THANK YOU TO THE TEAMS THAT SEND IN YOUR STATS

In the Quarterfinals of the playoffs the PAGMETER went 19-7 and for the year 543-91 (85%)

Email the scoop to pagmeter@yahoo.com on the latest about your team

KEEP THE PAG METER UPDATED ON THE LATEST SCOOP ON YOUR TEAM

With Photos. Player updates….

Follow the PagMeter on twitter @pagmeter, Instagram at @pagmeter Email pagmeter@yahoo.com

SEMIFINAL FINAL SCORES 2022
It’s a battle of who will be practicing on Thanksgiving morning!

THE SEMIFINAL OFFICIALS
The Officials will be all split crews for the semifinals and from all over the Central Section and most officials might not know each other or never have worked together. These are the best of the best Central Section officials.

PAGMETER has been predicting games now for 22 years and this week might be the toughest semifinals to predict in 22 years. So many games and tough matchups that could come down to the final minute.

In the Quarterfinals week the PAGMETER went 19-7 and for the year 543-91 (85%)

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL TEAMS AND WE WILL START WITH THE 8-MAN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS FINAL SCORES

Join the PAGMETER TWITTER SPACES Show following all the games at 10 PM
We will chat about the Semifinals and get you ready for Championship Friday

8-MAN FOOTBALL

FRESNO CHRISTAIN EAGLES ARE THE BACK TO BACK CHAMPIONS

No 3 SIERRA CHIEFTAINS (11-2) at No 1 FRESNO CHRISTIAN EAGLES (12-0)
EARLY PAGMETER LINE EAGLES -7
SEMIFINAL RESULTS
The Chieftains beat Mammoth 54-21. Sierra blew the game open with a 38-7 lead at the half. Junior QB Aaron Irvine is having a monster year throwing for 3,113 yards and 55 TD passes.
Junior WR Logan Kilbert has caught 63 passes for 1,521 yards and 28 TD passes. Senior Jeremy Rue has rushed for 1,010 yards and has scored 12 rushing TDs and caught 6 TD passes.

The Eagles beat Lone Pine 41-8. Junior QB Logan Stotts threw 5 TD passes, Joshua Chinn caught 2 TD passes, and Mateo Pascual, Jude Sheppard, Joshua Kubota each caught a TD pass.

THE PAG FACTOR;This is a rematch from week 8 and the Eagles crushed the Chieftains 56-27. The Eagles ran all over the Chieftains so the big X Factor what can Sierra do differently to slow down the defending 8-man Champions offense? Both offenses are really good so this comes down to the defensive side of the ball. Sierra is loaded with talent on offense and are hoping it’s a match up problem for Fresno Christian the 2nd time around.
The Chieftains have to think of this game as a tennis match and have to hold serve. That means the offense needs to score on almost every drive because you know the Eagles don’t even practice punting. The Eagles are the elite 8-man football program and the Chieftains are hoping to get to.
Eagles Head Coach Mick Fuller and his staff have done a fantastic job in building the FC program. The Eagles are the Alabama of 8-man football. Chieftains Head Coach Mark Stelling and staff are hoping to be there very soon.
The big X factor is the Chieftains defense.
PAGMETER PREDICTION EAGLES 48 CHIEFTAINS 41

FINAL CHIEFTAINS 30 EAGLES 27

DIVISION 6 SEMIFINALS

No 5 AVENAL BUCCANEERS (7-6) vs No 1 HANFORD WEST HUSKIES (7-5)
EARLY PAGMETER LINE HUSKIES -2
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
The Buccaneers beat Arvin 24-14. The game was tied at 14-14 before the Bucs scored 10 points in the 4th quarter.

The Huskies beat Kern Valley 13-12. Michael Avalos and Julius Andrews each scored the Huskies TDs.

THE PAG FACTOR: This is a rematch from week 5 and the Huskies beat the Bucs 7-3 in a defensive battle. Oryin Turner scored the game winning TD.
This has the makings of another defensive battle and this game could come down to the final minutes. This will be a hard hitting get-after-it game!
Leading the Bucs is senior QB Caeleb Vargas.
The big X factor which offense will step up and finish drives with points?
PAGMETER PREDICTION HUSKIES 15 BUCCANEERS 14

FINAL HUSKIES 27 BUCCANEERS 12

No 10 RIVERDALE COWBOYS (7-6) at No 3 MENDOTA AZTECS (8-5)
EARLY PAGMETER LINE AZTECS -7
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
The Cowboys beat Immanuel 21-12. RB Isaac Romero threw a TD pass to Xadrian Camacho & scored a TD. RB Juan Martinez rushed for 246 yards and was tough to tackle.

The Aztecs beat Woodlake 28-21. QB Juan Ceja threw 2 TD passes each to Jesse Rodriguez and Erlin Gomez. Chris Mejia rushed for 84 yards and scored a TD. Bernie Camacho scored on a pick-6.

THE PAG FACTOR; Both teams have had their ups and downs all year long with big injuries but both come in playing their best football.
This game comes down to the defensive side of the ball and who can make the big stops. Can the Cowboys slow down Aztecs QB Ceja because he is dangerous when moving around and throwing on the run?
Can the Aztecs slow down tough running Martinez? For the Cowboys to win on the road, they have to control the line of scrimmage and freshman 6’0 QB Xaidyn Camacho will need a big game.
Can the Cowboys slow down the Aztecs passing attack?
The Aztecs have the edge playing at home and with a senior QB.
PAGMETER PREDICTION AZTECS 34 COWBOYS 28

FINAL AZTECS 49 COWBOYS 28

DIVISION 5 SEMIFINALS

No 8 PIONEER VALLEY PANTHERS (7-6) at No 4 TEMPLETON EAGLES (8-5)
EARLY PAGMETER LINE EAGLES -3
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
The Panthers beat Bishop Union 9-7. Junior Lucan Brafman nailed the game winning field goal in the 3rd quarter and the Panthers defense did the rest.

The Eagles beat Corcoran 21-17. Jan Martinus rushed for 116 yards. Dylan Kriling, Anthony Chavez and Daxton Calagna each scored on rushing TDs.

THE PAG FACTOR: This is a rematch from week 8 and the Panthers beat the Eagles 21-14.
I’m thinking if they played each other 100 times, it might be 50-50 because these teams are so similar. Both teams love pounding the ball and not throwing teams. Both offenses will lead with a good offensive line. The Panthers will lead with RBs junior Allen Jimeniz and senior Anthony Arias.
This will be a battle upfront on both sides of the ball and a hard hitting physical game. Which team can avoid the big turnovers and big plays?
This game will be a battle of field position and who finishes drives with points.
PAGMETER PREDICTION EAGLES 21 PANTHERS 19

FINAL PANTHERS 16 EAGLES 13

No 3 DOS PALOS BRONCOS (6-6) at No 2 ATASCADERO GREYHOUNDS (8-4)
EARLY PAGMETER LINE GREYHOUNDS -3
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
The Broncos beat Morro Bay 28-27. The Pirates went for the win but came up short on the 2 pointer. Freshman RB Andre Flores had a breakout game rushing for 253 yards and scored 2 TDs. Peyton Van Worth threw 2 TD passes each to Mike Cantu.

The Greyhounds beat Madera South 39-8. QB Kane Cooks scored a TD, rushed 129 yards and threw 2 TD passes each to Dallas Parish and Brayden Slane. Trey Cooks rushed for 115 yards and scored a TD.

THE PAG FACTOR: Atascadero is a great town with great people and the Bronco nation will love the stadium & people but the players will hate the grass field. The playing field has holes everywhere and it’s like they had the Shot-Put championship on the football field.
To the players, be careful.
Both offenses are on their game coming in so this game comes down to the defensive side of the ball. The Greyhounds have the edge playing at home. The Broncos can’t afford turnovers. This game could come down to the final minutes.
The Broncos young offense with QB Van Worth will need a big game to have a great bus ride home.
PAGMETER PREDICTION GREYHOUNDS 33 BRONCOS 30

FINAL GREYHOUNDS 35 BRONCOS 0

DIVISION 4 SEMIFINALS

No 8 SHAFTER GENERALS (9-4) vs TORRES TOROS (9-4) at Madera South Matty J Stadium
EARLY PAGMETER LINE TOROS -2
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
The Generals beat Liberty Madera 14-13. The Generals didn’t play well on the road with 7 turnovers and still found a way to have a fun bus ride home. With .34 seconds to go and the Hawks leading 13-7….freshman QB Ezekiel Osborne threw a perfect strike on a 50 yard post pattern to Jesus Figeuroa and the game winner!! Freshman WR/DB Mariyon Sloan played a gutty game, not feeling well and caught 9 passes for 84 yards and had the big interception to seal the game.

The Toros beat the North Stars 28-14. QB Jose Soriano threw a TD pass to Josiah Salinas and Joe “Sea” Bass scored on 3 rushing TDs.

THE PAG FACTOR: Both teams are very young. The young Generals start 9 freshmen/sophomores and the Toros are playing in their 2nd year ever in the new school.
The Toros are also young with only 4 seniors.The Toros are hot, winning 4 straight games and leading the way is junior dual-threat QB Jose Soriano, junior RB Joe “Sea” Bass who runs hard, junior 6’1 WR Jesus Moreno, junior OL/DL 6’5 340 lb Michael Moore, and sophomore LB/RB 6’2, 210lb Amani Sua.
For the Generals to win they can’t afford turnovers like last week.
Which QB can get the big 1st down on 3rd down and keep the drive going?
Generals freshman QB Ezekiel Osborne and Toros Junior Jose Soriano are very good young QBs.
Which offensive line will have the better game and control the line of scrimmage? With the running attack and both running backs are down hill runners with the Generals senior RB Koa Rhodes vs the Toros Joe “Sea “ Bass.
This has the makings to be a great hard hitting game and both teams are magical in the 4th quarter. It could come down to one big play!
PAGMETER PREDICTION TOROS 33 GENERALS 31

FINAL GENERALS 42 TOROS 41 IN OVERTIME

No 7 COALINGA HORNED TOADS (9-4) at No 3 CARUTHERS BLUE RAIDERS (11-2)
EARLY PAGMETER LINE BLUE RAIDERS -3
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
The Horned Toads beat Taft 26-18. The Wildcats were driving late but Toads junior Bransen Peters made the big interception to seal the game. Devin Sanchez with a 52 yard pick 6. Junior Gustavo Alvarado rushed for 125 yards and scored a TD. Sophomore QB Noah Tasi scored a TD and threw a TD pass to Dylan Teixeira.

The Blue Raiders beat Garza 45-13, Leading the Blue Crew is the offensive line and junior RB Hunter Babb who has rushed for 1,685 yards, scored 27 TDs and caught 4 TD passes. In the last 2 games the Huntman has rushed for 487 yards and has scored 11 TDs. Senior QB Collin Hirschkorn has thrown for 1,917 yards and 25 TD passes and senior TE/DE Landon Almeida has caught 29 passes for 593 yards and 10 TDs along with 4 sacks.

THE PAG FACTOR; This is a rematch from week 1 when the Blue Crew beat the Toads 21-14. Both teams are completely different from week 1 and both teams have won 7 in a row.
Can the Toads defense slow down red hot Hunter Babb who is on fire rushing for 200 yards or more in 4 straight games.
Can the Blue Crew defense slow down the speedy Horned Toads offense who can score on every play? The Blue Crew can’t give up the big play and must control the line of scrimmage.
This is a fantastic match up and could come down to the final minutes.
PAGMETER PREDICTION BLUE RAIDERS 34 HORNED TOADS 31

FINAL CARUTHERS 22 HORNED TOADS 21

DIVISION 3 SEMIFINALS

No 4 KENNEDY THUNDERBIRDS (10-2) at No 1 MISSION PREP ROYALS (8-4)
EARLY PAGMETER LINE ROYALS -8
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
The Thunderbirds beat Kerman 33-7. The Birds have won 8 straight games and the defense is playing lights out football. Senior receiver Gamiez Helm turned into a RB out of the backfield, and carried the ball 13 times for 221 yards and scored 2 TDs, plus caught a 24-yard TD from Julian Orozco on a jump ball in triple coverage

Mission Prep beat Arroyo Grande 35-14. Senior QB Colby White threw for 242 yards and 2 TD passes. Colby is a 4-year starter and just got a Preferred Walk-On offer from Cal Poly. Junior RB Drew Harrigan has rushed for 1,319 yards and has scored 16 rushing TDs. Senior LB Mario Luera is now the all time tackle king at Mission Prep with 131 tackles.

THE PAG FACTOR: This is the outstanding Royals offense vs the outstanding Thunderbirds defense. The Birds offense needs a big game on the road and must control the line of scrimmage. Can the Birds contain Colby White and the Royals offense?
The Birds offense has to be on with pounding the football and keep White and the Royals offense on the sidelines. The Birds can’t win in a shootout.
This game has the makings to be a great finish.
The big factor is the Birds offense.
PAGMETER PREDICTION SEMI UPSET THUNDERBIRDS 23 ROYALS 21

FINAL THUNDERBIRDS 27 ROYALS 14

No 15 INDEPENDENCE FALCONS (5-7) at No 11 SUNNYSIDE WILDCATS (11-2)
EARLY PAGMETER LINE WILDCATS -9
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
The Falcons beat Mission Oak 27-24. The Falcons bus showed up 90 minutes late in Tulare because the bus driver got lost. The Falcons got off the bus with a short warm up and took care of business. RB Anthony Rico rushed for 206 yards, scored TDs on 58 & 60 yard runs and caught a 59 yard TD pass from QB Diego Hernandez. Diego also scored on a rushing TD and Richard Gooden rushed for 86 yards.

The Wildcats beat Tehachapi 33-21. The sophomore QB gunslinger Tanner Wilson came into the game with the central section record in regular season passing yards and added to his season total with 310 yards through the air along with 5 total TDs. His favorite target was fellow-sophomores CJ Jones, who caught 13 passes for 171 yards and a TD, and Malachi Barnes, who had 5 receptions for 93 yards and 2 TDs.

THE PAG FACTOR: This game comes down to the Falcons defense. Can the Falcons put pressure on QB Wilson who is not 100% healthy and make him uncomfortable? If Wilson has time and gets to roll out of the pocket, extend plays, along with his fantastic wide receivers getting open, the Wildcats will steam-roll. If the Falcons can put pressure on the offense then the ball will be up for grabs and then anything can happen. Can the Falcons DBs stay with the Cats WRs with mixing up the coverage?
Can the Wildcats defense slow down the physical offense and running of Anthony Rico? For the Falcons to have another fun bus ride home like last Friday, the Falcons must control the line of scrimmage with long drives and put up TDs.
Last year in the division 3 playoffs, the Firebaugh Eagles came to Sunnyside and physically beat up the Wildcats and controlled the line of scrimmage 42-22 and the game wasn’t even close with a running clock.
The Falcons have to avoid turnovers and also have to create turnovers to win.
With QB Wilson not fully healthy it could be an issue and the Falcons need to take advantage of it. The easy pick would be to take the Cats at home but if the Falcons can watch Firebaugh film…we got a ball game. I was at the Firebaugh-Sunnyside game last year and it was UGLY.
This will be the most physical team that Sunnyside will have played. This is a tough pick because this game can go in so many different ways. This game will either be very close or the Wildcats will roll. The Wildcats are very streaky and if they catch fire early they will gain confidence the rest of the way. The Wildcats haven’t played in a close game all year long and how will the Wildcats handle a close 4th quarter game? The Falcons are 2-2 in close games and have played the tougher schedule.
PAGMETER PREDICTION UPSET SPECIAL FALCONS 39 WILDCATS 37

FINAL WILDCATS 38 FALCONS 23

DIVISION 2 SEMIFINALS

No 4 HANFORD BULLPUPS (9-4) at No 1 CVC CAVALIERS (12-0)
EARLY PAGMETER LINE CAVALIERS -3
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
The Bullpups beat Bakersfield Christian 51-28. Kourdey Glass rushed for 228 yards and scored 4 TDs. QB Cayden Muir scored 2 TDs and Albert Richardson rushed for 126 yards and scored a TD. Gregory Dominguez made 11 tackles on defense and Jonathan Bennett with 10 tackles.

The Cavaliers beat Sanger 20-0. Bryson Donelson scored on a 16 yard TD run. QB Max Bakker scored on a QB sneak and Max threw a 15 yard TD pass to Jaeden Moore. The Cavaliers defense dominated the line of scrimmage.

THE PAG FACTOR; This is the heavyweight battle of teams playing at a high level.
This will be the best team that CVC has played so far this year. Can the Cavaliers defense which only gives up 9 points per game hang with the up-tempo Bullpups offense which averages 52 points a game?
Can the Bullpups match up with the Cavaliers explosive offense? Can the Bullpups slow down Donelson?
Both teams have tremendous senior QBs with Bullpups Muir and Cavaliers Bakker and both are big time gamers who love playing with pressure.
The defending division 3 section champion Cavaliers are a tough team to run against with Moore (57 tackles, 9 sacks) and Zach Zwart (33 tackles) on the edge. Clogging up the middle will be nose guard Arthur Schaap (51 tackles) the linebackers are good with Caleb Calliso (65 tackles), the Italian Stallions Blake Gambini (45 tackles) Andrew Morehead (34 tackles) and defensive backs Adam Gutierrez (52 tackles) and Cooper Noland (28 tackles) and Trent Greidanus (50 tackles). The Cavaliers will bring plenty of pressure on Muir and the Bullpups are a big play offense.
The Big X factor is which defense will play better? If the Cavaliers can adjust to the Bullpups up-tempo offense then the Cavaliers have a big advantage but it’s not easy to do when the Bullpups run plays at 15 seconds and most of the Cavaliers play both ways.
What’s crazy is this is the first time that these teams will have played against each other.
PAGMETER PREDICTION CAVALIERS 37 BULLPUPS 27

FINAL CAVALIERS 50 BULLPUPS 41

No 7 FRONTIER TITANS (8-5) at No 3 LEMOORE TIGERS (11-1)
EARLY PAGMETER LINE TIGERS -14
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
The Titans beat Kingsburg 38-35. Sophomore Ryder Crane-Finch nailed a 27 yard field goal on the last play of the game. Junior QB Malakhi Statler had a fantastic game going 30-45 for 329 yards, and 3 TD passes. Devin Cockren caught 11 passes for 97 yards, scored on 2 rushing TDs and caught a TD. Kobie Watson and Brycen Tablit each caught TD passes.

The Tigers beat Washington Union 64-8. QB Ty Chambers scored a TD and threw 2 TDs before the Tigers shut it down with a 48-8 lead at the half. Andrew Moench rushed for 147 yards and scored 2 TDs and Anthony Garcia scored 3 TDs.

THE PAG FACTOR: The Titans have to avoid the early knockout blow. The Tigers are playing great football and love getting off to a fast start. If the Tigers smell blood they will put up a ton of points in a hurry and game over. The Titans can’t win in a shootout and will come to Lemoore fired up after knocking off Kingsburg.
The Titans offense has to keep Ty Chambers and the Tigers offense on the sidelines with long drives. QB Malakhi Statler will need another big game. The Titans can’t afford to be punting much because the Tigers never punt. Can the Titans defense hang with the red hot Tigers offense?
The Titans are a physical team and will need to keep it close to have a chance in the 4th quarter.
The big X factor is how the Titans defense will handle Ty (Tim Tebow) Chambers?
PAGMETER PREDICTION TIGERS 43 TITANS 28

FINAL TIGERS 56 TITANS 21

DIVISION 1 SEMIFINALS

No 3 LIBERTY PATRIOTS (10-2) at No 2 BUCHANAN BEARS (9-3)
EARLY PAGMETER LINE BEARS -2
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
The Patriots beat St Joseph 49-13. The Patriots outstanding defense stepped up and dominated. After the Knights took a 6-0 lead, Xander Chisolm took back the kickoff for an 86 yard TD and it was all Patriots after that. Jalen Hankins rushed for 134 yards on 12 carries and scored 2 TDs. Junior QB Cole O’Brien threw 2 TD passes to Kreseasn Kizzy.

The Bears beat Clovis North in the rematch 37-24. The Bears defense shut down the hot Broncos running game to 74 total yards. QB Jayden Mandal threw for 187 yards and 2 TD passes and RB Michael Runnels rushed for 96 yards and scored 2 TDs.

THE PAG FACTOR: This is a rematch from week 3 when the game was called at the start of the 4th quarter and the Bears were leading 35-27. The Patriots had the momentum heading into the 4th quarter. Last year in the semifinals the Patriots beat the Bears 28-21. Bears QB Mandal played with a bad ankle and battled through it. The Bears have had the talent for at least the last 8 years to win a Central Section Championship but for one reason or another, they can’t finish. Is this the year they close it out?
This year the defending champion Patriots overall might have the better team but the Bears have the best QB in the Central Section with Mandal who will be playing at Fresno State starting with spring football.

The REAL BIG X factor is Patriots junior QB Cole O’Brien who he’s getting better and better with every game he plays ever since they let him loose and made Cole the starter. Cole is very athletic and it gives the Patriots another weapon on offense.
The big blow on the Patriots offense line is outstanding 6 ‘4, 280lb Cade Gretlein who is out with a broken foot. Cade is the team leader on both sides of the ball and will be playing for undefeated 10-0 Sacramento State next year.
Can the Patriots put pressure on Mandal and the Bears passing game? Jayden’s favorite target is senior Colton O’toole who has caught 58 footballs and has scored 10 TDs. When the Bears offense breaks down that’s when the magic happens with Mandal to O’toole because Colton always seems to get open.
Can the Patriots slow down the dangerous senior RB Michael Runnels who can score on any play with his speed?
For the Patriots to win on the road they have to get off to a much better start than the last time they played each other with getting down 35-14. Both teams have been watching that game film a lot.
The Bears players weren’t even born yet when Buchanan won their only Championship in 2000 but this time around the Bears have their best QB in school history healthy. This isn’t one of the better Bears defenses but they will make plays when needed. The Key for the Bears is the offense and can the Patriots make them uncomfortable? Mandel to O’toole makes it look like it’s 7vs7 during the summer. So smooth! If the Bears offense plays their game, they will win.
The Bears will score points and that means the Patriots offense needs to be on and not turn the ball over. Bears junior All Star LB Logan Studt will play with his bad thumb. If the Bears are going to beat the defending Champs the defense will need to play lights out. We could have another great finish!
The Patriots players like playing at Buchanan because it is a beautiful stadium. The fans and families all love Buchanan Stadium but this year the grass playing conditions are not good. Clovis West and Clovis played at Buchanan last week and CW had the first choice of stadiums and they decided to pick Lamonica. That will tell you how bad it is. It’s hard to say if it will be a lower scoring game but the bottom line is the big time players will make the big plays on any field.
PAGMETER PATRIOTS 38 BEARS 35

FINAL PATRIOTS 28 BEARS 20

No 4 MEMORIAL PANTHERS (10-2) vs No 1 CLOVIS WEST GOLDEN EAGLES (10-2)
EARLY PAGMETER LINE PANTHERS -7
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
The Panthers beat Central 28-21.The Panthers game plan in the 2nd meeting vs Central was to ride the Brandon Ramirez train and that’s exactly what the Panthers did in the win. Brando carried the ball 30 times for 326 yards, scored 3 TDs and had a huge interception late in the game. QB Carson Dean was 1-1 for 38 yards passing.

The Golden Eagles beat Clovis 24-21. The Golden Eagles defense came up big. David Cummings did a great job on defense making 17 tackles.
Junior QB Tyler Patrick was thrown into a tough situation and took plenty of big hits. Clovis simply outcoached the Golden Eagles and had a tremendous game plan and TP bailed out the Golden Eagles by throwing for 333 yards, 3 TD passes and along with junior WR Marshel Sanders, they tied a national high school record when they connected on a 99 yard TD pass. The 99 yard TD pass turned out to be the game winner.

THE PAG FACTOR: Get ready for the Brando express to arrive at Lamonica Stadium just like last week because you stay with what is working until you can stop it.
The real big X factor, can the Golden Eagles front-seven slow down Brando? The Golden Eagles defense must be all in at slowing down Brando because SJM isn’t trying to fool the Golden Eagles.
Hey CW defense, be ready because No 8 is coming right at you. Will CW go man to man on the only wide receiver lined up when SJM goes double TE and put eight players in the box to force the Panthers to throw the ball? QB Carson Dean will need to be ready with a true play-action pass offense to keep the defense thinking but nobody teaches the play-action pass offense so I doubt it.
Can the Golden Eagles force the Panthers in 3rd and long??
Golden Eagles All Star junior QB Tyler Patrick from last year has been in the bullpen waiting for his chance, got his chance, and got the Golden Eagles into the semifinals by throwing 3 big TD passes. What is crazy, TP is up for Norcal Player of the week in his first game in 9 weeks and gives his team a much better chance to win because he is mobile but he’s not starting. You can’t make this up.
Senior QB Ryan Markarian who got kicked out in week 11 will get the start.
Wait…What. A senior leader doesn’t get kicked out of anything.
That means the Golden Eagles will be playing it safe and against the best defense they will have played all year long and it won’t be enough if they play timid. Throwing the 50/50 pass up for grabs won’t work against the Memorial secondary.
Look for the Panthers defense to put plenty of pressure on Markarian who is not a runner and will be throwing plenty of quick screens, bubble screens, quick slants, quick go routes and let the Golden Eagles super junior receivers Jordan Pierro, Marshel Sanders and Landon Wright to go get it and have to hope the Panthers miss some tackles/pass interference penalties.
If the Panthers pound it with long drives, the Golden Eagles might not see the ball much.
The Panthers defense doesn’t get enough credit and get ready for the sack-pack leaders who will control the defensive line of scrimmage with seniors LB Brandon Rangel (5 sacks-64 tackles), LB James Mahoney (5.5 sacks-63 tackles), DT Marquise Jones Jr.(7.5 sacks-50 tackles), DL/OL Brayden Hall (5 sacks), DE Israel Blackwell (4 sacks). The Panthers tackle leaders who play sideline to sideline are seniors DB Jacob Rangel (71 tackles), LB Brando (75 tackles), LB Jayden Enriquez (67 tackles-5 INT) and Brady Stovall (59 tackles) who has played tremendously in the 2nd half of the year.
This will be the best secondary that the Golden Eagles will have seen all year long and leading the way is senior DB Donovan Harris,DB/safety Ramon Ruiz, along with the super juniors of FS Tommy Nix, DB Jordan Black, and DB Landon Nesbit.
The Golden Eagles receivers will be the best that the Panthers will have played and they need to make some big plays. If the Golden Eagles can’t run the ball with former Panther Aidan Fortenberry and against a very good SJM D-line, then it could be a long night. If the Golden Eagles offense isn’t working, will they go to the bullpen and Patrick?
This game will depend on the front-seven/eight of the Golden Eagles defense because this could be a low scoring field goal game if they match up with the O-line of SJM. Both teams have outstanding kickers with SJM sophomore Alex Asparuhov and CW with junior Johnny Enriquez.
If the Panthers can’t match up, SJM will win big. CW will need to score on some big plays.
PAGMETER PREDICTION PANTHERS 38 GOLDEN EAGLES 14

FINAL PANTHERS 30 EAGLES 20