MidValleySports.Com

CIF Playoff Pairings: Southeast Division

Bellflower (5-5, Suburban #4) at West Covina (9-1, Hacienda #1)

Two weeks ago, the Buccaneers looked poised to get an average seed heading into the playoffs. But, losses to Cerritos and La Mirada gave them the final seed in the Southeast Division.

Opposite side of the spectrum is West Covina who nearly had a perfect season if not for a bad five minutes at the end of the Covina game.

For Bellflower to survive its first round game, it must play perfect. Michael Jasper will need to find holes in the Bulldogs defense. Game management will be of the utmost importance by keeping West Covina off the field.

The only way the Bulldogs lose this game is if they look ahead to quarter-finals. Chris Solomon, B.J. Lee, Aaron Salgado are the best triple-threat running back combo in the Southeast and should run wild on a Bucs defense that lost to Cerritos.

West Covina 49-0

*****

Burbank (7-3, Pacific #3) at Santa Fe (6-4, Del Rio #2)

Last Meeting: 2008 CIF Southeast Division First Round Playoffs Burbank 20-14

This is rematch of the 2008 game that Santa Fe was favored to win. Of course, those in attendance know how that turned out with Burbank running wild and upsetting the Chiefs.

The 2010 version of the Bulldogs have much more weapons than the team that upset Santa Fe. Adam Colman must open up the play book and keep a Chiefs defense on its heels. Quortney Brazier and Ulises Ochoa should be able to get to the corners on running plays.

Alex Mirola is all the offense that Santa Fe really has. It will run and run all night long and try and keep the Burbank offense off the field. Chiefs will also have to not give up any big plays on defense if it wants the game to stay close.

Burbank 35-14

*****

Diamond Ranch (5-5, Hacienda #3) at Mayfair (6-4, Suburban #2)

Health of Chase Price is going to be the storyline for this game. The game plan changes dramatically for the Panthers if Price is not available.

With Price in the line-up able to carry 25-30 times a game the Panthers will be able to pound the Monsoons into submission. Athletically speaking, Diamond Ranch has ball players on the line and defensively with Marquise Cherry and Andrew Fischer.

Best way to beat the Panthers is to make Cesar Carrillo beat you on offense. Mayfair will also need to control the clock and hope that Diamond Ranch doesn’t break it open early in the game. Dominque Small will need to have a huge night on the ground and Evan Hunko may be called upon to through more than normal.

Diamond Ranch 24-21

*****

El Rancho (6-4, Del Rio at-large) at Burroughs (6-4, Pacific #1)

Dons are lucky to get in after going 2-3 in the Del Rio and losing to California enroute to an at-large berth. Now El Rancho must come out and play a complete game with no mistakes. It must also avoid costly penalties. No doubt that the Dons are skilled enough with Daniel Moriel on defense and Ronnel Lone running the ball.

Huge confidence boost for the Indians who looked completely out of the game against Burbank only to come back and win. Lucas Yanez has asserted himself in Burroughs lore for his intestinal fortitude during the win against the Bulldogs. Zander Anding and Tadeo Zuniga should be able to out-physical El Rancho.

Burroughs 28-14

*****

Muir (6-4, Pacific #4) at La Mirada (7-3, Suburban #1)

Not what the Matadores were hoping for when they showed up Sunday at the draw. Muir is the most dangerous team heading into the playoffs based on talent. Kevon Seymour is a definite big-play threat and Jeffrey Davis will have time to throw behind that offensive line. Dai Dai McFadden has been huge on defense.

La Mirada still has high expectations heading into the playoffs. Max Gama will need to expose holes in the Mustangs defense and Shane Blood must be precise in his throws. The Matadores will have its hands full on both signs of the ball with the athletic Muir team.

Muir 35-24

*****

California (3-7, Del Rio #3) at Bonita (9-1, Hacienda #2)

Last Meeting: 2002 California 25-20

The Condors had a good run during the Del Rio League with three-straight sandwiched between two losses. Best way to defeat Bonita is to run the ball and keep ball possession. Which means Andrew Klein and Justin Dankert need to run between the tackles and fight for every yard.

Bonita can beat you two ways. One is with the passing game anchored by Garrett Pendleton who can find multiple targets on any given play. The second is the running game that should be in full effect. Bearcats should be up big late and well on its way to the first post-season win since 1999.

Bonita 42-7

******

Norwalk (6-4, Suburban #3) at Arcadia (7-3, Pacific #2)

Lancers get a dream match-up as those “big bubbas” go up against an undersized line for the Apaches. Elijhaa Penny should be getting his yards, but whether the Norwalk defense can keep up with Arcadia’s firepower is another thing. With nearly 4,000 yards of rushing offense it is safe to say what the Lancer game-plan is.

Apaches have weapons. Anchored by an MVP like season from Taylor Legace, if Arcadia can weather the early pressure it will have a great shot. Myles Carr just keeps getting better and better as the season goes.

Arcadia 35-34

*****

Walnut (6-4, Hacienda #4) at La Serna (Del Rio #1)

Many may not agree, but this maybe a tough match-up for the Lancers. That said, it has to do more with who can cover Aubrey Coleman on defense than anything else. Brandon Roach is near the top in school passing performances in a career and Jason Tsukada is the best under the radar player this side of the 605.

La Serna is tough. As one coach was caught saying, “Lancers can beat you so many ways.” It is the usual suspects for La Serna on offense with Andrew Buenrostro leading the team. Three good running backs and two receivers that can catch anything make them a very tough team.

La Serna 35-21

******