WEEK THIRTEEN – CIFSDS CHAMPIONSHIPS / QUARTERFINALS

Inside the helmet of Helix running back Darrion Hancock, who rushed for two touchdowns. (Photo by Frank Price, youatplay.com) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

Helix' Austin Gonzalez (top, 23) is greeted by Brandon Lewis following a first-half touchdown. Later, Sam Meredith (85) gives the No. 1 sign while Cameron Lee heads for the end zone and another score in a 45-7 romp of Mt. Carmel. (Photos by Ken Stone, LaMesaPatch.com)

It's Helix against Oceanside
Scotties rip Mt. Carmel, 45-7,
setting up another dream pairing

© East County Sports.com
LA MESA (11-27-10) — Helix Highlanders head coach TROY STARR doesn’t make any bones about it following Friday’s (Nov. 26) blowout of visiting Mt. Carmel 45-7 in the San Diego CIF Division II quarterfinals in La Mesa.

His focus has been on Oceanside, which has won six straight Division II SDCIF championships.

Top-seeded Helix (11-0), meanwhile, owns an SDCIF post-season playoff record of 21-7 with five of those losses coming to Oceanside (8-3). Only once since 2000 have the Highlanders bested Oceanside in a championship game, and that was 41-30 in 2001.

“Oceanside has become our traditional rival – that’s all the kids talk about,” Starr said. “We started preparing for Oceanside the second week in January. We knew what it would come down to. In this division everything goes through Oceanside, we all know that.”

The Highlanders ran through Mt. Carmel (6-6) with virtual ease, using a 24-point second quarter to take a 31-0 lead.

Steady junior quarterback BRANDON LEWIS clicked on 14 of 25 passes for 209 yards, including scoring strikes to JIMMY PRUITT (17 yards), CAMERON LEE (24 yards) and AUSTIN GONZALEZ (25 yards).

For good measure, Lewis also scored himself on an 8-yard run.

“Brandon always has a pretty steady game for us,” Starr said.

So did running back DARRION HANCOCK, who rushed for 157 yards and 2 touchdowns on 16 carries.

On the receiving end, Gonzalez (73 yards), Lee (47) and KENDAL KEYS (27) each caught 3 passes.

On the defensive side, Pruitt picked off his 5th pass to share the East County interception lead with Steele Canyon’s BRANDON WATSON.

Once again Helix’s defense smothered an opponent. Had it not been for wholesale substitutions, the Highlanders would have posted their 4th shutout of the season.

Mt. Carmel denied the Highlanders another goose egg when Matt Rochelle scored on a 4-yard run with 2:01 remaining.

Grossmont's Ryan Davis-Tucker. (Photo by Chris Stone, LaMesaPatch.com) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

DIVISION I
MIRA MESA 24, GROSSMONT 17 (2 OT) – Perhaps the most surprising team in East County this year has been the Grossmont Foothillers.

With only nine seniors on their roster, the Foothillers finished third behind Helix and Steele Canyon in the Grossmont Hills League, and 9-3 overall.

Coach RON MURPHY’s Foothillers might have pulled one of the biggest upsets of the playoffs had they been able to convert a 42-yard field goal with the game tied 10-10 and 50 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

“JORDAN (REECE) has done a great job of kicking for us all year,” said Murphy. “But he shanked this one to the right.”

Earlier in the game Reece gave Grossmont a 3-0 lead on a 38-yard field goal in the opening quarter of Friday’s (Nov. 26) Division I San Diego CIF quarterfinal at Mira Mesa.

The Marauders (6-5) counterpunched with a 28-yard field goal in the second quarter.

But the Foothillers took a 10-3 lead into the locker room after senior southpaw DeSEAN WATERS connected with JEFF BOWERS for an 18-yard touchdown pass.

It appeared that Grossmont’s defense – despite giving away more than 30 pounds per man across the interior front – might hang on to the narrow lead. It didn’t happen.

Mira Mesa scored a touchdown with 3:30 remaining, tying the game at 10-10, and that score held, eventually sending the game into overtime.

Once again Grossmont put its best foot forward as quarterback Waters advanced the ball to the 5-yard line on a 20-yard scramble in the first overtime session.

One play later Waters covered the final 5 yards and Reece tacked on the extra point, giving the Foothillers a 17-10 advantage.

Mira Mesa made it exciting as the Marauders waited to convert a fourth-down play for a game-tying touchdown, setting up a second overtime.

“This game was certainly drama-filled... so close,” Murphy admitted.

Mira Mesa scored on a 3-yard run to take a 24-17 lead.

Just when the Foothillers hoped to force a third overtime, Waters suffered only his third interception in 142 passes as Trey Lomax registered a victory-saving theft for Mira Mesa at the 5-yard line.

“I think they were looking past us because they told us they were going to blow us up,” said Foothillers senior MICHAEL DAVIS-TUCKER, who recovered a fumble to set-up Grossmont’s first field goal. “I think they were kinda surprised that we didn’t just give up.”

Once again Waters was the mainstay of the Grossmont offense. He rushed for 81 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries, and completed 10 of 17 passes for 88 yards and one touchdown.

Murphy, who will lose only nine seniors off this team, was proud that his squad held 8 of its 12 opponents to 14 points or less.

“I’m pretty upset right now but I’m sure when I look back, I’m gonna be happy about the season,” Davis-Tucker added. “I wish we could have gone farther but I’m sure there are gonna be a lot of good memories.”

DIVISION II
STEELE CANYON 23, SCRIPPS RANCH 0 – The host Cougars (9-2) posted their first post-season shutout since they blanked University City in 2006 as they stuffed visiting Scripps Ranch in Friday night’s (Nov. 26) San Diego Section Division II quarterfinals.

“I thought our defense was phenomenal,” said Steele Canyon coach RON BOEHMKE. “Any time you can throw a shutout at a pretty good opponent, it is really special.”

The victory propels No. 2 seed Steele Canyon (9-2) into Thursday’s (Dec. 2) SDCIF semifinals against No. 3 seed Mission Hills (9-2) in Rancho San Diego.

The Cougars scored in every quarter against the Falcons (6-5-1).

Quarterback BRAD BOEHMKE was on the mark with a 17-yard scoring pass to CHANCELLER JAMES in the first quarter and an 11-yard scoring strike to KYLE SAGER in the second quarter.

“Brad puts the ball right on the money every time... his ball is easy to catch. He is one of the best quarterbacks in San Diego,” said James.

James caught six passes for 91 yards to lead the Cougars, while Boehmke connected on 11 of 21 aerials for 183 yards and 2 touchdowns.

As he has been of late, James was a double threat for the Cougars.

“I enjoy playing defense as well,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to contribute on both sides of the ball. We are primarily a running team. That’s what makes it so easy to get our passing game going.”

The man in charge of the running game is senior JAKE WRAGG. A 4.6 gpa engineering hopeful with plans of attending Cal Poly SLO, Wragg accounted for 148 yards and one touchdown on 13 rushes against Scripps Ranch. He also caught two passes for 27 yards.

“Jake Wragg was dynamite carrying the ball,” coach Boehmke said.

In an effort to give senior linebacker BRANDON WATSON more freedom to focus on defense, the Steele Canyon staff decided to plug junior ERNIE FLINT in at blocking back. That move has certainly paid off, as Watson is the Cougars’ leading tackler.

“Ernie has become a pretty good lead back,” said Wragg. “He’s real good on the power blocks.”

Watson finished in double tackling digits, as usual, and also intercepted a pass and returned it 54 yards to set-up a 27-yard field goal by DANIEL URIBE.

Wragg said it’s been a tough two weeks, preparing for this game.

“We’re not used to coming off a loss,” he said of the Grossmont Hills League championship-deciding 26-7 setback at Helix. “We were a little rusty at the start but it didn’t take us long to gear up. The bye actually helped us.”

Coach Boehmke concurred.

“They surprised us a little bit with the way they came out at us on defense in the beginning,” he said. “It took us awhile to make the necessary adjustments.”

One of the unsung heroes for Steele Canyon was BEN GOSSMEYER.

“Ben played an outstanding game for us on defense,” coach Boehmke said. “He is an outside linebacker and he controlled the outside and forced everything back to the inside. He also put constant pressure on the quarterback.”

MICHAEL JORDAN also had an interception for the Cougars to help end the game.

DIVISION V
CHRISTIAN 78, TRI-CITY CHRISTIAN 7 – The annual dispute on how all Coastal League schools receive higher playoff seeding above all other CIF Division V programs was again tested Friday (Nov. 26) night.

Once again, the Coastal program prevailed.

Christian, which went winless in league play and posted just a single victory since Oct. 1, soared back to easily trounce Tri-City Christian, 78-7, in the San Diego CIF quarterfinals at Granite Hills High’s Valley Stadium.

"I’m sorry that game had to get so out of hand," said Patriots coach MATT OLIVER. “But I think a statement was made. The reality is – on the whole – the Coastal League plays at a higher level across the board than does the Pacific League.”

The loss ended a 9-game winning streak for the Pacific League Tri-City Christian (10-2), the No. 5 seed behind the No. 4 Patriots.

"It's going to take one of us (non-Coastal schools) to win one of these games to get placed ahead of those teams," said Tri-City Christian head coach Pastor Mike Brown. "But credit Christian, they are the full package. They were a very physical team and took it right at us."

TYRONE SAULS, who scored a San Diego Section record-tying seven touchdowns earlier in the season, added five more markers against the Eagles. He scored on dashes of 74 and 2 yards in the first quarter, then darts of 41, 8 and 14 yards to complete his scoring on offense by halftime.

Sauls has now scored an East County-high 186 points.

Sauls rushed 16 times for 215 yards, then added a third-quarter safety while playing defense, giving the senior 32 points for the contest. Not fooled on an Eagles' halfback option pass, Sauls took out the back for a 13-yard loss for the 2-point play.

However, another star of the ballgame might have been Patriots junior KYLE HARRIS, who excelled on both sides of the line.

In the first quarter, Harris registered an interception and returned the ball 51 yards for a touchdown and a 21-0 lead just 7:46 into the contest.

The second quarter featured a terrific, one-handed diving reception by Harris of a SHANE DILLON pass along the left sidelines, which set-up Sauls' 41-yard TD romp for a 28-0 lead.

Harris then hauled in a 53-yard Dillon TD pass on the opening play of the second half, pushing the advantage to 55-7.

For the night, Harris recorded a pair of interceptions – half of the four posted by the Patriots. He also saved the offense with a fumble recovery.

The final Patriots’ theft was snared by freshman AUSTIN LYFORD, a call-up from the junior varsity, who found the ball thrown directly into his chest. He returned it 23 yards for the game's final score during a running clock in the fourth quarter.

"I have to give credit to (coach DAVID) BEEZER for coaching up our defensive backs,” said Oliver. “They really looked sharp tonight.”

The lone Tri-City touchdown was registered by sophomore receiver Nathan Medrano. But even this score was as bizarre as the final result.

Medrano cut across the middle of the field to grab a pass by quarterback Kevin Giese. However, untouched, Medrano dropped the ball on his way to the end zone.

Fortunately, the Australian rules football-like bounce came right back into his arms, with Medrano officially credited with a 2-yard fumble return for the score to counter Christian's 35-0 advantage.

"I can definitely see the humor in it," noted Medrano. "But this game still didn't take away from a great season for us. This team has come a long way because we put God first -- He brought us here and guided us through adversity."

Tri-City turned the ball over on its first three possessions, then faked a field goal attempt on their next series of downs, but the pass was broken up in the end zone by RAYVON OWENS. Later, in relief of Sauls, Owens rushed 7 times for 73 yards, as Christian rolled up 315 yards on the ground; 585 in total offense.

Other Patriots highights included Dillon’s passing (14 of 19, 270 yards, 3 TDs), an interception by GRANT TODD (18-yard return), fumble recoveries by JON McNEAL, JOSH HARRISON (on a jarring hit by MICHAEL DAY to force the ball loose), then Day gained his own fumble recovery in the final minutes.

It was that kind of forgettable night for Tri-City Christian, which registered seven turnovers. Meanwhile, Christian (6-5) posted its highest point total since whipping Foothills Christian, 77-24, in the 2008 playoffs.

Matador Magic Following this carry around left end by Matadors running back Ernest Williams... Ernie Castro gets into the endzone for the touchdown to give the hosts a 7-0 lead... setting off an end zone celebration with teammate Marvin Hood (15). (Photos by Frank Price, youatplay.com) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

QUARTERFINALS Fri., Nov. 26 DIVISION I Eastlake 21, Otay Ranch 17 Mira Mesa 24, Grossmont 17 (2-OT) Vista 37, Poway 7 Torrey Pines 20, Carlsbad 16 DIVISION II Helix 45, Mt. Carmel 7 Oceanside 35, La Costa Canyon 10 Mission Hills 14, Rancho Bernardo 13 Steele Canyon 23, Scripps Ranch 0 DIVISION III St. Augustine 34, Montgomery 18 Lincoln 41, Ramona 28 Cathedral Catholic 69, EC-Southwest 10 Point Lona 34, Mount Miguel 10 DIVISION IV Valley Center 52, Mission Bay 0 Santa Fe Christian 63, Coronado 25 Madison 52, Imperial 14 Olympian 40, Brawley 21 DIVISION V The Bishop's 54, Holtville 12 Christian 78, Tri-City Christian 7 Francis Parker 38, La Jolla Country Day 14 Horizon 19, Mountain Empire 7 SEMIFINALS (All at 7 p.m. unless noted) Thurs., Dec. 2 DIVISION I Mira Mesa at Eastlake Vista at Torrey Pines DIVISION II Oceanside at Helix Mission Hills at Steele Canyon DIVISION III Lincoln vs. St. Augustine, at Mesa College Point Loma at Cathedral Catholic DIVISION IV Santa Fe Christian at Valley Center Madison at Olympian Fri., Dec. 3 DIVISION V Christian vs. The Bishop's, at La Jolla HS Francis Parker vs. Horizon, at RBHS

DIVISION III
POINT LOMA 34, MOUNT MIGUEL 10 – It’s strange how much stock players put in to the San Diego CIF seedings. Point Loma (9-3) was angered that Mount Miguel – the Grossmont Valley League co-champion – was seeded No. 2 and the Pointers were not rated among the top four.

The way Friday’s (Nov. 26) Division III quarterfinal unfolded it would have appeared that Point Loma was the team that got snubbed. Albeit far from perfect, the Pointers had a better grip on things than did the sloppy Matadors.

Mount Miguel (8-2-1) lost 5 of 7 fumbles, threw 2 interceptions and saw a center snap sail over the punter’s head.

“We just weren’t ready to make plays,” said Mount Miguel coach TOM KARLO. “Honestly, I just don’t think I prepared our kids well.”

The Matadors started out smoothly. After quarterback ERNEST WILLIAMS connected with ERNIE CASTRO for a 25-yard touchdown pass less than three minutes into the game, that spark carried over to the Mount Miguel defense, which got back-to-back 10-yard sacks from TREVION WILSON and RAUL FUENTES.

That forced Point Loma into a three-and-out.

After that, Mount Miguel ’s woes began to show. A high punt snap that sailed over punter JORGE MEDINA’s head resulted in a short punt and good field position for the Pointers. It could have been worse for the Matadors had Medina not retrieved the ball and kicked on the run.

That seemed to light a fire under Point Loma as quarterback Sean McKaveney connected with Morris Matthews for a pass-and-run that covered 63 yards to the Mount Miguel 13-yard line. One play later Javon Griffen found the endzone and the game was tied 7-7.

Mount Miguel would then turn the ball over on its next four possessions. Fortunately for the Matadors, their defense prevented any damage on the first two miscues.

A fumble recovery at the Mount Miguel 27 set the stage for a four-play scoring drive that culminated in the first of two 1-yard quarterback sneaks by McKaveney.

Yet another loose ball lost by the Matadors at the Point Loma 14-yard line set an 86-yard, 13-play scoring march in motion. On three consecutive plays from the Matadors 1-yard line, Mount Miguel ’s defense rejected three straight McKaveney passes as the Pointers were operating without any timeouts in the finals seconds of the opening half.

Point Loma was not to be denied, however, as McKaveney punched the ball in from the 1-yard line on the final play for a 20-7 lead at intermission.

“Missed opportunities and turnovers were our biggest issues,” Karlo said.

The early misfires that Karlo was referencing were the inability of Williams and his quarterbacking sidekick DEE’JAY NOLEN missing open receivers in the first two quarters.

Mount Miguel opened the third quarter by perfectly executing an onside kick that was recovered by VOSEY CELESTIN. The Matadors drove down to the 12-yard line but eventually had to settle for Medina ’s 35-yard field goal. That left the Matadors down 20-10, but the turnovers continued, as did the frustrations.

On its next possession Mount Miguel lost a fumble at the Point Loma 8-yard line.

Three minutes later a 33-yard pass from Nolen to ANTHONY ORTEGA put the ball at the Point Loma-24. But the Matadors would draw no closer in the first minute of the fourth quarter as Medina missed a 42-yard field goal attempt.

Mount Miguel’s defense came up big again as ABDILATIF UGAS picked off a Pointer pass. Two plays later the Matadors gave it back when Nolen was intercepted. This time the Point Loma theft led to a 34-yard touchdown pass from McKaveney to Josh Sakover with 3:54 remaining.

And suddenly the game appeared to be slipping out of reach for Mount Miguel.

Thomas Bell’s second interception of the game put the game on ice for the Pointers less than a minute later when he returned the theft 35 yards for a touchdown.

Mount Miguel finished with 252 yards total offense. The Pointers held leading rusher DERRICK DUNN to 39 yards on 12 carries. Overall the Matadors completed 11 of 20 passes for 180 yards, including 103 by Nolen.

“This was a tough time to lose,” Karlo said. “It’s a hump we have to get over.”

Matadors need to make a Point

When these teams faced off a year ago in the Division III quarterfinals, the Pointers (8-3) prevailed 42-35. It was definitely a frustrating loss for Mount Miguel, who has claimed almost every statistical advantage.

That is, the Matadors ran 73 plays to the Pointers’ 36; had a 22-10 advantage in first downs; were tagged for only 10 penalty yards compared to 100 for Point Loma; and generated 420 total yards to the Pointers’ 343.

Obviously, Mount Miguel (8-1-1) is seeking revenge for that frustrating setback.

“I think they had four Division I players in their lineup last year and they were really hitting their stride when they played us,” said Matadors coach TOM KARLO.

“Point Loma has been to the stadium in the Division III finals five of the last six years,” he added. “This is definitely the time of the year when they play their best ball.”

Outside of a 37-7 loss to No. 2 ranked Helix and a 14-14 tie with El Capitan that the Matadors won 21-20 in two overtimes, this has been a highly successful season for Mount Miguel.

“Coaches talk about have a bye – week off – following the regular season is a good thing or not,” Karlo said. “For us it was a good thing. It’s like I told our kids, anything that shortens the path to the goal in sight is a success. One less game is a plus.”

Equally important is Mount Miguel is playing their first home playoff game in two decades. If the Matadors can eliminate Point Loma, they will draw a second home game. A victory there will send them to Qualcomm Stadium for the first time in school history.

The hub of the Matadors’ offense is running back DERRICK DUNN, who has rushed for 1065 yards and 22 touchdowns on 182 carries.

The Matadors also alternate quarterbacks in ERNEST WILLIAMS (54-101, 723 yards, 6 TDs) and DEE’JAY NOLEN (54-87, 616 yards, 5 TDs).

Senior ANTHONY ORTEGA is the Matadors’ leading receiver (32-459, 4 TDs).

“Our focus is not to turn the ball over,” Karlo noted. “We want to get up on them quickly because they’re not built to come back.”

The Matadors and Pointers have split four previous meetings – all of them playoff encounters... Mount Miguel 24-21.

MT. CARMEL (6-5) at HELIX (10-0), 7: Undefeated Helix, the top-seeded team in the CIF-SDS Division II playoffs, cannot afford to look past visiting Mt. Carmel in Friday’s (Nov. 26) quarterfinal contest at Jim Arnaiz Field.

The Sundevils overcame a 21-0 deficit to stun Valhalla 27-23 in last week’s first round of the Division II playoffs. The significance of that is, Valhalla led Helix 7-6 at halftime during their regular season Grossmont Hills League encounter that the Highlanders eventually won 33-7.

“They do stuff that will hurt you, for sure,” Helix coach TROY STARR said. “They’re going to be a challenge without a doubt. They live off the triple option and power pitch running game.”

Starr, however, always focuses his attention of what the Highlanders do – not what the opponents do – in his pre-game preparations.

“I think having a week off helped us,” Starr added. “For us it’s all about playing assignment football. We have to trust each other.”

The Highlanders have a balanced offense, featuring running backs DARRION HANCOCK (162-1115, 8 TDs), MICHAEL ADKINS (36-426, 4 TDs) and hard-nosed RAYMONT NAILON (47-247, 5 TDs).

Probably the most underrated piece of the Helix offense is quarterback BRANDON LEWIS. One of every five of his completions has resulted in one of his East County-leading 25 touchdowns.

“There are not many quarterbacks that can throw the ball harder than he does,” Starr said. “In a game earlier this season he threw the ball so hard he knocked one of his receivers down.”

These teams haven’t met for 23 years. Both times they crossed paths were in the playoffs – Helix won 10-6 in 1982 and the Sundevils claimed a 20-13 win in 1987... Helix 42-14.

GROSSMONT (9-2) at MIRA MESA (5-5), 7: The last time the Foothillers won nine games was in 2004 when they reached the Division II semifinals only to lose to Helix 23-17 in the rain in double overtime. Grossmont concluded that campaign at 9-4.

If Grossmont had pulled out a victory it would have been considered an upset. The scenario will be much the same when the underdog Foothillers visit No. 4 seed Mira Mesa Friday night (Nov. 26) in the CIF-SDS Division I quarterfinals.

“They’ve had two weeks to prepare for us,” Grossmont coach RON MURPHY said of the Marauders. “On top of that they are a battle-hardened playoff team. They are always in the playoffs – been to the (Qualcomm) stadium I don’t know how many times.”

The anchor of the Mira Mesa defense is 6-foot-3, 325-pound nose guard Nathan Castro.

“He’s a beast,” Murphy said. “I don’t know if our sophomore linemen can contain him.”

For the Foothillers to be successful against the Marauders means they will have to take to the air. Grossmont senior southpaw DeSEAN WATERS, a running back by trade, has completed 74 of 125 passes for 1,027 yards and 5 touchdowns. He’s suffered only two interceptions while rushing for 1,109 yards and 17 touchdowns on 195 carries.

“They are a very athletic man-coverage team,” Murphy said of the Marauders. “They like to bring six guys and race to the quarterback. We’re going to have to dink and dunk the ball, and that’s something Waters does very well.”

Mira Mesa looks to quarterback Dominic Richardson (71-114, 1373, 12 TDs) and running back Marco Lazaro (129-749, 5 TDs) to carry the torch for the Marauders. Receivers Marcus Smith and Shamone Fletcher have caught 29 passes apiece and have each scored six touchdowns.

The key for Grossmont will be how well its defense plays. The leaders of this unit include the DAVIS-TUCKER brothers RYAN and MICHAEL and end COLTON ALEXIO.

Mira Mesa has played a tough schedule with all of its losses coming by 10 points or less...
Mira Mesa 28-7.

SCRIPPS RANCH (6-4-1) at STEELE CANYON (8-2), 7: A year ago Steele Canyon reached the CIF-SDS Division III semifinals before succumbing to Point Loma 30-26.

Although some believe No. 3 Mission Hills should be seeded a rung ahead of coach RON BOEHMKE’s No. 2 seeded Cougars in this year’s Division II quarterfinal on Friday (Nov. 26, Steele Canyon’s veteran coach is convinced this year’s crew of Cougars is the best in the Rancho San Diego school’s nine-year history.

Given that the Cougars’ lone setbacks have come to No. 1-ranked Eastlake on a controversial touchdown catch in the final seconds, followed by a 26-7 loss to seemingly invincible Helix, he may be right.

“A week off after that loss to Helix has allowed us to lick our psychological wounds,” Boehmke said. “We’ve had some good practices, polishing our fundamentals and skill stuff. I think we will be ready to go by game time.”

Linebacker Austin Vigil is the kingpin of the Scripps Ranch defense. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound junior has 11 sacks.

“They are big on their defensive side,” Boehmke said. “They go something like 6-2, 270 per man. Their linebackers like to blitz a lot and that’s a challenge we have to deal with. This is the biggest front from end to end... interior seven... we’ve faced. They are geared to stop the run. No question, defense is their biggest strength.”

That’s not good news for Steele Canyon senior running back JAKE WRAGG, who is averaging 119.4 yards per game with 17 touchdowns. No question he’ll have to have help from sidekick BRANDON WATSON – perhaps the best player on the Cougars’ defense – who is averaging 8 yards per carry on 56 chances.

“When you get to the quarterfinals there are no flukes,” Boehmke added. “Every team poses a threat. You can’t look by anybody anymore.”

Scripps Ranch is arguably better than their record, as all four of their losses have come to playoff teams... Steele Canyon 28-13.

TRI-CITY CHRISTIAN (10-1) vs. CHRISTIAN (5-5) at Granite Hills, 7: Several teams in the CIF-SDS Division V playoffs are beefing about how the Christian High Patriots could qualify as the No. 4 seed in Friday’s (Nov. 26) quarterfinals. That’s because the Patriots were winless in their four Coastal League games.

One of those teams is Pacific League champion Tri-City Christian, which is two points away from being undefeated, losing only to Newport Beach Sage Hill 33-31. Sage Hill finished the season at 8-3.

“They (TCC) made it clear that they are insulted that they aren’t seeded higher than we are,” long time Christian assistant coach MIKE MITCHELL said. “In a scrimmage against Bishop’s they didn’t even get a first down.”

Christian lost to the Coastal League-champion Bishop’s Knights 56-44 in the final regular season game. The difference in that one was the Patriots were without a kicker and converted only one two-point conversion in seven PAT attempts.

The Patriots do have plenty of firepower led by running back TYRONE SAULS (223 carries, 1,469 yards, 23 TDs). Quarterback SHANE DILLON is East County’s leading passer with 2,492 yards and 14 TDs. KYLE HARRIS is the Inland’s top receiver with 54 catches for 1,025 yards and six scores.

Because the Patriots have so many players going both ways they’ve been burned on defense, allowing 28.6 points per outing.

TCC senior quarterback Kevin Giese (98-172, 2,098 yards, 27 TDs) is the ringleader for the Eagles, who are producing 37.2 points per game.

“I think we’ll be focused, ready to go from all that has been said if not for the fact that it is a playoff game,” Mitchell said. “I think (TCC) is in for a big surprise.”

Maybe so... Christian 39-22.

CIF-SAN DIEGO SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS (All games at 7 p.m., unless noted)

QUARTERFINALS / Fri., Nov. 26 DIVISION I Otay Ranch (5-6) at No. 1 Eastlake (10-0) Grossmont (6-5) at No. 4 Mira Mesa (5-5) Poway (7-4) at No. 3 Vista (9-1) Carlsbad (6-5) at No. 2 Torrey Pines (9-1) Semifinals — Dec. 2 Finals — Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium DIVISION II Mt. Carmel (6-5) at No. 1 Helix (10-0) La Costa Canyon (7-4) at No. 4 Oceanside (7-3) Rancho Bernardo (9-2) at No. 3 Mission Hills (7-3) Scripps Ranch (6-4-1) at No. 2 Steele Canyon (8-2) Semifinals — Dec. 2 Finals — Dec. 6, 4 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium DIVISION III Montgomery (8-3) at No. 1 St. Augustine (8-2), at Mesa College Lincoln (5-6) at No. 4 Ramona (5-5) EC-Southwest (8-3) at No. 3 Cathedral Catholic (5-5) Point Loma (8-3) at No. 2 Mount Miguel (8-1-1) Semifinals — Dec. 2 Finals — Dec. 6, 1 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium DIVISION IV Mission Bay (3-8) at No. 1 Valley Center (10-0) Coronado (9-2) at No. 4 Santa Fe Christian (6-4), at La Costa Canyon Imperial (6-4-1) at No. 3 Madison (9-1), at San Diego HS Brawley (9-2) at No. 2 Olympian (9-1) Semifinals — Dec. 2 Finals — Dec. 6, 10 a.m. at Qualcomm Stadium DIVISION V Holtville (7-4) at No. 1 The Bishop's (10-0), at La Jolla Tri-City Christian (10-1) at No. 4 Christian (5-5), at Granite Hills La Jolla Country Day (8-3) at No. 3 Francis Parker (4-6) Mountain Empire (6-5) at No. 2 Horizon (6-3), at Rancho Bernardo Semifinals — Dec. 3 Finals — Dec. 10, 7 p.m. at Mesa College

The Bishop's
Ramona
Point Loma
at Valhalla
BYE
at West Hills
*at Santana
*Monte Vista
*El Cajon Valley
*at Mount Miguel
at Francis Parker
**at EC-Southwest