PCAL Playoffs Week III
Dropping this a little early due to the Holiday this week.
The PCAL will have at least 1 representative in a NorCal Bowl game, as Aptos and Carmel will face each other in the CCS DIII final. Palma could also be a representative as they continue their surprising (or expected?) play off run, as they meet Wilcox in the DII Final. Hollister was ousted by Carmel and Alisal lost to a surprisingly strong Leland team in DV.
Fri 11/29 Wilcox (Santa Clara, CA) vs Palma (Salinas, CA) D II Championship- I do believe this game is Saturday and not Friday (as listed on Cal Preps). I have not picked a Palma game correctly in their last 6 games. Picked them to lose to Hollister, Alvarez, Menlo, SHC and to beat Monterey and Aptos. Did the exact opposite each time. You are welcome, Palma Athletic Foundation. This week will be their toughest test of the bunch. Wilcox comes in at 10-2 with wins over Los Gatos and Menlo Atherton, but 2 head scratching losses to Valley Christian and Burlingame.(not that theses are bad schools, but teams I think they should of beaten) Palma meanwhile has done exactly what it needs to do in the playoffs: Control the tempo and take the pressure off the QB. Their RB1 has been lights out these playoffs and he is only a sophomore. Also, their lines on both sides have been able to dictate the flow of the game. I don’t know if they will be able to that vs Wilcox. Wilcox 24-20 (your welcome Palma)
Fri 11/29 Carmel (CA) vs Aptos (CA), 7:00pm D III Championship – Bet the over!! Aptos is averaging 46 per game in its 2 playoff wins and Carmel is averaging 48. After allowing Hollister to take a 21-17 halftime lead, Carmel came out last week and outscored the Haybalers 23-0 in the second half to pull away. First sign of defense Carmel has shown over the past 4 weeks. Aptos still runs the wing, and Carmel struggles vs these types of opponents. Fortunately for Carmel, Aptos defense maybe just as bad or worse. I think Carmel will get a “bonus” possession from a big special teams play and win their 2nd CCS title. Carmel 51-45.
Bonus Picks
Fri 11/29 Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton, CA) vs Burlingame (CA) D IV Championship
Fri 11/29 St. Francis (Mountain View, CA) vs Los Gatos (CA), 7:00pm D I Championship
Sat 11/30 Sequoia (Redwood City, CA) vs Leland (San Jose, CA), 7:00pm D V Championship
