“They’re the No. 1 seed and our we’re the No. 1 team out of our league and look where they put us in our bracket, so go figure,” Farrar said. “I’m not a bracketologist. I just know that from where they seeded us and where they seeded them, we can’t be superior to them. They’re the No. 1 seed for a reason. Look at their scores. Look what they’ve done.”
By Aram Tolegian
Although it may sound strange to area fans who know the history of the Charter Oak High School football program, veteran head coach Lou Farrar is calling his Chargers the underdogs on Friday night when they host Colony in the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section Central Division playoffs.
“They’re the No. 1 seed and our we’re the No. 1 team out of our league and look where they put us in our bracket, so go figure,” Farrar said. “I’m not a bracketologist. I just know that from where they seeded us and where they seeded them, we can’t be superior to them.
“They’re the No. 1 seed for a reason. Look at their scores. Look what they’ve done.”
True, Colony enters with the sexier record at 10-2. And yes, the Titans have been lighting up just about every defense they’ve seen. But the Chargers have picked up their game at the right time to be 8-4 and Farrar knows a few things about playoff success.
Charter Oak has scored 49 points in each of its first two playoff games. Last Friday, the Chargers did enough to cool off San Marino’s high-flying offense. Now, they have to try to slow Colony’s attack, which is averaging just under 40 points per game.
“We just have to figure a way to slow them down and stay just one jump ahead of them” Farrar said. “They’re as good as advertised.”
Colony lost its starting quarterback to injury just prior to the playoffs. Back-up Jordan Johnson has come in and the team hasn’t missed a beat. And how could they, with a receiving corps that has several nice targets?
Charter Oak has had plenty of big offensive performance of its own, headlined by running back Zion Echols’ 302 yards and five touchdowns performance against San Marino. Quarterback Kam Brown has also been so good that he ranks among the best passers in the state.
The Chargers have the week off from school and will practice during the morning. Farrar said there will be no special ceremony for Thursday’s Thanksgiving practice, but he does expect to see plenty of alumni in town and on the sideline offering advice and pep talks to his team.