Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

Don't miss these teams in playoffs

DIVISION 1

• No. 13 Pitman (6-4) at No. 4 Monterey Trail (8-2) — Which Pride team shows up? The one that lost 42-12 to Atwater in Week 7, or the one that routed Merced 49-7 on Friday? If FB Markus Sanders can duplicate last week's 250-yard effort, Pride has a shot. Monterey Trail plays in one of the section's best leagues, so Pitman needs to raise its game to stay in this one. Trail will stack vs. the run, so QB Hayden Baldwin needs to throw downfield.

DIVISION 2

• No. 10 Atwater (7-3) at No. 7 Stagg (8-2) — Atwater has the best opportunity to pull an upset in this division. Falcons have won four of their last five, and have threats on offense in QB Nathan Sanchez (1,963 yards offense, 23 TDs) and defense in Brian Sevilla (14 sacks). Stagg's best when the game is at a fast pace with the field spread, so it can exploit speed and athletes. Look for this one to be a shootout.

DIVISION 3

• No. 11 Patterson (6-4) at No. 6 Benicia (8-2) (5-5) — Tigers were first team in Stanislaus District to clinch a berth, so they've known this was coming. Benicia QB Andrew McNeece (2,441 yards, 30 TDs) has 13 INTs, so ball-hawking Tigers have opportunities to score off their "D." If Patterson can spring Wyatt Young (37 catches, 18-yard average, 9 TDs) downfield early, it could open the middle of the field for QB Cody Weinzheimer (1,899 yards offense, 26 TDs) to run.

• No. 9 Casa Roble (6-4) at No. 8 Manteca (7-3) — Could be the best opener in any division, with defending section champ Casa visiting perennial power. Host Buffs explosive with RB Marquis Miller (1,345 yards, 19 TDs) and QB Matt Burrows is 28 of 44 for 487 yards, three TDs and 2 INTs since taking over for injured starter in Week 8. Casa can put up points behind QB Justin Tann (1,626 yards, 11 TDs) and RB Anthony Santiago (1,106, 21), but Rams give up 22 a game.

• No. 12 Natomas (6-4) at No. 5 Oakdale (9-1) — It's not often there is interest in a 12 vs. 5, but this has added importance after Oakdale was stunned at The Corral a year ago in playoff opener. Ball-control RBs Devin Brooks, Tim House and Blake Raham combined for 2,999 yards and 42 TDs in the Mustangs' wing-T. Natomas will try to go up top to Tommie Crosby, D.J. Muses and Jake Crosbie (combined for 97 catches, 1,303 yards, 10 TDs).