Because of the way seeding is done in the Open Division, with the top four spots reserved for league champions, the actual seed numbers don’t tend to reflect reality as much as in other divisions. In other words, it’s difficult to consider it an upset when the team with the highest number of power points in CCS (Valley Christian) wins a first-round game.
No. 7 Bellarmine College Prep vs. No. 6 Valley Christian at Independence High, Friday (7 pm)
In fact, it’s difficult whenever a WCAL team is considered an underdog, but the seventh-seeded Bells were certainly just that when they took down Milpitas, the consensus No. 1 team in CCS.
These teams met back on October 11 when Bellarmine’s high-flying 4-0 start landed with a thud in a 42-17 loss at Valley Christian. Bellarmine then put together another four-game winning streak before losing the season finale at Serra.
In the teams’ first meeting, the Bells had trouble with the Warriors’ speed, particularly senior running back Kirk Johnson, who rushed for 207 yards and three touchdowns in limited action. Valley Christian held a 16-5 edge in first downs and dominated time of possession at more than a 2-to-1 ratio.
Junior wide receiver Collin Johnson, Kirk’s brother, is a dynamic threat as well, having caught 40 passes for 771 yards and 10 TDs despite playing in a run-dominant offense. Senior quarterback Michael Machado (989 yards passing, 15-3 TD-INT ratio) has been extremely efficient in his second year as the starter.
For the Bells, Troy Martig is the full-time starter at quarterback now that Griffin Quinn is out with a fractured ankle. Bellarmine finished off its upset of Milpitas on a dart from Martig to Curt Calomeni on a 10-yard slant in overtime.
PREDICTION: Valley Christian 24, Bellarmine 17
No. 5 Los Gatos vs. No. 1 Sacred Heart Prep at Independence High, Saturday (7 pm)
If only Prep2Prep had more influence with the CCS schedule-makers, this must-see game would not be taking place at the same time as the one-day Prep2Prep Tip-Off Classic extravaganza. We can’t think of a better matchup between two teams that make the most of their resources and feature outstanding, detail-oriented coaching staffs.
For Mark Krail’s Wildcats, the challenge will be to keep a level ahead after their stunning 28-0 takedown of WCAL champ Serra last Saturday in San Mateo. Los Gatos was at its best in all phases of the game, including a defense that forced four turnovers.
Offensively, Los Gatos was efficient as usual as senior Joey Wood scored on a long run off a screen pass and also pounded one in on the ground. Senior quarterback Dru Brown (1,995 yards passing, 17-5 TD-INT) continued his fantastic season with 186 yards passing, two touchdowns and no turnovers.
As if the Gators weren’t imposing enough without him, they have certainly benefitted greatly from the return of all-everything RB/LB Ben Burr-Kirven, who has dominated on both sides of the ball since coming back from injury and joining the lineup in the middle of the season.
Burr-Kirven, who was called the “best high school football player I’ve seen” by his coach Pete Lavorato, has rushed for 675 yards and 14 touchdowns and leads the team with 92 total tackles despite playing just six games.
But Sacred Heart Prep has plenty of other weapons, including junior quarterback Mason Randall, who has thrown for 1,749 yards and 14 touchdowns and just one interception. The Gators have two other 600-plus yard rushers in senior Riley Tinsley (676 yards rushing, 4 TDs) and Lapitu Mahoni (632, 5).
There is a reason these are the two of the three top-ranked teams in the Prep2Prep CCS Top 25.
PREDICTION: Los Gatos 17, Sacred Heart Prep 14
