dons have a balanced attack. Anthony Orihuela leads a ground attack that averages 166 yards a game. Bell Gardens did not look good last week, getting routed by Schurr 49-7 in the Almont League title game. Nothing signals anything will be different in this rematch.

The pick: El Rancho

DIVISION 14

Sierra Vista (3-6) at Duarte (9-1), 7 p.m.: Duarte quarterback Avenn Ortiz threw for 125 yards and a touchdown and ran for a 141 yards and two touchdowns in the Falcons’ 28-27 victory over La Puente to win the Miramonte League title. Ortiz and receiver Jashion Wade have been a load for opponents to deal with, though the Falcons’ schedule hasn’t been that difficult, with the exception of the league finale against the Warriors. Sierra Vista is only a one-point underdog on the Calpreps projections, probably because the Dons have played a more difficult schedule and have won three of their last four. Overall, we still think the Falcons have the talent to pull it out.

The pick: Duarte

Ganesha (5-5) at Bolsa Grande (5-5), 7 p.m.: Ganesha has won four its last five, which included a 34-31 victory over Duarte. It was the Falcons’ only loss this season. The Matadors are from the more difficult Tango League, have several competitive losses and will be at home. The Giants have scored a lot of points in recent games, but beating Workman and Bassett to close the season doesn’t tell you much. The Giants will have a shot, but will probably come up short.

The pick: Bolsa Grande

Vasquez (6-4) at Pioneer (5-5), 7 p.m.: The Titans finished third in the 605 League and have a .500 record. They earned the No. 2 seed in Division 14 and appear to be heavy favorites to advance to the second round. Quarterback Amiri Resindez does it all, throwing for 1,245 yards and 11 touchdowns and leading the team with 10 rushing touchdowns. Vasquez has played a light schedule and all six of its wins have come against teams in Division 14 or ones that didn’t make the playoffs. When it played Division 12 Trinity Classical Academy, it lost 53-0. Take Pioneer, and it won’t be close.

The pick: Pioneer

— Fred Robledo