Manny’s World: CIF Finals Picks

The CIF Sectional Finals are underway. No more picking for each of the SoCal Regions, it’s all division from here on out. Let’s take a look at how I did this year in each region.

INLAND EMPIRE: 52-18

LOS ANGELES: 55-15

ORANGE COUNTY: 52-18

SAN DIEGO: 44-24-2

OVERALL SOCAL RECORD: 203-75-2

Not bad of a record. Maybe I might pick them right this week for the CIF Finals. Let’s find out.

2018 CIF SECTIONAL FINALS

CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION

DIVISION I

No. 2 Mater Dei of Santa Ana (11-2) vs. No. 1 St. John Bosco of Bellflower (13-0) at Cerritos College of Norwalk, Friday, 7:30pm

Manny’s Pick: Mater Dei

Everyone knew these teams would meet again. One of the best foorball rivalires meet again for the CIF-SS Finals. WR Bru McCoy will make sure that the Monarchs offense matches with Bosco offense and a little bit more. Mater Dei wins this one in a very close one.

DIVISION II

No. 11 Upland (11-2) at No. 9 Rancho Verde of Moreno Valley (13-0), Saturday, 7:30pm

Manny’s Pick: Rancho Verde

It seems like nothing has stopped Rancho Verde. I thought their schedule wasn’t going to help them in the playoffs, but RB Xavier Ugorgi has proven me wrong. The Mustangs will repeat as CIF-SS Champions.

DIVISION III

Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth (10-3) at Cajon of San Bernardino (12-1), Friday, 7:30pm

Manny’s Pick: Cajon

The Cowboys have been on a roll and more so after their close victory over Capistrano Valley. QB Jayden Daniels won’t let this one slip. Cajon goes back-to-back.

DIVISION IV

No. 13 Corona del Mar of Newport Beach (11-1-1) at No. 14 Grace Brethren of Simi Valley (11-2), Saturday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Corona del Mar

The Sea Kings will keep the ball rolling, or in this case, flying to the arms of WR Humphreys. Corona del Mar takes another victory and takes a CIF-SS title.

DIVISION V

Palos Verdes of Palos Verdes Estates (10-3) at Lawndale (11-2), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Lawndale

The Cardinals have so many weapons on defense, but their biggest weapon is on offense is RB Jordan Wilmore. Wilmore is unstoppable and will lead Lawndale to a CIF-SS title.

DIVISION VI

Oxnard (11-2) vs. No. 18 South Hills of West Covina (13-0) at Covina District Field, Saturday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: South Hills

The Huskies face an Oxnard squad that has been tested, but this is South Hills we are talking about. Notch up another win for the Huskies and a CIF-SS title.

DIVISION VII

Culver City (11-2) at San Jacinto (12-1), Saturday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Culver City

San Jacinto  has been battled test in the Mountain Pass League and last week against Valencia of Placentia, but this might be too much. The Centaurs defense is loaded and with DB Dominic Tatum, it will be tough. Culver City takes Division VII.

DIVISION VIII

Kaiser of Fontana (12-1) at Arcadia (11-2), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Kaiser

The Cats will look to scratch their way to the CIF-SS title. No one has gotten in their way and although Arcadia is a tough opponent, Kaiser will take the title.

DIVISION IV

San Gorgonio of San Bernardino (10-3) at Brea Olinda (8-5), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: San Gorgonio

The Wildcats have had an incredible run this postseason, but the San Gorgonio defense will be a tough one to pass by. LB Isiaha Mitchell will lead the Spartans to victory.

DIVISION X

Highland of Palmdale (13-0) at Eisenhower of Rialto (13-0), Saturday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Highland

Eisenhower has had a fantastic season, but no one has stopped Highland and their offense. RB Isaiah Creech will look to lead the Bulldogs in a battle of the undefeated. Highland takes the title.

DIVISION XI

Palos Verdes Peninsula of Rolling Hills Estates (9-4) at Western of Anaheim (11-2), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Palos Verdes Peninsula

The Pioneers are back after a dismal past decade. Western has made plenty of deep runs in the postseason before, but are looking for their first CIF-SS title. Palos Verdes Peninsula will play spoiler though. QB Ethan Gretzinger will lead his offense to victory and give the Panthers a CIF-SS title.

DIVISION XII

Artesia of Lakewood (10-3) at Linfield Christian of Temecula (12-1), Saturday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Linfield Christian

The big boys on the line for the Lions have been explosive, offensive and defensive. Ben Coleman will look to lead the big men to victory over a much improved Artesia squad. Linfield Christian takes the title.

DIVISION XIII

Adelanto (11-1) at Orange Vista of Perris (12-1), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Orange Vista

The Coyotes were not existent just a few years ago and now here they are looking to win a CIF-SS title. Orange Vista has a tough one against Adelanto, but I expect them to take the title. Orange Vista takes CIF.

8-MAN DIVISION I

Faith Baptist of Canoga Park (10-2) at Mojave (10-0), Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Mojave

Mojave beat Faith Baptist by one last time they faced each other. Mojave has played the tougher schedule, but a one point victory can mean it can go both ways. I’m giving Mojave the edge and the 8-Man Division I title.

8-MAN DIVISION II

Bloomington Christian (9-0) vs. Hesperia Christian (10-1), Saturday, 6pm

Manny’s Pick: Bloomington Christian

The Ravens have been battled tested and will be ready for Hesperia Christian. Bloomington Christian takes the CIF-SS Division II title.

CIF-LOS ANGELES CITY SECTION

OPEN DIVISION

Garfield of Los Angeles (12-0) vs. No. 8 Narbonne of Harbor City (9-3) at El Camino College of Torrance, Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Narbonne

Garfield has had an amazing season, but it will be tough to stop Narbonne secondary, led by DB Brandon Jones. The defense alone is tough to stop. The Gauchos take the CIF-LACS Open Division title…again.

DIVISION I

San Pedro (7-6) vs. Dorsey of Los Angeles (8-5) at El Camino College of Torrance, Saturday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Dorsey

The Pirates have had a miracle run in the playoffs, but they run into a battle tested Dorsey squad. DE Tim Mosley and the Dons defense will shut San Pedro down and lead Dorsey to a CIF-LACS title.

DIVISION II

Roosevelt of Los Angeles (9-3) vs. Locke of Los Angeles (9-4) at El Camino College of Torrance, Friday, 3pm

Manny’s Pick: Locke

This is pretty even, but I have to go with WR Jerome Cooper and the Saints offense over Roosevelt. Locke take the Division II title.

DIVISION III

Fremont of Los Angeles (8-5) vs. Santee of Los Angeles (12-1) at El Camino College of Torrance, Saturday, 3pm

Manny’s Pick: Fremont

Fremont has faced some tough teams and this will be Santee toughest opponent. The Pathfinders will find a path in this game and take the Division III title.

CIF-SAN DIEGO SECTION FINALS

DIVISION I

No. 19 St. Augustine of San Diego (9-3) vs. No. 20 Helix of La Mesa (8-4) at Southwestern College of Chula Vista, Saturday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Helix

The Scots handled St. Augustine pretty well and after a wake up call against Steele Canyon of Spring Valley on the final week of the regular season. Expect RB Elelyon Noa to have another huge game and lead the Scots to another CIF-SDS title!

DIVISION II

Lincoln of San Diego (9-4) vs. Mira Mesa of San Diego (10-2) at Southwestern College of Chula Vista, Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Lincoln

It seemed like the season was lost late in the season for the Hornets, but a week 10 win may have snuck this team in the postseason and they have made the best of it. Lincoln has a good group of receivers, led by WR Ke’Shun Ford. Mira Mesa is a tough one, but i’m going with a driven Lincoln squad to take the CIF-SDS Division II title.

DIVISION III

Morse of San Diego (8-4) vs. Central of El Centro (12-0) at Southwestern College of Chula Vista, Saturday, 1pm

Manny’s Pick: Morse

Morse is on a roll, especially after dismantling Christian of El Cajon in the semifinals. DB Shamar Martin will lead a battle tested Tigers team past undefeated Central to take the CIF-SDS Division III title.

DIVISION IV

San Diego (10-1) vs. Kearny of San Diego (11-1) at Southwestern College of Chula Vista, Friday, 1pm

Manny’s Pick: San Diego

These City League rivals meet again and this time it’s for the CIF-SDS title. San Diego apparently took the upset victory over the Komets for the league title, but this time around, there won’t be an upset. S Jayden Wickware will lead the Cavers defense as they are the favorites in this one. San Diego takes the CIF-San Diego Section title in Division IV.

DIVISION V

Parker of San Diego (11-1) vs. Orange Glen of Escondido (7-3) at Otay Ranch of Chula Vista, Friday, 7pm

Manny’s Pick: Orange Glen

The Patriots have faced tougher competition and that might be the only difference from these equally matched teams. I’m going with Orange Glen to take the CIF-SDS Division V title!