OCVarsity’s breakdown and prediction for Division 3 of the CIF-SS football playoffs.
DIVISION 3
Top seeded teams
1. La Mirada (8-2)
2. Edison (9-1)
3. Cathedral (10-0)
4. St. Francis (9-1)
O.C. teams in this division:
Buena Park (9-1)
Edison
Los Alamitos (7-3)
San Juan Hills (7-3)
Villa Park (9-1)
Analysis: Of all the new divisions constructed under the competitive equity system, Division 3 might have the most parity. Consider this: The only at-large berth in the division was awarded to San Juan Hills. One of the Stallions’ three losses was to second-seeded Edison by a narrow 24-17 margin. There are no “gimme” games in this bracket. Right out of the gate, we get a pair of great county-vs.-county matchups: San Juan Hills at Buena Park and Los Alamitos at Villa Park. The Coyotes are gifted at the skill positions and possess speed that rivals any team in the division, but they cannot afford to start slow like they have in league play against a battle-tested San Juan Hills squad. Los Alamitos and Villa Park is sure to be a slugfest. Spartans quarterback Nick Sipe has been slinging it of late, but the Griffins defense is the best he’s seen since Servite’s back in mid-September. Edison will open up against a very good Newbury Park team, and would play the San Juan Hills-Buena Park winner if it were to advance. The Chargers seems to be clicking at just the right time. Quarterback Griffin O’Connor has passed for 1,040 yards and 14 touchdowns in the last three game, and the defense has been stellar throughout the season. Getting to the finals won’t be easy, especially with unbeaten Cathedral looming on the bottom half of the bracket. But in Coach Dave White’s final postseason at the helm, Edison has a special feel about it and owns the talent to make it a memorable send off.
Champion: Edison over La Mirada
