OCVarsity’s breakdown and prediction for Division 11 of the CIF-SS football playoffs.
DIVISION 11
Top seeded teams:
1. Katella (10-0)
2. Culver City (7-3)
3. Montebello (9-1)
4. Bishop Montgomery (7-3)
O.C. teams in this division:
Katella
Rancho Alamitos (6-4)
Westminster (5-5)
Analysis: Katella doubled up Westminster, 42-21, back in mid-September, and the two teams will duke it out once again this week when the top-seeded Knights host the Lions in a first-round matchup. Katella steamrolled through Orange League play, outscoring opponents, 259-76. The Knights have a pair of go-to weapons in running back Francisco Pineda and wide receiver James Fatasia. Junior quarterback Nathan Arrington has developed throughout the season, and is capable of airing it out when needed, which is always a huge plus in the lower divisions. Rancho Alamitos quarterback Blake Culbert is amongst the top-20 passers in Orange County, and he’ll be counted on in the Vaqueros first-round game against Heritage Christian. A win would likely mean a meeting with Culver City in the second round. The second-seeded Centaurs have played the toughest schedule in this division, which included a meeting with Los Angeles city-power, Dorsey High. Those encounters pay dividends at this point in the season.
Champion: Culver City over Katella
