Manny’s World: Quarterfinals Picks
Someone tell the football season to slow down.
Next week, the basketball season starts. What give football.
Anyway, that’s my generic paragraph, on to my football picks.
MANNY’S QUARTERFINALS GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week Record: 14-6
Overall Record: 177-61-2
INLAND EMPIRE GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week IE Record: 4-1
Overall IE Record: 46-14
No. 2 Centennial of Corona (11-0) at Rancho Cucamonga (7-4), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Centennial
The Huskies better not take Rancho Cucamonga lightly because they’re on a rampage during their seven game winning streak. WR Gary Bryant Jr. will look to catch a fair share of football and lead Centennial to the semifinals of the CIF-SS Division of death…sorry that Division I, same thing.
No. 13 Rancho Verde of Moreno Valley (11-0) at Alemany of Mission Hills (7-4), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Rancho Verde
The Mustangs will look to keep their perfect season alive and head to the semifinals, but this is their toughest opponent this season. WR Jamar Simpson will keep Rancho Verde perfect as they advance in a very close one.
Norco (9-2) at No. 14 Upland (9-2), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Norco
This is going to be a fun one. Two fantastic teams battle it out to see who advances to the CIF-SS Division II semifinals The Cougars are a running back factory and I expect DJ Ford to keep the tradition alive as Norco heads to the semifinals.
Santa Ana (9-2) at Temecula Valley (6-5), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Temecula Valley
Temecula Valley, which went 0-10 last season, will look to be one step away from the CIF-SS Division VIII Finals. Although Santa Ana has a tough squad, I’m expecting the Golden Bears to step in with SS Easton Gibbs leading the way. I’m going with a driven hungrey Temecula Valley squad.
Palm Desert (11-0) at San Gorgonio of San Bernardino (8-3), 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Palm Desert
The Aztecs will look to keep their undefeated season going as they take on a playoff experienced San Gorgonio program. I’m going with Palm Desert as they head to the CIF-SS Division IX semifinals.
LOS ANGELES GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week LA Record: 4-1
Overall LA Record: 48-12
No. 16 Los Alamitos (9-1-1) at No. 15 Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks (8-3), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Notre Dame
I expect Los Alamitos to make a splash, but Notre Dame will be ready with RB Christian Grubb leading the way. The Knights will head to the CIF-SS Division II semifinals in a close victory.
Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth (8-3) at Moorpark (8-3), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Moorpark
This is a pretty evened matchup, but the winner of this game, which heads to the CIF-SS Division III semifinals will be QB Blake Sturgill and the Musketeers over Sierra Canyon.
Lawndale (9-2) at Antelope Valley of Lancaster (9-2), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Lawndale
Lawndale us going to be riding on the back of RB Jordan Wilmore as Lawndale moves on the CIF-SS Division V semifinals over Antelope Valley.
Birmingham of Van Nuys (8-2) vs. San Fernando (8-2) at Pierce College of Woodland Hills, Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Birmingham
This is going to be a close one, but I have to go with DB Mason White and the Patriots defense over the defending CIF-LACS Champions. Birmingham advances over San Fernando.
Dorsey of Los Angeles (6-5) vs. Crenshaw (Los Angeles (5-6) at Rancho Cienega Park of Los Angeles, Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Dorsey
Last time these two teams played was two weeks ago for the Coliseum League title where Dorsey won 44-35. I expect a closer game and the same result. Dorsey wins in a thrilling playoff game to add on to this historic rivlary. The Dons head to the CIF-LACS Division I semifinals.
ORANGE COUNTY GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week OC Record: 4-1
Overall OC Record: 45-15
No. 3 Mater Dei of Santa Ana (9-2) at No. 8 Mission Viejo (6-5), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Mater Dei
The Monarchs and Diablos meet once again in the CIF-SS Division I quarterfinals. Mater Dei won last years matchup in Bob Johnson final game as head coach for Mission Viejo. He wasn’t pleased with that and the Diablos won’t be pleased when WE Bru McCoy leads the Mater Dei squad to the semifinals.
No. 4 Oaks Christian of Westlake Village (11-0) at No. 5 JSerra of San Juan Capistrano (9-2), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny Pick: JSerra
This is going to be the top game in Southern California. Both of JSerra loses are to Trinity League teams and it should stay that was with RB Chris Street pushing the Lions to the CIF-SS Division semifinals.
Santiago of Corona (7-4) at Capistrano Valley of Mission Viejo (8-3), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Capistrano Valley
The Cougars and the Sharks have been battle tested in their tough league. This will be a close one, but i’m going with QB Nathan Manning and the Cougars for the win.
Yorba Linda (9-2) at Corona del Mar of Newport Beach (9-1-1), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Corona del Mar
The Sea Kings will be going to their 1-2 punch combo in QB Ethan Garbers and WR John Humphreys. CdM will advance to the semifinals of the CIF-SS Division IV over a tough Mustangs team.
Garden Grove (10-1) at Aliso Niguel (Aliso Viejo (10-1), Friday, 7:30pm
Manny’s Pick: Garden Grove
RB Mike Carrillo will look to lead Garden Grove to the CIF-SS Division IX semifinals, but it will be tough with an Aliso Niguel squad that is having one of their best seasons in 13 seasons. The Agros sneak by and head to the semis.
SAN DIEGO GAMES OF THE WEEK
Last Week San Diego Record: 2-3
Overall San Diego Record: 38-20-2
San Marcos (8-1) at No. 7 Torrey Pines of San Diego (9-0), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Torrey Pines
Last time these two teams played, the rain stopped the game and San Marcos had the lead. The Knights want revenge after the game was called off. Torrey Pines will be ready and with a powerful offensive line, QB Jason Heine will be ready. Falcons head to CIF-SDS Open Division Finals.
Carlsbad (6-3) at No. 9 Cathedral Catholic of San Diego (9-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Cathedral Catholic
The Dons are favored, but expect this to be a ballgame. RB Shawn Poma should lead Cathedral Catholic to the Open Division Finals for the second time in three years.
Mission Hills of San Marcos (4-6) at La Costa Canyon of Carlsbad (6-3), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: La Costa Canyon
This could go either way, but La Costa Canyon got a week off to dust off the cobwebs and with LB Austin Nicholas, the Mavericks will advance to the CIF-SDS Division I and end Mission Hills season.
Ramona (7-3) at Granite Hills of El Cajon (9-1), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Ramona
This could go either way, but I have to go with LB Jack Drews and the Bulldogs as they advance to the CIF-SDS Division II semifinals in a close one.
Morse of San Diego (6-4) at Brawley (8-2), Friday, 7pm
Manny’s Pick: Brawley
Brawley will look to get back in the semifinals of the CIF-SDS Division III playoffs and with LB Casey Kline leading the Wildcats defense, that can be done.