CIF-SS PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND

TODAY’S GAMES

DIVISION 2

San Clemente (5-5) at Damien (8-2), 7 p.m.: The Spartans are hoping for their first playoff victory since the 2018 season, but have a tough one at home against the Tritons, who hail from the difficult Alpha League and have played a very difficult schedule. The Spartans have played a tough schedule too, and have shown an ability to overcome deficits and win close games. Spartans quarterback Isaiah Arriaza often leads that charge, having thrown for 2,640 yards and 27 touchdowns. They also have a reliable backfield with Malachi McFarland and James Taylor. Tritons QB Dawson Martinez has over 1,400 yards passing and Colin Kohl has 13 TDs rushing. But what makes the Tritons tough is their stingy defense. They played Mission Viejo tough in a 23-7 loss and lost by one point to Los Alamitos 28-27. Both teams won a close game over Chino Hills, so you can expect this one to go down to the wire. But gutting out wins is what Damien does.

The pick: Damien

DIVISION 3

Bonita (10-0) at Cathedral (9-1), 7 p.m.: The Bearcats looked so good over their final two games with blowout wins over Charter Oak and Colony that it’s hard to know what their ceiling is. In Division 2, and against a team like Cathedral, we’re about to find out. The Phantoms boast dual-threat quarterback Jaden Jefferson, who was the difference in their 16-14 win over St. Paul last week. But the Phantoms have been living on the edge, narrowly beating St. Francis, 21-14. Bonita, with Texas A&M linebacker commit Noah Mikhail and others, can stand up to them physically. Mikhail also joins Joseph Lara in the backfield to add to their arsenal. Bonita also has two-way standout Dylan Robinson, a Washington commit who plays receiver and in the secondary. Bonita has a dangerous quarterback too with Travis Lippert, who has thrown for 1,906 yards and 28 TDs. This is an everything-you-want-type of game, and we believe Bonita has the goods to get it done.

The pick: Bonita

DIVISION 4

Apple Valley (6-3) at Charter Oak (8-2), 7 p.m.: The Chargers had a nice bounce-back win over Glendora last week after their loss to Bonita. Junior quarterback Corin Berry passed for 228 yards and three scores. The Chargers have a talented receiving combo with Legends Lyons and Marquis Bradley, and they also feature tough linebackers like Lavar Arrington Jr. and JD Sanchez. But this is a tough matchup for them, especially physically, and that’s an area that Bonita exposed. Apple Valley is from the tough Mojave River League and has a 34-31 win over Upland on their resume. Sun Devils quarterback Jacob Higgs is a dual threat, having thrown for 1,405 yards and 13 TDs and has run for a team-best 11 TDs. Charter Oak is a close favorite according to CalPreps. The Chargers also have a solid win over Chino Hills and a close loss to Yorba Linda, two teams rated higher than Apple Valley. But the Chargers’ running attack is a question mark, and if they lose the battle up front, it could be a long night.

The pick: Apple Valley

Northview (10-0) vs. Long Beach Poly (5-5) at Veterans Stadium, 7 p.m.: The Vikings have dominated their schedule, but their toughest two wins were against Division 6 playoff teams Glendora and San Dimas. It makes you wonder how they will manage the leap to Division 4 and playing a traditional powerhouse like Long Beach Poly. In the Vikings’ favor is they can run the ball behind senior Keanu Tauvao, who has 1,448 yards and 20 touchdowns. The Vikings are also physical on defense, and may be able to stand up to the Jackrabbits’ offense that leans on dual-threat QB Deuce Jefferson. Poly played Serra to a close 27-21 loss, and lost a shootout with Millikan, 43-40, for the Moore League title. The Jackrabbits have the history, have played tougher opponents and are the favorites. But the Vikings play well when people count them out, so expect a good one. It just might not be a fun ride home.

The pick: Long Beach Poly

Thousand Oaks (6-4) at St. Paul (6-4), 7 p.m.: The Swordsmen lost a close one for the Angelus League title last week, coming up short against Cathedral 16-14. The Swordsmen have lived on the edge, beating Paraclete 31-28 and St. Pius X-St. Matthias, 29-20. But they have played a schedule that prepared them for this, and they do what teams need to do to win in the playoffs. They run the ball with authority behind Joseph Laffere and Marley Luatua and have a capable quarterback, Gabriel Castaneda, who also can run the ball. Thousand Oaks is from the difficult Conejo Coast League that features Newbury Park, who is the top seed in Division 2. Thousand Oaks quarterback Jackson Taylor has offers from Arizona State, Auburn, Georgia and others, but the Lancers defense also allows an average of 25 points a game. Expect another close one, most Swordsmen games come down to the wire. This time, however, the Swordsmen should close it out and advance.

The pick: St. Paul

DIVISION 6

Schurr (9-1) at Muir (8-2), 7 p.m.: The Mustangs are the top seed, but will have their hands full against the Spartans, who are a senior-heavy team that has been preparing for the playoffs for weeks. The Spartans routed Bell Gardens 49-7 to win the Almont League title and have allowed just 13 points over their last six wins. They played a step-up game in September against La Serna and were down 7-3 at half before losing 21-3. That was their only loss. Quarterback Joseph Alvarado and RB Elias Navarro have been special this season, but it is the Schurr defense that wins games. Can Schurr’s defense stand up to Muir’s physicality, because the Mustangs can run the ball with authority behind Alijah Parker, Zion McDonald. Edge rusher Cole Cogshell, a UCLA commit, also joins the backfield at times. The Mustangs have a more than capable QB with Keyon Mills, a run and pass threat, but the Mustangs will lean on their offensive line. They average 236 yards on the ground, which is a major test for the Spartans. The Mustangs have banged with Bonita, Charter Oak and had a close win over St. Francis before routing the Pacific League. But hey, you want an upset pick, this might be it.

The pick: Schurr

TODAY’S OTHER GAMES

Games start at 7 p.m. unless noted.

DIVISION 3

Mira Costa at La Habra

DIVISION 5

Troy at La Serna

DIVISION 6

St. Francis at Calabasas

Glendora at Agoura

Aliso Niguel at San Dimas

DIVISION 7

Rio Hondo Prep at Ramona

DIVISION 9

Burbank at Monrovia

Village Christian at Covina

DIVISION 10

South Hills at St. Anthony

La Canada vs. Pacifica/GG at Bolsa Grande HS

Patriot at South Pasadena

DIVISION 11

Colton at Baldwin Park

Grand Terrace at Santa Fe

DIVISION 12

Wilson at Yucca Valley

DIVISION 13

La Puente at Gahr

Nogales at Arrowhead Christian

South El Monte at Lynwood

El Monte vs. Calvary Chapel/SA at Santa Ana Valley High, 7:30 p.m.

Pasadena at Santa Rosa Academy

Hawthorne at San Marino

DIVISION 14

Desert Christian Academy at San Gabriel

Century at Arroyo