Previewing the CIF football playoffs
Check out the county games in the Southwest Division.
FIRST ROUND; ALL GAMES FRIDAY UNLESS NOTED
SOUTHWEST DIVISION
ROWLAND (3-7) VS. EL DORADO (9-1)
Site, kickoff: Valencia High, 7 p.m.
Outlook: The Raiders finished ahead of 1-9 Walnut and 2-8 Nogales to place third in the five-team San Antonio League. On the season, they have been outscored, 211-164. Rowland returned only one starter from last season but El Dorado coach Jeff Bailey believes the Raiders have some good athletes. Rowland runs the fly offense with running backs Brandon Stansell (a standout junior), Joey Chase and Gabe Hernandez getting much of the action. The reigning Southwest Division champion Hawks are seeded first and enter the playoffs on a nine-game winning streak. Defensive linemen Anthony Laurenzi (17 sacks) and Trace Wilson (eight sacks) help lead a defense that allows an average of 8.0 points per game.
EL TORO (5-5) VS. BELLFLOWER (7-3)
Site, kickoff: Bellflower High, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: The Chargers finished third in the Sea View League but interestingly didn't draw a league champion. Bellflower, however, will be a difficult opponent. After losing their first two games of the season, the Buccaneers have won seven of their past eight games, including five in a row. El Toro coach Jake Haley describes Bellflower as a power-run team. Standout senior RB Marshawn Frileaux leads Bellflower with 1,047 yards rushing but missed last week because of a hip injury. He is expected to be a game-time decision, according to Bellflower. The Chargers' top running back, Jai Morris, suffered a stinger late last week against Trabuco Hills but is ready to go, Haley said. Morris has rushed for 1,229 yards and 15 touchdowns. If the score is close at the end, El Toro could be in good shape with emerging junior kicker Vince D'Amato.
BONITA OF LA VERNE (6-4) VS. FOOTHILL (8-2)
Site, kickoff: Tustin High, 7 p.m.
Outlook: The Bearcats finished second in the competitive Miramonte League, though one of their league victories was by forfeit over Diamond Ranch. Bonita fell to league champion and No. 2-seeded Charter Oak, 28-14. Foothill coach Doug Case said the Bearcats feature a passing offense, so the Knights' secondary and pass rush will need to play well. Bonita quarterback Terry Paradez has thrown for 2,024 yards and 20 touchdowns. Despite some struggle scoring in the red zone, Foothill has averaged 36.4 points per game behind QB Chad Miller and RB Michael Camacho. The Knights got a boost last week with the return of kicker Dane Mitton from a back injury.
BREA OLINDA (5-5) VS. TRABUCO HILLS (9-1)
Site, kickoff: Trabuco Hills High, 7 p.m.
Outlook: The Wildcats recovered from a rocky start to take third in the Century League. The Wildcats played a difficult nonleague season with games against Valencia, Troy and La Habra. Wildcats coach Robb Perrance hopes the tough schedule will help his team against the third-seeded Mustangs. Perrance said his team will have to play a physical brand of football. Brea Olinda has a physical middle linebacker in Kory Johnson (6-1, 250). The Wildcats' offense also can be difficult to handle when quarterback Kyle Essington and wideout Dakota Hopkins are playing well. But Trabuco Hills and its crowd should be amped after the Mustangs last week captured their first league title since 1992.
WEST COVINA (5-5) VS. CANYON (8-2)
Site, kickoff: El Modena High, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: West Covina opened its season by playing Mater Dei. The Bulldogs lost, 58-6, but at times, showed they could play some physical football. West Covina finished second in the San Antonio League, losing to league champion South Hills, 35-24. One of the bright spots has been the emergence of running back Ricky Johnson. The sophomore rushed for 185 yards against in a 35-24 loss against South Hills in Week 9. He has been a full-time player the past two weeks. Canyon is seeking its first playoff victory under eighth-year coach Brent McKee. The high-scoring Comanches have been boosted by the past two weeks of Christian Daniel, who is playing some receiver and safety despite having two stress fractures in a foot. Canyon will be without starting defensive line Paul LaVigne (shoulder).
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
