El Dorado-South Hills preview -- a disagreement

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Since the start of the playoffs, Diamond Ranch Coach Roddy Layton and I have engaged in a friendly game of Southwest Division pick ‘em. After two rounds of games we are both 9-3, but that won’t be the case heading into the finals.

We both like Charter Oak to beat Trabuco Hills, but disagree in the other semifinal. I like El Dorado, but Layton likes South Hills. Forget TNT, me and Roddy, we know drama.

Here’s a breakdown of Saturday’s game between the Huskies (10-2) and Golden Hawks (11-1) at Valencia High School in Placentia. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

I’ve already stated why I like El Dorado, defense.

The Golden Hawks had seven sacks in last week’s game against El Toro. Trace Wilson, probably the best defensive lineman in the division, had three of them. Wilson (pictured during one of his three sacks to the right) has 12 sacks this season. He isn’t the only defensive stand out, though. Linebackers Scott Galvan (126 tackles) and Billy Henley (86 tackles and five sacks) are also big reasons the defense has had three shutouts this year.

But nobody is hotter than South Hills right now, and, I have to admit, it’s hard not to pick them to win this game. The Huskies have scored 100 points in the last two games and their defense, which went into last week’s game with a +18 turnover ratio, forced Foothill to turn the ball over eight times. And, as Layton will tell you in a little bit, the Huskies have not lost to a team from the OC in the playoffs the last two years.

It’s hard not to pick the Huskies, but I’m sticking with my pick, though. The Huskies offense, as good as it has been playing of late, hasn’t faced a defense like the ElDo defense all year.

‘I can be safe and also go with El Dorado over South Hills, but I’m going with the upset,’ Layton said. ‘I know the El Dorado staff has been preparing all season for the chance to defend their crown in the CIF championship, but I think they are going to end up a game short.

‘El Dorado has not put up the big numbers offensively on quality opponents, but their strong defense is giving up only eight points a game. South Hills, however, is on a 10-game winning streak, is 4-0 against Orange County teams in the playoffs since 2005, have a strong defense, has a great turnover ration and offensively has the ability to put up big points. Regardless of the outcome the game is going to be interesting.’

This has the potential to be a great game. It’s also one of few interesting matchups scheduled for Saturday -- Chaparral (9-3) at Corona Centennial (11-1) and Saugus (10-2) at St. Bonaventure (11-1) at Ventura HS are the others -- but this is the best one that’s South of the 60 and West of the 15.

-- Jaime Cardenas

-- Images from www.edhsfootball.com and www.southhillsfootball.org