JOHN MAFFEI’S PICKS

WEEK 3 PLAYOFFS

Open Division

Championship

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Escondido HS

Tickets: $15 general admission. $9 students and seniors

Parking: $5

Ticket Purchase: All tickets and parking must be purchased online at GoFan

(2) Cathedral Catholic vs. (1) Carlsbad Preview: Western League champion Cathedral Catholic (9-2), ranked No. 14 in the state, has won 6 in a row and 19 of its last 23. The losses this season are to Corona Centennial, ranked No. 4 in the state, and Concord De La Salle, ranked No. 12. The Dons are led by QB Charlie Mirer, RB Lucky Sutton and WR Rex Haynes. DE Jaxon Moi is among the best in the country and has committed to Stanford. Avocado League champion Carlsbad (11-0), ranked No. 8 in the state, has won 16 in a row and 24 of the last 25. The loss was to Helix in the 2019 Open Division championship game. Included in that run is a 21-20 win over Cathedral Catholic in the 2019 Open Division semifinals. Carlsbad is led by sophomore QB Julian Sayin, who has 2,499 yards and 32 TDs with only 5 interceptions. RB Paulo Burak has 888 yards on 79 carries in 8 games. WR Matt Moore has 1,007 yards rushing and receiving. Josh Davis has 53 catches for 874 yards and 10 TDs. LB Anthony Ferrelli has 59 tackles, 6½ TFL and 3½ sacks.

Common opponents: Cathedral Catholic has beaten Torrey Pines (28-14) and Mission Hills (38-10). Carlsbad has beaten Torrey Pines twice (34-33 and 44-7) and Mission Hills (13-7).

Prediction: Cathedral Catholic 28, Carlsbad 27

Games at 7 p.m. today:

Division I semifinals

(5) El Camino at (1) Helix Preview: El Camino (7-5) has won three in a row behind 2,000-yard QB Kiah Reid, whose favorite target is his brother Tate. Grossmont Hills League champion Helix (7-3) has won four in a row. Helix is led by sophomore QB Ryland Jessee, who has thrown for 1,341 yards and 10 TDs. RB Christian Washington is Helix's top offensive weapon with 2,207 yards total offense.

Common opponents: El Camino lost to Grossmont (35-22) and beat St. Augustine twice (21-13 and 23-14). Helix beat Grossmont (29-14 and 41-24) and St. Augustine (35-14).

Prediction: Helix 28, El Camino 24

(3) Lincoln at (2) Madison Preview: Lincoln (7-3) has some special weapons in QB Jalen Daniels, who has thrown for 2,214 yards, RB Rodrick Robinson, who has 985 yards and 13 TDs, and WR Nathan Acevedo, who has 924 receiving yards. Madison (9-2) has won five in a row and has offensive weapons in QB Reggie Johnson, RB Tyson Bryant and WR Jake Jackson.

Common opponent: Madison beat Lincoln 14-10 in Western League play on Oct. 22.

Prediction: Lincoln 27, Madison 24

Division II semifinals

(4) La Jolla at (1) Mira Mesa Preview: La Jolla (4-7) struggled without QB Jackson Stratton when he was injured, but Stratton is back and has 1,666 yards and 19 TDs with two interceptions in six games. WR Mason Powers has 53 catches for 1,035 yards and 10 TDs while Makai Smith has 60 catches for 827 yards and 12 TDs. Mira Mesa (7-3) is the Eastern League champion and is led by QB Tyson Line and 1,000-yard RB Makei Thompson. Common opponents: La Jolla lost to Scripps Ranch (52-51). Mira Mesa beat Scripps Ranch (38-35)

Prediction: Mira Mesa 27, La Jolla 24 (6) Rancho Bernardo at (2) Scripps Ranch Preview:

Rancho Bernardo (7-5) survived and beat Bishop's 15-14 and then upset Poway in the playoffs. The Broncos rely on 1,844-yard RB Frankie Franchina, who has 21 TDs and 10 100-yard games. RB has had four QBs throw at last 27 passes. Scripps Ranch (9-1) averages 45.5 points a game behind 2,500-yard QB Jax Leatherwood, RB Jalen Shaw and 1,000yard WR Conor Lawlor.

Prediction: Scripps Ranch 24, Rancho Bernardo 20

Division III semifinals

(4) Ramona at (1) Mt. Carmel Preview: Valley League champion Ramona (8-3) is a different team with a healthy RB Cash Jones, who has 915 yards and nine TDs in eight games. QB Devin Sobczak has thrown for 1,441 yards and 19 TDs. Sophomore Adrian Enriquez has 379 yards rushing and 396 receiving. Palomar League co-champion Mt. Carmel (10-1) has a great weapon 2,117-yard QB Cayden Gent. The Sundevils have five WRs with 327 yards or more. TE/DE Jayden Virgin is a big-time player. Common opponents: Ramona beat Rancho Bernardo (19-13), RBV (45-6) and Valley Center (26-14), and lost to Poway (28-14). Mt. Carmel beat Poway (13-7, 2 OT), RBV (42-0) and Valley Center (27-0), and lost to Rancho Bernardo (22-19). Prediction: Ramona 21, Mt. Carmel 20

(3) Santa Fe Christian at (2) Mater Dei Catholic

Preview: Coastal League champion SFC (10-0) has won 15 of its last 16. The Eagles boast 1,460-yard QB Thomas

Greupner, RBs Luca Torti and Colton Lehberg, and got Cooper Whitton back from an injury last week. WR Zachary Marshall averages 23.5 yards on 42 catches. Metro Mesa League champion Mater Dei Catholic (9-0) has won 10 in a row. QB Dominic Nankil has thrown for 2,401 yards with 28 TDs and two interceptions. The Crusaders average 10.2 yards on 170 rushes.

Common opponents: SFC beat Brawley (38-35). MDC beat Brawley (53-21). Prediction: Mater Dei Catholic 34, Santa Fe Christian 25

Division IV semifinals (4) Del Norte at (1) Patrick Henry Preview:

Del Norte (7-4) has won four in a row and a school-record seven games. The Nighthawks are led by QB Jack Schneider, who has 2,063 yards with 29 TDs and three picks. RB Asa Hill averages 8.6 yards on 116 carries. City League champion Patrick Henry (8-2) has won six in a row behind QB Malachi Ghitman and RBs Elijah Lux and Tobias Harris. The Patriots average 9.7 yards on 287 rushes. Common opponents: Del Norte beat Mount Miguel (24-8), but lost to University City (55-44) and Mt. Carmel (2213). Henry lost to Mt. Carmel (28-21), but beat Mount Miguel (42-7) and University City (52-29).

Prediction: Patrick Henry 41, Del Norte 31

(3) Coronado at (2) University City Preview: Coronado (6-5) attacks behind QB Hudson Herber and RB Zane Delcore. University City (7-4) QB Samuel Cooper has more than 3,000 yards total offense and 45 TDs. RB Samuel Harris and WR Troy Granfors are weapons.

Common opponents: Henry beat Coronado 66-14 on Oct. 29.

Prediction: University City 41, Coronado 28

Division V semifinals

(4) Fallbrook at (1) Palo Verde Valley Preview: Fallbrook (5-6) hast won two in a row by a combined score of 83-7. Palo Verde (9-2) is the Desert League champion and has won eight straight. The Yellow Jackets have thrown 23 passes this season and have a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in Markus Macon and Xzavier Bejarano. Prediction: Palo Verde Valley 30, Fallbrook 24

Common opponents: None

(6) Calexico at (2) Mission Bay Preview:

A run-oriented team, Calexico (7-5) has won three in a row. Mission Bay (9-2) won the Central League title behind QB Clash Orsborn, who has 2,463 yards, 38 TDs/3 INTs He has three targets in Keller Feltman, Jacob Sloan, John Ryan.

Prediction: Mission Bay 35, Calexico 17

Last week: 19-3

Season: 117-36