Southern Division is their Empire

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Cypress is my new favorite team!

Way to go, Centurions. I love the fact they went for two points with 1:44 left in the game to take the lead over Anaheim in the Southern Division quarterfinals on Saturday. OK, it’s not quite the same gutsiness that Santa Margarita exhibited last year went it went for two points from three yards to beat Mission Viejo because Cypress waited for a penalty by Anaheim to get a little closer. Another penalty by Anaheim moved the ball even closer, to the one-yard line.

So quarterback Mike Vanderipe scored and the gutty little Centurions took a 15-14 lead on their way to a 22-14 victory.

Now the semifinals are comprised entirely of Empire League teams: Garden Grove Pacifica vs. La Palma Kennedy, and No. 3 Placentia Valencia vs. Cypress.

When they played on Dec. 1, Pacifica beat Kennedy, 27-14. I’m expecting the game to be even closer this time, and though I like Pacifica, I’m wondering if Kennedy’s big-game experience -- it won last year’s title -- might be the decisive factor.

When Cypress and Valencia played on ... oh wait, Cypress and Valencia didn’t play this season because their game was canceled in the wake of the Southern California wildfires.

Well, I’m leaning toward Valencia because of Wes Fletcher, but I really like Cypress’ momentum.

-- Martin Henderson

-- Image from eteamz.active.com