Recently in Grace Brethren High School Category

East Valley/Inland Division predictions

By TJ Berka on December 4, 2009 3:22 AM | No Comments |

Well, I got one of the four semifinalists right in the East Valley - both from my pre-playoff predictions and from my predictions last week. So don't be going to Vegas and betting large on this.

St. Margaret's 38, Bishop 12

Ontario Christian at Simi Valley Grace Brethren
Twice I've picked both of these teams to lose in the playoffs. Twice they've made me look dumb. So where do I go from here? I figure the third time is the charm and with that charm, I'm taking the Knights. Although Ontario Christian fans probably want me to take Grace Brethren, I've been convinced that the Knights' "spunk" is legit. I mean, they've rubbed out De Anza champ Twentynine Palms and No. 2 seed Maranatha. OC will take this too.
Ontario Christian 30, Grace Brethren 26

As far as the Inland Division, technically the Sun has no stake left after REV and Redlands were eliminated last week. But for the sake of seeing things through, I'll offer my predictions here. I'm thinking an all-Big VIII final quite frankly.

Corona Centennial 31, Temecula Chaparral 17

Norco 38, Vista Murrieta 27

East Valley Division quarterfinal predictions

By TJ Berka on November 26, 2009 8:43 PM | 1 Comment |

Whiffed on a couple of the games featuring local teams last week, so I have some explaining to do to the likes of Aquinas and Ontario Christian, respectively.

Aquinas at No. 1 San Juan Capistrano St. Margaret's
Note for next year - don't pick against Aquinas at home in the playoffs. The Falcons dusted Sierra Canyon, making me look pretty dumb. And for good reason. However, they are on the road against the defending CIF and small-school state champions. I have to pick against Aquinas again here. Sorry fellas.
St. Margaret's 27, Aquinas 13

Fillmore 34, Bishop 18

Simi Valley Grace Brethren at Oak Hills
The Bulldogs redeemed my trust last week, ekeing past No. 3 seeded Kern Valley 21-19 to continue their historic run as a first-year school. Now they get another first - their inaugural home playoff game. Oak Hills is straight rolling and I'm not a huge believer in Grace Brethren. Plus, gotta keep my sleeper alive.
Oak Hills 38, Grace Brethren 27

No. 2 Pasadena Maranatha at Ontario Christian
All of a sudden, the Knights have become a tough out. They took Aquinas to the wire in the regular season finale two weeks ago and pulled the upset against a hot Twentynine Palms team on the road in the first round last week. However, OC is at home and they have a very explosive Maranatha team to face. I see the Knights' recent run of spunk coming to an end.
Maranatha 35, Ontario Christian 21