Featured Games : Mater Dei vs. Westminster

The records--Mater Dei (8-3), Westminster (7-4).

The site--LeBard Stadium in Costa Mesa.

The conference--Big Five

Mater Dei update--The Monarchs defeated Westminster, 14-11, on a last-minute field goal by placekicker Gary Coston in the fourth week of the season. Coston has kicked 15 field goals and is one shy of the Southern Section’s single-season record of 16 shared by Art Sorce of Newport Harbor (1974) and Max Zendejas of Don Lugo (1982). Sophomore quarterback Todd Marinovich has been on a tear in his last two games, throwing for 456 yards and seven touchdowns. Marinovich’s favorite targets are receivers Paul Cardenas (60 receptions, 827 yards)) and Jim O’Brien (52 receptions, 660 yards). This is the first time the Monarchs have beaten St. Paul and Servite in the same season since 1966 and only the second time they have advanced to the second round of the playoffs since 1966.

Westminster update--The Lions scored the biggest upset of the playoffs last week, shocking second-seeded Riverside Poly, 14-2, to end the Bears’ 23-game winning streak that spanned two seasons. Quarterback Steve Gulley passed for 129 yards and rushed for 31 yards in the win. Gulley has completed 72 of 158 pass attempts for 1,079 yards and 10 touchdowns. Danny Saldana and Jon Ostler have combined for 56 receptions and 868 yards. Defensively, linebacker Ray Smith and Mark Smith, tackle Herman Baine and end Mike Cover are the standouts. The Lions have allowed an average of 12 points per game. Westminster has a penchant for upsets, defeating league champions Valencia, Pacifica, El Toro, Edison and Riverside Poly.

Key to the Game--Running back Charles Anton returned to the Monarch lineup two weeks ago after missing four games and has taken some of the pressure off Marinovich. Anton must continue to be effective on the ground. Westminster’s defensive line will have to keep the pressure on Marinovich.

Consensus--Westminster’s fine defense will help the Lions avenge the early loss to Mater Dei.

Valencia vs. Saddleback

The records--Valencia (9-2), Saddleback (10-1).

The site--Irvine High School.

The conference--Central

Valencia update--Most teams figure that if you stop Ray Pallares, you stop the Tigers, but this season it has taken more than that to defeat Valencia. Quarterback Jeff Martinez, tight end Andy Ruscitto, and halfback Tony Goulet have proven to complements Pallares well. The Tigers trounced Norwalk, 35-0, in their first-round playoff game and are poised for their season’s toughest challenge--Saddleback. Mike Marrujo’s Tigers figure to offer few surprises for the Roadrunners--they will run Pallares behind those big linemen and it will be up to the Roadrunners to figure out a way to stop him. The danger is in giving Pallares too much attention because as the Orange League teams have learned this season, the other skill players at Valencia are good football players as well.

Saddleback update--The Roadrunners have outscored their last six opponents, 233-62, including a 42-7 romp over Bolsa Grande in the first round of the playoffs. Newport Harbor got most of the attention in the Sea View League, but the co-champion Roadrunners are only a field goal away from being an undefeated team. Saddleback relies on the run as much as Valencia, but quarterback Myron Butler has passed for 1,254 yards and 15 touchdowns as well. The Roadrunners defense has played well throughout the season, but the only runner they’ve played comparable to Pallares would be Roadrunner Glenn Campbell in practice. Valencia’s big offensive linemen could pose problems for the Saddleback defense.

Key to the game--Playing conditions. If the field is hard and dry, the Roadrunners should be able to use their superior speed to turn the corner on sweeps with Butler and Campbell. If it’s wet and muddy, the Roadrunners will likely spin their wheels, as they did in last season’s playoff loss to Fullerton on a muddy Fullerton District Stadium field. A wet field shouldn’t bother Valencia’s bulldozing Pallares nearly as much.

Consensus--Both teams’ offenses are too good to contain. In a high scoring affair, Saddleback by a field goal, 24-21.

Pacifica vs.Santa Ana

The records--Pacifica (8-3), Santa Ana (7-4).

The site--Santa Ana Stadium.

The conference--Southern

Pacifica update--The Empire League co-champions have one of the county’s most powerful defenses with five shutouts in the last seven games. Last week’s victim was Rowland, 31-0. The Mariners have a well-balanced offense with quarterback Scott Pettit (79 of 150 for 983 yards, 9 touchdowns and 3 interceptions), receiver Willie Taylor (36 catches for 477 yards), plus a three good backs, Callen Chase (709 yards), Tony Caceda (612 yards) and Bill Hardesty (540 yards). Its main downfall has been a tendency to fumble.

Santa Ana update--The Saints, the Century League’s third-place representative, scored a 29-3 upset over No. 1 Lynwood last week. Santa Ana has a three-game winning streak, during which sophomore tailback Robert Lee has averaged more than 100 yards a game. Against Lynwood, he gained 163 yards on 19 carries, and scored 2 touchdowns. Eric Turner is an exceptional quarterback, but with Lee rushing so effectively, the team has de-emphasized its passing game. Turner has thrown just 28 passes in the past three games.

Key to the game--”If we’re going to win, we’ll have to score at least twice,” said Mariner Coach Bill Craven. Beyond that, Pacifica’s defense has the ability to settle matters. Santa Ana’s offensive line, though improved, has not played consistently and the Saints had trouble rushing against the Century League’s better defensive teams. If the Mariners pressure Turner, as smaller-sized Saddleback and Tustin did, this could be a low-scoring game.

Consensus--If they avoid committing turnovers, the Mariners should slip past the Saints.