Servite, Corona Centennial draw top seedings in football

The Southern Section released its football playoff pairings on Sunday, and here’s a rundown on teams and players to watch.

Pac-5

Top-seeded teams: 1. Anaheim Servite (9-1), 2. Mission Viejo (8-2), 3. Long Beach Poly (9-1), 4. Mission Hills Alemany (8-2).

Players to watch: This is the division of elite blockers, from Max Tuerk of Santa Margarita to Kyle Murphy of San Clemente to Travis Averill of Servite. Linebacker Butch Pauu of Servite is a relentless tackler and fearless leader. Defensive end Alonzo Williams of Long Beach Poly moved from Louisiana this summer and has been spectacular. Alemany junior receiver Steve Mitchell is headed for big-time recruit status. Loyola defensive back Eamon McOsker had an MVP season. Mission Viejo cornerback Anthony Pierce has been taking on any and all challenges.

The pick: Servite.

Inland

Top-seeded teams: 1. Corona Centennial (9-1), 2. Vista Murrieta (5-5), 3. Upland (10-0), 4. Redlands East Valley (10-0).

Players to watch: Junior defensive lineman Kylie Fitts (6 feet 4, 250 pounds) is a rising college prospect at Redlands East Valley, with 7 1/2 sacks to help the defense record five shutouts. Upland had its first unbeaten regular season behind running back Donta Abron Jr., receiver Kenny Lawler and defensive end Christian Powell, who has 12 sacks. Vista Murrieta’s Su’a Cravens, a running back/receiver on offense and linebacker/safety on defense, has 17 scholarship offers and might be the most versatile player in Southern California. Riverside North quarterback Justin Gheorghe has 27 touchdown passes with two interceptions. Corona Centennial quarterback Hayden Gavett is nearing 1,000 yards rushing.

The pick: Centennial.

Northern

Top-seeded teams: 1. Westlake Village Westlake (10-0), 2. Westlake Village Oaks Christian (8-2), 3. Ventura St. Bonaventure (8-2), 4. Valencia (6-4).

Players to watch: Justin Solis and Johnny Stuart lead a dominant Westlake defensive line. Canyon Country Canyon junior receiver Drew Wolitarsky has 15 touchdown catches. Sophomore quarterback Brandon Dawkins of Oaks Christian is completing 66% of his passes. Quartz Hill junior running back Osirius Burke has rushed for 1,549 yards and 24 touchdowns.

The pick: Westlake.

Western

Top-seeded teams: 1. Gardena Serra (8-2), 2. Arroyo Grande (9-1), 3. West Hills Chaminade (8-2), 4. Ventura (10-0).

Players to watch: Linebacker Seth Jacobs is averaging nearly 11 tackles a game for Arroyo Grande and teammate Garrett Owens has a 57-yard field goal. Linebacker Chris Collins of Santa Monica has 10 sacks. Receiver Jake Maulhardt of Camarillo has 109 receptions and 15 touchdowns. Chaminade junior running back Terrell Newby has rushed for nearly 1,400 yards.

The pick: Chaminade.

Central

Top-seeded teams: 1. Moreno Valley Rancho Verde (10-0), 2. Palm Springs (10-0), 3. Riverside La Sierra (9-1), 4. Ontario Colony (9-1).

Players to watch: The versatile Devonte Collier of Rancho Verde has scored touchdowns rushing, receiving, returning a punt, returning a kickoff and returning an interception. Quarterback Dane Tiedeman of Palm Springs has passed for 1,300 yards and run for nearly 900 yards.

The pick: Rancho Verde.

Southwest

Top-seeded teams: 1.Villa Park (10-0), 2. La Habra (7-3), 3. Lake Forest El Toro (9-1), 4. Cypress (8-2).

Players to watch: Linebacker Aaron Porter of La Habra is a man playing among boys. Quarterback Blair Boyce of Villa Park leads a group of teammates with grade-point averages well above 4.0. Linebacker Brian Moreen of El Toro is a tackling machine.

The pick: La Habra.

Southeast

Top-seeded teams: 1. West Covina (9-1), 2. Santa Fe (6-4), 3. La Mirada (6-4), 4. Burbank Burroughs (6-4).

Players to watch: Running back Jimmy Frazier has become a major contributor for West Covina. Receiver-defensive back Taylor Lagace, a Washington commit, is versatile and tough. La Verne Bonita junior kicker Brandt Davis has made seven of 10 field goals.

The pick: West Covina.

Southern

Top-seeded teams: 1. Irvine Beckman (8-2), 2. Corona del Mar (8-2), 3. Santa Ana Segerstrom (8-2), 4. Costa Mesa Estancia (8-2).

Players to watch: Mario Smith of Costa Mesa has a 358-yard rushing game. Quarterback Brent Lawson of Corona del Mar has passed for 1,998 yards and 21 touchdowns. Junior running back Drake Martinez of Laguna Beach, younger brother of Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez, has a 313-yard rushing game.

The pick: Beckman.

Northwest

Top-seeded teams: 1. Lompoc (10-0), 2. Playa del Rey St. Bernard (10-0), 3. Lompoc Cabrillo (8-2), 4. Ojai Nordhoff (6-4).

Players to watch: Junior running back Lavon Coleman of Lompoc has rushed for 1,369 yards and 18 touchdowns. Quarterback Christian Smith of St. Bernard has passed for 3,139 yards and 36 touchdowns.

The pick: Lompoc.

Mid-Valley

Top-seeded teams: 1. Covina (9-1), 2. El Monte Arroyo (9-1), 3. San Dimas (8-2), 4. Monrovia (7-3).

Players to watch: Quarterback William Livingston of Covina has a 354-yard passing performance. Defending champion Monrovia features heavily recruited defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy. Junior quarterback Joshua Mendoza has passed for 1,399 yards for Alhambra.

The pick: Covina.

Eastern

Top-seeded teams: 1. Fontana Summit (9-1), 2. Perris Citrus Hill (10-0), 3. Romoland Heritage (9-1), 4. Phelan Serrano (8-2).

Players to watch: Donte Deayon of Summit has four interceptions this season and 23 in his career. Junior quarterback Trevor Hodge of Citrus Hill has passed for 1,555 yards and rushed for 546 yards. Junior running back Jamal Morrow of Heritage has rushed for 1,350 yards and 15 touchdowns.

The pick: Summit.

East Valley

Top-seeded teams: 1. Chatsworth Sierra Canyon (10-0), 2. Lancaster Paraclete (8-2), 3. San Juan Capistrano St. Margaret’s (8-2), 4. Santa Barbara Bishop Diego (9-1).

Players to watch: Tyler Stewart, a 6-4 quarterback at Sierra Canyon, has passed for 1,571 yards and 26 touchdowns. Paraclete, which held a lead over Sierra Canyon before losing in a league game, has junior linebacker Bryan Rodgers, who’s averaging nearly seven tackles a game.

The pick: Sierra Canyon.

Northeast

Top-seeded teams: 1. Bishop (9-1), 2. Rio Hondo Prep (9-1), 3. Boron (8-2), 4. Los Angeles Salesian (8-2).

Players to watch: Junior quarterback Jihad Vercher of L.A. Salesian is a big-play passer. Bishop quarterback Chance Callahan is a versatile runner and passer.

The pick: Salesian.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

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