JOHN MAFFEI’S PICKS
WEEK 4 FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS
Championships
Tickets: $15 general admission. $9 students and seniors
Parking :$5
Ticket purchase: All tickets and parking must be purchased online at GoFan.
Parking suggestion: Fans attending games at Escondido HS are encouraged to go north on Center City Parkway, turn right on Country Club and right on Broadway, entering the stadium from the north.
Division I
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where: Escondido HS
(2) Lincoln vs. (1) Helix Preview: Lincoln (8-3) has some special weapons in QB Jalen Daniels, who has thrown for 2,328 yards with 6 interceptions and 16 TDs, RB Rodrick Robinson, who has 1,120 yards and 16 TDs and 960-yard WR Nathan Acevedo and 761-yard Marcus Moore. Defensively, the Hornets rely on Oregon-commit DBs Jalil Tucker and Jahlil Florence, OLB Chris Fewell and DE Brian Robles. As a team, the Hornets have 61 tackles for a loss, 15 sacks and 16 interceptions. … Grossmont Hills League champion Helix (8-3) has won 5 in a row. Helix is led by sophomore QB Ryland Jessee, who has thrown for 1,496 yards and 12 TDs with 4 interceptions. RB Christian Washington is Helix’s top offensive weapon with 1,851 rushing yards, 25 TDs and 9 games of 100 or more yards. WR Xavier Van has 28 catches for 518 yards and 6 TDs. He also has 5 interceptions for a defense that has 16 sacks and 13 interceptions.
Prediction: Lincoln 31, Helix 28
Division II
When: Today, 7 p.m.
Where: Escondido HS
(4) La Jolla vs. (2) Scripps Ranch Preview: La Jolla (5-7) has played off and on this season without injured Washington-bound QB Jackson Stratton. In 6 games he has 1,666 yards and 19 TDs with 2 interceptions. Kevin Steel has thrown for 1,489 yards and 12 TDs with 6 interceptions in his place. WR Mason Powers has 60 catches for 1,228 yards and 12 TDs while Makai Smith has 60 catches for 827 yards, 12 TDs and he has 4 interceptions. The Vikings have rushed for fewer than 1,000 yards. … High-scoring Scripps Ranch (10-1) has scored 50-plus points 4 times and has another 4 games with 40-plus points. QB Jax Leatherwood is completing 70.3 percent of his 269 passes for 2,923 yards with 41 TDs and 2 interceptions. RB Jalen Shaw has 894 yards and 14 TDs rushing and 356 yards receiving. WR Conor Lawlor has 62 catches for 1,099 yards and 17 TDs. The defense, which has 47 tackles for a loss and 20 sacks, is led by MLB Hudson Wanner and OLB Xander Media.
Prediction: Scripps Ranch 47, La Jolla 44
Division III
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Where: Escondido HS
(4) Ramona at (1) Mater Dei Catholic
Preview: Valley League champion Ramona (9-3) has benefited from the return of RB Cash Jones, who has 1,052 yards and 11 TDs in 9 games. QB Devin Sobczak has thrown for 1,562 yards and 21 TDs. Sophomore Adrian Enriquez has 381 yards rushing. Junior Azlan Enriquez has 457 yards receiving. Led by CB Chance Mattson, the defense has 12 sacks and 11 interceptions … Metro Mesa League champion Mater Dei Catholic (10-0) has won 11 in a row, scoring 50-plus points 4 times and 40-plus 4 times. QB Dominic Nankil has thrown for 2,752 yards with 34 TDs and 3 interceptions. He has a number of fine WRs, including Surahz Buncom, Cruz Estrada and Chris Snyder. LB Tre Edwards leads a defense that has 50 tackles for a loss and 35 sacks.
Prediction: Mater Dei Catholic 35, Ramona 24
Division IV
(2) University City vs. (1) Patrick Henry
When: Today, 1 p.m.
Where: Escondido HS
Preview: University City (8-4) has a big-time offensive weapon in QB Samuel Cooper IV, who has 2,112 yards passing, 1,233 yards rushing and 119 receiving. He has accounted for 51 TDs. And he has 29 tackles on defense. WR Troy Granfors has 39 catches for 741 yards while Ikaika Bell has 22 catches for 313. On defense, the Centurions, led by MLB Rodrigo Luna and FS Ayden Lockett, have 93 tackles for a loss, 37 sacks and 13 interceptions. … City League champion Patrick Henry (9-2) has won 7 in a row behind QB Malachi
Ghitman, who has 1,439 yards passing with 22 TDs and 4 interceptions, and RB Elijaih Lux, who has 1,553 yards and 15 TDs. Add Tobias Harris, who has 875 yards and 7 TDs, and the Patriots can move the ball. The team averages 9.7 yards on 317 rushes with 32 TDs. On defense, Henry has 57 tackles for a loss and 33 sacks. LB Hassan Noureddine had 106 tackles and 10 sacks. Prediction: Patrick Henry 47, University City 44
Division V
When: Today, 7 p.m.
Where: Grossmont HS
(2) Mission Bay vs. (1) Palo Verde Valley
Preview: Mission Bay (10-2) won the Central League title behind QB Clash Orsborn, who has 2,768 yards passing, 43 TDs and 5 interceptions. He has 3 top targets in Keller Feltman, 45 catches, Jacob Sloan, 65 catches, and John Ryan, 37. The Bucs have rushed 234 times for 1,114 yards. Defensively, Mission Bay has 57 tackles for a loss, 23 sacks and 8 interceptions. … Palo Verde (10-2) is the Desert League champion and has won 9 in a row. The Yellow Jackets throw fewer than 3 passes a game, and have a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in Markus Macon and Xzavier Bejarano. Defensively, the team has 17 interceptions.
Prediction: Mission Bay 35, Palo Verde Valley 31
Last week: 10-1 Season: 127-37