For any of you who missed this game, check out the highlights below. Seth Hanson went off, gaining over 300 total yards. This was the best performance by a Maverick runningback in quite some time. Frausto had a solid performance, and the entire defense played as a one unit, lights out football. If you are reading this via email, come to the site to view the video.

by: Terry Monahan, North County Times

LA COSTA ---- Entering the game, Seth Hanson was an unknown factor.

Coming off a dislocated shoulder suffered four weeks ago, the La Costa Canyon High junior running back wasn't on Vista's radar screen for its CIF San Diego Section Division I quarterfinal football game against the Mavericks.

On Friday, though, Hanson showed the Panthers that LCC can run the ball when it counts the most ---- the postseason. Hanson rushed for 207 yards and caught four passes for another 111 yards to lead the top-seeded Mavericks to a 38-18 win over visiting Vista.

With their seventh consecutive win, the Mavs advanced to a home matchup in the semifinals against Carlsbad next Friday. It comes a year after they suffered a loss to eventual CIF Division II state champion Oceanside in a rainy semifinal.

"We still have a lot of guys who remember how that felt last year, and we don't want to feel that way ever again,'' said Hanson, who rushed 16 times for 207 yards, including 167 after halftime.

"We have to get it done this time,'' LCC coach Darrin Brown said. "We played out of our minds last year and we were smelling it last year until the final 90 seconds.''

Enter Hanson, who helped the Mavericks penetrate the Vista defense ---- which had not yielded a point in its last three games ---- for 321 yards.

"I was surprised,'' Vista coach Dan Williams said. "I didn't think they could do that to us, but they got up on us.

"I thought their speed was much better than we anticipated. That defensive struggle we thought we were in for never happened.

"We picked a bad night to play poorly.''

After taking a 21-10 halftime lead, the Mavs tacked on quarterback Sebastian Frausto's 6-yard run in the third quarter. After Vista quarterback David Fisher's 1-yard TD run and a two-point conversion closed the deficit to 28-18, Robert Zalud kicked a 37-yard field goal and Hanson ran for a 38-yard TD with 3:54 to go to help end Vista's four-game winning streak.

In a game that figured to be a defensive tussle, not only were 31 points scored in the first half, but La Costa Canyon made a goal-line stand with a fumble recovery in the end zone with 11 seconds left before halftime.

The Mavericks played most of the game without standout linebacker Jacob Driver, who was ejected with 3:43 left in the first quarter. He was called for throwing a punch during a pileup at the line of scrimmage.

La Costa Canyon needed five plays on the game's opening drive to grab a 7-0 lead on Frausto's 42-yard TD strike to Kenny Stills.

Vista responded with Juan Nieto's 40-yard field goal. But just 21 seconds later, Frausto lobbed a pass to Hanson, who went 69 yards untouched down the sideline to push the lead to 14-3.

Vista answered back with a 13-play drive covering 80 yards ---- Driver was ejected during the drive ---- before quarterback David Fisher hit Ian Richardson with a 3-yard TD on the first quarter's final play.

The Mavericks took advantage of a fake punt that was a yard short at the LCC 45-yard line and scored 10 plays later for a 21-10 lead with 2:35 left before halftime. Matt S. Williams covered the final 5 yards for the TD.

Vista nearly scored once more. Starting from their 20, the Panthers reached the doorstep of the end zone, but on fourth down, Jordan Alexander hurdled the line of scrimmage but fumbled the ball. Tucker Toolson pounced on it in the end zone.

The Mavericks scored by land and air, overwhelming the Vista defense, en route to an impressive 38-18 victory. Seth Hanson gained a mind boggling 318 total yards - 207 rushing and 111 receiving. The Mavericks advance to play Carlsbad in the semifinals next week at La Costa Canyon high school. More video highlights, photos, and analysis to come.




La Costa Canyon defense makes a big stuff on 4th and Goal


Sebastian Frausto to Seth Hanson for long touchdown reception

Other Scores:

Valley Center 64
Imperial 6

Carlsbad 34
Chula Vista 21


Mission Hills 20
Poway 14

Escondido 14
Fallbrook 12

Oceanside 41
Lincoln 0

Scripps Ranch 41
Westview 21

Cathedral Catholic 20
Point Loma 14

Steele Canyon 24
Ramona 23

Francis Parker 76
Calvin Christian 3

Army-Navy Academy 43
La Jolla Country Day 24

Helix 54
Grossmont 10

Tonight's game between the Mavericks and Panthers matches two fantastic defenses against eachother's offenses - expect a very competitive game. It's win or go home. There is no tomorrow for the loser. Who will make the big plays? Who will force more turnovers? Which team will advance to the semi-finals against Carlsbad or Chula Vista?

Here are the keys to a Maverick victory:

Stop Vista QB David Fisher - Vista's Quarterback is a duel threat QB, meaning he can run just about as well as he can pass. Fisher, who has completed 85-of-151 passes for 10 touchdowns, is very capable of pulling down the ball and taking off on the rush when no receiver is open. These types of quarterbacks are frustrating for a defense to defend because they are unpredictable. We'll see how Brown combats this - will he place a spy on the quarterback?

Create turnovers - Playoffs games on any level are often dictated by the turnover differential. A La Costa Canyon example of this is when my team played in the quarterfinals against Fallbrook in 2003. Sloppy play on our side resulted in 6 turnovers - we lost the game 23-21. In tonight's game, which defense will create more takeaways - interceptions, strips, blocked kicks, etc? La Costa Canyon has done a sufficient job all year with 23 takeaways, compared to Vista defense's 15. In a game with two good defenses, expect turnovers to determine the victor tonight.

The Stars Must Shine - Although any game involves an all around team effort, in big games, the best players must stand up and make their presence felt. For La Costa Canyon, Sebastian Frausto, Kenny Stills, Micahel Kaiser, Connor Garrett, and Jacob Driver (North County Times defensive player of the eyar) must make some noise on the field. If Frausto-Stills connection can come alive and produce some big offensive plays, and Driver, Kaiser, and Garrett can stone the Vista run game, expect a Maverick victory.

Win the Special Teams Game - Connor Garrett is one of the most dangerous return-men in North County. His big punt and kickoff returns have set up the Maverick offense with great field position in nearly every game. No time will big special teams returns be more crucial than tonight. When facing a stingy stingy, like Vista's, field position is absolutely crucial. It's much easier to only have to go 50 yards to score a touchdown rather than 90. Also in the conversation of field position, La Costa Canyon kicker Robert Zalud must boom the ball deep on kickoffs and punts.

--

Prediction: La Costa Canyon 28 Vista 20

ESCONDIDO ---- Joe Silvey doesn't teach history at Fallbrook High.

"I really don't get too wrapped up in the past," the Warriors football coach said.

So Silvey is treating Friday night's CIF San Diego Section Division I quarterfinal playoff game with No. 2-seeded Escondido as just another a game ---- an important game to be sure ---- instead of a rematch.

In Week 8, Escondido beat Fallbrook 49-30 in an Avocado League contest.

Fallbrook (5-6) threw for 316 yards in that game and had 431 yards total offense. But Escondido (8-2) ran for 470 yards and had 531 yards total offense.

Escondido's dynamic duo of Ricky Seale and Tim Zier ran over, under, around and through the Fallbrook defense.

Seale, the leading rusher in North County with 2,078 yards on 229 carries and 26 TDs, had 267 of those yards on 32 carries against Fallbrook with three TDs ---- one a 75-yarder.

Zier has 1,189 rushing yards on 121 carries with 244 more yards receiving. He had 179 yards on 17 carries against Fallbrook with TD runs of 64 and 56 yards.

"Don't be fooled by that first game," said Escondido coach Paul Gomes. "Fallbrook is solid all the way across. They really don't have a weakness.

"They know what we do. Heck, everybody knows what we do.

"We won't change the core of what we do, but we will make some adjustments. Then we need to execute."

Both coaches said the first-game score was a little misleading.

Escondido led 20-7 after the first quarter, but Fallbrook cut that to 20-17 and was at midfield with 12 seconds to go in the half.

That's when Escondido's Joel Sisler stole the ball out of the hands of quarterback Michael Welsh and ran 45 yards for a score.

Escondido led 42-23 before Fallbrook scored early in the fourth quarter. And the Warriors drove to the Escondido 1 before losing a fumble ---- one of five they lost that night.

Escondido then drove 99 yards for a score with Zier covering the last 56.

"If we don't fumble on the 1, it's 42-36 with about nine minutes to play," Silvey said.

"Certainly, we made a lot of mistakes in that game. Plus ---- and I don't mean this as an excuse because everyone has injuries ---- but we played without (running back) Mitchell Salazar and (defensive back) Aaron Atkins and lost (defensive back/receiver) Kameron Drawhorn and (defensive back) Jeff Hecht in the first quarter.

"If we're healthy and clean things up, we should be better."

Welsh completed 21-of-34 passes in the first meeting with Escondido and has completed 121-of-195 passes for 1,635 yards this season. Marquis Sumpter (36 catches, 632 yards) and Jeremy Hanson (34-435) are his favorite receivers. Jake Ware is a tough inside runner with 546 yards.

Offensively, Fallbrook will use several different looks, sometimes using three quarterbacks in a game.

"The rematch may work to our advantage because our kids will be motivated," Silvey said. "But Escondido has seen first hand what we do."

Fallbrook was certainly motivated in the first round of the playoffs, upsetting Mira Mesa 17-13 while Escondido had a first-round bye.

"I generally prefer a bye in the first round because you can't lose to bye," Silvey said. "But we lost our last two regular-season games (to La Costa Canyon and Mission Hills), so it was good to play and reverse that trend."

Gomes said the bye has given his team a chance to heal. He said the Cougars have practiced well this week and are excited about playing again.

"Every team handles the bye differently," Gomes said. "I think we'll be fine because we know what kind of fight we're in for."

Likewise, the Warriors know they're in for a fight.

Seale ranks 27th on the San Diego Section's single-season rushing list. Just ahead are Arian Foster (2,093) of Mission Bay and Ricky Williams (2,099) of Patrick Henry.

The Escondido school record is 2,220 rushing yards by Darrick Jackson in 2004.

The San Diego Section record is 2,625 by Gary Taylor of Morse in 1990.

Seale has 15 touchdown runs of 30 yards or more. He averages 9.1 yards a carry.

Zier has 23 TDs ---- 17 rushing, four receiving, one on a punt return and another on an interception. He has 12 TDs of 30 yards are more and averages 9.8 yards a carry.

As a team, the Cougars average 8.5 yards on 417 rushes.

Asked about records, Gomes said, "You don't play for records, you play to win.

"No question, this is going to be a great game with Fallbrook.

"The kids are focused. They're not done playing by a long shot. They want to play three more games."

by: John Maffel

Division I

Vista at La Costa Canyon

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

Internet: HiTechRadio.com; KBCSports.com

Records: Vista 7-4; La Costa Canyon 8-2

Last meeting: In 2006, La Costa Canyon won 22-7.

At a glance: The series is tied 2-2. ... This game should turn on defense. Both teams are very good on that side of the ball, but in different ways. La Costa Canyon gives up 277.3 yards a game but has collected 23 takeaways. Vista gives up just 204.3 yards a game but with only 15 takeaways. Connor Garrett and Michael Mildbrandt both have four interceptions for LCC. Michael Kaiser leads in sacks with six. ... Both teams have more than capable quarterbacks. LCC's Sebastian Frausto is No. 5 in North County, hitting 117-of-195 passes for 1,779 yards and 15 TDs. Vista's David Fisher is 85-for-151 passing for 1,354 yards and 10 TDs. Fisher is also second on the team in rushing with 116 carries for 591 yards and seven TDs. LCC has a huge edge with WR Kenny Stills, North County's No. 2 receiver with 52 catches for 1,039 yards and 14 TDs.

Prediction: La Costa Canyon 17, Vista 16

---- Terry Monahan

Carlsbad at Chula Vista

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

Records: Carlsbad 6-5; Chula Vista 7-3

Last meeting: In 2006, Carlsbad won 48-7.

At a glance: Carlsbad has won the last three meetings and leads the series 3-1. ... For the 12th time this season, Carlsbad is on the road after last week's 24-17 win over Torrey Pines as QB Michael Leonard shrugged off a knee injury to lead the way. Leonard is 91-for-165 passing for 1,128 yards and eight TDs. RBs David Cisneros (77-344) and Ashston Barbour (69-471) are a formidable tandem now since Cisneros returned from an injury at midseason. ... Chula Vista, the No. 4 seed, had a five-game winning streak snapped in the regular-season finale by Eastlake 28-11. ... The Spartans rely on QB Victor Perez, who is 85-for-144 passing for 1,546 yards, 13 TDs and just 3 interceptions. Aaron Taylor leads the team with 27 catches for 709 yards and four TDs. ... Anthony Stanislaus leads the ground game with 122 carries for 787 yards and seven TDs.

Prediction: Carlsbad 23, Chula Vista 21

---- Terry Monahan

Mission Hills at Poway

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

Internet: KBCSports.com

Records: Mission Hills 7-3-1; Poway 7-3

Last meeting: In 2007, Poway won 7-6.

At a glance: Mission Hills won the battle last week, beating El Camino 28-14 in a first-round game, but may have lost RB Eddy Sihavong in the process. Sihavong, Mission Hills' leading rusher with 979 yards on 160 carries, left the El Camino game after three carries with a sprained left ankle. He's doubtful for tonight's contest. So Zach McMaster moves in as the starter with support from Chad Dobbins and Mark Marino. The offensive load could fall to QB DJ Zapata, who has completed 99-of-168 passes for 1,504 yards and 10 TDs. TE Dallas Butler is the leading receiver with 28 catches, but Kevin Chung has 27 and Nigel Westbrooks continues to emerge with 27 catches. ... Poway, the defending Division I champion, is seeded No. 3 and had a first-round bye last week. Senior TB Nick Ricciarduli is the third-leading rusher in the North County with 245 carries for 1,602 yards and 19 TDs, and he has another 200 receiving yards. QB John Jensen-Johnson has completed 42-of-85 passes for 660 yards and TDs. Versatile junior Brett Thomas, who is also the team's best defender, has 27 catches for 418 yards.

Prediction: Poway 21, Mission Hills 17

---- John Maffei

Fallbrook at Escondido

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

Records: Fallbrook 5-6; Escondido 8-2

Last meeting: In 2008, Escondido won 49-30.

At a glance: Fallbrook upset Mira Mesa last week in the first round while No. 2-seeded Escondido had a bye. ... These teams met in Week 8 in an Avocado League game. Fallbrook threw for 316 yards in that game and had 431 yards total offense. Escondido ran for 470 yards and had 531 yards total offense. ... Fallbrook QB Michael Welsh completed 21-of-34 passes in the first meeting with Escondido and has completed 121-of-195 passes for 1,635 yards this season. Marquis Sumpter (36 catches, 632 yards) and Jeremy Hanson (34-435) are his favorite targets. Jake Ware is a tough inside runner with 546 yards while Mitchell Salazar, who missed the first Escondido game with an injury, has 425. ... Escondido attacks behind its dynamic junior duo of Ricky Seale and Tim Zier. Seale is the leading rusher in North County with 2,078 yards on 229 carries and 26 TDs. He has at least 101 rushing yards in every game this season, including 321 in the season finale against San Pasqual. Zier has 1,189 rushing yards on 121 carries with 244 more yards receiving. He has 23 TDs ---- 17 rushing, four receiving, one on a punt return and another on an interception. QB Zach Embrey has completed 38-of-87 passes for 730 yards and 11 TDs.

Prediction: Escondido 35, Fallbrook 28

---- John Maffei

Division II

Lincoln at Oceanside

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

Records: Lincoln 6-5; Oceanside 9-0-1

Last meeting: In 1986, Lincoln won 41-7 in CIF San Diego Section 2A championship.

At a glance: Oceanside opened in 1904 and Lincoln was opened in 1952 and this will be just the second meeting for the two teams. ... Junior Seau played for Oceanside in the only game against Lincoln. ... Oceanside, the top seed with a 22-game unbeaten streak, enjoyed a bye last week. ... QB Jordan Wynn is No. 2 in North County among passers, going 139-for-214 passing for 2,486 yards, 21 TDs and 5 interceptions. He spreads it around so well DeMario Coleman (46-1,023), Osmond Nicholas (30-616), Jerry Whitaker (30-355) and Rene Siluano (17-185) lead the receiving corps. Siluano has taken over at running back and has 72 carries for 547 yards and eight TDs, mostly since midseason. ... Lincoln opened this season 5-0, lost all five Eastern League games and then edged Mt. Carmel 35-29 in last week's opening round behind RB Davon Dunn, who scored four times for former Rancho Bernardo coach Ron Hamamoto. ... Oceanside is ranked No. 4 in the Southern California bowl rankings.

Prediction: Oceanside 35, Lincoln 20

---- Terry Monahan

Westview at Scripps Ranch

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

TV: Channel 4

Internet: KBCSports.com

Records: Westview 9-2; Scripps Ranch 7-3

Last meeting: In 2004, Westview won 24-0.

At a glance: Westview tied Scripps Ranch 14-14 in 2003, the first varsity game in school history. ... The last time game the Falcons, who had a first-round bye as the No. 4 seed, was a 70-37 loss to Cathedral Catholic on Nov. 14 in the regular-season finale. ... While Scripps Ranch doesn't mind running the ball with Brennan Clay, who has 134 carries for 1,198 yards and 17 TDs, the first option is QB Tate Forcier. The Michigan-bound thrower is 177-for-259 passing for 2,990 yards, 21 TDs and 10 interceptions. Forcier has also rushed for 699 yards and 11 TDs. ... Forcier's favorite receivers are Clay (59-920), Todd Herrod (30-773) and Malcom Billingsley (21-365).

Prediction: Scripps Ranch 37, Westview 35

---- Terry Monahan

Division III

Point Loma at Cathedral Catholic

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

Records: Point Loma 6-4-1; Cathedral Catholic 10-0

Last meeting: In 2008, Cathedral Catholic won 42-10.

At a glance: Cathedral Catholic leads the series 3-0. ... Cathedral Catholic, coming off a first-week bye as the No. 1 seed with a 17-game winning streak, is averaging 50.6 points a game this season behind an offense that relies on RB Tyler Gaffney, who took advantage of the week off to take a recruiting trip to Notre Dame. Gaffney is second in North County rushing with 189 carries for 1,944 yards and 38 TDs. Another Dons' runner, Demetrius Sumler, was the last North County runner to hit 2,000 yards when he went for 2,435 yards and 31 TDs in 2005. ... QB Parker Hipp is quietly having a fine season. He's completed 84-of-132 passes ---- 63.6 percent ---- for 1,597 yards, 14 TDs and only 3 interceptions. ... With last week's 28-14 win over Castle Park, the Pointers bring a three-game winning streak into the game against the Dons. ... RB Leslie Rogers is the main weapon on offense, rushing 160 times for 1,430 yards and 17 TDs. ... Cathedral Catholic is ranked No. 2 in the Southern California bowl rankings.

Prediction: Cathedral Catholic 45, Point Loma 17

---- Terry Monahan

Division III

Steele Canyon at Ramona

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

Records: Steele Canyon 6-5; Ramona 8-2

Last meeting: In 2004, Steele Canyon won 42-15 in first round of the playoffs.

At a glance: Steele Canyon advanced to the quarterfinals with a 33-20 first-round win on the road over a 9-1 Central Union team. No. 2-seeded Ramona had a first-round bye. ... Alex Perlin leads Steele Canyon with 1,491 yards on 249 carries with 13 TDs. He had 24 carries for 122 yards against Central. Sophomore QB Brad Boehmke was 10-of-17 for 118 yards with a pair of TDs against Central. Jason Cofield had an interception and blocked a field goal in that game. ... Ramona is one of the better-balanced teams in the county. Joey Dambrose has rushed for 845 yards and 13 TDs while Ryan Morgan has 601 yards and 10 TDs. QB Ian Hunt has completed 87-of-143 passes for 1,461 yards and 14 TDs. Mike Head has 34 catches for 675 yards and Matt Laws has 24 catches for 424 yards. The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 393-133. ... Steele Canyon and Ramona have one common opponent. Ramona beat El Capitan 35-7. Steele Canyon lost to El Cap 16-7.

Prediction: Ramona 35, Steele Canyon 18

---- John Maffei

Division IV

Coronado at Santa Fe Christian

Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. today

Internet: KBCSports.com

Records: Coronado 8-2; Santa Fe Christian 6-4

Last meeting: In 2008, Santa Fe Christian 30-20.

At a glance: These teams met in Week 7 at Coronado with SFC piling up 427 rushing yards and the Islanders passing for 266. ... Coronado has won four in a row since the SFC game, beating Crawford, Kearny, Clairemont and Morse. ... QB Mason Mills leads the Islanders, completing 122-of-174 passes for 2,369 yards and 33 TDs with only four interceptions. Blake Malkemus is his favorite target with 59 catches for 845 yards and 11 TDs. Chris Page is the top rusher with 53 carries for 432 yards. The Islanders have outscored their opponents 347-113. ... SFC has scored 92 points in its last two games, wins over Horizon (57-51) and Bishop's (35-14). The Eagles attack on the ground behind Brice Heers (148 carries, 870 yards, 10 TDs) and Sam Hoekstra (98-863-10). Trent Von Yokes has emerged as a third back in recent weeks. Heers had 29 carries for 169 yards in the first meeting with Coronado with a pair of short TDs. Hoekstra had 12 carries for 153 yards against the Islanders with TD runs of 14 and 33 yards.

Prediction: Santa Fe Christian 27, Coronado 24

---- John Maffei

Imperial at Valley Center

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

Records: Imperial 9-1; Valley Center 8-2

Last meeting: In 1998, Imperial won 33-27 in first round of the playoffs.

At a glance: Imperial has out scored its opponents 329-45, has six straight shutouts and seven overall. But the Tigers have wins over Palo Verde, Calexico, Holtville (twice), Vincent Memorial (twice), and Mountain Empire (twice). The only loss was to Santana (19-0). QB Chris Lopez is the leader, completing 48-of-96 passes for 675 yards and 12 TDs. RB Preston Blincoe has 521 yards on 72 carries and Caleb Hogue has 46 carries for 480 yards. ... Valley Center, the No. 1 seed and the defending Division IV champion, has outscored its opponents 356-181. The Jaguars have won five of the last six, losing only to Oceanside (49-21). QB Tyler Bernard has completed 125-of-209 passes for 1,973 yards and 21 TDs. WR James Johnson has 43 catches for 898 yards and 13 TDs. Jeremy Dozier has 31 catches and Travis Bernard has 23. RB Stanton Upson has 999 yards on 174 carries.

Prediction: Valley Center 42, Imperial 8

---- John Maffei

Division V

La Jolla Country Day vs. Army-Navy at El Camino HS

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

Internet: KBCSports.com

Records: La Jolla Country Day 8-3; Army-Navy 8-2

Last meeting: In 2008, Army-Navy won 27-21.

At a glance: Army-Navy, the No. 4 seed, comes off a bye week in hopes of beating the Torreys for a second time this year. To do that, RB Tommy Brown, who has 181 carries for 1,117 yards and seven TDs, must lead the offense. QB Varden Bernstein is just 37-for-71 passing for 760 yards, nine TDs and seven interceptions. ... On defense, the Warriors can call on Jon Mosley and Lance Taylor, who both have three interceptions along with Steve Sheldon, who leads North County with 12 sacks. ... La Jolla Country Day has won three straight games with a running game that has produced 43 touchdowns. Junior RB Montell Allen leads the team with 150 carries for 1,103 yards and 21 TDs. Junior QB Derek Hatfield is next with 122 carries for 644 yards and 15 TDs. ... Hatfield has thrown for 1,014 yards and six more TDs. ... Allen also plays linebacker and leads the team with 115 tackles and two sacks.

Prediction: Army-Navy 28, La Jolla Country Day 21

---- Terry Monahan

Calvin Christian at Francis Parker

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

Records: Calvin Christian 9-1; Francis Parker 9-1

Last meeting: First meeting

At a glance: Calvin Christian played and won its first-ever playoff game last week, edging Tri-City Christian 23-21. ... The Crusaders are led by QB David Stout, who has completed 118-of-186 passes for 1,945 yards and 21 TDs. His favorite target is the versatile Clinton Park, who has 43 catches for 671 yards and 107 rushing yards. RB David Baker is out with an injury. The Crusaders have outscored their opponents 382-127. ... Francis Parker has won nine in a row since a season-opening 27-24 loss to Westview. The Lancers have outscored their opponents 484-178 and have scored 45 points or more in eight of their last nine games, including 56 against Horizon, 63 against Southwest of El Centro and 76 against La Jolla Country Day. ... QB Deon Randall is the trigger man, completing 84-of-125 passes for 1,296 yards and 14 TDs. Randall also has 1,182 rushing yards on 123 carries with 28 TDs. Devin Clark has 421 rushing yards and 277 receiving yards. Myles Muagututia is the leading receiver with 25 catches for 354 yards.

Prediction: Francis Parker 35, Calvin Christian 13

---- John Maffei

On a day full of Turkey, pumpkin pie, family, and backyard football games, the Mavericks have much to be thankful for this holiday season. With their playoff game against the Vista Panthers a mere day away, fans, players, and coaches, are expecting a playoff run that will land the Mavericks in their first CIF championship game appearance in the school's twelve year history. However, the journey begins with game, tomorrow night in La Costa.

Here are the top 8 things the Mavericks should be thankful for:

8. Sweet Uniforms - Have you ever played on a football team that had ugly uniforms? Even worse, have you ever played on a team that had horrible looking uniforms, and loose jerseys!? It's miserable. The Mavericks have great uniforms - especially the all navy home jerseys with the green trim. My first year at Columbia, our Jersey's were loose, and we had to literally tape up our sleeves that otherwise hung at our elbows. Coach's say its doesn't matter how you look, its how you play. My philosophy: if you look good, you play good. Ask last year's San Diego Chargers. Note I said "last year's."

7. Crazy Maverick Hooligans - Coach Brown has done a fantastic job over his tenure of building the La Costa Canyon fan base. This is not easy work. To build a community around a football program you have to win and generate buzz. Brown has managed to field competitive teams every year since he began coaching at La Costa Canyon 8 years ago, including playoff appearances every single year. In the case of La Costa Canyon, another important component to building community is the creation of La Costa Canyon Pop Warner. Getting players and families obsessed with the Maverick football culture at an early age pays dividends in terms of support when they step on the field as Senior in high school.

6. Ballin' Facilities - As a head coach, you have to fund raise, fund raise, and fundraise, so that your team has the best facilities to maximize their athletic potential. La Costa Canyon's football facilities are top grade. Although La Costa Canyon High School is located in a top tier socio-economic region, in order to fund raise successfully, you must develop a deep trust with the fans and parents, and this is not easy! Brown's efforts in the past 8 years have created a supportive environment that makes it that much easier to focus on football and stay competitive.

5. Zalud's Boot - The Maverick's kicker Robert Zalud kicks the ball deep deep deep. His kickoff's mitigate the risk of long kickoff returns, because the teams can't return them! In the playoff's, Zalud's leg will be invaluable, especially if the Mavericks end up facing Escondido whose runningback and return man, Ricky Seale, who can pull a rabbit out of a hat - well maybe not - but at least take a kickoff return to the house. Zalud also acts as a fierce defender when running down on the kickoff team. If you are on the return team and not looking, he will show you no mercy and lay you out (watch 4th quarter of Torrey Pines game).
4. A quarterback that can actually throw, and run - An absolutely necessary component to winning a CIF championship is having a quarterback that can deliver the ball to his receivers. Quarterback Sebastian Frausto can light up defensives throwing his favorite target, Kenny Stills, as well as distribute the ball effecitvely to anybody else that is open. One of his most impressive performances of the year was against Rancho Buena Vista, when he connected with eight different receivers. Frausto is a dual threat quarterback that can also burn a defense with his feet, often picking up 10 and 20 yard chunks when the defensive drops into pass coverage and leaves a running lane open for the scramble.

3. Kenny Stills - We all know Kenny is a talented player that can create big plays. The best part of having Kenny in the offense, besides his obvious big play ability, is the distraction he causes to other teams. Teams must center entire defensive game plans around containing Stills. Do you understand the insecurity a defensive coordinator faces when preparing for the Mavericks? With so much emphasis on Stills, whether the ball is passed to him or not, this leaves other opportunities to exploit via the run game or or holes in the defensive secondary when Stills is double covered.

2. Gangrene - While most people probably don't get excited about this terrifying flesh eating disease, the La Costa Canyon defense does. The "Gangrene" defensive title, coined by Scott Brown years ago, really gained traction this year, and successfully describes La Costa Canyon's defensive philosophy, penetrate, attack, and smother. I'd love to see helmet stickers paying tribute to the Gangrene philosophy. What might that look like? Note: do not Google images of Gangrene on Turkey day. I just lost my appetite.

1. The #1 Seed - Teams duke it out all season long to get the opportunity to capture the number one seed in the playoffs. The number one seed gets you a first round playoff bye, and prime positioning to make a run at the championship game. With the #1 seed, the Mavericks avoid potential matchups before the championship game against Escondido, Mission Hills, and Poway, three teams that pack firepower. The most threatening team on the Maverick's side of the bracket is Vista, a 6-4 team.

Some of you may have seen this before, but this might be the funniest video I've ever seen. If you're reading this via email, come to the site to view the video.

After an exciting first round of playoff action, the competition heats up this week as the top seeds enter play in the second round. Here are the top 10 most exciting matchups in the second round.

10. Foothills Christian (10-1) @ Christian (9-1)

Prediction: Christian 28 Foothills Christian 14

9. Calvin Christian (9-1) @ Francis Parker (9-1)

Prediction: Francis Parker 35 Calvin Christian 27

8. Fallbrook (5-6) @ Escondido (8-2)

Prediction: Escondido 38 Fallbrook 21

7. Patrick Henry (7-4) @ Eastlake (8-2)

Prediction: Eastlake 24 Patrick Henry 23

6. Imperial (9-1) @ Valley Center (8-2)

Prediction: Valley Center 42 Imperial 14

5. Point Loma (5-4-1) @ Cathedral Catholic (10-0)

Prediction: Cathedral Catholic 54 Point Loma 20

4. Westview (9-2) @ Scripps Ranch (7-3)

Prediction: Scripps Ranch 33 Westview 31

3. Carlsbad (6-5) @ Chula Vista (7-3)

Upset Alert: Carlsbad, a team that start shaky after at 52-3 whipping from La Costa, has rebounded since then and finals got over the .500 mark with their last minute win against Torrey Pines. Like Mission Hills, which Carlsbad team will show up. The road warrior Lancers, homeless the entire year due to toxic soil on their field, will come out fired up and squeak out a victory against an overrated Chula Vista Spartans (who also got creamed by La Costa Canyon in week 0)

Prediction: Carlsbad 28 Chula Vista 27

2. Mission Hills (7-3-1) @ Poway (8-3)

Upset Alert: Mission Hills, the underdog, comes into the game as the second round wild card team. They've played very well at times during the year, particularly against La Costa Canyon, but underperformed against Torrey Pines. Which Mission Hills team will show up against the Palomar champion Poway Titans? Quarterback Zapata will come out strong and take down the Titans.

Prediction: Mission Hills 24 Poway 21

1. Vista (7-4) @ La Costa Canyon (8-2)

Both teams pride themselves on defense. Both teams beat Escondido. Both teams lost to south section power Mission Viejo by similar scores. Both teams have beaten each other in playoff games in past years. In a game of Gangrene vs. Blackshirts, who wins? If La Costa Canyon resists complaceny, they will win the game. They are the better team all-around. The spotlight is on Coach Darrin Brown - how will he prepare a confident La Costa Canyon squad against a dangerous Vista team that is on a mission?

Prediction: La Costa Canyon 28 Vista 20

The Vista Panthers football program has built a reputation for playing hard-nosed football. The Panthers headed into last night's first round playoff game against Otay Ranch sporting one of the most storied prep football programs in North County history, and they came out sticking true to their word, offering a suffocating performance by the "Blackshirt" defense. The Panthers left the field with a big goose egg, beating up on the Mustangs for a commanding 35-0 win.

So what happens when you pit a Blackshirt defense against a Gangrene defense? Luckily they don't have to actually face eachother on the field.

With their trumping of Otay Ranch, the Vista Panthers (7-4) are raising some eyebrows, and will advance to play the La Costa Canyon Mavericks in the second round of the playoffs, which is anticipated to be a classic battle between two of the county's most dominant defenses.

If you're a fan of big hits, form tackles, and blatant aggression, this second round game is just for you.

The 8-2 Avocado league champion Mavericks have made a statement all year with their domineering style of defensive play. Led by a pack of wild Mavericks including San Diego State-bound linebacker Jacob Driver, defensive end Michael Kaiser, and defensive back Connor Garrett, the La Costa Canyon defense is only allowing 15.1 points per game.

The Vista Panther defense, equally as stingy, is allowing only 15.5 points per game, and fields a variety of talented athletes including linebackers Patrick Lewis, Larry East, Ofisa Kose, and cornerback Jordan Alexander. Eight of Vista's Blackshirts are returning starters from last year's squad.

Some other notables - the Mavericks and Panthers, beat the 2-seed Escondido Cougars, accounting for their only 2 defeats on the season. Also, both teams challenged South Section powerhouse Mission Viejo and came out on the short end of the stick; La Costa Canyon fell 38-14 and Vista lost 42-20.

With this matchup of two great defenses who have produced virtually the same results, expect Vista vs. La Costa Canyon to be the county's game of the week in the second round of CIF playoff action.

The first round of the 2008 San Diego section high school football playoffs are in the books. Check out the scores below.

Division I

Vista 35 - Otay Ranch 0

*Vista advances to play La Costa Canyon in the quarterfinals

Fallbrook 17 - Mira Mesa 13

*Fallbrook advances to play Escondido in the quarterfinals

Carlsbad 24 - Torrey Pines 17

*Carlsbad advances to play Chula Vista in the quarterfinals

Mission Hills 28 - El Camino 14

*Mission Hills advances to play Poway in quarterfinals

Division II

Lincoln 35 - Mt. Carmel 29

*Lincoln advances to play Oceanside

Westview 38 - Hoover 0

*Westview advances to play Scripps Ranch in quarterfinals

Patrick Henry 28 - West Hills 20

*Patrick Henry advances to play Eastlake in quarterfinals

Grossmont 23 - Bonita Vista 21

*Grossmont advances to play Helix in quarterfinals

Division III

Point Loma 28 - Castle Park 14

*Point Loma advances to play Cathedral Catholic

El Capitan 41 - Brawley 22

*El Capitan advances to play St. Augustine

Steele Canyon 33 - Central Union 20

*Steele Canyon advances to play Ramona in quarterfinals

Serra 9 Monte Vista 7

*Serra advances to play Valhalla in quarterfinals

Divsion V

La Jolla Country Day 38 - Mountain Empire 6

*La Jolla Country Day advances to play Army-Navy

Bishop's 49 - Julian 0

*Bishops advances to play Horizon

Foothills Christian 34 - Holtville 20

*Foothills Christian advances to play Christian

Calvin Christian 23 - Tri City Christian 21

*Calvin Christian advances to play Francis Parker

Division I

Otay Ranch at Vista

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

TV: Channel 4

Internet: HiTechRadio.com

Records: Otay Ranch 5-4-1; Vista 6-4

Last meeting: Never met.

At a glance: At one time, Otay Ranch was 5-1-1 this season before losing its last three games, in which it scored 19 points. ... Junior QB Juan Leary leads the Mustangs in passing and rushing. He's 76-for-150 passing for 793 yards. He's also rushed 142 times for 881 yards and five TDs. RB Jordan Jenkins has 80 carries for 568 yards and five TDs. WR Isaiah Hall tops the team with 22 catches for 263 yards. ... Vista concluded the season last week with a 23-0 win over rival Rancho Buena Vista, avenging a shutout by the Longhorns in last year's season finale. ... Vista's offense continues to run behind QB David Fisher, who is 81-for-147 passing ---- 55 percent ---- for 1,236 yards, eight TDs and only four INTs. He's also second in rushing with 112 carries for 586 yards and seven TDs, trailing RB Jordan Alexander, who has 138 carries for 722 yards and three TDs. ... Vista's offense has just 15 turnovers this season, which matches the 15 takeaways on defense. Vista's defense has yielded only 155 points. Carlsbad's defense has only nine takeaways. ... Carlsbad has gone 63 games without being shutout since 2003 when Vista blanked the Lancers 7-0.

Prediction: Vista 26, Otay Ranch 13

---- Terry Monahan

Torrey Pines vs. Carlsbad at El Camino HS

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

TV: Time Warner Channel 19 (taped midnight)

Records: Torrey Pines 3-6-1; Carlsbad 5-5

Last meeting: In 2005, Carlsbad won 17-6 in CIF San Diego Section Division I finals.

At a glance: Carlsbad has won the last two meetings, but Torrey Pines leads the series 12-7. ... Torrey Pines dropped a 41-10 decision to rival La Costa Canyon last week, while Carlsbad fell to El Camino 23-13. It was Carlsbad's second straight loss. ... Torrey Pines is 1-3-1 in its last five games with the only win coming against San Pasqual (31-0). ... RB Robert Murray has 158 carries for 1,075 yards and five TDs for the Falcons. RB Brock Ringo is close by with 77 carries for 816 yards and 10 TDs. ... Carlsbad could well be without QB Michael Leonard, who has a sprained MCL ligament suffered in the second series last week after driving the Lancers for a TD on the first possession. He will be a game-time decision. Hayden Means will get the nod if Leonard can't play. Means is 9-for-24 for 121 yards and no TDs. ... That puts more pressure on the running game of David Cisneros (67-307, 5 TDs) and Ashston Barbour (62-439, 3 TDs). Barbour also leads the team with 30 catches for 355 yards and three TDs.

Prediction: Carlsbad 20, Torrey Pines 16

---- Terry Monahan

El Camino at Mission Hills

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

Records: El Camino 3-7; Mission Hills 6-3-1

Last meeting: In 2007, Mission Hills won 20-14.

At a glance: After a three-game stretch in which it scored just three points, El Camino made the playoffs by winning its last two games and three of its last four. A 23-13 win over Carlsbad last week clinched a postseason berth. ... The Wildcats will be without QB Colton Morrison (turf toe), but Collin Jones has provided a spark, completing 29-of-60 passes for 419 yards. RB Eric Paopao leads the ground game with 76 carries for 402 yards while Joe Daris had 55 carries for 220 yards. The Wildcats have four WRs with at least 11 catches, led by Ryan Ena's 16. ... The Wildcats have been outscored 211-149 this season, but have outscored their last four opponents ---- Rancho Bernardo, Vista, Rancho Buena Vista and Carlsbad ---- 105-73. ... The Mission Hills offense has been hit hard by injuries the last few weeks. QB DJ Zapata missed time with a dislocated index finger, but is back and has completed 87-of-148 passes for 1,380 yards and 10 TDs this year. RB Eddy Sihavong missed a game with a sprained ankle and played only a half last week against Fallbrook. He has 157 carries for 966 yards and is expected to be close to 100 percent tonight. ... TE Dallas Butler is Zapata's favorite target with 27 catches for 402 yards. WR Nigel Westbrooks, who caught the game-winning TD last week against Fallbrook, has 22 catches for 313 yards. ... Mission Hills opened the season with four straight wins, then went through an 0-2-1 stretch before winning two of the last three. The Grizzlies have outscored their opponents 218-174.

Prediction: Mission Hills 24, El Camino 17

---- John Maffei

Fallbrook at Mira Mesa

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

Records: Fallbrook 4-6; Mira Mesa 6-4

Last meeting: In 2007, Mira Mesa won 14-0 in the CIF San Diego Section Division I first round.

At a glance: After going 2-8 last season, Fallbrook was 23 seconds away from a 5-5 season this year, losing to Mission Hills in the regular-season finale. ... QB Michael Welsh leads the Warriors, completing 112-of-190 passes for 1,573 yards and 14 TDs. Marquis Sumpter (34 catches, 583 yards) and Jeremy Hanson (30-402) are Welsh's favorite targets. ... The Warriors have been outscored 220-230 this season. ... Mira Mesa finished its season by winning two of the last three, including a 20-13 win over Lincoln last week. QB Kevin Ozier has completed 68-of-118 passes for 994 yards. ... Casey Jumanan (21-345) is his favorite target. ... RB Damian Williams leads the way with 92 carries for 539 yards while Eric Shorter has 44 carries for 306 yards. The Marauders have outscored their opponents 255-225.

Prediction: Fallbrook 17, Mira Mesa 14

---- John Maffei

Division II
Mt. Carmel at Lincoln

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

Records: Mt. Carmel 4-6; Lincoln 5-5

Last meeting: Never met.

At a glance: Mt. Carmel missed an extra point in the fourth quarter to fall to rival Westview 21-20 last week. ... RB Kenneth James Jr. needs 94 yards to reach 1,000 yards for the season. ... On defense, Ryan Phillips leads the Sundevils with three sacks. ... The second quarter has been Mt. Carmel's best, scoring 99 points as opposed to 38, 54 and 53 in the other three. But they've also given up more points (88) in that same second quarter. ... In their second season since reopening after a massive reconstruction project renovated the entire campus, the Hornets lost all five Eastern League games. The Hive was outscored 202-147 in those games, twice giving up more than 50 points. ... RB Davon Dunn is the breakaway running threat while QB Ronnie Yell can hurt a defense running or throwing the ball for coach Ron Hamamoto, who left Rancho Bernardo to take over the Hornets.

Prediction: Lincoln 31, Mt. Carmel 28

---- Terry Monahan

Hoover at Westview

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

Records: Hoover 5-5; Westview 8-2

Last meeting: Never met.

At a glance: Hoover, the fourth-place team in the Western League, has won two of its last three games, but is only 2-4 in its last six games. ... The Cardinals are a running threat behind RB Deontray Johnson, who has 173 carries for 1,292 yards and 18 TDs this year. He's also returned two kicks for scores. ... Westview survived a late Mt. Carmel push to take a 21-20 win over its rival last week. ... Offense is Westview's strength behind QB Tommy Hansen. His passing ---- a North County-leading 171-for-308 for 2,490 yards and 25 TDs ---- has enabled the Wolverines to score 347 points. WR Steven Sousa is tied with La Costa Canyon's Kenny Stills among North County receivers with 52 catches. Sousa has 1,022 yards and 12 TDs. WR Tyler Musco is No. 7 (38-581) and RB Mitchel Bartolo is No. 10 (34-243).

Prediction: Westview 41, Hoover 14

---- Terry Monahan

Division V

Tri-City Christian vs. Calvin Christian at Escondido HS

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today

Records: Tri-City Christian 5-4-1; Calvin Christian 8-1

Last meeting: In 2008, Calvin Christian won 56-28.

At a glance: QB Andrew Torkelson leads Tri-City Christian, completing 98-of-198 passes for 1,402 yards. WR Brandon Reed has 23 catches for 439 yards and 7 TDs. ... RB Jonathan Cadaing has 83 carries for 466 yards for the Eagles, who rushed for 1,773 yards. ... TCC has outscored its opponents 283-230. ... Calvin Christian is playing its first playoff game since starting its football program last season. ... QB David Stout is the leader, completing 105-of-164 passes for 1,720 yards and 19 TDs. RB David Baker has 695 yards and 14 TDs. Clinton Parker is Stout's favorite with 41 catches for 644 yards. ... The Crusaders have outscored their opponents 359-106. ... The teams played earlier this season with Calvin Christian doubling up TCC 56-28. But Calvin returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and an interception for a score. ... TCC beat Calvin 62-6 last season.

Prediction: Calvin Christian 31, Foothills Christian 28

---- John Maffei

See this entire article at the North County Times website

Do you remember the cry of the alarm, waking up at the crack of dawn for the first morning workout in mid-January, when the air is chilly and the grass frozen to a crisp? The wintry weather bites at your toes as you and your teammates run across the dead and beaten brown surface, once called a football field.

Do you remember those brutal lifting sessions in mid march, when the coach's scream in your ear rings louder than the chirping birds - the season, oh so far away.

Do you remember the first day of camp, the savagery, the crack of the helmets, sweat pouring down your body as the unforgiving summer sun chars your forearms to a red crisp, your legs swollen with lactic acid as you run back and forth across the field, the oxygen leaving your lungs as you slip into a foggy daze?

Do you remember the bang of the drums and your resonating fight song, the eye black and high fives. Do you recall the 10 seconds before the opening of the season, staring down your opponent's kickoff return team as you line up in kickoff formation, a torpedo firing in a whistle's notice, a bulldozer about to crash the wall?

Do you remember the falling leaves, the first signs of autumn, the season's midway marker, the heart of league play, the low rising sun, the long sleeved Under Armour?

And then the real season begins...

Do you remember the game planning, the first playoff game, a season of sweat, teamwork, rigorous study, and the hopes of a fan following resting atop your adrenaline soaked shoulders?

Do you remember holding your breath, the clock ticking down, your team headed towards their triumphant destiny, a trip to the championship game a kneel down away from becoming reality?

Do you remember the starting lineups, the roar of the stadium, the painted faces, the energy, the ultimate football environment? Do you remember a moment forever locked in time: jumping in the air, the fans storming the field, the Gatorade shower, the flashing cameras?

Do you remember hoisting the championship trophy above your head?

If you remember all of this, or you don't, this is football, and this is why we play the game.

Rankings from Rivals.com

Team

1	. Poly	Long Beach	CA	1
2	. Centennial	Corona	CA	2
3	. Skyline	Sammamish	WA	4
4	. Centennial	Peoria	AZ	5
5	. St. Bonaventure	Ventura	CA	6
6	. Timpview	Provo	UT	3
7	. Hamilton	Chandler	AZ	7
8	. De La Salle	Concord	CA	8
9	. Notre Dame	Sherman Oaks	CA	9
10	. Oceanside	Oceanside	CA	10
11	. Bellevue	Bellevue	WA	11
12	. Chaparral	Temecula	CA	12
13	. Saguaro	Scottsdale	AZ	13
14	. Tesoro	Rancho Santa Margarita	CA	14
15	. Punahou	Honolulu	HI	NR
16	. Mission Viejo	Mission Viejo	CA	15
17	. Oak Grove	San Jose	CA	16
18	. Cottonwood Senior	Salt Lake City	UT	17
19	. Grant	Sacramento	CA	18
20	. McQueen	Reno	NV	19

Article from North County Times

OCEANSIDE ---- Jordan Wynn has reversed his field.

The quarterback, who led Oceanside High to a 12-1 record and a CIF Division II state championship last year as a junior, has rescinded his oral commitment to play at Colorado and instead has committed to Utah.

"Telling the Colorado coaches I had changed my mind was the hardest thing to do," Wynn said. "But I have to do what's best for me."

Colorado's depth at quarterback was the determining factor for Wynn, who has completed 139-of-214 passes for 2,486 yards and 26 touchdowns this season. Sophomore Cody Hawkins, the son of coach Dan Hawkins, starts for the Buffaloes. Freshmen Tyler Hansen and Matt Ballenger are the backups.

Hansen, who played at Chaparral in Temecula, is the son of former San Pasqual High and San Diego State star Rick Hansen.

"Colorado has three young guys at quarterback, and all have legitimate game experience," Wynn said. "I plan to graduate from Oceanside in January in order to get to college in time for spring ball. But if there are young guys in front of me, there is a good chance I would redshirt.

"If it's automatic I'll redshirt, there is no point of leaving school early. If I was going to redshirt, I'd stay at Oceanside and enjoy my last few months of high school."

Senior Brian Johnson is Utah's quarterback. His backups are sophomores Chad Manis and Corbin Louks. Freshmen TJ Canales and DeVonte Christopher are also on the roster.

Louks has thrown seven passes this season, Manis four.

"Utah hasn't promised me the job, far from it," Wynn said. "But there is a chance to compete for the job.

"Leaving Colorado has been in my head for a while. I've been tossing and turning about this for a while.

"My father (Robert) and I put all the pluses and minuses down on paper, and the trail led to Utah."

Wynn said he made his decision Thursday, told the Utah staff on Friday and called Colorado on Monday.

Utah recruiting coordinator Dave Schramm, who played and coached at San Diego State, was in Ramona on Friday when Wynn passed for 339 yards in a 33-33 tie with Ramona.

Under NCAA rules, college coaches can't comment on a player until he has signed a national letter of intent. For football, that is the first week of February.

"This is it, I promise," Wynn said. "I've committed to Utah now, and I'm sticking with it."

Contact staff writer John Maffei at (760) 740-3547 or jmaffei@nctimes.com.

San Diego prep faithful, the weak teams have been consumed, a few mediocre teams hang on for dear life, and a couple juggernauts wait in the ropes 2 weeks down the line - the playoff are here! In 4 short weeks, the stars will align and one team from each division will have climbed the mountain, traveled to the Q, and claimed a CIF title.

Here are the top 5 playoff story lines to watch out for in the 2008 CIF playoffs...

5. Do any of the sub-.500 Division I teams even have a prayer at a first round victory: Fallbrook (4-6), Torrey Pines (3-6-1), and El Camino (3-7)? Believe it or not, the answer is an overwhelming YES. El camino plays a Mission Hills squad who lost to Carlsbad 6-3. Fallbrook challenges a Mira Mesa team who has not faired well recently in the playoffs. Finally, the underdog with arguably the biggest chance at an upset is Torrey Pines, who tied Mission Hills earlier in the year. Torrey Pines faces an unpredictable Carlsbad team that lost to El Camino 23-13 in the last game of the season. My prediction: El Camino and Fallbrook lose, Torrey Pines Wins.

4. Can Poway (7-3) upset Escondido (8-2) and make it to the division I championship game? Poway steam rolled its Palomar league opponents over the passed 5 games, but do they have enough fire power to take down (8-2, 4-1) runner-up Escondido? As much as I'd like to take the tempting risk and call an upset if they play eachother in the semi-finals, Escondido is just too strong. Led by stellar runningback Ricky Seale who has rushed for 2078 yards and 26 touchdowns, Escondido packs a powerful rushing attack. Their defense can also make big plays in high pressure situations.

3. Will we see Ramona (8-1-1) and Cathedral Catholic (10-0) duke it out in the Division III CIF championship game at Qualcomm? Who would win such matchup? Can any D-III team stop the blue chipper runningback from Cathedral Catholic, Tyler Gaffney? Gaffney is having an unreal season with flabbergasting statistics: 1944 yards and 42 touchdowns with a 10.3 average yards per carry. I don't even think Reggie Bush put up those type of numbers back in 2002.

2. How long will it take for the 12-year old La Costa Canyon High School Mavericks to win their first CIF football championship? After a gut wrenching semi-final loss in 2007 where the Oceanside Pirates Pirates scored the go ahead touchdown with 1:32 left in the game, the Mavericks are hungry for the title. Sporting a multi-demensional offense guided by the Frausto-Stills pass-and-catch connection, and a gangrene defense fueled by a pack of wild animals including Dutch Hapgood, Mike Kaiser, Connor Garrett, Ian Seau, and Jacob Driver, the Mavericks enter the playoffs with arguably their best team ever fielded. Placed in a relatively easy bracket, the Mavericks will need to surive the upset bug against (most likely) Vista and then Carlsbad or Chula Vista. We could see a La Costa Canyon-Escondido season rematch in the finals. Oh and if you missed their regular season matchup, the Mavericks won in a come-from- behind 21-17 thriller.
1. Will Oceanside (9-0-1) win the Division II title, and more importantly, advance to their second straight California championship bowl game? No such feat has ever been accomplished in the short California bowl game series history. After a stunning 33-33 draw with division III powerhouse, Ramona, will the Pirates rebound and roll to the championship game? They have no lost in 22 games! To win the title, they will likely have to beat division II nemesis Helix (8-1-1), or a solid 8-2 Eastlake team who only lost to the Pirates by 3 points in the first game of the season.

By Steve Brand
SPECIAL TO THE UNION-TRIBUNE

November 16, 2008

Maybe the San Diego Section has finally gotten the high school football seeding procedure down.

There were few complaints after Commissioner Dennis Ackerman posted the five brackets, which were selected by a committee of former coaches using the current coaches' advisory committee recommendations as a guide.

As expected, La Costa Canyon earned the No. 1 seed in Division I; Oceanside topped Division II; Cathedral Catholic was deeded the top berth in Division III; and Francis Parker was first in Division V.

Even Madison coach Rick Jackson, whose Warhawks posted a 10-0 record but were seeded behind defending champion Valley Center (8-2) in Division IV, said he understood why and wasn't that upset.

“Going 10-0, I thought we had a chance, but Valley Center is good,” Jackson said. “Getting seeded No. 1 should be a reward for not losing during the season, but look at who they lost to – Oceanside and Ramona.

“When you've won two of the last three championships, you are the team to beat, and overall our league isn't as strong as theirs, so I understand.”

The playoffs start Friday in four divisions leading to the section championships Dec. 12 (Division I-IV) at Qualcomm Stadium. The Division V title game will be Dec. 13 at Southwestern College.

In many cases, it was how you finished the season that determined not only if you got in but where you were seeded.

Ramona's stunning 33-33 tie Friday with No. 1-ranked Oceanside assured the Bulldogs the No. 2 seed in Division III.

Francis Parker's impressive 45-21 win over Christian made the Lancers No. 1 in Division V and is expected to have an impact on the state rankings.

For El Camino, a 23-13 win Friday over Carlsbad earned the Wildcats (3-7) a playoff berth in Division I. Two weeks ago, it appeared the players would be handing in their gear at the end of the regular season.

“We got some kids back and solved some internal issues,” El Camino coach Trace Deneke said. “Four games ago, we moved Collin Jones from wide receiver to quarterback, and he has just been awesome.”

Oceanside's tie, however, makes a scenario that Ackerman was championing much tougher.

He was thinking that if Oceanside won out and Long Beach Poly and Corona Centennial were upset in the Southern Section playoffs, the Pirates might be chosen for the new Open Division game. And Cathedral Catholic, if the Dons went undefeated, could be the Division II selection.

It now would take a lot of major upsets for that to unfold.

The five State Championship Bowl games will be played Dec. 19-20 at The Home Depot Center in Carson.

See the big plays from La Costa Canyon's win against their rival Torrey Pines in this week's highlight reel. If you are reading this post via email, you must go here to view the video.

This is a first look at the playoffs seeds. I don't see any real shockers in division I. The top 4 seeds each have a bye in the first round. I expect Carlsbad, Mission Hills, Mira Mesa, and Vista to advance out of the first round. If the Mavericks keep playing as they have, I expect them to advance to the CIF championship. Considering La Costa Canyon beat up on Chula Vista (the #4 seed and on the same side of the bracket as LCC) at the beginning of the year, I expect the Mavericks will roll all the way to Qualcomm.

Mark my words. It will be La Costa Canyon versus Escondido for the CIF Division I championship.

Division I

Top four seeds receive first round byes:

No. 1 La Costa Canyon (8-2 overall, 5-0 league)

No. 2 Escondido (8-2, 4-1)

No. 3 Poway (7-3, 5-0)

No. 4 Chula Vista (7-3, 4-1)

First round (Nov. 21, 7 p.m.):

No. 12 Torrey Pines (3-6-1, 1-3-1) vs. No. 5 Carlsbad (5-5, 3-2)

No. 11 El Camino (3-7, 3-2) at No. 6 Mission Hills (6-3-1, 2-2-1)

No. 10 Fallbrook (4-6, 2-3) at No. 7 Mira Mesa (6-4, 3-2)

No. 9 Otay Ranch (5-4-1, 2-3) at No. 8 Vista (6-4, 3-2)



Division II

Top four seeds receive first round byes:

No. 1 Oceanside (9-0-1, 5-0-1)

No. 2 Eastlake (8-2, 5-0)

No. 3 Helix (8-1-1, 5-0)

No. 4 Scripps Ranch (7-3. 3-2)

First round (Nov. 21, 7 p.m.):

No. 12 Hoover (5-5, 2-3) at No. 5 Westview (8-2, 4-2)

No. 11 Grossmont (4-6, 2-2) at No. 6 Bonita Vista (6-4, 1-4)

No. 10 West Hills (4-6, 3-1) at No. 7 Patrick Henry (6-4, 2-3)

No. 9 Mt. Carmel (4-6, 2-4) at No. 8 Lincoln (5-5, 0-5)

Division III

Top four seeds receive byes:

No. 1 Cathedral Catholic (10-0, 5-0)

No. 2 Ramona (8-1-1, 4-1-1)

No. 3 Valhalla (9-1, 4-1)

No. 4 St. Augustine (6-4, 2-3)

First round (Nov. 21, 7 p.m.):

No. 12 Brawley (5-5, 3-1) at No. 5 El Capitan ((7-3, 4-0)

No. 11 Monte Vista (5-5, 2-3) at No. 6 Serra (7-3, 4-1)

No. 10 Steele Canyon (5-5, 3-2) at No. 7 Central Union (9-1, 4-0)

No. 9 Point Loma (5-4-1, 3-1-1) at No. 8 Castle Park (7-3, 6-0)

Division IV

Top four seeds (no byes, first round Nov. 28th):

No. 1 Valley Center (8-2, 4-2)

No. 2 Madison (10-0, 6-0)

No. 3 Mater Dei (5-5, 3-2)

No. 4 Santa Fe Christian (6-4, 2-2)

First round (Nov. 28):

No. 8 Imperial (9-1, 6-0) at No. 1 Valley Center

No. 7 La Jolla (4-6, 2-3) at No. 2 Madison

No. 6 Mission Bay (5-4-1, 3-1-1) at No. 3 Mater Dei

No. 5 Coronado (8-2, 5-1) vs. No. 4 Santa Fe Christian

Division V

Top four seeds receive byes:

No. 1 Francis Parker (9-1, 4-0)

No. 2 Christian (9-1, 3-1)

No. 3 Horizon (5-4-1, 1-3)

No. 4 Army-Navy (8-2, 4-0)

First round (Nov. 21):

No. 12 Mountain Empire (3-7, 2-4) at No. 5 La Jolla Country Day (7-3, 3-1)

No. 11 Julian (7-3, 5-2) vs No. 6 Bishop's (4-6, 0-4)

No. 10 Holtville (5-5, 4-2) vs No. 7 Foothills Christian (9-1, 7-0)

No. 9 Tri-City Christian (5-4-1) vs No. 8 Calvin Christian (8-1, 6-1)

North County Times Game Recap

CARMEL VALLEY ---- The La Costa Canyon High football team is No. 4 and No. 1.

Come again? The fourth-ranked Mustangs disposed of Torrey Pines 41-10 on Friday night to secure the top seed in the CIF San Diego Section Division I football playoffs.

It was the sixth straight victory for La Costa Canyon (8-2, 5-0), which will receive a first-round bye after winning the Avocado League and beating every section school on its schedule.

Click here for boxscore

Torrey Pines (3-6-1, 1-3-1) was on the playoff bubble before the loss, but still has hope of receiving a berth.

La Costa Canyon quarterback Sebastian Frausto was on his game, completing all but one of his 14 passes in directing a balanced attack. He threw for 171 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a score.

The Mavericks started this season with a goal of winning their first section title. They took another step toward that mission by winning the Beach Bowl, which pits these two intradistrict rivals.

La Costa Canyon scored via a run, pass and fumble recovery. It held a 21-3 halftime lead, then cruised in the second half.

Robert Murray paced the Falcons, rushing for 115 yards on 22 carries.

Torrey Pines' lone touchdown came on Kyle Middleton's 4-yard run late in the fourth quarter.

The Falcons led 3-0 when Alberto Aroeste nailed a 40-yard field goal to open the second quarter. The play was set up when Joshua Brown recovered a fumble punt near midfield.

But the Mavericks showed why they're among the section's top teams by responding on their next possession.

Kenny Stills, North County's leading receiver, took advantage of single coverage to make a leaping catch for a 20-yard score. Stills' scoring reception was set up on the previous play when Seth Hanson ran for 22 yards.

The La Costa Canyon special teams were next to contribute, when Chris Matty blocked a punt and the Mavericks took over at the Torrey Pines 17. Four plays later, Hanson rumbled across from 5 yards over the left side to give La Costa Canyon a 14-3 cushion.

The Mavericks stretched the lead to 21-3 in the half's closing minute by running a play familiar to former Torrey Pines coach Ed Burke.

Four years ago in Torrey Pines' playoff win over La Costa Canyon, Burke, who was announcing Friday's game on radio, called a hook-and-lateral play that resulted in a touchdown. The Mavericks took a page from the legendary Burke's playbook when Frausto threw a pass to Matthew S. Williams. Then Williams flipped the ball behind him to Hanson, who ran the final 10 yards for the score.

Linebacker Dutch Hapgood led the Mavericks' defense with seven tackles and a sack.


Touchdown pass by Frausto to Stills in corner of endzone

After a tough 1st half where Torrey Pines led 3-0 at one point, the La Costa Canyon Mavericks loaded up their guns and came out shooting. In front of a sea of crazed Maverick fans dressed in white, the Maverick offense mounted an explosive attack and the defense was stifling.

La Costa Canyon wide receiver Kenny Stills made a couple spectacular catches and defensive lineman Michael Kaiser returned a tipped pass 50+ yards for a touchdown.

With the win the Mavericks finish the regular season with an impressive 8-2 mark. They will clinch the #1 seed in the Division I playoffs. The Mavericks will have a bye this coming week and open up the playoffs in the quarterfinals against an opponent to be determined. Stayed tuned Saturday afternoon for the playoff seeding brackets. I'll post them as soon as I can get ahold of them!

Also stay tuned for more video highlights and photos from the big victory tonight against Torrey Pines.

Congratulations Mavericks on a fantastic regular season, and get ready for the PLAYOFFS!

The day is finally here. The stage is set. The lights will soon go on. Its time for North County's biggest rivalry game: La Costa Canyon High School vs. Torrey Pines High School.

Although La Costa Costa and Torrey Pines have veered in opposite directions during the regular season, the the Falcons sporting a 3-5-1 record against the Mavericks 7-2 mark, this game could not be of more significance.

For the Mavericks, a win propels them to the one seed position in the Division I playoffs. For the Falcons, a team on the bubble, a loss could than likely end their season, a victory pushes them into the playoffs.

Mavericks BEWARE. There are two plays we will undoubtedly witness tonight that historically La Costa has gotten burned by. The wing-T offense can be tricky to defend against. With quick hits, run fakes, options, and counters, the Mavericks will must be on their toes and REACT, not THINK. Torrey pines, a run-oriented team, will at some poit resort to "Sally," a counter run
play that makes it seem like the flow of the offense is moving one direct. The running back takes a step in movement with this flow - he abruptly cuts and jets the opposite direct with the ball.

Although this isn't an Ed Burke team anymore, expect a hook and ladder play performed during a crucial moment in the game when Torrey Pines is on offense. A receiver runs a 10 yard hook route, catches the ball, and tosses the ball to another speedy receiver or running back who is trailing him at full speed. The Mavericks saw this play last week against Fallbrook. Connor Garrett made a spectacular play and stoned the man receiving the toss. The Mavericks need this aggressiveness tonight in Del Mar!

North County Times Game Preview

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Radio: KCEO 1000

Internet: KBCSports.com

Records: La Costa Canyon 7-2, 4-1; Torrey Pines 3-5-1, 1-2-1

Last meeting: In 2007, La Costa Canyon won 30-0.

At a glance: A win against rival Torrey Pines would give No. 4-ranked LCC the No. 1 seed in the CIF San Diego Section Division I playoffs. The Mavericks have won five games in a row, but have had close calls against Escondido (21-17) and Mission Hills (21-14). ... LCC is led by QB Sebastian Frausto, who has completed 104-of-181 passes for 1,608 yards and 13 TDs. WR Kenny Stills leads the North County with 48 receptions for 969 yards and 13 TDs. ... Torrey Pines is a bubble team for the Division I playoffs. A win would assure the Falcons of a spot. A loss would put their chances in jeopardy. The Falcons are led by RBs Robert Murray (136 carries, 960 yards) and Brock Ringo (73-800). QB Lenny Magill has 424 rushing yards and has completed 35-of-85 passes for 344 yards.

Prediction: La Costa Canyon 27, Torrey Pines 14

Oceanside coach John Carroll headed off the field Friday night in an easy stroll. Another night, another win - Oceanside had defeated San Diego North County power Valley Center to move to 9-0 and extend the Pirates' winning streak to 21 games.

A couple weeks ago, the Oceanside Pirates started making noise in the national rankings, cracking the Rivals top 100. After an impressive win last week against Valley Center the Pirates were rewarded with entrance into elite territory, the USA Today Super 25 Index, a distinguished ranking of the nation's top 25 prep football programs.

The Pirates, led by their Colorado bound Senior quarterback Jordan Wynn, are ranked 23rd in the nation and 5th in the West region. The other California teams in the national top 25 include De La Salle of Concord (22), Centennial of Corona (7), and NFL talent producing machine Long Beach Poly (5).

So how good are the Oceanside Pirates?

The Pirates are really good. Nobody can deny their dominance. You could say they are on a roll, a 21-game joy ride. Last year, the pirates won their 10th section title and 4th straight CIF championship. Let's not forget they also brought home San Diego's first state football title, quieting the nay-sayers that claimed San Diego football somehow fell short of football in the rest of the state of California, particularly in the Southern Section which covers virtually all of southern California.

San Diego section coaches have been asking all season: "What's in the Oceanside koolaide, and how do we get some?"

Coach Carroll insists its nothing related to performance enhancing supplements.

“We try to learn to practice everyday to be the best that we can be. It’s got to start on the practice fields; you can’t turn it on and off on Friday nights,” Carroll said. “We got to be efficient and have high energy levels in practice and let that carry over into Friday nights.”

The pirates have a good chance at running the table and winning the San Diego Section. Their biggest division II threat is a Helix team, currently ranked 3rd in San Diego county, who beat the pirates in their only loss of the 2007 season. If the Pirates go undefeated and win CIF, Oceanside may have the opportunity to be the first team in California high school football history to win 2 straight state titles.

Oh, and coach Carroll, what's in the koolaide?

Get ready for an exciting December.

This article appeared in the North County Times and mentioned La Costa Canyon quarterback Sebastian Frausto and former Maverick Kevin O'Connell, who now is a second string quarterback for the New England Patriots. What's interesting to note is that Frausto is having a better year than O'connell had in any of his seasons at La Costa Canyon (of course it doesn't hurt having a guy named Kenny Stills running deep routes all game). Let me know your thoughts about this article clicking on the blue comment box at the bottom...

by: Loren Nelson, North County Times

Jordan Wynn comes off as so unflappable, you wouldn't doubt his ability to conduct brain surgery in a mosh pit.

Wynn is a quarterback. The Oceanside High senior does his best work on Friday nights, dissecting opposing defenses as easily as a biology professor slices open a dead frog.

"He understands the game better than any quarterback we've ever had," longtime Oceanside coach John Carroll said. "I couldn't imagine a quarterback understanding the game any better than he does. A lot of the stuff you see, he calls those plays."

Wynn, with his tousled hair, spotty whiskers and somewhat gangly body type, vaguely resembles Shaggy from the old Scooby-Doo cartoons. That's meant strictly as a compliment, as Wynn is so cool and carefree he's been known to engage in idle conversation with reporters walking the Pirates' sideline during games.

"He's got a rocket arm, he makes great reads," said Valley Center's Tyler Bernard, another standout North County quarterback who will play baseball on scholarship at Arizona State. "I just can't wait to see him on TV when he's at Colorado. That's going to be cool."

While Wynn and El Camino senior Colt Morrison (San Diego State) have locked up full-ride football scholarships, they are the exceptions. The rest of one of the best classes of North County quarterbacks in years has gone mostly unappreciated by college recruiters.

North County has been as fertile as any football-crazed region in the nation when it comes to producing prime, Grade-A, professional-caliber players.

Oceanside's Junior Seau did everything but win a Super Bowl during a brilliant 18-year NFL career. Carlsbad's Ted Johnson did what Seau couldn't, twice winning Super Bowls with the New England Patriots.

San Dieguito High's Keith Kartz has a Super Bowl ring, too. He won his with the John Elway-led Denver Broncos.

Oceanside's Willie Buchanon was a three-time Pro Bowler. Yet another Oceansider, Charles Dimry, played 12 seasons in the NFL.

This list could go on for pages, despite a most glaring omission.

Where are the quarterbacks?

Seau and Johnson were linebackers. Kartz was a center, Buchanon and Dimry defensive backs.

Not a single North County quarterback has gone on to NFL stardom, and precious few have been dominant players at big-time colleges.

"Texas, Florida, L.A. County and the surrounding areas, they'll always produce three or four (quarterbacks)," said Tom Luginbill, a former Torrey Pines High and Palomar College quarterback who is a college football analyst for ESPN. "Sometimes it just depends on where you are at and the level of emphasis they put on high school football. You wouldn't believe some of the stadiums I go to."

The most well-known of North County quarterbacks is Orange Glen graduate Sean Salisbury, who was hardly an NFL star.

Salisbury, who played at USC, started 12 games in eight NFL seasons and retired in 1996 with career totals of 19 touchdown passes and 19 interceptions.

Most telling about Salisbury's NFL legacy: He is more famous for his stint as an edgy ESPN analyst (he no longer works for the network) than his ability to heave a football.

These are heady times for North County quarterbacks, and not just because a half-dozen or more current high schoolers have potential for college stardom.

Already starting for major college programs are Valley Center's Kevin Craft and Carlsbad's Sean Canfield. In fact, the two were on the same field Saturday, with Canfield's Oregon State team overpowering Craft and UCLA 34-6 at the Rose Bowl.

A notch above Craft and Canfield is former La Costa Canyon and San Diego State standout Kevin O'Connell. With Tom Brady out for the season, O'Connell, a rookie, is the New England Patriots' No. 2 quarterback behind Matt Cassel.

Former San Diego State coach Tom Craft, Kevin's father, recruited and coached O'Connell with the Aztecs. He said O'Connell's lack of passing polish ---- he directed a run-first offense at La Costa Canyon ---- coming out of high school wasn't an issue.

"He was easier to mold," said Craft, the offensive coordinator at Mt. San Antonio College, about O'Connell. "Sometimes these kids who come out of passing offenses develop a lot of bad habits and they are harder to coach and change."

Over the years, many of North County's most successful programs (Torrey Pines, San Pasqual and Rancho Buena Vista among them) have employed run-heavy offenses.

Quarterbacks on those smash-mouth teams typically throw only a handful of times per game. College scouts, unable to easily discern their ability to play at the next level, often have been unwilling to take a closer look.

"Number one, you have to be able to swallow your pride a little bit," said Luginbill, who received a scholarship to Georgia Tech after his two-year stint with Palomar. "I was a able to prove I was the quarterback I thought I was."

More and more, high school coaches are adopting pass-happy, spread offenses used so successfully at Florida, Missouri and dozens more top college programs.

"Spread offenses are completely infiltrating high school football right now," said Luginbill, who attends a dozen or more high school games nationwide each season.

The spread craze has allowed local quarterbacks such as Westview junior Tommy Hansen, North County's passing leader with 2,277 yards and 24 touchdowns, to showcase their passing skills.

The perceived problem with Hansen, Bernard, Vista's David Fisher, La Costa Canyon's Sebastian Frausto and several other elite North County quarterbacks is strictly genetic. None of them stand taller than 6-feet. College coaches are looking for clones of 6-foot-5 Pro Bowl quarterback Peyton Manning, not the next Doug Flutie.

Slowly, that could be changing. The sustained success of the New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees, Missouri's Chase Daniel and several other wildly successful but undersized quarterbacks has forced college recruiters to take a second look at the vertically challenged.

"What has happened now, unlike 15 years ago, is coaches are saying, 'Wait a minute, we can put a 5-11 or 6-foot guy with a quick release in the shotgun and let him create with his feet,' " Luginbill said.

When measuring up a quarterback, both Luginbill and Tom Craft said they are more interested in intangibles than measureables.

"I try and see how a kid handles adversity," Luginbill said. "I want to find out what kind of mental toughness he has when his team gets behind. Moxy, savvy, competitiveness ... I'm interested in his demeanor."

Added Craft: "To me, the most coveted characteristic is how he carries himself. Is he mentally and physically tough? Arm strength is down the line."

Carroll, whose Pirates are undefeated and ranked among the nation's top 25 by USA Today, paused for several seconds when asked if he had ever seen Wynn rattled.

"Rarely," Carroll said.

"Jordan? He stays in control," Oceanside running back Rene Siluano said. "He keeps everyone calm when we're all mad.

"He's a good leader."

He's the best in North County in this, the year of the quarterback.