Games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted
Santa Monica (8-2) at Warren (7-3), 7 p.m.
Warren won its first SGVL title since 1992, and what do they get as a reward: a first-round game against Santa Monica, a team that was among the top in the Western Division rankings most of the season. "I thought we had a chance at a better draw," said Warren coach Chris Benadom. "They are a good team. They were No. 1 in the division most of they year, but they lost two games and finished as the No. 3 in the (Ocean League). It's a pretty tough draw for us." The Bears love to run the ball with RB Jesse Callier (1,971 yards, 24 TDs), but that would seem to play into Santa Monica's hands. The two games they lost were to teams with spread offenses. It will be up to Warren to mix it up with QB Sam Bettencourt and WR Bailey Cowins, who hooked up 49 times for 638 yards and nine TDs.
Downey (5-5) at Culver City (7-3), 7 p.m.
This might be a first-round playoff game, but for all intents and purposes, the Vikings have been in playoff mode for three weeks now. After a 1-2 start in the SGVL, Downey needed big wins over front-runners Warren and Gahr to have any shot at the postseason. Obviously, the Vikings got them and take on the No. 3-seeded Centaturs. "I always said that my kids have lots of heart," said Downey coach Will Capps, whose team went 3-7 and missed the playoffs last year. "We might not be the best team, but we have lots of heart. We knew we had to have both games for a chance at the playoffs. We've had a really, really great last two weeks." Now the Vikings will look to keep it rolling against the Ocean League champs, who average about 34 points per game in their spread offense led by QB Marquel Carter. Capps sees Culver City much like Gahr, a team Downey defeated 31-23 last week. The Vikings have found success as of late with long, time-consuming drives led by QB Steven Cervantes (1,622 yards passing), FB Joseph Ortiz and WR/RB Keith Holland (690 yards receiving, 384 yards rushing, 9 total TDs). That has helped the defense stay off the field, enabling the likes DB/LB Jeremiah Higgins and CB Joseph Wheeler to be fresher and make plays.
Peninsula (5-5) vs. Lynwood (7-2-1) at Lynwood MS
The only way Knights coach Mark Williams could be happier this week is if his team was 100-percent healthy. He likes the way his team is playing heading into the playoffs and he believes the first-round game is very winnable - on a couple of accounts. "We should do well," he said, noting how his second-place team from the SGVL got a better draw than league champ Warren. "I think we can make a run. If we play defense and run the ball, I think we can make a deep run in the playoffs." The defense, which as the best in the SGVL with 144 total points allowed, is led by co-league defensive MVP Deshawn Foxx and David Haley, both LBs who led the team in tackles. The Knights' RB duo of Isam Pegues (639 yards, 5 TDs) and Kevin Ayers (773 yards, 14 TDs) has done a good job handling the load since Vachel Samuels and Arkiest Jones went down with injuries. Lywnood averages 252 yards per game on the ground. Michael Allen is a game-breaker at WR. "They have to come through," Williams said of the offensive trio. "If they do, we should have a nice little run."
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