CIF Playoffs - Semi-Finals: Top Games

Santa Margarita at No. 2 Mission Viejo (Pac-5) - South Orange Country is in heaven tonight, as the final four teams in the Pac-5 Division bracket all hail from the area. Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo are both running teams with big offensive lines and star running backs. The Santa Margarita Eagles are led by Junior running back Ryan Wolpin, who has tallied 1289 yards this season and at least 100 yards in all but three games. Mission Viejo's Buzzy Yokoyama was hurt for much of the season but combined for 311 yards in his first two playoff games. The game changer will be Santa Margarita quarterback Johnny Stanton and his running ability. Always a threat to run the ball, Stanton has put up 1084 yards on the ground in a Player of the Year-like season. The game will be won in the trenches and expect the Eagles to pull this one out. PICK: Santa Margarita

No. 1 Corona Centennial at Rancho Cucamonga (Inland) - The top-ranked Huskies of Corona Centennial may meet their match tonight against the Cougars of Rancho Cucamonga. The Cougars are riding high after upsetting Redlands Easy Valley in a tight one, 9-6. Nick Baiz and his coaching staff know how to put a winner on the field every year and have silenced many of the doubters who didn't expect Rancho to make a serious run. Corona Centennial's Romello Goodman has tallied 2270 yards through 12 games and quarterback Hayden Gavvett has looked like the real deal all season long. The Huskies are averaging 490 yards of total offense a game but have looked shaky at times on defense. Rancho Cucamonga quarterback Dimitri Morales will look to exploit Centennial's defense and will have help from the likes of Tyan Washington and Jermel Walker. Although Rancho Cucamonga has been clutch all year, don't expect Centennial to be the latest team to fall victim to the Cougars' attack. PICK: Corona Centennial

No. 3 Upland at No. 2 Vista Murrieta (Inland) - Both Upland and Vista Murrieta come into tonight's contest undefeated on the field, although CIF sanctions forced Vista Murrieta to forfeit their first five games. Upland looked like the best team in California last week in their 51-13 romp of Charter Oak but they will have their hands full with Vista Murrieta's defense. On offense, Vista Murrieta is led by Junior wide receiver/running back/linebacker Su'a Cravens, who has tallied 900 yards of total offense and 17 touchdowns. Upland's offense can do it all. Running back Donta Abron Jr. and wide receiver Kenny Lawler are the best offensive combo in Southern California and quarterback Nate Romine knows what it takes to win the big games. This will be Upland's toughest game to date but expect a statement win for the Highlanders. PICK: Upland