TOP PREP FOOTBALL GAMES
TODAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
City Section, at El Camino College Div. III: No. 2 Reseda (11-2) vs. No. 1 Franklin (12-1), 11 a.m.
(Spectrum) — Ja’lani Elison has 15 interceptions for Reseda. David Telles has been the closest thing to a one-man wrecking crew for Franklin, aided by quarterback Mario Bobadilla, who has passed for 3,284 yards and 32 touchdowns. The pick: Franklin.
Div. II: No. 2 Los Angeles (10-3) vs. No. 1 Hawkins (12-0), 3
p.m. (Spectrum) — Few teams have as many college prospects as Hawkins. Defensive back Eric Fuller has been impressive on special teams during the playoffs and Los Angeles will have to slow running back Greg Johnson. L.A. lost to Hawkins, 34-22, in Coliseum League play, but the Romans are finally at full strength and ready to turn loose Chris Green and Martin Andrus on the line. The pick: Los Angeles.
Div. I: No. 2 Dorsey (10-3) vs. No. 1 Narbonne (13-0), 7 p.m. (Spectrum) — Narbonne has been breezing through the playoffs. This game will be tougher. Dorsey has an effective running game, led by Charles Mincy Jr. On defense, Kayvon Thibodeux and Gregory Jordan are capable of disrupting Narbonne quarterback Jalen Chatman, but the Dons must also watch out for running back Kameron Denmark. This game will be determined by whether the Dons can score against a very good Gauchos defense. The pick: Narbonne.
Southern Section Division 1: No. 3 St. John Bosco (11-2) vs. No. 1 Santa Ana Mater Dei (13-0) at Anaheim Stadium, 7:30 p.m. (Fox
Sports West) — St. John Bosco will need another great game plan, as it had on Oct. 21 in a 26-21 Trinity League loss to the Monarchs. No turnovers, good tackling and a strong rushing attack can create the opportunity for an upset. But look for the Monarchs to be ready behind quarterback JT Daniels and receivers Osiris and Amon-ra St. Brown. The pick: Mater Dei.
Division 5: No. 1 Calabasas (13-0) at No. 2 Capistrano Valley (12-1), 7 p.m. — Darnay Holmes of Calabasas is the best uncommitted player in California, and his ability to make big plays on offense and defense makes the Coyotes tough to beat. Capistrano Valley quarterback Kevin Brown will need to answer every Calabasas touchdown. The pick: Calabasas.
Division 9: No. 3 Silverado (11-2) at No. 1 Cerritos Valley
Christian (11-2), 7 p.m. — Maybe 6-foot-5, 325-pound Tyson Pauling will engage in a little intimidation for Silverado. There’s also junior Levi Taylor, who has passed for 3,706 yards and 44 touchdowns. Valley Christian is on an 11-game winning streak. Junior running back Gianni Hurd has rushed for 1,779 yards. The pick: Valley Christian.
Division 10: Long Beach St. Anthony (11-2) at No. 2 San Bernardino Aquinas (11-2), 7 p.m. — John Buksa has passed for 2,410 yards and 26 touchdowns for surging St. Anthony. Junior running back Branden Rankins has rushed for 2,011 yards to lead Aquinas. The pick: St. Anthony.
Division 11: Moreno Valley Valley View (10-3) at Quartz Hill (10-3), 7 p.m. — Sophomore Jacob Barlage has sparked Valley View with 1,953 yards passing and 16 touchdowns. Dwight Brown and Justin Keeling have each rushed for more than 1,000 yards. Senior Manny Thomas has rushed for 1,534 yards for Quartz Hill. The pick: Valley View.
Division 12: No. 2 Rancho Mirage (11-2) at No. 1 El Monte Arroyo (12-1), 7 p.m. — Joshua Ramirez has 13 sacks for Rancho Mirage, which also has a terrific punter-kicker in Daniel Whelan, a native of Ireland. Sophomore Ernesto Camacho has passed for 2,538 yards and 28 touchdowns for Arroyo. The pick: Rancho Mirage.
Division 13: No. 1 Santa Ana (13-0) vs. No. 2 Temecula Rancho Christian (11-2) at Temecula Valley, 7 p.m. — Former Orange Lutheran Coach Jim Kunau has Rancho Christian in its first title game in its third year of existence. Sophomore Malosi Napoleon has rushed for 1,263 yards. Santa Ana was 149 before Coach Charlie TeGantvoort showed up. Twins Jonathan and Jorge Briseno lead the team. The pick: Santa Ana.