Game Night: CIF Playoffs – Semi-Finals

Brandon Valencia and the Muir Mustangs travel to Baldwin Park Friday night in a Division 10 battle. (Photo by Doug Brown).

All kickoffs are at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise indicated:

Friday November 18

DIV 2

Sierra Canyon (8-4) at Bishop Amat (9-3)

Rematch of the game Bishop Amat won 31-28 in double overtime at Sierra Canyon on September 30. The Lancers offense is cooking right now. They have scored 134 points in their last two games. It will be another big time battle. Bishop Amat comes out on top.

Bishop Amat 35 Sierra Canyon 32

DIV 4

Cathedral (10-2) at Downey (10-2)

The two teams do have a common opponent in St. Paul. Downey beat the Swordsmen 44-23 while the Phantoms knocked off St. Paul 22-16. There’s been a lot of back and forth over the years between the two especially on the Mid Valley Sports site. Should go down to the wire. The Vikes get it done.

Downey 31 Cathedral 28

DIV 9

San Dimas (8-4) at Diamond Bar (11-1)

San Dimas has hit its stride. The Saints literally ran over Tahquitz last Friday night accumulating nearly 400 yards on the ground. Meanwhile Diamond Bar has still only lost once all year and routed Hillcrest last week 42-7. It will be another close game in the semi-finals. The Saints ground game will ultimately be too much. San Dimas to the finals.

San Dimas 27 Diamond Bar 20

DIV 10

Muir (6-6) at Baldwin Park (10-2)

Muir has been up and down all year as its record indicates – 6-6 overall. The Mustangs have picked up steam however since the playoffs have started. Muir knocked off Tustin 28-21 in the first round and then impressively shut out Norwalk 21-0 last week. Baldwin Park showed its mettle last week with a win over Covina after being down by 17 at halftime. Could go either way. I drew straws and the Braves came up short. Stangs win.

Muir 24 Baldwin Park 21

DIV 11

Bellflower (10-2) at South Pasadena (10-2)

If you would have told both coaches before the season started that they would be 10-2 and in the Division 11 Semi-Finals in November they would have taken it and then maybe called you crazy. Both have been surprisingly good. Bellflower has scored 65 points in its two playoff games while the Tigers have topped that with 78. This just seems like South Pasadena’s year. Team of destiny? I won’t say that but I will say the Tigers are at home. South Pas advances.

South Pasadena 30 Bellflower 27

DIV 12

Lancaster (7-5) at Arroyo (9-3)

Arroyo didn’t pitch another shutout but it did win over Los Altos on the road. The Knights have now won nine straight. Lancaster has good size and some talent at the skill positions. Lancaster, like Arroyo, lost its first three games before warming up. If the Knights can jump out early like they did last week they should be in good shape. Lancaster gives Arroyo all they want but in the end Arroyo makes a play on defense and emerges with the W.

Arroyo 24 Lancaster 20

DIV 13

Maranatha (11-0-1) at San Gabriel (8-3)

Maranatha has flown under the radar this year. The Minutemen have gone unbeaten with a only a tie as a blemish. Their offense has been high octane all year scoring at least 34 points per game in every contest and over 40 nine times. San Gabriel has had a nice season overall but finished third in the Almont League with a 2-3 record. Maranatha’s offense will be hard to stop. Minutemen get the victory.

Maranatha 38 San Gabriel 21

DIV 14

Bassett (5-7) at Lynwood (8-4)

It’s hard believe Bassett was 0-6 at one point and yet here the Olympians are one step away from the CIF Finals. Good story but it ends here. Lynwood is at home and has enough speed and talent to do some damage. Bassett will fight but Lynwood advances.

Lynwood 31 Bassett 23

12 Comments to "Game Night: CIF Playoffs – Semi-Finals"

  1. C.SalmõnBohon's Gravatar C.SalmõnBohon
    November 18, 2022 - 8:23 pm | Permalink

    Lion Dad, couldn’t agree more! I’m a Lion alumni, but my nephew lab’s Knights under Sir Royal Baldness first year as HC. So it doesn’t matter tonight. We are EM Strong!!!!! Go KNIGHTS!!!!

  2. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    November 17, 2022 - 7:46 pm | Permalink

    Hahahaha

  3. EMFer's Gravatar EMFer
    November 16, 2022 - 9:40 pm | Permalink

    I agree

  4. ?'s Gravatar ?
    November 16, 2022 - 9:31 pm | Permalink

    Love why. The mid doesn’t cover the San Fernando Valley.

  5. Pac 5 Scout's Gravatar Pac 5 Scout
    November 16, 2022 - 7:12 pm | Permalink

    I picked Baldwin Park as my Cinderella team at the start of this season. First because I love their tacos and 2nd because I love their burritos, who knew a football team would breakout. I’am betting a combination plate with extra guac that Baldwin Park upsets Muir.

  6. Purple Fan's Gravatar Purple Fan
    November 16, 2022 - 6:04 pm | Permalink

    The Huge Offensive and Defensive Line of The Phantoms will be The difference. The Phantoms have The #1 Reciever in The State. Phantom by 7. Go Cathedral.

  7. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    November 16, 2022 - 5:44 pm | Permalink

    Amat 34-28. Downey 35-21. San Dimas 40-17. Muir 35-21. South Pas 28-24. Arroyo 35-21 (with Lancaster getting a garbage TD when the games out of reach). Maranantha 42-24. Lynwood 35-14.

  8. Phantom of the opera's Gravatar Phantom of the opera
    November 16, 2022 - 1:27 pm | Permalink

    Downey has beat up on cathedral the last few times they played. Cathedral gets revenge… in their minds. Downey 40-21

  9. Lion Dad's Gravatar Lion Dad
    November 16, 2022 - 12:45 pm | Permalink

    Everyone is saying Arroyo is not supposed to win this game against Lancaster. I heard Lancaster is big and athletic, but i hope Arroyo bring their A game and wins. Many Arroyo people showed Love to 2019 El Monte Lions when they the championship so let’s return favor. Go get them Arroyo

  10. Factor's Gravatar Factor
    November 16, 2022 - 9:02 am | Permalink

    Wow, Maranatha is undefeated and on their way to a possible title! Wasn’t Lavar Arrington there last year or the year before? What was his record there? Did he leave the program on the rise, or in shambles? Who is the new coach? Lavar leftovers or did this guy coach it up? If so, he deserves some serious credit!

    All sincere questions. Hoping people know the answers to. Thanks!

  11. Valley coach's Gravatar Valley coach
    November 15, 2022 - 9:34 pm | Permalink

    How about giving Valley Christian some love they are also in the D-12 playoffs and are the #2 seed.

  12. Best of the Lot's Gravatar Best of the Lot
    November 15, 2022 - 8:40 pm | Permalink

    The Downey-Cathedral contest looks to be the best of this bunch. It’s division 4, so the athleticism will be good, and as our host says, these two programs have a history. This element of rivalry is important…it’s the reason the Rose Bowl will be packed this weekend, while there will be empty seats at many of these semifinal contests.

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