The Calhoun Wrap-Up: First-round playoff games
I don’t know if anybody from OCVarsity did, but I know I correctly picked Santa Margarita to knock off El Toro. That’s why you should always kick off your week by reading the Calhoun Countdown.
Now, I also picked Los Alamitos to defeat La Habra … I can’t always be right.
Let’s look back at the week
I’m all in favor of giving the Moore League one playoff berth to the Pac-5 playoffs. The other two from the league can be spread throughout the other divisions of their choice.
Oh, wait, I think Lakewood just fumbled the kickoff again.
Now, that we had gotten rid of the Moore League (except for Long Beach Poly, but that’s coming), there are some real quarterfinals match-ups
St. Bonaventure-Santa Margarita. The Eagles won the first game (35-27), but that was with Johnny Stanton. Santa Margarita in the semifinals? wouldn’t surprise me.
Alemany-Mater Dei. The Monarchs get a home game. If Chase Forrest can perform like he did Friday, then the Monarchs will be in good shape.
St. John Bosco-Notre Dame. Bosco gets another home game.
LB Poly-Mission Viejo. Traditional rivals get together. I’m taking the Diablos.
Southwest
The Sunset League got off to a 3-0 start in the first round, with Edison, Newport Harbor and Huntington Beach pulling off victories.
Now, the second round, there are some interesting games.
Valencia-Edison. Never thought I would see these two teams playing, but you would have to think Edison wins.
Villa Park-Newport Harbor – two physical, smashmouth teams. should be a low-scoring contest. FG wins it? what do you think.
Tustin-Huntington Beach – I think these two have played recently. The Oilers will need to speed up the tempo to try and wear down the Tillers. If not, Tustin will ground and pound its way to victory.
Southern Division
Wide open division. My early pick for the final: Corona del Mar-Laguna Beach. The schools are rivals on the volleyball courts, so a football showdown in the finals would be classic.
Rim of the World
That’s where St. Margaret’s is headed for the second round. The road trips in the East Valley are ridiculous. I think the top two seeds into the playoffs should have home games until the finals.
That’s it for this week. Sound off in the comments field on your thoughts on the first round of the playoffs.
I’m out.
More in The Calhoun Wrap-Up:
Football: OCVarsity Stars of the Week
Football: First round receiving leaders
Football: CIF-SS first round By the numbers
