PAG METER PREDICTIONS FOR QUARTERFINALS FOOTBALL 2018 FINALS

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November 15-16 (Semifinals)
Championship Friday is November 23 (The Day after Thanksgiving!)
In the first round of the Tournament/Playoffs the Pag Meter went 26-6. Overall for the year 481-88 (84%)
There was some big upsets in the First Round;
*In division 2, Frontier Titans beating the Nipomo Titans with 8 seconds to go.
*In division 3, West Vikings beating the Independence Falcons but the Falcons were missing some stars. (I would have taken the Vikings if I knew)
*In division 4, a slight upset with Washington Union beating Roosevelt. The Rough Riders fumbled at the goal line going in.
*In division 5 and the BIG upset…No 13 Lindsay beating No 4 Liberty Madera 37-34.
*Pag Meter’s Upset pick was Bullard Knights beating the St Joseph Knights
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THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL FINALS
DIVISION 2 Quarterfinal Final
No 7 STOCKDALE MUSTANGS (7-5) vs No 2 TULARE WESTERN MUSTANGS (9-2)
FINAL STOCKDALE 16 TULARE WESTERN 15
Pag Meter Line Tulare Western -17
Stockdale comes in beating Pioneer Valley 45-21. QB Evan Burkhart had a huge night rushing for 333 yards and scored 5 touchdowns.
Tulare Western comes off a bye after getting smoked in the Bell game. TW has had 2 weeks to think about it.
Stockdale has played a much tougher schedule so don’t go by the record. Tulare Western has many questions coming into the playoffs especially with their passing game.
The X factor is Tulare Western defense vs Burkhart and Stockdale’s front seven against the TW running attack. The Mustangs have plenty of outstanding running backs and leading the way is Tairyn Johnson has rushed for 1,577 yards and has scored 25 TD’s.TW has plenty of speed on both sides of the ball and has to forget about the Tulare Union loss. TW just doesn’t match up with Tulare Union but they do against everybody else.
If Burkhart goes off…then Stockdale wins. THEY DID! Stockdale should be battle tested playing in the SWYL.
Pag Meter Prediction Tulare Western 44 Stockdale 27
FINAL STOCKDALE 16 TULARE WESTERN 15
Here is the game winner
Elijah Hudson with the fumble recovery in the end zone off bad punt snap. Stockdale takes 16-15 lead over Tulare Western, 4:59, 3rd. pic.twitter.com/OqxsdLmzEu
— BVarsityLive (@BVarsityLive) November 9, 2018
DIVISION 4 Quarterfinal Final
Bottom Bracket
No 6 NORTH STARS (7-5) at No 3 MONACHE MARAUDERS (7-4)
FINAL NORTH 48 MONACHE 45 in OT
Pag Meter Line Monache -14
Both teams have been up and down all year and both have so much potential. With the Stars schedule, they easily could have went 10-0. The Marauders did beat Golden West but struggled against the better teams on their schedule.
The X factor is the Marauders defense and if they show up the Marauders will be playing in the semifinals. Can the Stars slow down Marauders RB Aidan Galvan, who has rushed for 1,365 yards and has scored 20 TD’s? The Stars lost their QB Michael Doten with an injury and is out for the year. Monache at home is tough.
Pag Meter Prediction Monache 41 North 27
FINAL MONACHE 48 NORTH 45
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS FINALS
DIVISION 1 QUARTERFINALS
No 9 EDISON TIGERS (6-6) at No 1 CENTRAL GRIZZLIES (11-0)
Pag Meter Line Central -23
This is a rematch from week 1 when the Grizzlies beat the Tigers 35-7. It’s hard to beat a team again in the same year but the Grizzlies are a machine.
The Tigers are so up and down. They got crushed in the Bullard game and some thought that the Tigers were done but they traveled down to Ridgeview and took care of business.
The Grizzlies come off a bye and have many Edison transfers and they also have the best QB in the section with Trent Tompkins who has thrown for 3,438 yards, with 47 TD passes. Trent’s favorite receiver is Jeremiah Hunter, who has caught 63 football for 1,005 yards and 22 TD’s.
The Tigers are young and have their hands full in this one.
The X factor is the T Wolves showed that you might be able to run right at the Grizzlies and that’s the only chance the Tigers have to stay in this one is pound it with Mckinley Lee III, who has rushed for 1,541, yards and has scored 17 TD’s. If the Tigers try to open up the offense then there will be a running clock in the 4th quarter.
Pag Meter Prediction Central 42 Edison 19
FINAL CENTRAL 42 EDISON 21
No 12 BULLARD KNIGHTS (5-7) at No 4 BAKERSFIELD DRILLERS (9-3)
Pag Meter Line Bakersfield -21
The Knights are smoking hot after beating Edison and St Joseph back to back. The Knights change their offense back to where it should have been with a spread attack, a new improving soph QB with Bryce Weiner, the best running back in the valley with Marcus Fulcher who has rushed for 1,787 Yards, scored 23 TD’s, and a physical defense that is stepping up. The Knights played the first 7 games without a QB and now they have their guy for the next 2 years.
The Drillers come in beating Clovis East 55-31. QB Cam Williams went 6-8 for 132 yards with 2 TD passes each to Carl Jones. Wesley Wilson rushed for 168 yards and scored 3 TD’s.The T Wolves just didn’t match up with the Drillers triple option but the Knights will have a better clue.
When the Drillers triple option is hot and not putting the ball on the grass they are very tough to beat. They have speed everywhere and tough to defend.
The X factor and it’s simple…If the Drillers don’t turn the ball over…they win big! The Knights defense against the triple option is another issue. The Drillers are a big play offense that will turn a small run into a long run. For the Knights to pull the upset they have to win the line of scrimmage battle. The Drillers will throw quick screens, quick passes and force the defense to make open field tackles.
Can the Knights offense handle the Drillers defensive line that is standing up and 2 yards off the ball? The Drillers will stack the box and force the Knights to throw the ball. The best back in the valley, Marcus Fulcher is red hot and the Drillers will be focusing on Fulcher all night long. Both teams will be big play offenses. The Pag Meter is feeling another Knights upset…
Pag Meter Prediction (UPSET) Bullard 40 Bakersfield 37
FINAL BAKERSFIELD 51 BULLARD 25
Bottom Bracket
No 6 CLOVIS COUGARS (7-5) at No 3 LIBERTY PATRIOTS (11-1)
Pag Meter Line Liberty -28
This is a rematch from week 5 when the Patriots beat the Cougars 48-10 at Lamonica and now the Cougars have to travel.
The Cougars come in beating Centennial 49-14 and Liberty beat CN 49-7.
The X factor is the Cougars defense slowing down the Patriots running game and Sammy Stewart who has rushed for 1,476 yards and has scored 29 TD’s.
The Cougars have no running game so the Patriots will be bringing the heat. This is not a good matchup for the Cougars.
Pag Meter Prediction Liberty 42 Clovis 14
FINAL LIBERTY 42 CLOVIS 20
No 7 ARROYO GRANDE EAGLES (8-4) at No 2 BUCHANAN BEARS (10-2)
Pag Meter Line Buchanan -21
It’s the big and physical Eagles vs the speedy and physical Bears.
The Eagles come in beating Sanger 59-10. James Gilmet rushed for 117 yards and scored 3 TD’s including a 45-yard TD pass from Kadin Byrne.
The Bears shutout Clovis West 31-0. Kendall Milton, rushed for 234 yards on 38 carries and scored a TD.
The X factor is the Eagles love to pound the football mostly in the Wing T and it’s hard to run on the Bears defense.
How will the Eagles handle trying to slow down Milton? The Eagles will practice a ton to slow down Milton but the Eagles will struggle slowing down on the edge with Jalen Cropper and Brock Jones when they get the football.
Pag Meter Prediction Buchanan 35 Arroyo Grande 14
FINAL BUCHANAN 48 ARROYO GRANDE 17
DIVISION 2 QUARTERFINALS
Top Bracket
No 8 GARCES RAMS (4-8) at TULARE UNION TRIBE (11-0)
Pag Meter Line Tulare Union -9
The Rams come in beating Redwood 35-0. And the Tribe had a bye.
The Rams will be the toughest game so far for the Tribe and don’t look at the Rams record because their schedule is light years tougher than the Tribe schedule.
Two very good QB’s will tangle with Rams Joseph Campbell vs Tribe’s Nate Lamb.
The X factor is can the Rams put pressure on Lamb? TU will throw quick passes to their athletes like Darius Baker, Tulare Union Tribe (1,085 yards, 57 Receptions, 17 TD’s) and Willie James (1,006 yards, 64 Receptions, 12 TD’s). The Tribe offense is completely opposite from last year when they ran the ball 75 % of the time and now this year they throw it about 75% of the time. The Pag Meter took TW in the upset in the Bell game thinking the Mustangs would put pressure on Lamb but they did the opposite and tippy toed in on the pass rush.
If Lamb sits in the pocket with plenty of time then the Rams have zero chance to win.
The Rams offense needs to play their best to win. If the Rams come in knowing they have played 5 teams better than Tulare Union and play Rams football …the bus ride home will be fun. Until a team puts pressure on the TU offense….Just can’t take them.
Pag Meter Prediction Tulare Union 34 Garces 23
FINAL TULARE UNION 34 GARCES 27
No 5 HANFORD BULLPUPS (8-4) at No 4 DINUBA EMPERORS (9-2)
Pag Meter Line Dinuba -3
This is a tremendous matchup of two very good teams.
The Bullpups come in beating Sunnyside 41-21. QB Juaron Watts-Brown went 15-25 for 220 yards with 2 TD passes, rushed for 95 yards and scored 2 TD’s. The Bullpups have won 6 straight after starting slow.
The Emperors come in off a bye.
The X factor is the Emperors defense vs Juaron Watts-Brown. The Emperors can’t beat Tulare Union but they can beat everybody else. Can the Bullpups defense slow down the Emperors? This game comes down to which defense plays better? Both offenses are dangerous. For the Bullpups to win on the field turf, they have to start strong and get a lead…
The Emperors run defense is real good and the Emperors play well at home. The Bullpups will have to throw the ball to open up the run game. The Bullpups are a quick striking team but can’t turn the ball over on the road. If the Emps play their game…the Emps will roll. They sure did!
Pag Meter Prediction Dinuba 28 Hanford 26
FINAL DINUBA 41 HANFORD 14
Bottom Bracket
No 11 FRONTIER TITANS (3-9) at No 3 RIGHETTI HIGH WARRIORS (9-2)
Pag Meter Line Righetti High -18
The Titans come in winning a thriller over Nipomo 29-22. Israel Chaverria hit Kolten Baker at the goal line on 4th-and-10 for the 28-yard touchdown with 8 seconds left.
The X factor is the Titans don’t match up well with speedy teams and the Warriors are speedy and physical.
The Warriors are not a big throwing team and they will lead with a very good offensive line and RB Adan Solis who has rushed for 1,470 and has scored 16 TD’s.
For the Titans to pull another upset they have to dominate on defense. The Warriors defense is really good! Nipomo turned the ball over with 4 interceptions. If the Warriors don’t turn the ball over they will be playing in the semifinals.
Pag Meter Prediction Righetti High 34 Frontier 16
FINAL RIGHETTI HIGH 33 FRONTIER 16
DIVISION 3 QUARTERFINALS
Top Bracket
No 8 SAN LUIS OBISPO TIGERS (8-4) at MEMORIAL PANTHERS (11-0)
Pag Meter Line Memorial -35
The Tigers come in holding on and beating South 24-16 with a good defensive performance. QB Emilio Corona went 15-25 for 185 yards, rushed for 81 yards and scored 3 touchdowns.
The Panthers come in on a bye.
The X factor is the Tigers defense lining up against the Panthers powerhouse offense which is led by QB Alec Trujillo, who has thrown for 2,861 yards, and 32 TD passes. Alec favorite receiver is Jalen McMillan, who has caught 53 passes for 1,025 yards and 15 TD’s.
Tigers QB Corona has to have a career night to stay in this one.
Pag Meter Prediction Memorial 51 SLO 17
FINAL MEMORIAL 57 SAN LUIS OBISPO 23
No 5 MADERA COYOTES (6-6) at MT WHITNEY PIONEERS (8-4)
Pag Meter Line Mt Whitney -7
The Coyotes come in beating Fresno High 27-21. Angel Guizar scored the game winning 26-yard TD.
Mt Whitney beat up Santa Maria 77-0. QB Jaedyn Pineda threw for 516 yards and 8 TD passes. Unfortunately Pineda threw for 180 yards & 3 TDS in the 3rd quarter when the score was already 42-0. Apparently MW wants Pineda to break some records because I’m stumped on why a team would crap on another team that way especially a team that is new to the Central Section like Santa Maria.
Last year Madera beat Mt Whitney 76-62 in the playoffs in Madera. Coyotes QB Colt Nelson went 21-33 for 412 yards and 5 TD passes. Jaedyn Pineda, went 26-35 for 352 yards and 5 TD’s.
Two outstanding QB’s will square again and the X factor is of course the DEFENSE!
Pag Meter Prediction Mt Whitney 48 Madera 41
FINAL MT WHITNEY 36 MADERA 29
Bottom Bracket
No 11 WEST VIKINGS (6-6) at KINGSBURG VIKINGS (10-2)
Pag Meter Line Kingsburg -24
West with a big win over Independence 34-13. A couple of Falcons star players were suspended and that sure did help the Vikings.
Kingsburg beat Hoover 40-0. QB Jett Jackson threw 3 TD passes. Blake Spomer caught 2 TD passes and Jadon Spomer scored 2 rushing TD’s.
The X factor the Kingsburg Vikings are at full strength and this will be a tough matchup for the West Vikings.
Pag Meter Prediction Kingsburg 39 West 14
FINAL KINGSBURG 35 WEST 7
No 10 HIGHLAND SCOTS (7-5) at No 2 BAKERSFIELD CHRISTIAN EAGLES (8-3)
Pag Meter Line Bakersfield Christian -31
The Scots come in getting a big win in Chowchilla 39-28. QB Nick Salas threw a TD pass and scored 3 TD’s.
The Eagles come in off a bye. Leading the way for the Eagles is RB Donte Harris who will go over 1,000 yards for the year after this game.
The X factor is the Eagles have played the toughest schedule in division 3 and the Scots have played one of the easiest schedules in division 3 and that will be the difference.
Bakersfield Christian 43 Highland 14
FINAL BAKERSFIELD CHRISTIAN 49 HIGHLAND 7
DIVISION 4 QUARTERFINALS
Top Bracket
No 8 WASCO TIGERS (9-3) at No 1 PORTERVILLE PANTHERS (8-3)
Pag Meter Line Porterville -4
The battle of the Cats!
It’s the powerhouse Wing T of the Tigers vs the spread attack of the Panthers.
The Tigers come in beating East 33-13. Christian Alvarez rushed for 188 yards and scored 3 TD’s.
The Panthers come off a bye. Leading the way for the Panthers is QB Hector Nava jr has now thrown for 2,504 yards, with 23 TD’s.
The Panthers have played a much tougher schedule and this will be the toughest game the Tigers have played so far.
The X factor is the Panthers defensive front against the Tigers Wing T. The Panthers already beat the Golden West Wing T earlier in the year so that will help.
Can the Tigers defense stuff the spread? They sure did!
Pag Meter Prediction Porterville 24 Wasco 20
FINAL WASCO 20 PORTERVILLE 7
No 5 KERMAN LIONS (7-5) at No 4 GOLDEN WEST TRAILBLAZERS (6-5)
Pag Meter Line Golden West -14
This is a great matchup of two teams that pound the football and two teams that play physical defense.
The Lions come in beating Chavez 35-0. RB Isaac Velez rushed for 141 yards and scored 2 TD’s.
The X factor is the defensive front on both sides of the ball. There was no Lions defense!
Last year in the 2nd round of the playoffs, the Blazers beat the Lions 31-19 and both teams were at the top of their game. This year the Blazers are very young and the Lions have a very good team so you would think the Lions would roll…….not so fast my friend. The Blazers have played the tougher schedule over the Lions.
For the Lions to win on the road they have to play lights out against the Wing T and the Lions offense has to have a night. Can Lions QB Gavin Layton have a break out night? Can the Lions speedy RB Isaac Velez (1,244 rushing yards) stay hot?
Pag Meter Prediction (Upset special) Kerman 30 Golden West 28
FINAL GOLDEN WEST 51 KERMAN 30
Bottom Bracket
No 10 WASHINGTON UNION PANTHERS (5-7) at CVC CAVALIERS (9-2)
Pag Meter Line CVC -35
The Panthers come in with a big win over Roosevelt 14-6 and now they have to tangle with the division 4 favorites. The Panthers are one of the most improved teams from week 1.
The X factor is the Panthers offense has to score plenty to stay in this one. The problem is the Cavaliers defense is real good.
Pag Meter Prediction CVC 47 Washington Union 12
FINAL CVC 48 WASHINGTON UNION 7
DIVISION 5 QUARTERFINALS
Top Bracket
No 9 DOS PALOS BRONCOS (6-6) at SHAFTER GENERALS (11-0)
Pag Meter Line Shafter -15
On paper the Generals should win this game 82-0 because everybody is trying to figure on who will the Generals will play in the State Playoffs? It seems every week teams write off the Broncos but the Broncos are much improved and if the Broncos play their game and make open field tackles……we got a ball game.
The Broncos come in thumping Bishop Union 41-6 and the Generals had a bye.
The Broncos are physical upfront and have some speedy backs with Ronald Johnson and Tyree Martin.
The Generals have outstanding QB Alex Aguilar who has thrown for 2,627 yards, with 33 TD passes, rushed for 920 yards and has scored 15 TD’s.
The X factor is the Broncos have to tackle on impact or the Generals are off to the races. DP can’t afford turnovers. Had 4 big ones! The Broncos have to contain Aguilar. The Generals love the short passing game. I have watched many Shafter game films and apparently teams in Bakersfield can’t tackle and Shafer takes advantage of mistakes…
I would not be surprised if Shafter wins big or if the Broncos pull the upset. The Generals are full of senior leaders and should win at home.
Pag Meter Prediction Shafter 38 Dos Palos 23
FINAL SHAFTER 51 DOS PALOS 22
No 13 LINDSAY CARDINALS (6-5) at WOODLAKE TIGERS (11-1)
Pag Meter line Woodlake -21
This is a rematch from week 4 when the Tigers beat the Cardinals 49-7.
The Cardinals are playing much better coming in after upsetting the Liberty Madera Hawks 37-34. QB Ethan Natera went 24-33 for 255 yards and 2 TD passes.
The Tigers beat Corcoran 46-7. Victor Rojas rushed for 199 yards and scored 4 TD’s.
The X factor is the Cardinals defense. Can they stay with the Tigers the 2nd go around? The Cardinals sure did. Can Natera have another big game?
Pag Meter Prediction Woodlake 41 Lindsay 20
FINAL WOODLAKE 30 LINDSAY 22
Bottom Bracket
No 6 ARVIN BEARS (7-5) at No 3 KENNEDY THUNDERBIRDS (11-1)
Pag Meter Line Kennedy -25
This is a rematch from week 6 and the Thunderbirds thumped the Bears 51-14.
The Bears come in beating Immanuel 35-18. Manuel Chavez rushed for 102 yards and scored 2 TD’s.
The Thunderbirds beat McLane 57-15. Leading the way for the Birds is RB Tyreak Walker who is over 1,400 yards rushing.
The X factor can the Bears match up the 2nd go around? The Bears did for a half. Can the Bears force the Birds to throw the ball?
Pag Meter Prediction Kennedy 45 Arvin 20
FINAL KENNEDY 44 ARVIN 20
No 7 FIREBAUGH EAGLES (8-4) at No 2 CARUTHERS BLUE RAIDERS (12-0)
Pag Meter Line Caruthers -15
This is a rematch from last year’s championship game and the Blue Raiders won late 49-42. The Eagles are still thinking about some calls that didn’t go their way.
This year the Eagles had a chance to take care of business in week 4 but the Blue Raiders won 27-7. The Eagles get another crack at the Blue Raiders that have beaten the Eagles 4 in a row.
The Eagles come in beating Fowler 47-12. Sebastian Zarate rushed for 117 yards and scored 3 TD’s. The Eagles are playing their best football coming in.
The Blue Raiders beat Yosemite 57-20. Chris Puga rushed for 170 yards and scored 5 TD’s with TD runs of 1, 3, 7, 5 & 37 yards and Bobby Staley rushed for 112 yards and scored on a 43 yard TD run.
The X factor is the Eagles defense and can they slow down Puga and Staley? The Eagles need the lead heading into the 2nd half because the Blue Raiders are a 2nd half team. If Caruthers has the lead at the half……game over. The Blue Raiders defense is real good!
Pag Meter Prediction Caruthers 35 Firebaugh 20
FINAL CARUTHERS 38 FIREBAUGH 6
DIVISION 6 SEMIFINALS
Top Bracket
No 5 CAL CITY RAVENS (7-4) at STRATHMORE SPARTANS (11-1)
Pag Meter Line Strathmore -17
On paper the defending state champions will roll because they are at home…….AND THEY DID!
The Ravens come in spanking McFarland 46-6. QB Perrion Grays threw a TD pass and rushed for 105 yards and scored 3 TD’s.
The Spartans beat Boron 54-6. Alonza Acevedo rushed for 123 yards and scored 2 TD’s.
The X factor is the defensive side of the ball for teams. Both teams don’t like to throw the ball. Grays is fast and dangerous and the Spartans must shut him down to win. The Ravens have plenty of speed and can’t afford turnovers…
Pag Meter Prediction (Upset special) Cal City 29 Strathmore 27
FINAL STRATHMORE 27 CAL CITY 6
No 6 SIERRA PACIFIC GOLDEN BEARS (7-5) at No 2 ORANGE COVE TITANS (10-2)
Pag Meter Line Orange Cove -5
The Golden Bears come in beating Orosi 28-14. The Golden Bears are playing their best football at the right time.
The Titans beat up Minarets 58-24. Freddy Medina rushed for 134 yards and scored 2 TD’s.
The X factor the Titans come in still pissed off that they are not the No 1 seed. The Golden Bears need to play lights out defense to win this one. AND THEY DID!! BIG WIN FOR SP!
Pag Meter Prediction Orange Cove 28 Sierra Pacific 25
FINAL SIERRA PACIFIC 25 ORANGE COVE 20
Nick, boy were you wrong!! Spartans third straight Valley Final.
Hey Nick, what prediction for Valley Final Strathmore Vs. Sierra Pacific DVI Final