MidValleySports.Com

Friday November 27

Charter Oak (10-1, Miramonte #1) at West Covina (7-4, San Antonio #2)

Last Meeting:  Charter Oak 40-21 (2007 CIF-SS Quarterfinals)

The sting of 2007 still is in the back of the Bulldogs minds as they prepare for the quarterfinal game against the Chargers.

The inability for Charter Oak to jump on opponents early and bury them has been well documented the last few weeks.  It almost caused the Chargers to get upset in the first round.

West Covina has begun to find its swagger after their loss to South Hills five weeks ago.  After the loss the offensive has been on fire averaging 37 points a game in their last four games.

The biggest question mark coming into last week’s game against Muir was whether sophomore quarterback Travis Santiago could handle the pressure of playoff football.  I believe the jury is still out and the big test comes this week.

Adam Muema will get his yards against a Bulldogs defense that had trouble stopping Geoffrey Vaughns and at times Leonard Rhodes.

A.J. Powell is one of the best players in the Southeast Division defensively and has emerged as a threat at the wide receiver position.

The receiving corp is formidable with Dennis Rufus’s speed and Kyle Brown’s sure hands.

The West Covina faithful are watching a star rise right before their eyes with sophomore running back Chris Solomon.

The Bulldogs will pound and pound the ball all night long.  It isn’t a secret what they will do in this game.  Ricky Johnson has gone from featured back, to a ball player that will do anything to continue his senior season.  Jesse Ili will get the ugly yards when asked.

If the running game is on, look for quarterback George Johnson to incorporate the play-action pass and if he has no receivers to throw, will make the wise decision and tuck the ball and take off.

KEYS TO THE GAME:  For Charter Oak it’s simple.  Jump on the Bulldogs early and attempt to bury them.  West Covina must manage the clock and keep the game manageable for George Johnson.

OUTLOOK:  The Bulldogs coaching staff still has that nasty taste in their mouth of being close but not finishing off the Chargers in 2007.  This edition of Charter Oak football has some jinks in the armor and if West Covina can get on the board early it changes the entire complexion of the game.  Slow start will hurt the Chargers this week.

West Covina 21-17

Burbank (9-2, Pacific #1) at California (8-2-1, Del Rio #1)

The Bulldogs had to scrap and claw their way to a come from behind win against Alhambra.  The Condors were absolutely impressive in their blow-out win against Rowland.

Of all the seeds, California made the most noise and statement that they are ready to battle in the Southeast Division.  They have also gone 8-0-1 in its last nine games.

Burbank is led by the one-two punch of Leo Rodas and Ulises Ochoa in the back field.

If a defense keys on those two backs, then quarterback Adam Colman can pass to his two talented receivers in Sam Bethany and Cole Hazelwood.  Colman can also throw if asked with his pin-point accuracy.

California has the best running back in the Southeast Division in Terris Jones who has 1,588 yards this season and is very explosive once he gets out into the open field.

When Jones isn’t running the ball, look for Travis Alexander to spell him for a rest.

Condor quarterback Adam Contreras was perfect last week with the play-action as he went four of four with three touchdowns.

Prior to last week, California had not allowed opponent to score more than 20 points in eight straight games.

KEYS TO THE GAME:  Burbank needs to stop the run.  They had trouble containing a Pasadena offense in their only loss in league.  California needs to have the defense that was suffocating the in nine of their 11 games.

OUTLOOK:  Defense wins games and Terris Jones is going to be difficult to contain.  The Bulldogs will see pressure they haven’t seen all season.

California 21-14

Schurr (9-1-1, Almont #1) at Diamond Ranch (5-7, Miramonte #2)

Spartans had a scare at home in the first round against El Rancho.  The Panthers were very good in dispatching Burroughs in the opening round.

Of all the teams that played in last week, Schurr came away as the biggest enigma with their lackluster performance over the Dons.

Aaron Cantu needs to settle his nerves and just play catch with his two big-play receivers in Carlos Arredondo and Angel Sanchez.

Running back Nicholas Castillo needs to have a big game against a stingy defense.

The only question that was answered last week was that the Spartan defense is tough to score against.

Diamond Ranch can flat out play on both sides of the ball.  They have a very physical offensive line and the defense will punish anyone.

Amari Staten has rushed for over 200 yards in two straight games and can play defense as a safety.

Quarterback Gus Viramontes is a year older and wiser.  He can beat you in the air or tuck and run for a first down.

Ryan Gibson is the go to guy for Viramontes in the air.

KEY TO THE GAME:  Schurr needs to stay close and let their defense hold Staten to less than 100 yards on the ground.  Also, having a spy on Viramontes will limit his mobility.  Think San Gabriel, just more weapons.   Diamond Ranch will need to wear down the Spartan defense.  Viramontes needs to make smart plays.

OUTLOOK:   Schurr should have buried El Rancho and didn’t.  This isn’t the Dons and if the Panthers are allowed to stay close it won’t be to the benefit of the Spartans.  Diamond Ranch is battle tested in the playoffs the last two seasons.

Diamond Ranch 21-20

South Hills (8-3, San Antonio #1) at Crescenta Valley (8-3, Pacific #3)

The Huskies looked impressive going up 21-0 before  holding off the Bearcats 28-21 (Thanks to Bonita Alum for correction).  The Falcons were in a battle against Santa Fe and found a way to win.

South Hills needs to play a complete game if they want to advance against Crescenta Valley it is that simple.

Huskies quarterback Jacob Shirley is a complete leader with all the tools to help this team win.  Shirley has wide receiver Ify Umodu who can out jump any defender that the Falcons have.

The running game will be important as Geoffrey Vaughns has grown into the role at running back nicely and will shred a defense apart with that offensive line.

Crescenta Valley showed some mettle on the road against a good DRL team in Santa Fe.

The Falcons will run the ball all night if they can.  Harold Pessy is a big running back who is deceptively fast.  Quarterback Kyle Cota also is a threat to run the ball in their spread-run offense.

If Cota does need to throw the ball he will need to find wide receivers Dai Dai McFadden and Mike Bako.

KEY TO THE GAME:  Huskies need to play four quarters and physically take it to the Falcons.  Shirley will find time to throw the ball and Vaughns will get his yards.   Crescenta Valley needs to play ball control and keep the South Hills offense off the field as much as possible.

OUTLOOK:  Are the Huskies better then South Hills?  If the answer is yes, it will be a long night for the Falcons who stayed with the Knights at the beginning of the season.  If it is no, Crescenta Valley has a puncher’s chance.  It will be close but South Hills is that good.

South Hills 28-20