Prep football playoff picks: quarterfinals
The Daily Bulletin area football teams took a beating in the first round of the playoffs.
There are only five area teams still alive and it ain't gettin' any easier.
Last week: 9-3
Overall: 90-39-1
Inland Division
Redlands East Valley (11-0) at Norco (9-2)
Norco has found a way to the CIF finals every season for the past four years. But this team just doesn't have that feel (or the talent). It's not REV's dominance that gives me confidence in it, but its penchant to prevail close games, even with a sophomore QB. That undefeated record didn't come as easily at it appears. Prideful Norco will keep this one close, but REV will prevail.
REV 28, Norco 21
Miller (10-1) at Temecula Chaparral (8-3)
Chaparral showed the moxy to reach the finals last season but it simply doesn't have the talent to slow a Miller team who may not be the frontrunner by a longshot, but is capable of winning this division. Miller is coming off a stress-free blowout while Chaparral squaeked by Los Osos 10-7 on a late field goal last week.
Miller 27, Chaparral 14
Central Division
Colony (9-2) at Arroyo Valley (7-2-1)
Defending champ Colony squeaked by Burbank Burroughs 20-17 in the first round, remenicient of sneaking by Cajon in the opening game of the playoffs last year. The Titans survived their wake up call but they won't hammer Arroyo Valley the way they did their quarterfinal and semifinal opponents last season. Colony will, however, use that playoff experience to their advantage against an explosive team that will put up some points on them.
Colony 34, Arroyo Valley 28
East Valley Division
Ontario Christian (8-3) at San Jacinto (9-2)
A Ontario Christian team likely better than this year's version lost to San Jacinto in last year's quarterfinals. This feisty team will avenge that loss against a plenty talented San Jacinto squad.
OCHS 17, San Jacinto 13
Eastern Division
Kaiser (5-6) at Riverside North (10-1)
Kaiser's Dick Bruich may be in the midst of pulling off his best coaching job in recent memory. But he simply doesn't have the horses to pull this one off. Riverside North will simply overwhelm the Cats.
North 41, Kaiser 10