OCVarsity’s Kenny Connolly makes five predictions about the Southwest Division playoffs:
1. Which four teams will make it to the Southwest semifinals? Corona del Mar, Buena Park, La Habra, San Clemente
2. Which team will win the Southwest title? San Clemente.
3. Which team will be the “surprise team” in the Southwest bracket? Buena Park.
The bracket sets up nicely for the Coyotes. They match up well with Cypress and they’ll have added motivation if they see Villa Park in the second round. The Spartans ended Buena Park’s season last year, 66-40, in the first round of the playoffs. Mix the revenge factor with loads of athleticism, and you have a Buena Park team plenty capable of reaching the semis.
4. Which player will be the postseason MVP in the Southwest? Sam Darnold, San Clemente.
In what turned out to be the year of the quarterback, Darnold is in the conversation as the county’s very best. He has all the tools to carry the Tritons to a CIF title.
5. Which O.C. team shouldn’t be overlooked in the Southwest playoffs? Capistrano Valley.
The Cougars have the athletes to upset La Habra in the first round. In looking at a mutual opponent – El Toro – the Highanders lost to the Chargers 51-35 in Week 0. The Cougars lost to El Toro 34-28 in Week 1. Look for this matchup to be the highest scoring game of the first round. And don’t be surprised if the Cougars have more points at the end of the game either.
• Southwest Division breakdown
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Make sure you check back on OCVarsity.com on Wednesday to see Steve Fryer’s predictions for all of the divisions that include O.C. playoff teams.
