Santa Ana Calvary Chapel (4-6) vs. Mayfair (7-3) at Bellflower HS
The Eagles finished third in the Orange Coast League and are making their first playoff appearance since 2001. They will give the Monsoons multiple looks on offense, everything from the spread to single wing to the power I. "They execute," said Mayfair co-coach Mike Fitch. "We better line up correctly or than can out-flank us. They can go spread, they can go up the middle. ... We're not taking them lightly." Calvary Chapel won its last two games of the season to make the playoffs and allowed just 16 points in those games. The Monsoons are seeded No. 3 in the division and have won six games in a row. But they're out to reverse a recent trend of early playoff losses, including the first round the last two years. "We've got a great opportunity to practice on Thanksgiving," said Fitch, meaning his team will have made the second round. "We've had a great week of practice and everybody is healthy. ... Offensively, we're humming along. We're really looking good." Mayfair, the eight-time defending Suburban League champion, has a deep and talented offense. Senior QB Jimmy Ohiri has thrown for 1,185 yards and 15 TDs with just six interceptions. His backup is sophomore Evan Hunko, who started much of his freshman season with the varsity when Ohiri was out with an injury. RBs Dominique Small (759 yards, 6 TDs), Keith Harvey (666 yards, 6 TDs) and Ronald Kennedy Jr. (11 TDs) share the ball well and all have breakaway ability. WR Brandon Estrada leads the team with 784 receiving yards and 9 TDs but Jakob Johnson and Caleb Pitts have also been effective. On defense, senior DE Dave King Jr. leads the team with 7.5 sacks and LB Nathan Van Der Linden isn't far behind with five. Julian Perez and Erik Wiersma make up a formidable duo at inside LB. "They're legitimate," said Fitch. "They're playing well." As a DB, Kennedy leads the team with 6 interceptions and 2 blocked punts. Andre Allen Jr. and Theodore Chambers each have 4 interceptions. "This is a great bunch of kids," Fitch said. "It's the best team we've had in the last few years. They're blue collar, hard-working kids."
Artesia (7-3) at Laguna Hills (9-0)
The Pioneers face a stiff test in the top-seeded Hawks. "They're a well-coached team, a hard-running team, they play good defense," said Artesia coach Vince La Rosa. "They're a very good team, to say the least." Laguna Hills allowed 80 points in 9 games and held opponents to 7 points or less 5 times. "They fly to the ball (on defense)," said La Rosa, "and they tackle well. They're going to be very difficult to beat." On offense, the Hawks have an outstanding line and prefer to run but are very efficient when they throw, especially against defenses trying to stop the rush. Artesia is led by senior QB Donnay Ragland, who can beat defenses with his arm (1,666 passing yards, 18 TDs) and his legs (796 rushing yards, 13 TDs). His top targets include Derrell Randell (548 yards, 4 TDs), David Evans (536 yards, 9 TDs) and Travon Payne (477 yards, 7 TDs). La Rosa feels the passing game is Artesia's strength, but that has struggled in recent games, especially with overthrown balls and dropped passes. "As long as we don't make mistakes, and catch the ball ... we'll be fine," he said. Junior RB David Lasisi (709 yards, 5 TDs) is Artesia's second-leading rusher and picks up most of his yards up the middle. On defense, the Pioneers have an emerging star in junior LB T.J. Taimatuia. "He loves to hit, loves to play the game," said La Rosa. Taimatuia has terrific closing speed and has 95 total tackles, including 68 solo, and 5 sacks. Taimatuia had 20 tackles vs. Norwalk earlier this year. La Rosa calls him a "skinny" 200 pounds and expects him to fill out to about 225-230 for his senior year. Ragland is also a starting CB and leads the team with 4 interceptions. LB Mike Thomas has 47 solo tackles, 4 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries.
La Mirada (4-6) vs. Corona del Mar (8-2) at Newport Harbor HS
The Matadores have turned around their season in recent weeks with 3 wins in a row. The defense, which allowed 31 points or more 4 times in early games, has kept opponents to 15.7 ppg in those 3 victories. On offense, junior QB Daniel Poncedeleon been effective lately. Senior WR Dean Zherdev has caught 22 passes for 377 yards and 8 TDs. When La Mirada runs, it's usually with seniors Devon Tracy (511 yards, 4 TDs) and Daniel Gonzalez (201 yards, TD). Corona del Mar is the No. 2 seed and finished second in the Pacific Coast League behind No. 1 Laguna Hills. The Sea Kings have won 3 in a row and 5 of their last 6. Senior QB Mitch Sands has passed for 1,043 yards and 18 TDs with just 5 interceptions.
-- David Felton
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