The regular season is over and only playoff caliber teams remain playing into November as part of the CIF playoffs. TeamFB7 highlights the top matchups to watch this week involving SoCal teams in Round 1.
People hardly remember which teams had strong regular seasons. It’s the teams that perform in the playoffs that are remembered for years to come and have a banner hanging in their high school gyms.
There are multiple divisions across the CIF playoffs in Southern California. Games in the top division in the CIF Southern Section don’t get underway until next week, but a majority of the teams open play Friday night. Here is a rundown of the top games TeamFB7 will be watching this week.
RELATED: X-Factors To Know In The CIF Southern Section Playoffs
Breaking Down the Top CIF Playoffs Matchups in Southern California for Round 1
Pacifica vs. Bishop Amat
Oxnard-Pacifica has won two CIF championships in a row but at slightly lower levels. Portland State committed quarterback Taylor Lee averages 241 passing yards per game with 29 touchdowns. San Diego State commit Isaiah Phelps is a top two-way player who leads Pacifica in rushing and in tackles on defense.
Bishop Amat was the second place team in the very tough Mission League with just one loss to Sierra Canyon. Justin Clinton leads the Lancers in rushing with 8 touchdowns and Domenico Doran throws for 171 yards per game with 14 touchdowns. The strength of Bishop Amat’s team is its ability to rush the passer. Matthew Blalock leads Bishop Amat in tackles with 66 and tackles for a loss (14). KJ Paea has 10.5 sacks for the Lancers.
Huntington Beach vs. Inglewood
Huntington Beach went undefeated this season and won the Delta League and its reward is playing a tough Inglewood team on the road. Ohio State commit Brady Edmunds hasn’t lit up the stat sheet this season but does throw for 206 yards per game with 24 touchdowns. Most importantly, he doesn’t turn the ball over and can get the ball to his playmakers in space. Skylar Robinson leads the Oilers in receiving with 841 yards and has returned multiple kicks for touchdowns. Arizona State commit Dylin Bruce (41 catches, 627 yards, 6 TDs) is a top receiver for Huntington Beach and has returned multiple interceptions for touchdowns.
Inglewood has a well-balanced offense with quarterback Lincoln Jahn and the running back duo of Marlon Watson and Semaj Welch. Jahn throws for 238 yards per game with 22 touchdowns and the Sentinels run for 241 yards per game. Jordan Williams leads Inglewood with 101 tackles and Oklahoma commit Elija Harmon (60 tackles, 19 TFL, 5.5 sacks) will be a tough matchup for Huntington Beach’s offensive line.
Serra vs. Palos Verdes
These two teams played in Week 0 and Palos Verdes won on a last-minute field goal. Palos Verdes quarterback Ryan Rakowski has completed 72% of his passes for 201 yards per game with 21 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions. Junior Jalen Flowers may be the best two-way player in the state and leads Palos Verdes in receiving (36 catches, 730 yards, 9 TD) and interceptions (3). Weston Reis leads the Sea Kings’ defense with 92 tackles and Joshua Williams is the team’s top pass rusher.
Serra beat Notre Dame last week to get into the playoffs and its defense has hung with some of the best teams in the state. The Cavaliers’ secondary is stacked with Division 1 talent with UCLA commit Pole Moala, San Jose State commit Wesley Ace and top junior recruit Derrick Coleman. Serra’s offense is led by Stanford commit AJ McBean at running back.
Long Beach Poly vs. Norco
Norco is banged up and limped its way into the CIF playoffs after being awarded a forfeit win against Murrieta Valley last week. The Cougars have been playing sophomore quarterback Dylan Hansen due to an injury to its star quarterback Julian Medina. BYU commit Blake Wong is back and healthy at receiver along with tight end Tristan Ogas.
Long Beach Poly outscored its Moore League opponents 199-0. Mater Dei transfer Trevor Scott has thrown for 280 yards per game with 16 touchdowns and 1 interception since becoming eligible. Zion Anderson has 8 touchdown receptions in his last two games with 297 yards. Long Beach Poly’s secondary features two high-level recruits in Miami commit Donte Wright and UCLA commit JuJu Johnson.
Tustin vs. San Juan Hills
If there is such a thing as a bad loss, it happened to San Juan Hills last week in a 54-44 loss to Mission Viejo in the Alpha League championship game. Backup quarterback Parker Armstrong threw for 381 yards with 4 touchdowns for San Juan Hills. Texas State commit Luke Frith has 1,050 yards receiving with 15 touchdowns. Maxwell Porter leads the Stallions’ defense with 21 tackles for a loss and Arthur Tuverson has 4 interceptions including one in each of his last two games.
Tustin beat Capo Valley last week to qualify for an at-large spot in the playoffs. The Tillers held Capo Valley’s strong offense under 150 yards and to just seven points. Colorado State commit Jeremiah Salvant returned a kick for a touchdown in that game and had an interception. UCLA commit Khalil Terry led Tustin in tackles in that game and Hayden Koo had a rushing touchdown out of the Wildcat formation.
