OCVarsity’s previews and predictions Friday’s second-round playoff games.
PAC-5 DIVISION
Centennial of Corona (11-0) vs. Orange Lutheran (6-5)
Where, when: Orange Coast College, 7 p.m.
Live coverage: nfhsnetwork.com
Outlook: This is a rematch. These teams met Sept. 11 when Centennial beat Orange Lutheran, 35-14. That is Centennial’s closest game of 2015. Lutheran lost its final two games of the regular season, Trinity League games against St. John Bosco and JSerra. The Lancers opened the playoffs with a 54-44 road win over St. Bonaventure of Ventura. Four Lancers rushed for 90 or more yards, led by Dominik Austin’s 118 yards. Top-seeded Centennial, Pac-5 champion last year, rolled to a 70-29 win over Chaminade of West Hills in the first round. The Huskies are ranked No. 2 in CalHiSports.com’s California rankings, behind De La Salle of Concord. Centennial’s J.J. Taylor rushed for 185 yards and seven touchdowns on 18 carries in the win over Chaminade. It still looks like we will see a Centennial-St. John Bosco game in the Pac-5 final.
Prediction: Centennial
Mater Dei (9-2) vs. Serra of Gardena (9-2)
Where, when: Serra High, 7 p.m.
Live coverage: foxsportswest.com
Outlook: Mater Dei roared to a 66-14 win over Lakewood in last week’s first round. It was 52-7 at halftime. The Monarchs’ defense scored three touchdowns – Fa’avae Fa’avae and Jack Genova scored on fumble returns and Xavier Bell returned an interception 84 yards for a touchdown. Serra quarterback Khalil Tate, committed to Arizona, had another excellent game last week in the fourth-seeded Cavaliers’ 38-20 win over Westlake. Tate passed for 226 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 185 yards and a touchdown. Mater Dei is ranked No. 7 in the state top 25. Serra is No. 13. The winner plays the Centennial-Orange Lutheran winner. Mater Dei has done a fine job containing standout quarterbacks, but Tate’s dual-threat abilities might be too much for the Monarchs.
Prediction: Serra
Contact the writer: sfryer@ocregister.com
