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Rancho Alamitos quarterback Nick Brown
Rancho Alamitos quarterback Nick Brown
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FRIDAY’S SOUTHERN DIVISON PLAYOFF GAMES

Second round

Brea Olinda (6-5) vs. Garden Grove (10-1)

Where, when: Garden Grove High, 7 p.m.

Outlook: The Wildcats got above .500 last week with an impressive 34-0 victory over Ocean View in the first round and should provide a significant challenge to the Argonauts. Garden Grove looked every bit like the Southern Division’s favorite in its first-round shutout, a 49-0 drubbing of Calvary Chapel. Both teams feature quality running backs – Brea senior Billy Hanley (122 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries last week) and Garden Grove sophomore Jordan Antunez (164 yards and four touchdowns on 10 carries last week).

Canyon (5-6) vs. Los Amigos (7-4)

Where, when: at El Modena High, 7 p.m.

Outlook: There might not be a hotter team in the division than Canyon, which has won five straight games after an 0-6 start. The Canyon train kept rolling last week, in a dominating 55-0 win over Santa Ana. Eight Canyon rushers totaled 242 yards against Santa Ana, led by junior Charlie Treanor’s 78 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. The Lobos’ rushing attack is a bit more focused on one player – Moby Contreras. The senior extended his Orange County-leading rushing total with 290 yards and four touchdowns on 22 carries in a 48-13, first-round victory over Magnolia.

Rancho Alamitos (9-2) vs. Westminster (9-2)

Where, when: Bolsa Grande High, 7 p.m.

Outlook: Rancho quarterback Nick Brown had his way with Saddleback in the Vaqueros’ 50-34 first-round victory, but he will probably have a tougher time with second-seeded Westminster, which arguably has the division’s best defense. The Lions are allowing just fewer than 13 points per game and haven’t allowed more than nine points in a game since a 17-14 victory over Pacifica in early October. Still, Brown’s explosive numbers against Saddleback (353 yards and seven touchdowns on 18-of-23 passing) should cause concern for the Lions, who will look to control the ball behind senior running back Humberto Maciel. Maciel ran for 146 yards and three touchdowns in the first round.

Contact the writer: jbalan@ocregister.com