And, without further Thanksgiving anticipation adieu, a look at the lower portion of the Pac-5 Playoff bracket. Both games are Friday at 7:30 p.m.:
Mater Dei (8-3) at Tesoro (11-0)
Frank Says: This is a rematch of a first-round game played a year ago at the same facility and won by the Monarchs, 31-17. I don't think it will be quite as high scoring this time around, as Tesoro's defense is much improved and Mater Dei's has shown significant improvement since the non-league portion of the team's schedule. Preston King is an exceptional receiver, Zach Mitchell is an underrated running back and Robbie Picazo is one of the better quarterbacks in an exceptional season in Orange County for the position. But Mater Dei's offense, led by quarterback Matt Barkley, has just enough diversification to exploit the Tesoro defense in ways no offense has done this season.
Projection: Mater Dei 24, Tesoro 17
Notre Dame (11-0) vs. Orange Lutheran (9-2) at Santa Ana Stadium
Frank Says: This is the Game of the Week, in any division or any section. Notre Dame junior Ryan Kasdorf has probably had a better season than any other player at his position in the Southern Section. Orange Lutheran isn't quite as good, offensively, as it has been in the past few seasons but its defense is sturdy and dependable, if not flashy. Something that jumps out at you immediately: Orange Lutheran's losses were to Bishop Amat and Servite . . . teams that the Knights knocked off in route to their 11-0 mark.
Projection: Notre Dame 28, Orange Lutheran 24
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