GAME OF THE WEEK
NO. 2 LOS ALAMITOS (9-2) VS. NO. 1 MATER DEI (11-0)
Where, when: Santa Ana Stadium, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Live coverage: Bally Sports SoCal
Analysis: Bruce Rollinson’s final game as Mater Dei’s coach at Santa Ana Stadium could be a good one. Los Alamitos defeated Long Beach Poly 52-42 in last week’s Division 1 quarterfinals. Senior quarterback Malachi Nelson is going to be an All-Orange County selection, and Griffins running back Damian Henderson is the county’s best at his position. Mater Dei junior quarterback Elijah Brown, who is 28-0 as the Monarchs’ starter, is going to be All-County as will several of his teammates. Mater Dei, a 54-14 winner over JSerra last week, has the best defense in Southern California and that will be the difference Friday. Rollinson will walk off of the field at “The Bowl” with his 341st career win.
Winner: Mater Dei
ST. JOHN BOSCO (10-1) VS. NO. 3 MISSION VIEJO (10-1)
Where, when: Mission Viejo High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Live coverage: streaming on BallySports.com PrepZone
Analysis: Mission Viejo’s 31-28 road win over Centennial in the Division 1 quarterfinals was the Diablos’ eighth straight win since a five-point loss to Long Beach Poly. Kadin Semonza threw for 294 yards and two touchdowns in that one. St. John Bosco, a 49-14 winner over Orange Lutheran last week, is better than Centennial, especially on defense. Washington-committed senior linebacker Deven Bryant has a team-high 88 tackles for the Braves. Senior edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei has seven sacks. If you’re looking for an upset this week, this game might provide it. Logically, though, St. John Bosco’s talent advantages and speed on defense should advance the Braves to the Division 1 final.
Winner: St. John Bosco
The Yorba Linda Mustangs take the field for a Veteran’s Day quarterfinal vs. Palos Verdes on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, at South Torrance High School in Torrance. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
NO. 11 CORONA DEL MAR (9-3) VS. NO. 8 YORBA LINDA (12-0)
Where, when: Yorba Linda High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Corona del Mar finished third in the mighty Sunset League before getting Division 3 playoff wins over Ayala 30-23 and Chaparral 41-28. David Rasor continues the Sea Kings’ tradition of superb play at quarterback. Against Chaparral the senior completed 18 of 24 passes for 307 yards and six touchdowns. Senior receiver Cooper Hoch has 94 catches for 1,344 yards and 20 touchdowns. Yorba Linda has a balanced offense. The Mustangs average 177 yards passing and 173 yards rushing per game. Will Saucedo has rushed for 350 yards and five touchdowns over two playoff wins. Yorba’s running game will be productive again in this game, and look for senior linebacker Wyatt Mosier to lead a terrific Mustangs defense.
Winner: Yorba Linda
NO. 13 NEWPORT HARBOR (8-4) VS. NO. 10 CYPRESS (12-0)
Where, when: Western High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Newport Harbor quarterback Colton Joseph has 29 touchdown passes and only two interceptions this season. The Sailors have two splendid receivers, Kashton Henjum and Josiah Lamarque. Cypress has playoff wins over Highland 28-26 and Millikan 29-28, the Centurions’ two closest games of 2022. Junior quarterback Aidan Houston has 2,739 yards passing and a team-high 995 yards rushing. Newport Harbor is the best team Cypress will have played this season. This sizes up as a high-scoring game, and another close win for the Centurions.
Winner: Cypress
Orange quarterback Hype Grand, right, dives past Santa Ana strong safety Stephen Hughes, left, to score a touchdown in the first quarter in Santa Ana on Friday, October 28, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
LOYOLA (7-5) VS. NO. 16 ORANGE (10-2)
Where, when: El Modena High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Orange Coast League champion Orange has won nine in a row since back-to-back losses to Villa Park and Yorba Linda. The Panthers have playoff wins over Huntington Beach 34-28 and San Juan Hills 34-18. They rushed for 356 yards in the win over San Juan Hills, with sophomore quarterback Hype Grand running for 153 yards and a touchdown. Orange is on a roll that will continue.
Winner: Orange
NO. 23 WESTERN (10-1) VS. LAGUNA HILLS (11-1)
Where, when: Laguna Hills High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Western quarterback Anthony Luna has thrown for 2,800 yards and 33 touchdowns. Drew Faulkner, a senior, has an Orange County-leading 98 receptions for 1,365 yards and eight touchdowns for the Pinoneers. His brother, junior Josh Faulkner, has rushed for team-highs of 606 yards and 16 touchdowns. Laguna Hills’ only loss this season was to Northwood 21-17. They since have won four in a row. Hawks tireless senior running back Troy Leigber has rushed for 1,988 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Winner: Western
Northwood’s Danial Kamel (7) celebrates with his teammates after intercepting the ball to secure a 63-56 victory over Monrovia during the first round of CIF-SS Division 8 football playoffs at Monrovia High School in Monrovia on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
VISTA DEL LAGO (9-3) VS. NORTHWOOD (11-1)
Where, when: Irvine High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Northwood, which won the Division 11 title last season, is having another excellent playoff run. And again it’s running back Adam Harper pushing the Timberwolves offense. He is averaging 179 yards rushing a game. Northwood has won nine in row since a four-point loss to Division 9 semifinalist Laguna Beach. Moreno Valley’s Vista del Lago last week beat Crean Lutheran 26-21. Northwood is going to ride Harper, supported by an excellent offensive line, to another championship game.
Winner: Northwood
NORTE VISTA (9-3) VS. LAGUNA BEACH (9-3)
Where, when: Laguna Beach High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Laguna Beach sophomore quarterback Jackson Kollack (6-4, 215) has been great in the playoffs, completing 48 of 66 passes for 604 yards and five touchdowns. The Breakers have a seven-game winning streak. Riverside’s Norte Vista has playoff wins over Adelanto 30-6 and Garden Grove 33-27, both home games for the Braves. A team that throws the ball as well as Laguna Beach has an advantage in lower-division playoff games.
Winner: Laguna Beach
ST. MONICA (7-5) VS. WHITTIER CHRISTIAN (8-4)
Where, when: Whittier College, Friday, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Whittier Christian is in the semifinals for the first time since 2010. The Heralds offense relies on a running attack led by junior running back Jake Martinez. Teams with a quality running game like Whittier Christian’s usually do well in lower-division playoff games.
Winner: Whittier Christian
Fryer on Football this season: 40-15