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 Valencia running back Will Van Dam
Valencia running back Will Van Dam
Associate mug of Kenny Connolly, Anaheim reporter.

Date shot: 12/31/2012 . Photo by KATE LUCAS /  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

FRIDAY’S SOUTHWEST DIVISION PLAYOFF GAMES

Second round

Capistrano Valley (8-3) vs. Valencia (10-1)

Where, when: Capistrano Valley High, 7 p.m.

Outlook: The Cougars showed just how dangerous they really are in last week’s 44-42 upset win over third-seeded La Habra. Quarterback Gavin Pruett enters this matchup with the hot hand, having thrown for 286 yards and three touchdowns against the Highlanders. The last thing Valencia wants is to get into a shootout with a speedy Cougars squad. Look for Pat Godoy and the Tigers offense to try to slow the game down with a rushing attack led by Darren Sandoval and Will Van Dam. It could be a long night for Valencia if it finds itself in a track meet with the Cougars and Pruett distributing the ball to weapons like Jordan Bocko and Trevor Wise.

Trabuco Hills (7-4) vs. Corona del Mar (10-1)

Where, when: Trabuco Hills High, 7 p.m.

Live coverage: CASportsZone.com (audio only); Cox 3, 11 p.m. (taped)

Outlook: While Cole Martin (126 yards rushing), Bo St. Geme (139 yards receiving) and Chase Garbers (231 yards passing) each put up quality numbers last week against Tustin, the Corona del Mar offense found the end zone only once in a 17-7 win. The Sea Kings are going to have to play much better offensively if they want to survive a road game against a talented Trabuco Hills team. The Mustangs will be the best team CdM has played since its late-September meeting with Tesoro. While the Trabuco Hills offense has steadily improved throughout the season, the Mustangs have been rock solid on defense and special teams. Against Troy last week, Brenden Schooler returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and Blake Cuzzupoli returned an interception for a score. Whichever offense plays mistake-free football against its opportunistic defensive counterpart will be the team that advances to the final four.

Buena Park (10-1) vs. Villa Park (9-2)

Where, when: Buena Park High, 7:30 p.m.

Live coverage: NFHSnetwork.com

Outlook: The Coyotes had to be salivating at a potential rematch with the Spartans when brackets were released two weeks ago. Now they’ll get their chance for some revenge. Since a 66-40 loss to Villa Park in last year’s playoffs, Buena Park has become one of the most explosive offenses in the county. Zach Taylor has lit up scoreboards getting the ball into the hands of Jaylinn Hawkins, Max Rivera, Marcus Loudon and Will Latham – four speedsters capable of scoring from anywhere on the field. The Coyotes have yet to see a defense as big and as physical as Villa Park’s, so it’ll be interesting to see what wins out: speed or physicality. Establishing the rushing attack with Ramon Chaves will be the key for the Spartans. If they can control the time of possession with the ground game, Buena Park’s two-way athletes will be forced to exert much of their energy on the defensive side of the ball. Villa Park quarerback Anthony Navarro will also have to improve on last week’s 6-for-15 passing if the Spartans hope to make another semifinal appearance.

Foothill (8-3) vs. San Clemente (10-1)

Where, when: Tustin High, 7 p.m.

Outlook: As good as Foothill running back Jared Copeland played last week (167 yards rushing), the Knights’ offense found the end zone only once against Woodbridge. San Clemente, on the other hand, scored five touchdowns in the first half alone in their first-round win over Fullerton. Tritons quarterback Sam Darnold continues to play some of the best football in the county and he’s making it look easy thanks to a stable of weapons in Vlad Dzhabiyev, Brandon Reaves and Jack Sears. It’s going to take a special team effort for the Knights to keep pace in this matchup. Foothill quarterback Preston Moebius must play mistake-free, and a defense led by Logan Wetherholt will have to consistently pressure Darnold for the Knights to have a shot.

KENNY CONNOLLY

Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com