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Game of the Week
Division II
No. 3 Helix (9-1-1) at No. 2 Eastlake (9-2)
The similarities between these two teams could make this semifinal one of the section’s best games of the year. Neither team has lost since September and both teams feature a balanced offensive attack and stout defenses – Helix gives up an average of 12 points per game and Eastlake allows 14 per game. Both teams even feature two-way stars that have given Stanford verbal commitments – Highlanders’ senior Levine Toilolo and Titans’ junior Tony Jefferson. Most importantly, both teams want a shot at top seed Oceanside, who sits on the other side of the bracket.
Division I
No. 6 Mission Hills (8-3-1) at No. 2 Escondido (9-2)
In their meeting on Nov. 7, the Cougars crushed the Grizzlies 42-17. Since then, Mission Hills has won three straight, including an upset win over Poway last week. If the Grizzlies want to pull the upset two weeks in a row, they will have to stop Escondido running back Ricky Seale. In last week’s win over Fallbrook, Seale rushed for 280 yards and a touchdown on 36 carries.
Division IV
No. 6 Mission Bay (6-4-1) at No. 2 Madison (11-0)
Despite not losing a game in the regular season, the Warhawks were not awarded the top seed in Division IV. That didn’t seem to affect them last week, as they cruised to a 26-6 win over La Jolla. Madison’s 11 victories have come by an average of 25 points, but they will face a unique defensive challenge against the Buccaneers. Since moving star running back Dillon Baxter to quarterback at the start of Western League play, Mission Bay has gone 4-1-1. Last week against Mater Dei, Baxter threw for 104 yards and ran for another 128 and two touchdowns.
Division III
No. 4 St. Augustine (7-4) at No. 1 Cathedral Catholic (11-0)
After the wildfires cancelled the “holy bowl” in 2007, fans will get a second helping of this rivalry game in the semifinals. This one could be a shootout – in their first meeting, the Saints and Dons combined for 86 points. Can the Saints flip the script this time around? Sophomore quarterback Evan Crower (2,745 yards, 31 touchdowns) will need to have a big game for St Augustine to have a shot.
Division V
No. 4 Army-Navy (9-2) at No. 1 Francis Parker (10-1)
The Lancers have not lost since the first week of 2008 and have averaged 54 points per game since. A big reason why has been two-way star Deon Randall – as quarterback, Randall has thrown for 1,510 yards and 19 touchdowns and run for 1,355 yards and 29 scores. On defense, Randall lines up at safety and has 61 tackles and a team-leading 10 interceptions. The Warriors have won six in a row and in last week’s win against La Jolla Country Day, junior running back Thomas Brown ran for three scores.
All games Friday at 7 p.m.
Game of the Week
Division II
No. 3 Helix (9-1-1) at No. 2 Eastlake (9-2)
The similarities between these two teams could make this semifinal one of the section’s best games of the year. Neither team has lost since September and both teams feature a balanced offensive attack and stout defenses – Helix gives up an average of 12 points per game and Eastlake allows 14 per game. Both teams even feature two-way stars that have given Stanford verbal commitments – Highlanders’ senior Levine Toilolo and Titans’ junior Tony Jefferson. Most importantly, both teams want a shot at top seed Oceanside, who sits on the other side of the bracket.
Division I
No. 6 Mission Hills (8-3-1) at No. 2 Escondido (9-2)
In their meeting on Nov. 7, the Cougars crushed the Grizzlies 42-17. Since then, Mission Hills has won three straight, including an upset win over Poway last week. If the Grizzlies want to pull the upset two weeks in a row, they will have to stop Escondido running back Ricky Seale. In last week’s win over Fallbrook, Seale rushed for 280 yards and a touchdown on 36 carries.
Division IV
No. 6 Mission Bay (6-4-1) at No. 2 Madison (11-0)
Despite not losing a game in the regular season, the Warhawks were not awarded the top seed in Division IV. That didn’t seem to affect them last week, as they cruised to a 26-6 win over La Jolla. Madison’s 11 victories have come by an average of 25 points, but they will face a unique defensive challenge against the Buccaneers. Since moving star running back Dillon Baxter to quarterback at the start of Western League play, Mission Bay has gone 4-1-1. Last week against Mater Dei, Baxter threw for 104 yards and ran for another 128 and two touchdowns.
Division III
No. 4 St. Augustine (7-4) at No. 1 Cathedral Catholic (11-0)
After the wildfires cancelled the “holy bowl” in 2007, fans will get a second helping of this rivalry game in the semifinals. This one could be a shootout – in their first meeting, the Saints and Dons combined for 86 points. Can the Saints flip the script this time around? Sophomore quarterback Evan Crower (2,745 yards, 31 touchdowns) will need to have a big game for St Augustine to have a shot.
Division V
No. 4 Army-Navy (9-2) at No. 1 Francis Parker (10-1)
The Lancers have not lost since the first week of 2008 and have averaged 54 points per game since. A big reason why has been two-way star Deon Randall – as quarterback, Randall has thrown for 1,510 yards and 19 touchdowns and run for 1,355 yards and 29 scores. On defense, Randall lines up at safety and has 61 tackles and a team-leading 10 interceptions. The Warriors have won six in a row and in last week’s win against La Jolla Country Day, junior running back Thomas Brown ran for three scores.
All games Friday at 7 p.m.