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Game of the Week
(4) Oceanside (8-3) at (1) Helix (11-0) Thursday 7 p.m. (Division II)
During the past decade Oceanside and Helix have defined gridiron success within the section, meeting in the Division II finals six times in the 2000s. The Pirates took five of those meetings, with the last three part of their current run of six straight section titles. Meeting a round earlier than has become typical over the past couple years, Helix’s position as the higher seed also makes this matchup a little different.
The Highlanders have been dominant all season, starting with their defense that has allowed only 62 total points. Stellar defense combined with a Brandon Lewis-led offense full of playmakers has helped undefeated Helix roll to their last seven wins by an average of 33 points. Simply put, no one has been able to stop the Highlanders this season. Expected to be rebuilding this season, Oceanside struggled early but has won six of their last seven in relatively easy fashion. Quarterback Tofi Pao Pao and the Pirates offense is scoring 29 points per game, while Oceanside’s defense was solid in their 35-10 win over La Costa Canyon in the quarterfinals. This semifinal will have the emotion and intensity of a title game, with Oceanside defending their six consecutive titles and Helix defending their home turf while looking to sink their postseason nemesis.
Best of the Rest
(3) Vista (10-1) at (2) Torrey Pines (10-1) Thursday 7 p.m. (Division I)
Two of the best teams in the section, Vista and Torrey Pines figured to meet in the Division I playoffs – just not this soon. This is a championship caliber matchup one round early and will be one of the best games of the year. The Panthers and Falcons are two of the biggest teams up front, making the battle for the line of scrimmage key to success. Both teams rely on stout defenses allowing less than 14 points per game led by standout linebackers – Kevin Cuff for Torrey Pines and Jeremiah Kose for Vista. They also have steady offenses with different styles – Torrey Pines punishes opponents with power while Vista uses its speed with the likes of Stefan McClure to create big plays. A spot in the finals and North County bragging rights are on the line.
(3) Madison (10-1) at (2) Olympian (10-1) Thursday 7 p.m. (Division IV)
When these two teams met in the regular season Olympian prevailed 28-17, and this one with higher stakes should play closer. Led by running back Alex Cornist, the Eagles are looking to make their first title game appearance in the short history of their program. Madison has beaten their last six opponents by an average of 33 points and will be out for revenge. The Warhawks lean on San Diego State bound two-way star Desaan Hardwick to make big plays and are looking to get back to Qualcomm Stadium for the first time since 2008. This one could come down to which team has the ball last.
(3) Francis Parker (5-6) vs (2) Horizon (7-3) Friday 7 p.m. at Rancho Bernardo High (Division V)
Things haven’t gone the way of two-time defending Division V champion Francis Parker this season, but the Lancers still find themselves one win from a return trip to the championship. Two-way stars Warren Brody and Kenny Brookins led the way in Francis Parker’s 38-14 win over La Jolla Country Day in the quarterfinals last week that snapped a four-game losing streak. Horizon wouldn’t mind knocking their league rival out or a similar result to their Coastal League meeting on Oct. 29, which the Panthers won 20-0. Quarterback Markel Byrd makes the plays in the air and on the ground for Horizon, who is looking to make their first title game appearance since 2002.
(10) Point Loma (9-3) at (3) Cathedral Catholic (6-5) Thursday 7 p.m. (Division III)
No matter where they have been in the bracket each of the past three seasons, Point Loma and Cathedral Catholic have found each other in the postseason. The Dons have won each of these three meetings, including a dramatic 20-14 win in last year’s section title game. Cathedral Catholic doesn’t quite have the luster it has had the past few seasons but the Dons have won five of their last six. Point Loma also comes into this game on a roll with four straight victories. Both teams have playmakers and this game will feature two of the best defensive linemen in the section – Point Loma’s Cameron Heyward and Cathedral Catholic’s Mustafa Jalil.
Game of the Week
(4) Oceanside (8-3) at (1) Helix (11-0) Thursday 7 p.m. (Division II)
During the past decade Oceanside and Helix have defined gridiron success within the section, meeting in the Division II finals six times in the 2000s. The Pirates took five of those meetings, with the last three part of their current run of six straight section titles. Meeting a round earlier than has become typical over the past couple years, Helix’s position as the higher seed also makes this matchup a little different.
The Highlanders have been dominant all season, starting with their defense that has allowed only 62 total points. Stellar defense combined with a Brandon Lewis-led offense full of playmakers has helped undefeated Helix roll to their last seven wins by an average of 33 points. Simply put, no one has been able to stop the Highlanders this season. Expected to be rebuilding this season, Oceanside struggled early but has won six of their last seven in relatively easy fashion. Quarterback Tofi Pao Pao and the Pirates offense is scoring 29 points per game, while Oceanside’s defense was solid in their 35-10 win over La Costa Canyon in the quarterfinals. This semifinal will have the emotion and intensity of a title game, with Oceanside defending their six consecutive titles and Helix defending their home turf while looking to sink their postseason nemesis.
Best of the Rest
(3) Vista (10-1) at (2) Torrey Pines (10-1) Thursday 7 p.m. (Division I)
Two of the best teams in the section, Vista and Torrey Pines figured to meet in the Division I playoffs – just not this soon. This is a championship caliber matchup one round early and will be one of the best games of the year. The Panthers and Falcons are two of the biggest teams up front, making the battle for the line of scrimmage key to success. Both teams rely on stout defenses allowing less than 14 points per game led by standout linebackers – Kevin Cuff for Torrey Pines and Jeremiah Kose for Vista. They also have steady offenses with different styles – Torrey Pines punishes opponents with power while Vista uses its speed with the likes of Stefan McClure to create big plays. A spot in the finals and North County bragging rights are on the line.
(3) Madison (10-1) at (2) Olympian (10-1) Thursday 7 p.m. (Division IV)
When these two teams met in the regular season Olympian prevailed 28-17, and this one with higher stakes should play closer. Led by running back Alex Cornist, the Eagles are looking to make their first title game appearance in the short history of their program. Madison has beaten their last six opponents by an average of 33 points and will be out for revenge. The Warhawks lean on San Diego State bound two-way star Desaan Hardwick to make big plays and are looking to get back to Qualcomm Stadium for the first time since 2008. This one could come down to which team has the ball last.
(3) Francis Parker (5-6) vs (2) Horizon (7-3) Friday 7 p.m. at Rancho Bernardo High (Division V)
Things haven’t gone the way of two-time defending Division V champion Francis Parker this season, but the Lancers still find themselves one win from a return trip to the championship. Two-way stars Warren Brody and Kenny Brookins led the way in Francis Parker’s 38-14 win over La Jolla Country Day in the quarterfinals last week that snapped a four-game losing streak. Horizon wouldn’t mind knocking their league rival out or a similar result to their Coastal League meeting on Oct. 29, which the Panthers won 20-0. Quarterback Markel Byrd makes the plays in the air and on the ground for Horizon, who is looking to make their first title game appearance since 2002.
(10) Point Loma (9-3) at (3) Cathedral Catholic (6-5) Thursday 7 p.m. (Division III)
No matter where they have been in the bracket each of the past three seasons, Point Loma and Cathedral Catholic have found each other in the postseason. The Dons have won each of these three meetings, including a dramatic 20-14 win in last year’s section title game. Cathedral Catholic doesn’t quite have the luster it has had the past few seasons but the Dons have won five of their last six. Point Loma also comes into this game on a roll with four straight victories. Both teams have playmakers and this game will feature two of the best defensive linemen in the section – Point Loma’s Cameron Heyward and Cathedral Catholic’s Mustafa Jalil.