Palmdale-Dominguez running duel looks good to go

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The good news for Palmdale is suspended leading rusher Marquell Jefferson will play against second-seeded Dominguez in the Western Division semifinals on Friday after being a no-show in the postseason because of disciplinary reasons.

The bad news simply is that the Falcons have to play a Dominguez team many have pegged as the favorite for the divisional title [including me]. But if the Falcons can come on top of what looks to be a spectacular, four-player running duel, they’ll be playing in the Home Depot Center for the first time since 2003.

Both teams love to run the ball [Palmdale is averaging more than 32 carries per game, Dominguez more than 38] and whoever does it best will win this contest. Dominguez’s RB duo of David Biddle and Marcus Darden have combined for 2,289 yards and 35 TDs this season. Not far behind are Jefferson and Ronald Scott, who together have munched up 2,069 yards and 29 TDs even though Jefferson has missed three games for disciplinary reasons.

I still see the six-time Golden League champs as the underdog because the Falcons haven’t played an opponent of the Dons’ caliber since their season-opening loss to Valencia. Nevertheless, if Jefferson and Scott have solid games behind and offensive line anchored by the UCLA-bound Connor Bradford, Palmdale can prove it’s more than just an Antelope Valley titan.

-- Austin Knoblauch