MONDAY MORNING QB: CIF-SS Football Playoff First Round Edition

We take an inside look at how the divisions were determined; 14 Things I Think will happen in 14 Divisions, new area top-20, Game Stickers and more.

Rio Hondo Prep’s Ryan Mcculloch in action last Friday against Campbell Hall. (Photo: Susan Coulter, Rio Hondo Prep)

When you take a look at the big picture, there was not a whole of surprises when the CIF Southern Section released the football divisions and playoff pairings on Sunday morning. For Divisions 1-5, everything went pretty much to normal.

The section decided to go with a 10-team Div. 1 bracket and, when you read the quote from Rob Wigod about why they went with that bracket, you can understand. “This really wasn’t a decision made (by the section), so to speak,” CIF-SS commissioner Rob Wigod said to Dan Albano of the Orange County Register. “It’s the rating system that drives this decision. … And the way that this particular year played out, the teams that were top-10 teams, the way it worked, that became Division 1, and No. 11 (Serra), because it’s an automatic qualifier, started Division 2.”

Anyone that followed our projections knew that once it was a 10-team D-1 bracket, all you had to do was move up two teams a division and you had a very good idea of who you were playing in the first round. In Divisions 2 and 3, all the At-Large teams made the field (as expected). Servite and Damien were projected not to make the playoffs in D-4 and that was the case (as should have been expected).

The first minor surprise came in Div. 5 where Sherman Oaks Notre Dame and Alemany made the field. Alemany’s selection on the surface was a shocker, but when you look at how the divisions broke down, you could understand why. Since many of the teams were automatic qualifiers and the numbers worked out in Div. 6, a spot was available for the Warriors in Div. 5 and thus they got the bid.  

The big development for anyone that was keeping track of the divisions, like yours truly, was in Division 6 where there appeared to be three spots available for four At-Large Teams with Bonita (with a winning record) being excluded from being in the tournament.

It appears as if the selection committee took the higher-rated team (King) over the lower-rated team (Bonita). King had a higher power rating (16.4) compared to Bonita's (15.1) and King’s strength of schedule rating (12.9) was higher compared to Bonita’s (7.3) rating. At the end of the day, it was numbers that drove King to make the tournament and Bonita to get excluded. When you break it down like that, it makes it that much more of a bitter pill to swallow for Bearcats fans.

Since Troy was easily able to draw into the field on the bottom half and Oxnard was not able to draw into the field because there was no room for them, that was how it developed. Glendora, which had been on the cutline between a top seed in Div. 8 and 15 or a 16 seed in Div. 7, ultimately got the 16th seed in Div. 6 and will play top-ranked Mayfair.

Other than that, if you read our Sunday morning final update, teams like Schurr knew that they were going to be lower seeds in lower divisions. In other words, it all made sense.

There seems to be this notion that since you had an 8-2 or 9-1 record you should have a home game in the first round. Let me repeat what I said last year, the ratings will dictate the seed line. If you are a 9-1 team that is hitting the road for the first round, my condolences. If you want to get angry at people, get angry at the football coaches that are part of the Coaches Advisory Committee that gave the green light to the system and the Athletic Directors from the CIF-SS Federation Council that unanimously passed this system.

You made not agree with competitive equity but here’s a revelation for all of you to understand, you don’t pay the bills – the CIF-SS and commissioner Rob Wigod pay the bills. So if they decide on this system being in place, get used to it. In golf terms, these are the country club rules, live by them or you have a choice of not playing in the tournament.

It is clear that the Southern Section once again didn’t allow emotion to enter the room, they were driven by the numbers. The numbers said it was possible for a 10-team D-1 team, and it was the numbers that drove an At-Large bid acceptance or rejection. The section did the right thing in excluding Damien and Servite from the tournament, and I understand (but don’t agree) how they handled Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Alemany’s, or Bonita’s bids.

As for those reporters that continue to perpetuate the overall records of teams such as Schurr, Alhambra, San Marino, and others – keep in mind that all of these teams made the playoffs as Automatic Qualifiers. They were rewarded for a tough nonleague schedule by playing well in league play and earned the right to play in the playoffs.

Except for San Gabriel, which was selected as an At-Large team in D-13 and awarded a high seed, many of these teams earned the right to play in the postseason. And to those kids, don’t listen to what many reporters will tell you, you earned the right to play in the playoffs. Congratulations! Now go out and shock the world (and yes that means you too Mitch Mooney and those at San Marino).

One final point, I keep hearing from fans (and shockingly some CIF-SS coaches) is that the Southern Section has an agenda against your school, they don’t like your school, they don’t like their coach, etc. As someone that covers the business side of the CIF-SS, let me assure you that this is furthest from the truth. If you were a fan of a team that didn’t make the playoffs despite a winning record, it’s a tough break – but life is full of tough breaks. It’s how you handle them that determines if you are a man or not.

Teams that didn’t get in can use it for fuel in the offseason to make sure that your team is not in the same situation again next year. And if student-athletes and coaches in the East SGV want to make sure that their teams want to have a better chance to make the playoffs, you can start by eliminating these silly four-team leagues.

As someone who coached in the Serra League back in the early 2010s (that was a four-team league), I knew first-hand that four-team leagues were a bad move. I was part of a Crespi HS team in 2012 that went 8-2 AND DIDN’T MAKE THE PLAYOFFS. It was one of the toughest days I’ve been a part of. So, for those that are complaining that your team went 6-4 or 5-5 and didn’t make the playoffs, with all due apologies, until your team goes 8-2 and doesn’t make the playoffs, you’re complaining to the wrong person.

Four-team leagues are the worst thing that could have taken place in the East SGV. It’s time to scrap these leagues and start over in 2024. And since I am here to help, I did pen a column over the summer on how we can do better.

Escarcega on Preps: July 5, 2022

Ok, now it’s time to focus on the kids and the playoffs.

14 THINGS THAT I THINK WILL HAPPEN IN THE 14 DIVISIONS.

1. I think that we're destined for a Mater Dei vs St. John Bosco final in D-1, but that doesn’t mean that it will be the best game. For my money, Edison vs Orange Lutheran has all the makings of being a defensive classic. Long Beach Poly vs Los Alamitos will be a close second.

2. I think that Div. 2 is where all the fun is. Where do we start? Warren at Sierra Canyon; Oak Hills vs St. Bonaventure, Rancho Cucamonga vs. Oaks Christian, Chaminade vs. San Clemente, and we could go on and on. Murrieta Valley has been having defensive problems, which should work right into Bishop Amat’s wheelhouse and should get the Lancers past the first round. As for their matchup against either Oak Hills or St. Bonaventure in the quarterfinals, you’ll need to listen to the “Under Center” podcast this week as Tony Moskal will have more than a few things to say about those schools. He’s seen them in person.

3. I think that the most dangerous team in Div. 3 is La Serna. Not only do I think they’ll be Palos Verdes on Friday, but they’ll also beat either Yorba Linda or Charter Oak in the quarterfinals. They are no joke and the offensive system that they run is not easy to defend. If Pasadena can make it past the first run, I think can make a serious run to the finals. The most vulnerable #2 seed in the tournament? West Ranch. The Foothill League was very weak this year and St. Pius X/St. Matthias X is NO JOKE!!!

4. I think that while there are no area teams in Div. 4, it’ll still catch my interest because I predict that Camarillo will play against Cathedral in Div. 4 and that the winner of that game will be a sectional champion.

5. I think that it would be the irony of all ironies if St. Francis would play Alemany in the semifinals. We can all dream, correct? I say that knowing that St. Francis has an excellent shot of defeating Silverado on Friday (BTW, when you talk to coach Herrington, ask him who I said they would play in the first round), and can easily defeat Villa Park or Murrieta Mesa in the quarterfinals. I also think that Colony is the best team in the bottom half of the bracket. They are extraordinarily very good!

6. I think that I love San Juan Hills in the upper bracket of Div. 6 but nothing would be more interesting than a Northview vs. La Habra quarterfinal game. And I think it’s going to happen. I am also predicting that this will be the last time that Loyola will be in a division like this. With all the talent that they have, they’ll be in D-3 next year. Don’t dismiss North Torrance as a #15 seed. As Schurr coach Dave Ramos will tell you, they are the real deal.

7. I think that If Glendora plays the way they did in the fourth quarter of last Thursday night’s win over South Hills, they’ll beat Mayfair, thus making the Monsoons the first number-one seed to go down this week. Jake Denerson was magnificent coming off the bench. The boys in the desert have been all over Palm Springs this year, so I’ll make them the winners here in D-7.

8. I think that if Monrovia’s defensive unit can come together for the next four weeks, they’ll be the reason why the Wildcats win a sectional title. They need to put together a string of games in which they have to dominate the line of scrimmage and force offenses to go three and out. Goodness knows that the offense has to be considered one of the best in the division. Carlos Hernandez will show everyone why he is going to a Pac-12 school for college football.

9. I think that you could very well see me at the West Covina vs San Dimas game on Friday night. The Saints get into the tournament as an At-Large team and will play a Mike Maggiore team that is physical and well-coached. I need to see Zach Requena in person. As for my prediction on which team will win a sectional title? Diamond Bar. Why? Easy. They were one of my three “Surprise Teams of 2022.” If you think I’m cheering, you’re damn right I am! I was the first to jump on the bandwagon and I’m not about to get off.

10. I think that if you are an area football fan, Div. 10 is right up your alley. El Rancho, La Salle, Sonora, Rio Hondo Prep, Muir, Cantwell-Sacred Heart, Covina, and Baldwin Park make this division so much fun. Ryan Vasquez is about as good a QB as you will find in the division and that in itself make El Rancho a tough out. Looking for a player that is a warrior, Will Clougherty at La Salle fits that bill. Sonora’s Anthony Abad helps make that double-wing offense come to life and you won’t find a better sophomore than Brady Ackerman. Ryan McCullough is a legitimate Pac-12 kid that makes Rio Hondo Prep a very tough out. Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary will finally get tested for class in the first round. Covina was very impressive in defeating Chino for a league title last week for first-year coach Aaron Berry and Baldwin Park has the best offensive passing scheme in the area. My pick to win the division: Baldwin Park. My longshot pick: Sonora (another of my “Surprise Teams” in 2022).

11. I think that in Division 11, I’m feeling a big run for La Canada. Corey Cheung has been sensational all year for the Spartans and teams that can run the ball in the playoffs, usually are in it for the long haul. I smell an upset loss for South Pasadena in the first round and I think Schurr can cause some major waves by upsetting #2-seeded Westminster. I’m also not feeling Walnut as they got a very tough team in the first round.

12. I think that one of my other first-round upsets on Friday is San Marino upsetting Arroyo. I just don’t know what the Knights beat in quality to win the Mission Valley League. I was very impressed with San Marino earlier this year when they nearly beat San Gabriel. As for the other area teams in the area, Sierra Vista, Montebello, and Los Altos, I think I’ll take a “Pass”adena on them in the first round.

13. I think that in Div. 13 that no team has a player more electrifying than Maranatha’s Miles Omalley. This dude plays a like a Madden-rated 99 player in this division, which makes the Minuteman my biggest lock to win a sectional title! When you couple the talents of Omalley along with a defensive standout Carter Shupper, and Cathedral transfer quarterback Michael Martin, I’m laying my money on Maranatha. For the record, Maranatha was also one of my “Surprise Teams” of 2022… seeing a trend?

14. I think that Div. 14 is so wide open and part of it is that we have area teams that have been residing in the bottom 10 of our rankings all season long. Just for that reason alone, I’m picking Bolsa Grande to win it all.

SGV-Whittier Prep Sports Zone Top -20

1. Bishop Amat

2. La Serna

3. Pasadena

4. Charter Oak

5. Ayala

6. St. Francis

7. Monrovia.

8. Northview

9. West Covina

10. Glendora

11. Bonita

12. Damien

13. Baldwin Park

14. La Habra

15. San Dimas

16. La Mirada

17. Diamond Bar

18. Rio Hondo Prep

19. El Rancho

20. Sonora

GAME STICKERS

Angel Barraza, Northview: Rushed for 104 yards on 11 carries and scored 3 touchdowns in Northview’s 34-6 win over San Dimas.

Erick Baray, Alhambra: Carried the ball 25 times for 127 yards and a touchdown for the Moors in a 21-13 loss to San Gabriel. Both teams will play again this Friday.

Josiah Binggeli, Sonora: Hauled in 11 receptions for 123 yards and scored a touchdown in Sonora’s 17-14 win over Sunny Hills.

Corey Cheung, La Canada: Rushed for 285 yards on 21 carries and scored three touchdowns in La Canada’s 27-6 win over Pasadena Poly.

Jake Denerson, Glendora: Completed 12 of 20 passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns in Glendora’s 48-47 win over South Hills in overtime.

Jack Jacobs, St. Francis: Completed 28 of 43 passes for 380 yards and touchdowns as St. Francis took a tough loss to host Loyola 28-27.

Jesus Jimenez, La Puente: Carried the ball 14 times for 164 yards and a touchdown in La Puente’s 21-7 win over Ganesha.

Michael Martin, Maranatha: Completed 12 of 15 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns in the Minutemen’s 42-13 win over Desert Christian Academy.

Ryan McCullouch, Rio Hondo Prep: Rushed 23 times for 191 yards and scored three touchdowns in RHP’s 19-7 win over host Campbell Hall.

Richie Munoz, Charter Oak: Completed 15 of 20 passes for 240 yards and 5 TDs in Charter Oak’s 42-10 win over Alta Loma.

Joseph Rangel, Covina: Returning to the field after missing the last two games, the junior rushed for 149 yards and scored two touchdowns in Covina’s 49-27 win over Chino.

Gary San Angelo, South Hills: Rushed 20 times for 255 yards and scored two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) as South Hills suffered a tough 48-47 loss to Glendora.

Ryan Singhal, San Marino: Rushed 22 times for 109 yards and a touchdown in San Marino’s thrilling 23-21 win over visiting South Pasadena.

Xavier Spahn, Mountain View: Amassed 32 carries for 167 yards and scored three touchdowns for the Vikings in their 55-22 loss to South El Monte.

Keanu Tauvao, Northview: Carried the ball 14 times for 151 yards and scored a touchdown in Northview’s 34-6 win over San Dimas.

Isaiah Young, Diamond Bar: Had 14 carries for 143 yards and scored three touchdowns for the Brahmas in a 31-6 win over Nogales.  

Enjoy the playoffs!