Saturday’s top high school football games: St. John Bosco tries to copy 2016 blueprint
Saturday’s championship games
SOUTHERN SECTION
Division 1: St. John Bosco (11-2) vs. Mater Dei (13-0) at Cerritos College, 7:30 p.m.
The Monarchs are in the same situation they were a year ago when they beat St. John Bosco in a Trinity League game but lost to the Braves in the rematch. This time, though, they are more experienced and stronger on the offensive and defensive lines.
The Braves will need to be able to run the ball effectively and also deny big plays on defense. The key is can St. John Bosco give quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei time to pick apart the Mater Dei secondary?The pick: St. John Bosco.
Division 4: Cajon (12-1) at Downey (11-2), 7 p.m.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels leads a pass-happy Cajon team with 4,348 yards and 55 touchdowns. Downey has its own talented quarterback in Kiijon Foots. This will be a fun game, and Cajon gets to prove if it’s a top 10 contender.The pick: Cajon.
Division 7: Orange El Modena (11-2) at Chino Don Lugo (11-2), 7 p.m.:
Quarterback A.J. Esperanza is headed to Cal Poly on a baseball scholarship. He has passed for more than 2,200 yards. Receiver Justin Simpson is the younger brother of former Servite standout Aaron Simpson. Chris Randazzo is a 330-pound lineman for Don Lugo headed to Oregon. Don Lugo coach Greg Gano won three titles while coaching at Los Altos.The pick: El Modena.
Division 10: Santa Barbara Dos Pueblos (12-1) at Quartz Hill (12-1), 7 p.m.
The versatile Matthew Tago, a UCLA commit, leads Quartz Hill. He’s a quarterback and linebacker who has passed for 2,759 yards and 37 touchdowns. Dos Pueblos has won 12 consecutive games. The Chargers have more than 30 sacks.The pick: Quartz Hill.
Division 12: Big Bear (11-1) at Santa Maria (9-4), 7:45 p.m.
Big Bear is taking a five-hour, 257-mile trip. The team won’t be back until around 4 a.m. Sunday. Quarterback Chase Doty leads the Bears. Blake Truhitte has passed for 25 touchdowns for Santa Maria.The pick: Big Bear.
Division 13: Silver Valley (9-3)at Orange (11-2), 7 p.m.
Running back EJ Ane has rushed for more than 2,600 yards for a Silver Valley team making its first championship-game appearance. Orange quarterback Jason Wilkinson has 25 touchdown passes.The pick: Orange.
CITY SECTION
Division I: Dorsey (7-6) vs. San Fernando (11-2) at El Camino College, 7 p.m.
Both these programs focus on running the ball with their talented group of running backs. The team that can deny the big play will win. Dorsey has won six consecutive games and played a tougher schedule. But San Fernando has a group of young players improving each week and the speed to match up with the Dons.The pick: Dorsey.
Division II: Cleveland (8-5) vs. Huntington Park (10-3) at El Camino College, 3 p.m.
Cleveland pulled off a shocker last week, beating Eagle Rock 55-54 in overtime. The Cavaliers have size and speed. Quarterback Takashi Drayton needs to get the ball to the Cavaliers’ playmakers. Huntington Park is capable of grinding out yards and touchdowns behind running back Bey’jon Lee.The pick: Huntington Park.
Division III: Verdugo Hills (8-5) vs. Marshall (10-3) at El Camino College, 11 a.m.
The accuracy and precision passing of Marshall quarterback Daniel Soto will be the key. He has completed 72% of his passes for 2,479 yards and 31 touchdowns.The pick: Marshall.
Twitter: @latsondheimer
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