Football: It's prediction time in City Section
OK, I'm going to make some predictions for first-round games in the City Section.
Washington at Narbonne. The reward for the No. 1 seed is to play the weakest team in the bracket. Washington isn't the weakest, but Narbonne won't have any problem.
Birmingham at Garfield. Yes, I've already projected Birmingham to win this one. The reason is I can't believe the Patriots aren't a better team than the one that lost, 29-28, to Garfield in August. But I was very disappointed in their performance against Taft. I think Garfield isn't going to be ready for its best after an emotional win against Roosevelt.
Fremont at Jordan. Jordan has too much offensive firepower. The Bulldogs got lucky because their original first-round opponent was going to be Banning. I would have picked Banning in an upset because Jordan has problems against rushing teams. I don't think Fremont can pull it off.
Banning at Crenshaw. The Cougars are a young, dangerous team that's capable of reaching the Coliseum. They just have to keep their poise and keep getting better every playoff game. Go with Crenshaw.
Locke at Taft. The Toreadors made me a believer after their win over Birmingham. Their defense is much improved, and for the first time, I saw D.J. Morgan running hard, running tough and running fearlessly. Beware of the improving Toreadors and go with Taft.
Dorsey at San Fernando. This is one of the weakest Dorsey teams in years. If San Fernando has any kind of ability, the Tigers will win. Go with San Fernando.
Carson at Venice. This is the hardest game to predict. Venice looks like it got its act together during Western League play. Or maybe the competition had something to do with the 5-0 record. Carson looked pretty sad against Narbonne. There wasn't any offense and little passion. I'm still going with Carson because of its tough schedule. But somebody is going to have to block and run the ball for the Colts.
Sylmar at San Pedro. The Pirates are going to win in a rout. And all they have to do to make it to the Coliseum is knock off Taft in the semifinals. They've got two easy games in the playoffs coming up. Mike Walsh can already start scouting Taft if he wants.
-- Eric Sondheimer
Locke is a team to not be taken lightly. Their very gritty on defense. As far as my alma mater Fremont is concerned......I have to be realistic and say that Jordan will win it.They have alot of explosivness on offense. Fremonts defense is going to have to step up BIG TIME if they will have any chance to beat Jordan.Even though Narbonne is ranked #1 , I think they will loose eventually and not make it to the final.
Posted by: Beto | November 20, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Thanks ES. Hopefully the field isn't as muddy as it was this past Friday. I thought that was very low of South Gate's Coach to do that. But I guess he thought it would slow Jordan's passing attack. Well I guess it did a little bit, because some of our players did slip when they could have broke one all the way. Maybe the score would have been in the 80's instead of the 60's.
Posted by: Mando Loc | November 18, 2008 at 05:28 PM
I agree with you 02, 04 City Champ im prety shore i know you too 02, 04 City Champ , I also played for Birmingham and i try to make it to every game i was the only guy walkin around with a purple rag so im prety shore you know who i am now. Let me get bacc to Birmingham the Patriots will beat Garfield 42-14, they will beat Norbonne 28-14 and go on to beat Taft in the Championship Game 41-14...
Posted by: GeeDee | November 18, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Birminghams always given the best games, and they always play hard. the defense will step up and make big plays just as they did against taft this past week. defense was not at fault for loosing the game if anything, tafts defense beat bham, they put up more points on the board.
all i can say, BHS vs Narbonne is going to be a solid matchup.
Posted by: 02, 04 city champ | November 18, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Fremont vs. Jordan at South Gate.
Posted by: es | November 18, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Does anyone know where the L.A. Jordan vs Fremont game will be played?????
Posted by: Mandoloc | November 18, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Don't under estimate Locke. I know they lost to Fremont, but they have a strong defense. I agree, what was that team Carson had on the field against Narbonne? I have never seen a Carson team play without emotion and heart. Powder blue you guys have to do better than that.
I think my boys from the Shaw are going to be in a dog fight against Banning. I hope they don't get the big head or it will be goodnight! Looking forward to a possible matchup between Narbonne and B-Ham. Thursday can't get here quick enough.
The Crenshaw Nation
Posted by: Crenshaw Nation | November 18, 2008 at 07:10 AM
Oarsman, you actually think Venice had the toughest non-league schedule in the city? L.A. Jordan played Esperanza, St. Bonaventure & Mater Dei in consecutive weeks.
Posted by: Steve | November 17, 2008 at 11:38 PM
well actually, on tuesday, teams can hold a voluntary practice for players. so it can be a real practice.
why bwere the games cancelled? the fires?
Posted by: ricky58 | November 17, 2008 at 11:33 PM
per the City Section website, a two-hour voluntary practice is allowed after completion of "Professional Development". What exactly is "professional development"???
Posted by: nelrock | November 17, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Okay, I give you that the Western League helped Venice to go 5-0, but don't you think that the toughest nonleague in the City section (opponents record) has something to do with the 0-5 part.
also, a story the Times is missing, the City Section teams will have ONE DAY of practice for the Thursday games. Practices were called off today, and teams aren't allowed to practice on Professional Development days, tomorrow being one. So every City team has Wednesday and gameday to practice.
Posted by: oarsman | November 17, 2008 at 09:59 PM
ES, What are you first round 3A predictions?
Posted by: AD | November 17, 2008 at 06:16 PM