AM: We saw this game a month ago and it wasn’t very good.

SF: I thought it was.

AM: And it wasn’t all Tyler Ortiz. The Mariners were just better.

SF: That was a good game for Pacifica quarterback Raymond Huizar, who hooked up with brother Raphael Huizar on a couple of big plays. Kennedy did not concentrate on him that much. Having a reliable second, or third, receiver really gives a team an edge in high school football, especially in those mid-divisions.

AM: At the same time, Kennedy has been a different team since then. It hasn’t allowed a point.

SF: Santiago and University did not challenge Kennedy’s defense like Pacifica’s will. Defense has been a Kennedy strength all year. And back-to-back shutouts in the playoffs is impressive, even for Kennedy. I projected a Pacifica-Kennedy semifinal, so I am not surprised.

AM: Valencia was able to beat Pacifica with a balanced offense. It wasn’t just Wes Fletcher. Do you think Kennedy has that?

SF: Yes. Kennedy quarterback Zach Emde has been reliable, so Kennedy can play catch-up ball if it has to, and passing sets up the running game in high school football.

AM: I really like the experience of the Fighting Irish, but I don’t know that they have the playmakers of a year ago when they won this division.

SF: Right. Ed Pleasant was a special guy. But the running back, Corey Smith, is good enough. He has some moves and jukes when he gets into the secondary.

AM: So who do you got?

SF: I picked Pacifica to win the division before the playoffs started. But I had Pacifica beating Laguna Hills in the finals. However, in that playoff predictions column, I wrote: “Cypress just might pull of an upset in that first round.” And that’s what happened when Cypress beat Laguna Hills.

Contact the writer: amaya@ocregister.com