Palos Verdes Determined to Break First-Round Jinx : Football: Sea Kings Coach Bill Judy says his team will ‘get over the hump’ this Friday.

In three previous CIF playoff appearances under Coach Bill Judy, the Palos Verdes High football team has never gotten past the first round.

Judy, though, believes his luck is about to change.

“We’re going to get over the hump this Friday,” he said.

That’s not to say Judy underestimates Newbury Park, the Sea Kings’ opponent Friday night in the opening round of the Southern Section Division II playoffs at Redondo High.

But it does say something about Judy’s confidence in a Palos Verdes team that owns a six-game winning streak and surprised most Bay League coaches by tying Hawthorne for the title. The Sea Kings were picked sixth out of eight teams in a preseason poll.

“As a coaching staff, we feel this is our best opportunity for a playoff win,” said Judy, in his seventh year as head coach. “We’d like to get past that first game.”

Newbury Park (6-2-2) is a big, physical team that will do its best to deal Palos Verdes (9-1) another early playoff exit. The Panthers finished second in the Marmonte League.

“They’re bigger than anybody we’ve played,” Judy said. “We can’t allow them to get the momentum going, either by running over us or emotionally.”

Newbury Park’s strengths are a stingy defense and several brawny linemen, led by two-way starters Jeff Jay (6-foot-2, 215 pounds), Phil Pederson (6-1, 275) and Joe Smigiel (6-5, 255). The offense relies on the run. Quarterback Jae Johnston and 5-6, 145-pound tailback Walter Thomas carry the load.

Palos Verdes will need a big game from its men in the trenches. In last week’s 7-6 win over Rolling Hills, tight end-tackle David Bohner (6-5, 230) and two-way lineman Kyle Holderman (5-11, 210) enjoyed big games. Versatile quarterback Blake Anderson, a threat to run or pass, and receiver-defensive back Mark Antrobius (eight interceptions) are skill-position standouts.

Following is a rundown of other Southern Section playoff openers involving South Bay teams. All games are at 7:30 p.m. Friday unless noted.

DIVISION II:

San Marcos (5-5) at Hawthorne (9-1)--Bay League co-champion Hawthorne has relied on its defense, and that doesn’t figure to change in the playoffs. Santa Barbara County’s San Marcos, which has won four games in a row after a slow start, boasts a strong running game featuring junior tailback Mike Castelo, who has rushed for 1,369 yards and set a school record with 251 yards last week in a 38-14 victory over Rio Mesa. Hawthorne’s defense has recorded four shutouts and has limited teams to under 10 points seven times. Linebacker Sione Mahe, held out of last week’s 32-20 win over Inglewood with a sprained ankle, is not 100% but is expected to start. Safety Kalvein Latu also returns to the lineup after sitting out with a sore shoulder. The Cougars hope to spring speedy tailback Chris Alexander, the team’s leading rusher with 1,133 yards (9.3 average) and nine touchdowns.

Leuzinger (7-2-1) vs. Buena (6-4) at Ventura High--Injuries continued to plague Leuzinger in last week’s 22-19 loss to Santa Monica. The Olympians, already without their top tailback (Marvin Johnson) and wide receiver (Quang Banks) because of knee injuries, lost backup tailback B-Jon Sample to a knee injury. That moves third-stringer Vernal Williams into the starting lineup, and he’s nursing a bad shoulder. “It shows the way the season has gone for us,” Coach Steve Carnes said. “We’re limping into the playoffs.” Injuries have also weakened Leuzinger’s secondary, which will be tested by pass-happy Buena. Quarterback Jason Isaacs has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards, mostly to versatile tailback Tony Williams. As usual, Leuzinger will count heavily on quarterback-cornerback Zac Odom and fullback-linebacker Manny Gonzales.

DIVISION VII:

Morningside (4-6) at Serra (10-0)--Second-seeded Serra opens the playoffs with great expectations after blowing away its regular-season opposition by the combined tally of 404-53. The closest thing the Cavaliers had to a “game” was a 22-7 win at Saddleback. Coach Leo Hand finally took the wraps off the team’s individual stats this week to reveal three rushers with more than 500 yards: fullback Dennis Gerard (1,420) and halfbacks Jerald Henry (648) and Lamont Daniel (570). They have combined for 42 touchdowns on the ground. Defensive back Clayton Lopez is among area leaders with seven interceptions and Fred Safford, who doubles as Serra quarterback, is right behind with six. Morningside won its last four games to finish third in the Ocean League, but the Monarchs might be in over their heads in this match-up.

Harvard (2-8) at West Torrance (9-1)--The fourth-seeded Warriors face a Harvard team that has the dubious distinction of owning the worst record of any Southern Section playoff qualifier. However, the Saracens, who finished third in the five-team San Fernando Valley League, are coming off a 54-0 slaughter of St. Genevieve. Harvard running backs Kent Dahn and Jeremiah Aguolu have each rushed for more than 500 yards, and quarterback Adam Rowins has passed for nearly 600 yards and five touchdowns. West’s two-pronged attack features junior quarterback John Walsh (1,179 yards, 12 TDs passing) and running back Josh Moore (543 yards rushing, 120 yards receiving, 14 TDs). A solid defense is another reason the Ocean League champions have won nine consecutive games.

South Torrance (5-5) at San Marino (7-2)--The Spartans travel to face the defending Division VII champions in a rematch of last year’s playoff opener won by San Marino, 28-19. The key player back from San Marino’s championship team is quarterback-linebacker Mark Ukropina, a 6-3, 225-pound senior who has passed for 1,050 yards and 10 touchdowns. Running backs Keven Shanahan and Alfonso Montoya have combined for 1,300 yards rushing and 15 TDs. San Marino came within a point of winning the Rio Hondo League title, losing to Temple City last week, 7-6. Injury-riddled South needs another big game from option quarterback Kevin Fitzpatrick, the team leader in passing (695 yards, six TDs) and rushing (605 yards, 11 TDs), and from its defense to avoid a repeat of last season.

Mira Costa (6-4) at Lompoc (10-0)--The Mustangs made the playoffs for the first time since 1983, and how were they rewarded? They must travel to face top-seeded Lompoc, led by one of the Southern Section’s best running backs. Junior Napolean Kaufman is averaging nearly 10 yards a carry and has rushed for 1,538. He has scored 25 touchdowns and has even passed for a TD. Mira Costa counters with a good running back in Mike Clairmont. The senior, who gained 173 yards last week in a 34-8 playoff-clinching win over Redondo, ranks second in South Bay rushing with 1,476 yards. The Mustangs earned the at-large berth in the Division VII playoffs.

DIVISION VIII:

Mary Star (7-3) vs. Cabrillo (6-4) at Lompoc High, Saturday--There was a lot to cheer about in Lompoc this week as Cabrillo celebrated its first-ever Los Padres League title. The Conquistadores have a balanced offense featuring quarterback Rob Cardenas (1,283 yards, eight touchdowns passing), tailback Don Lindsey (950 yards rushing) and 6-4, 190-pound wide receiver Rick Harris (26 catches). Mary Star counters with a defense that has registered five shutouts. Defensive backs Matt Redlew and J.R. Javier have seven and six interceptions, respectively. Vince Orlando leads the Stars’ offense with 527 yards rushing and seven TDs.

El Segundo (5-5) at Temecula Valley (8-2)--Last year El Segundo brought a 10-0 record into the playoffs and was upset by Agoura, 30-7. This season, the Eagles will try to play the spoiler against Sunkist League runner-up Temecula Valley. Running back Garret Quaintance helped El Segundo clinch a playoff spot last week by scoring two touchdowns, including an 85-yard kickoff return, in a 24-0 win over Salesian. Quarterback Tom Cover had to leave the game with a leg injury. If he is unable to play Friday, junior Brett Newell will fill in.