Friday’s top high school football games feature playoff semifinals
Friday’s top high school football games:
Southern Section Division 1 semifinals
Corona Centennial (10-1) vs. Bellflower St. John Bosco (11-1) at Cerritos College, 7:30 p.m. (Fox Sports West): This is the fifth consecutive year these teams have played in a semifinal or final. Each school has won twice. The big question all week has been whether standout Centennial quarterback Tanner McKee will play. He has thrown on the sideline, but it will be up to the team trainer and doctor to make a final decision. He was taken out of last week’s game after hitting his head during a tackle. With or without him, the Huskies have been running the ball well. St. John Bosco’s sophomore quarterback, D.J. Uiagalelei, has been sensational in two playoff victories. The pick: St. John Bosco.
Santa Ana Mater Dei (12-0) at Mission Viejo (12-0), 7 p.m.: Mater Dei’s offense is so good that even good defenses can’t slow the Monarchs. That’s the challenge for Mission Viejo. The Monarchs’ passing game, aided by a dominant offensive line, scores touchdowns in bunches. Mission Viejo will try to take time off the clock running the ball with Akili Arnold. The pick: Mater Dei.
City Section Open Division semifinals
Fairfax (9-2) at Harbor City Narbonne (8-3), 7 p.m.: Fairfax Coach Shane Cox will need to pull out every trick and strategy in the book to topple the Gauchos. He has a defense that has played well all season. But top-seeded Narbonne has running back Jamar Jefferson, quarterback Jalen Chatman and a big offensive line. The pick: Narbonne.
Carson (8-3) at Crenshaw (9-2), 7 p.m.: Crenshaw has been quietly preparing for a showdown with Narbonne. A win here should make it a reality. The Cougars have received strong line play and have plenty of playmakers, led by quarterback Isaiah Johnson and sophomore defensive back-receiver Jared Greenfield. Carson has been making steady progress under first-year coach Arnold Ale. The pick: Crenshaw.
Twitter: @latsondheimer
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