Chino Hills-Los Osos playoff preview
Having narrowly finished second in their leagues - Chino Hills by a one-point loss plus an unfavorable coin flip and Los Osos by an overtime loss to Rancho Cucamonga - the Huskies (10-1) and No. 2 seed Los Osos (9-2) find themselves in a high-profile quarterfinal meeting in the CIF-SS Central Division playoffs. If circumstances were slightly different, Los Osos and UCLA-bound QB Richard Brehaut (above) wouldn't be meeting a one-loss league champion this early in the playoffs.
League representation:
Only one of the four Baseline League teams lost in the first round of the playoffs, and it took an errant extra point attempt for Etiwanda to fall 28-27 to No. 4 seed Cajon. Three teams remain from a Baseline League that won one playoff game the last two seasons combined before moving from the Inland Division to the Central: No. 1 seed Rancho Cucamonga, No. 2 seed Los Osos and Upland.
All three Sierra League teams easily advanced to the quarterfinals, leaving the two leagues accounting for six of the eight teams remaining.
"With the Baseline and Sierra Leagues being as tight as they are," Chino Hills coach
Derek Bub said, "it made the pairings that much tougher on the division."
Los Osos' second-place finish in league was counteracted by the Grizzlies earning a No. 2 seed. But with only four seeded teams, a 9-1 Chino Hills team was slotted as the equivalent of a seventh seed. The Huskies' 18-17 loss to Ayala dropped them into a three-way tie for the Sierra League title. A coin flip deemed them the league's second-place team. A good indication of the Sierra League's prowess is the fact that Glendora, the Sierra League's third-place team via coin flip, dismantled third-seeded Sunbelt League champ Paloma West Valley, 56-21, in the first round.
Style points:
Bub readily admits Chino Hills hasn't seen a quarterback this season the caliber of Los Osos' Richard Brehaut. Of course, not many have. Rivals.com ranks Brehaut the fourth-best pro-style quarterback in the nation. It is things like the the "pro-style" attachment that surprise people who are expecting a pure pocket passer.
"I had heard about him but I'd never seen him play before," Bub said. "Watching him on film the surprising thing is how well he can run the ball. To have as good an arm as he does and to be that mobile is special."
Brehaut has rushed for six TDs and more than 500 yards in addition to passing for 2,100 with 19 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Looks can be deceiving:
Chino Hills' offense resemble Los Osos' spread set at the line of scrimmage. But once the play is set in motion, the two have their fair share of differences. Chino Hills prefers to run the ball out of the spread, as evidenced by A.J. Johnson's 189 carries for 1,441 yards and 13 TDs. "He's got decent speed," Los Osos coach Tom Martinez said, "and he'll try to run over you."
But Chino Hills has just 165 pass attempts in 11 games compared to Los Osos' 242. "We like what we have offensively," Bub said. "We have to be balanced and play a perfect football game to win."
Playoff run:
While the statistics say Los Osos prefers the pass, the Grizzlies have plenty of options on the ground themselves. Brehaut has proven capable of running the zone read and running back Arby Fields is heating up at the right time. The senior committed to Northwestern has run for a total modest by his standards, but he has gained 428 of his 1,042 yards and scored six of his 20 TDs the past two weeks combined.
The other side of the ball:
While each offense is averaging at least 30 points, it is the defenses that both coaches seem most impressed with. Bub labeled Los Osos "probably the best defensive team we've seen all year."
In league play - which was obviously not a cake walk, as evidenced by three Sierra and three Baseline League teams still playing - Los Osos allowed 12.3 points per game and Chino Hills 14.6. "They're real aggressive but they stay disciplined," Martinez said of the Chino Hills defense. "They're always where they're supposed to be."
Pick:
While Chino Hills is better than at least half the teams left in the quarterfinals, it's unfortunate it drew Los Osos in the second round. With indisputable fire power thanks to the best backfield in the Inland Valley and an underrated defense, I think Los Osos is going to win this game and ultimately this Division. A young Chino Hills team won't make it easy on the Grizzlies, but Brehaut will likely deliver a clutch performance and the victory.
Predicted score: Los Osos 27, Chino Hills 21
Comments
Great article Clay... Fair and Balanced as we like to say!
The only thing I disagree with is your prediction. I have Chino Hills 31, Los Osos 21.
This game will be no Turkey, I can guarantee you that much... Many around these parts are calling it the Championship Game that comes two weeks too early.
Go Huskies!
Joe the Plumber
Posted by: Joe the Plumber | November 25, 2008 2:51 PM
The verbal commits are all great, but the game is played on the field! No one gave Chino Hills a chance to stand up to Chaffey, Colony, nor Diamond Ranch, but they did handlely. Brehaut has a terrific future with them cuttly bears on the westside (SC's JV Team), but he will be hunted by some hungry Huskies on Friday. Have no doubt he has Rottler, Robles, Laszczyk on his mind and knows they will not stop until the 4th Qtr is over.
Coach Martinez will see AJ's "decent" speed soon enough, lets hope he has a decent enough D to stop him. He is not the only offensive weapon CH has, Ifo, Harris, Carr, Calles, Rueles and Ruiz are just some of the receivers Ryan Verdugo has to pick from when everyone is eyeing Johnson.
It is a time to be thankful, so on that note, I do wish Losoians the best of luck.
And so you are all forewarned it is Grizzly season.
Go Huskies!
Posted by: Red Barron | November 25, 2008 6:31 PM
Well said Red Barron. Your words are so true. You know I'm partial to all those flying aces out there (Bush-1, Bush-2, McCain)... and although you flew for the wrong country... even you.
That said though, I think you missed your calling as a Sports Writer. You always say it how it is.
You've mentioned some of the preseason wins the Huskies had this year... Did you know that all 5 teams the Huskies faced (and beat) in the preseason went on to play in the Post Season? In fact, 8 of their 11 opponents this year made it to the playoffs and 4 of those are also in the Quarter Finals.
I'm with you on this one Red Barron. There's nothing I'd like more after a big Thanksgiving day feast than to spread out a Big New Grizzly Bear Rug right in front of my fire place so I can watch all the college games on Saturday and NFL games on Sunday. In fact, I think I'll start up a fire every day next week and enjoy Thanksgiving leftovers while sitting on my new rug getting ready to watch those Huskies fight again in the Semis on December 6th. (Hey, I know that's on the eve of Pearl Harbor day Red Barron, you'll still be able to make the game... won't you?)
Well, we best not get ahead of ourselves Red Barron. It's one game at a time as they say. I'm sure you never took your eye's off the target until you got the kill either.
Fight Hard Huskies, and Good Luck against Da' Bears,
Joe the Plumber
Posted by: Joe the Plumber | November 26, 2008 11:01 AM
You can listen to this fantastic game on Friday night only at www.sportsnetusa.net with Steve Hassler and Greg Crouse
Posted by: Grizzly Radio Guy | November 26, 2008 11:43 AM
PS, Los Osos will win!
Posted by: Grizzly Radio Guy | November 26, 2008 6:50 PM
So much for anyone listening to your broadcast with an attitude like that. Shouldn't it be a non-partisan broadcast? Reminds me of the special treatment Oboma got from the mainstream media.
No thanks for us Husky fans. I know it's been a few years since you folks have been down to witness the ultimate High School football experiance at Husky Stadium, but it's really something you wouldn't want to miss.
You won't find any Husky fans staying at home listening to this one over the internet.
As always, Rain or Shine, Husky fans will be out in droves.
Go Huskies!
Posted by: Joe the Plumber | November 26, 2008 8:20 PM
Thanks for your kind words there JTP. I will be there rain or shine.
Grizzly guy, stick to the script.
Go Huskies!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
Posted by: Red Barron | November 26, 2008 10:04 PM
The scoreboard says President-Elect Obama. Why don't you listen and see for yourself?
Posted by: Grizzly Radio Guy | November 27, 2008 5:26 PM