The Central Coast Section Division IV playoffs open Friday night and on first glance, the race for the championship is looking wide open.
Only two of the eight teams in the Division IV bracket are ranked in the Prep2Prep Top 25: 19th ranked Pacific Grove (the No. 2 seed in the bracket) and 24th ranked King's Academy (No. 1).
Perhaps not coincidentally, those are the only two Division IV teams who come in as outright champions of their respective leagues (Live Oak shared the BVAL-Santa Teresa title with Westmont). Moreover, Terra Nova is the only "A" league representative in the field, having finished third in the PAL-Bay Division.
As a result, fans should be treated to some outstanding matchups throughout the tournament, starting with some intriguing encounters in the first round.
No. 8 Terra Nova at No. 1 The King's Academy, Friday (7 pm)
Under first-year coach Mike Johnson, the Knights dominated the PAL-Lake Division, winning all five of their games by an average of nearly 27 points per game. The Knights' only loss of the season occurred at undefeated Sacred Heart Prep, the No. 1 seed in the Open Division.
King's has featured a balanced attack led by senior quarterback Dominic Sabel, who threw for 1,747 yards and 18 touchdowns during the regular season. Sabel's favorite target, Derek Friske, hauled in 22 passes for 532 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns.
In the run game, the Knights averaged over 200 yards per game, but spread the wealth as freshman Maurice Washington led the way with 628 yards and seven touchdowns.
Terra Nova is a year removed from being the No. 1 seed in the Open Division playoffs, but 2013 was an up-and-down campaign for the Tigers, who finished 4-6 overall.
But the Tigers are always dangerous as long as senior Anthony Gordon is running the show. Gordon, who threw for 3,828 yards and 35 touchdowns during the regular season, has thrown for over 7,000 yards and 67 TDs during his high school career. Senior Jordan Genato caught a whopping 85 passes for 1,666 yards and 17 touchdowns.
PREDICTION: Terra Nova 35, The King's Academy 31
No. 5 Half Moon Bay vs. No. 4 Carmel at Pacific Grove, Saturday (7 pm)
Carmel had its 46-game MTAL winning streak snapped by rival Pacific Grove, preventing the Padres from capturing their seventh straight league title.
The Padres are still very capable of putting a lot of points on the board behind senior quarterback Connor Marden (2,083 yards passing, 29 TDs), but defense has been a problem against stronger opposition.
In the four games it played against CCS Top 25 teams, Carmel went 1-3 and conceded 157 points.
Half Moon Bay will look to exploit that weakness behind a strong, balanced option-based rushing attack orchestrated by senior quarterback Shane Acton.
PREDICTION: Carmel 37, Half Moon Bay 31
No. 6 Live Oak vs. No. 3 Monte Vista Christian at Monterey Peninsula College, Friday (7 pm)
A year removed from record-setting running back Trevor Bearden, the Acorns still like to run the ball. Junior Paul Lomanto rushed for 1,283 yards and nine touchdowns. Junior QB Erik Ornduff is an effective runner as well as capable passer (1,197 yards, 11 TDs).
MVC's only two losses have come to Top 25 teams Pacific Grove and Christopher. The Mustangs feature a stingy defense that allowed just under 12 points per game.
PREDICTION: Monte Vista Christian 24, Live Oak 13
No. 7 San Lorenzo Valley at No. 2 Pacific Grove, Friday (7 pm)
The Breakers won their first MTAL title in eight years with a dramatic 35-28 win over Carmel in the season finale. Jason Leach raced 80 yards for the game-winning score with five minutes remaining.
Pacific Grove's only loss came out of section to Hilmar (3-7) of the Sac-Joaquin Section.
San Lorenzo Valley finished second in the SCCAL but was no match for league champion Aptos, losing 42-0. The Cougars are led by quarterback Isaac Newberry (1,559 yards passing, 18 TDs) and running back Nate Gentry (973 yards rushing, 13 TDs).
PREDICTION: Pacific Grove 35, San Lorenzo Valley 14
