Here are the predicted scores by Cal-Hi Sports for this weekend’s five CIF state football bowl games:
Open Division
De La Salle (Concord) 37, St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 31. It’s really hard to pick against a team as dominant and talented as the Braves, but De La Salle has experience and knows how to win in the types of games where it seems outmatched. For Ronnie Flores’ scouting report after he saw both teams play earlier in the season, CLICK HERE.
Division I
Bakersfield 34, Del Oro (Loomis) 28. Driller fans head back home with a record seventh state title but the first in 86 years.
Division II
Chaminade (West Hills) 35, Enterprise (Redding) 14. The Eagles don’t have as big of an advantage as some might think up front, but their superior talent across the board will be too much for the Hornets.
Division III
Corona del Mar (Newport Beach) 38, Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) 31. We went against Sacred Heart Prep last week and got burned big time. But based on facts we’re going to do it again.
Division IV
Bakersfield Christian 28, Central Catholic (Modesto) 24. While we wouldn’t say the Eagles are the favorite like we’ve seen others say this week, we will go for an upset of sorts in this game. The Raiders might be a little banged up with injuries.
For extended breakdowns of offense vs. defense and intangibles, please consider becoming a Gold Club member to see our total package previewing all five bowl games. For info on Gold Club subscription, CLICK HERE.
Feel free to leave your own picks of the five games in the comments below. We’ll add the choices of those from the media who give them to us throughout Thursday and into Friday.
9 Comments
From Zach Ewing of the Bakersfield Californian. Thanks, Zach.
D-IV: Central Catholic 28, Bakersfield Christian 27
D-I: Bakersfield 41, Del Oro 24
D-III: Corona del Mar 27, Sacred Heart Prep 17
D-II: Chaminade 49, Enterprise 28
Open: De La Salle 28, St. John Bosco 24
http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.com/sports/school-house-zach/x22863893/State-bowl-game-predictions
From my great friend Phil Marquez of Orange County. Thanks, Phil.
Friday
Division IV Central Catholic (Modesto) 14-1 v. Bakersfield Christian 11-2
The city of Bako has to be going crazy with two teams in Bowl games on the same night.
BC is the school that produced Fresno State’s QB Derek Carr.
Central has been here before, including winning last year, and is quite a strong program.
Almost have to wonder how they’re in Division IV?
Also wonder about the ‘what if’ had Christian El Cajon gotten into the regional bowl?
It’s almost like a Central Valley championship, BC from the South, and CC from the North.
BC should have lots of adrenalin and an excited fan base to get off to a strong start.
But the depths of Central Catholic should make a difference as the game gets way into the 2nd half.
Central Catholic 30 Bakersfield Christian 20
Division I Del Oro (Loomis) 13-2 v. Bakersfield 12-2
For Del Oro to win the Sac Jaoquin Section and follow it up with knocking off Serra from the WCAL, it’s been a great run.
But for the Drillers to be in this spot, it’s really historic.
One CA’s top two or three programs of all time.
And they have six CA state titles from way back in the 1920s before the CIF ended the football state playoffs.
With “only” a 2 hour trip to Carson, they should have a huge crowd, and lots of alums in the stands.
They showed a lot of poise in scoring late in the 4th to edge Mission Hills 35-28.
Should be a nice even matchup and very competitive.
Bakersfield over DO by 28-24 to become the first CA school to win 7 state fb titles.
Saturday
Division III Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton 13-1 v. Corona Del Mar 15-0
A classic matchup of solid programs, one private and one public.
SHP to win their section and then beat El Cerrito make it quite a run.
CDM however is in the midst of it’s own campaign where everything has come together.
Besides balance on offense and defense, their special teams have come up big as well, including two blocked punts last week.
Should be another close and exciting game; maybe the last to score is the one to win?
CDM 28 SHP 27
Division II Enterprise (Redding) 13-0 v. Chaminade (Canoga Park ) 13-2
First of all congrats to Enterprise for winning the Northern Section and the Regional Bowl.
But history has not been kind to the Northern Section in years past.
Consider that Chaminade (a parochial school making this the 2nd straight public v. private game) emerged from the Mission League battles.
And throw in evening the score against mighty Serra of Gardena in the SS final.
Enterprise just has not seen the kind of teams that Chaminade has.
Chaminade 42 Enterprise 14
Open Division De La Salle (Concord) 14-0 v. St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 15-0
Well, we finally got it, the ultimate game with CA’s No. 1 v. No. 2 in a FINAL.
De La Salle is, well, it’s De La Salle, haven’t lost a beat since Bob Ladouceur stepped down as head coach.
Bosco is on a mission ever since it lost in last year’s Pac-5 semifinal to LB Poly.
The Braves are loaded; with size, speed, depth, passing game, running game, defense, etc.
And they ran the table in the Trinity League, also beating Mater Dei twice.
But the game where they really rose to the occasion was their come from behind 52-31 win over Chandler of AZ after giving up 31 points.
De La Salle has a tremendous edge in this type of game.
They always have a great game plan and their conditioning is second to none.
Don’t have to give them any advice on this one.
To SJB: if you win the opening toss, DO NOT KICK OFF!
Every big game, DLS with its explosive offensive line marches right down the field and silences the place.
Takes over a quarter for most teams to adjust to their tempo.
Also to SJB: DO NOT HAVE QB ROSEN RUN OUT OF THE POCKET!
They can’t afford to lose him.
To DLS: WATCH OUT FOR SEAN MCGREW!
The 5-7 Sophomore RB has made jaws drop all year with his speed.
If Bosco can get its passing game established early, it can unleash McGrew.
It’s also well known that in the few games DLS has lost, it followed the scenario of a close game at halftime with the other team coming out with something new on offense for the 2nd half.
Can Bosco do that? Can its stars be even better than they’ve been so far? Can they make DLS go to the passing game? Can DLS continue to rule in CA?
It will be exciting to find out.
Get to Carson early for a good seat, it’s gonna be good. It may even go OT.
Bosco 35 DLS 34
From Evan Barnes, who has written preseason all-area teams for us and also writes for the South Bay Daily Breeze. Thanks, Evan.
Open – St. John Bosco gives DLS the best game since Crenshaw and the Braves have the beef up front to match the DLS offensive line. But as I keep learning every year, never bet against De La Salle until they lose. DLS 28, St. John Bosco 21
Division 1 – Bakersfield 28, Del Oro 21
Division 2 – Ed Croson had a near state bowl chance in 2007 and six years later, he’s finally made it. Enterprise is a great story but it will end here and Croson solidifies his spot among the best coaches in California. Chaminade 38, Enterprise 17
Division 3 – Corona del Mar might be tired after going unbeaten up to this point. But the chance at a 16-0 season is a great story and a state record so here’s hoping they get their 25th win in a row against what I’m sure is a strong Sacred Heart Prep team. Corona del Mar 31, Sacred Heart 20
Division 4 – Bakersfield Christian 35, Central Catholic Modesto 31
Let’s make history CORONA del MAR!!!
Enterprise 24 chaminade 7
Laughable prediction. No, moronically laughable….
Come on Neil……….!?!?
Chaminade 56 Enterprise 14
Sea Kings win 27-15…!!