Here we go: Selected CIF Southern Section football semifinal predictions, starting with Friday night:
PAC-5
Mission Viejo (12-0) vs. Servite (11-1) at Cerritos College
Frank Says: The Friars will be BY FAR the best team the untested Diablos have faced this season. I don't think either of these teams would/will beat Lakewood or Edison in the Dec. 12 title game. But I do think the Diablos will take a 13-0 record into Angel Stadium. Mission Viejo 24, Servite 17
SOUTHERN
Laguna Hills (10-2) at La Mirada (11-1)
Frank Says: Laguna Hills is very well coached and the defending division champion. And this will be a much tighter affair than will the other division semifinal Saturday night. But the Matadors will prevail to do their part to create an all-Suburban League final. La Mirada 27, Laguna Hills 21
SATURDAY
Garden Grove (12-0) vs. Norwalk (11-1) at Excelsior Stadium
Frank Says: The Lancers, as the Suburban League's third-place team, blitzed host Garden Grove in the first round a year ago, 38-6. The Argonauts are the division's top seed but they'll be overwhelmed by the Norwalk Wing-T once again. Norwalk 51, Garden Grove 24
PAC-5
Lakewood (11-1) vs. Edison (12-0) at Orange Coast College
Frank Says: Had the Lancers not let a game with still-unbeaten Crenshaw slip away (29-28) in the season opener, this matchup would be taking place where it belongs -- in the Dec. 12 championship game. The Chargers have played an extremely difficult schedule (Dana Hills twice; Servite; Mater Dei; and the Sunset League competition) but haven't played anyone nearly as gifted as the Lancers. The Chargers are minus two key defensive players (linebacker Shaun McLaughlin and Charles Burks), sidelined with injuries. And that could hurt significantly as they try to contain QB Jesse Scroggins and the rest of the Lancers' offensive weapons. If lineman Justin Utupo and his buddies can make things uncomfortable for Edison quarterback Matt Viles, the Chargers' offense will be hamstrung. And the winner is . . . Lakewood 28, Edison 21
Beacause of Edison's player injuries -
I agree it will be Lakewood by 6 points and they will face Mission Viejo next week in the final game.
I am so glad I am not the only one who thinks Lakewood has one hell of a chance to win. I think their D isn't as good as when Luther Brown and comapny played but as a unit have shown themselves to de VERY imposing.
Their Offense is outstanding. Not just one big play receivers but 3 and their running backs show some skills to make up for the lose of Jerry Stone. Do I even need to say anything about Scroggins? The kid has crazy skills... Hopefully he can keep his head and start the game off the way he has been ending them.
GO LANCERS!
Edison is much better than anyone we have faced this year and i know that Bishop Amat hurt a few of our players, so I dont think we will pull this one out, but thanks for the incredible ride.
Ps: We need to schedule better pre-season team.
I dont think Crenshaw is as good as Pac5 or as good as people say!