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CIF Semifinal Capsules: Pac-5 Division

STEVE FRYER, ocvarsity.com — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:00:10 +0000

TESORO (12-0) VS. ORANGE LUTHERAN (10-2)

Site, date, time: Santa Ana Stadium, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

TV: FSN Prime Ticket

Outlook: Tesoro went into the playoffs as the division's No. 3-seeded team. The Titans, champions of the South Coast League, beat Los Alamitos, 23-7, in the first round, and Mater Dei, 38-35, in the second round. They had four interceptions against Mater Dei. Two of them were returned, by Brett Gudim and Preston King, for touchdowns.

Tesoro is one of three undefeated county teams in the playoffs; Laguna Hills and St. Margaret's are the others. Tesoro quarterback Robbie Picazo has completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,440 yards and 29 touchdowns with five interceptions. King has 74 receptions for 1,145 yards. He leads the county in touchdown catches with14. Zach Mitchell has rushed for 1,073 yards and seven touchdowns.

Orange Lutheran finished in a three-way tie, with Mater Dei and Servite, for first place in the Trinity League. In the playoffs, the Lancers defeated Fountain Valley, 28-0, in the first round, and Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, 24-14, in the second round. Lutheran's defense has been a team strength all season, and its defensive backfield is often considered to be the top secondary unit in Orange County. Lutheran quarterback Bobby Wheatley has completed 68 percent of his passes for 1,799 yards and nine touchdowns with five interceptions. Scotty Williams has 58 receptions for 731 yards. Kyle Dravis is the Lancers' leading rusher, with 749 yards. Exavier Edwards, slowed by illness, has rushed for 572 yards. Tesoro was No. 1 and Lutheran was No. 3 in the final county media poll.

-- STEVE FRYER/OCVarsity

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CIF Semifinal Capsules: Southern Division

CARLOS ARIAS — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:59:51 +0000

NORWALK (8-4) VS. LAGUNA HILLS (11-0)

Site, date, time: Laguna Hills High, Friday, 7 p.m.

Outlook: This is the first Pacific Coast League vs. Suburban League matchup of the week. The Hawks were the PCL champions, while the Lancers tied for second place with Artesia and La Mirada in the Suburban League. What has been the key to Laguna Hills' success this season? Defense.

The Hawks have allowed 96 points in 11 games and they have held eight of their 11 opponents to fewer than 10 points. Laguna Hills' defense will be tested by Norwalk's rugged rushing attack, which features Ray Craig, Jose Guzman and Julio Macias, who have combined for 4,041 yards. Norwalk and Laguna Hills have two common opponents in Irvine and Artesia. Laguna Hills beat Irvine, 20-13, and Artesia, 17-9. Norwalk lost to Artesia, 23-17, and beat Irvine, 29-3.

MAYFAIR (9-3) VS. CORONA DEL MAR (10-2)

Site, date, time: Newport Harbor High, Saturday, 7 p.m.

Outlook: The Pacific Coast League and Suburban League clash in this semifinal as well. The Monsoons were champions of the Suburban League for the eighth consecutive year, while the Sea Kings finished second to Laguna Hills in the PCL. Mayfair has reeled off eight consecutive victories since going 0-4 to start the season. Mayfair has some big-time playmakers in WR Brandon Estrada (14 TDs), RB Dominique Small (8 TDs) and QB Jimmy Ohiri (21 TDs, 7 INTs). The Sea Kings rely on RBs J.D. Abbott (8 TDs) and Alex Swigert (5 TDs) and QB Mitch Sands is effective passing and scrambling for CdM. Mayfair and CdM have La Mirada as a common opponent. CdM beat La Mirada, 26-15; Mayfair beat La Mirada, 28-0.

- CARLOS ARIAS/OCVarsity

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Where? When? State bowl games schedule

Damian Calhoun, OCVarsity.com since 2004 — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:00:02 +0000

Here is the schedule for the state bowl games:

(Editor's note: The CIF will select the teams that will play in the state bowl games on Sunday. OCVarsity.com will have a complete story on the bowl game pairings on Sunday afternoon.)

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES SCHEDULE
All games at the Home Depot Center, Carson

Friday, Dec. 19
Small School Division, 4:30 p.m.
Division I, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 20
Division III, noon
Division II, 4 p.m.
Division I, 8 p.m.

Poll: Who will win Pac-5 Division semifinals?

STEVE FRYER, ocvarsity.com — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:24:58 +0000

The Pac-5 Division has two teams remaining, and they'll meet in one semifinal to determine which county team will play for the Pac-5 championship.

On Friday:

Who will win the Long Beach Poly-Lakewood game?

On Saturday:

Who will win the Tesoro-Orange Lutheran game?

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Poll: Who will win Southwest Division semifinals?

Damian Calhoun, OCVarsity.com since 2004 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:23:15 +0000

The Southwest Division is an all-Orange County division, so a county champion is automatic there. Now the Southwest has reached the semifinals.

On Friday:

Who will win the Tustin-Canyon game?

On Saturday:

Who will win the Trabuco Hills-La Habra game?

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