Manny’s World: CIF Semifinals Picks
MANNY’S SEMIFINALS GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week Overall Record: 12-8
Current Overall Record: 189-69-2
INLAND EMPIRE GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week IE Record: 2-3
Overall IE Record: 48-16
No. 5 Cajon of San Bernardino (11-1) at Capistrano Valley of Mission Viejo (9-3), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Cajon
The Cougars have struggled with top opponents and this should be no different. QB Jayden Daniels will lead Cajon to victory as the Cowboys return to the CIF-SS Finals.
San Jacinto (11-1) at Valencia of Placentia (11-1), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: San Jacinto
This is Tiger on Tiger crime with the winner headed to the CIF-SS Division VII Finals. This is an even matchup. In a close one, I’m going with DE Kaleb Hervey and Sac Jacinto with the victory.
Eisenhower of Rialto (12-0) at El Rancho of Pico Rivera (9-3), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Eisenhower
El Rancho is looking to end perfection and head to the CIF-SS Division X, but with LB Sean Evans and the Eagles defense in the way, it will probably not happen. Eisenhower stays perfect and heads to the finals.
Orange Vista of Perris (11-1) at Garey of Pomona (10-2), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Orange Vista
The Coyotes are only 2-3 years young, but now they’re a game away from the CIF-SS Division XIII Finals. They run into a tough Garey squad. Orange Vista keeps the dream alive and head to the finals.
Linfield Christian of Temecula (11-1) at Xavier Prep of Palm Desert (7-5), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Xavier Prep
The Saints have had a tough season, but they have stay together and I expect nothing different on Friday. DB Fabrice Voyne will look to lead Xavier Prep over the Lions as they advance to the CIF-SS Division XII Finals.
LOS ANGELES GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week LA Record: 4-1
Overall LA Record: 52-13
No. 1 St. John Bosco of Bellflower (12-0) vs. No. 4 Oaks Christian of Westlake Village (12-0) at Royal of Simi Valley, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: St. John Bosco
The Division of death, CIF-SS Division I gets down to four of the best teams in Southern California. What will make it tougher for the Lions is that DE Kayvon Thibodeaux is suspended for the game. This will make things easier for QB DJ Uiagalelei and the St. John Bosco offense. The Braves return to the CIF-SS Finals for the sixth straight season in a row.
No. 12 Upland (10-2) at No. 10 Calabasas (10-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Calabasas
The Scots will look to try and stop the Calabasas high powered offense. WR Mycah Pittman and the Coyote offense might be too much for Upland. Calabasas heads to the CIF-SS Division II finals.
No. 11 Rancho Verde of Moreno Valley (12-0) at No. 13 Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks (9-3), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Notre Dame
The Knights have been playing with a chip on their shoulders after the passing of Coach Kevin Rooney’s wife. RB Christian Grubb will lead Notre Dame to victory, making Rancho Verde human again, The Knights head to the CIF-SS Division II Finals.
Birmingham of Van Nuys (9-2) at No. 9 Narbonne of Harbor City (8-3), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Narbonne
The Gauchos have a tough one against Birmingham, but DB Mykael Wright and the Narbonne defense have been well prepared for this. Gauchos advance to the CIF-LACS Open Division Finals…again.
No. 20 South Hills of West Covina (12-0) vs. Pacifica of Oxnard (11-1) at Covina District Field, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: South Hills
The Huskies are looking to not only stay perfect, but advance to the CIF-SS Division VI Finals. Both of these things should happen. South Hills advances and stay alive in the perfecto column.
ORANGE COUNTY GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week OC Record: 4-1
Current OC Record: 49-16
No. 3 Mater Dei of Santa Ana (10-2) vs. No. 2 Centennial of Corona (12-0) at Santa Ana Stadium, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Mater Dei
The Monarchs have a much tougher task than St. John Bosco does with Oaks Christian. Mater Dei wants revenge against Bosco and QB Bryce Young will make that happen with a win over a tough Huskies squad.
No. 18 Grace Brethren of Simi Valley (10-2) vs. No. 14 Villa Park (12-0) at El Modena of Orange, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Villa Park
The Spartans have their toughest task this season in front of them with Grace Brethren, but QB Paul Piferi will be up to the task as he tries to send Villa Park back to the CIF-SS Finals for the first time since 2011.
No. 15 Corona del Mar of Newport Beach (10-1-1) at Camarillo (11-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Corona del Mar
The Sea Kings will keep going to the air to WR John Humphreys. If ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Corona del Mar heads to the CIF-SS Finals.
Santa Ana (10-2) at Kaiser of Fontana (11-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Santa Ana
ATH Patrick McMorris has done everything for Santa Ana, but they run into a big problem in Kaiser. I expect McMorris to lead the Saints as they march on to their second CIF-SS Finals appearance in three seasons.
Western of Anaheim (10-2) at Beaumont (8-4), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Western
The Pioneers are one game closer to their first CIF-SS Finals appearance since 2004. WR twin duo Cassius and Caine Savage will keep the ball rolling and send Western to the finals over Beaumont.
SAN DIEGO GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week SD Record: 2-3
Overall SD Record: 40-23-2
No. 8 Cathedral Catholic of San Diego (10-1) vs. No. 6 Torrey Pines of San Diego (10-0) at Southwestern College of Chula Vista, Saturday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Cathedral Catholic
The first 11-man football CIF Finals are here and it comes from the San Diego Section. RB Shawn Poma will look to lead the way for the Dons and give Torrey Pines their first loss. Cathedral Catholic takes the CIF-San Diego Open Division title.
Helix of La Mesa (7-4) at No. 19 Eastlake of Chula Vista (10-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Eastlake
The Titans defense will keep paving the way. They have a tough one against Helix, but LB Josh McCurty will send Eastlake to the CIF-SDS Division I title game.
Lincoln of San Diego (8-4) at Granite Hills of El Cajon (10-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Lincoln
The Hornets have a big one, but they have been battled tested. WR Ke’shun Ford will look to lead Lincoln to victory over Granite Hills and send them to the CIF-SDS Division II title.
Santa Fe Christian of Solana Beach (8-3) at Central of El Centro (11-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Central
Has anyone stopped the Spartans this season? Well, no that’s why they’re undefeated, but Santa Fe Christian is an experienced playoff team. WR Thadeo Campbell will send Central to the CIF-SDS Division IV Finals and look to go 13-0 next week.
Serra of San Diego (9-3) at Kearny of San Diego (10-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Kearny
Kearny will look to get ready as a win here sends them to the CIF-SDS Division IV Finals. WR Devon Jones will send the Komets there as they get the win. Plus, Kearny has a lineman named Cypress Hill, that’s good mojo.