Football: City Section first-round playoff predictions
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Here are my picks for the first round of the City Section playoffs:
No. 16 Birmingham at No. 1 Crenshaw: As tempting as it is to go with the upset special here, there’s just no way it’s happening. Crenshaw is too fast, too deep and too experienced to let the resurgent Patriots hang with them for more than a quarter. The Cougars take what will be one of their last steps prior to a history-making bowl appearance. Prediction: Crenshaw 56, Birmingham 14.
No. 9 West Adams at No. 8 Westchester: Given who the winner plays in the quarterfinal (Crenshaw), does this game really matter? Of course. Westchester, having played in a stronger league, wins a close one. Prediction: Westchester 28, West Adams 24.
No. 12 Dorsey at No. 5 San Pedro: I don’t like the way the Dons are playing right now. They closed the regular season with consecutive losses to Crenshaw and Locke, and I just don’t see them rebounding against a smart and efficient team playing at home. Prediction: San Pedro 31, Dorsey 17.
No. 13 Garfield at No. 4 Taft: Give Garfield credit for its hard-nosed defense and bullish running game. But the Bulldogs haven’t run up against anything like Taft’s running game. And the common opponent theory goes out the window because Garfield beat Birmingham way before it got its act together. Prediction: Taft 35, Garfield 14.
No. 14 Sylmar at No. 3 Venice: The Gondoliers don’t meet much resistance here. Prediction: Venice 31, Sylmar 10.
No. 11 Narbonne vs. No. 6 L.A. Jordan: The matchup of the day pits Jordan’s ‘Attack the Weakness’ offense against a defense that doesn’t have many weaknesses. Both teams have prolific quarterbacks and running games, but I think the home factor pays off in the end for Jordan. Prediction: Jordan 35, Narbonne 34.
No. 10 Wilmington Banning at No. 7 Locke: Locke showed with its victory over Dorsey that it’s capable of playing with the big boys. But so is Banning, which upset Narbonne to finish in a three-way tie for second in the Marine League. Prediction: Banning 37, Locke 24.
No. 15 Santee at No. 2 Carson: Unless this game turns into one long 100-yard dash in which Santee sprinter Tevin Carter displays his uncanny speed, the Colts win easily. Prediction: Carson 35, Santee 14.
--Ben Bolch