El Cerrito (12-2) vs. Sacred Heart Prep (12-1) at De Anza High School-Richmond, Saturday 7:30
Sacred Heart Prep is regarded as a major underdog but they take on a Gauchos' team that needs to recharge the batteries after two emotionally charged wins against previously undefeated Campolindo and Marin Catholic on their way to the school’s first NCS championship.
Led by running back Andrew Segre and junior linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven, Sacred Heart Prep is definitely talented and a program to reckon with after winning three CCS titles in four years and posting a 62-13-1 record over the last six seasons. That record is a testament to hard work and terrific coaching from Pete Lavorato.
The Gators are allowing less than nine points per game, have been very good against the run, and can also run it themselves. If Sacred Heart is going to pull off an upset, it needs that run game to control the clock and keep El Cerrito’s offense off the field.
In a 56-21 CCS title win over Pacific Grove last week, Segre had a school-record 361 yards rushing and six touchdowns. He now has 10 touchdowns in the playoffs and is picking up the load in the absence of backfield mate Ricky Grau, who is out with a broken hand. Burr-Kirven, a top recruit, is relentless on both sides of the ball and he symbolizes the toughness and physicality of this team.
El Cerrito is playing its best football and is loaded with athletes who will be making their mark on the next level. As they prepare to face a good defense, the Gauchos haven’t scored less than 25 points all season and have scored 40 or more in every one of their 10 consecutive wins.
The win streak has coincided with UCLA-bound Adarius Pickett becoming the full-time running back. Pickett ran for a career-high 255 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries against a Marin Catholic defense that hadn’t allowed more than 20 points in any game before a 54-38 loss. In the last two playoff wins, Pickett has 390 yards on the ground and has 12 touchdowns in the playoffs and 24 over his last eight games.
Quarterback Keilan Benjamin hasn’t thrown an interception during the 10-game streak and has 22 touchdown passes, including three to twin Keith last week, over that span. Because the run game is playing at such a high level, they don’t need too much from Keilan Benjamin on the ground but he has produced 128 rushing yards in the last two contests.
The defense is loaded with Jawian Harrison and Pickett at corner in addition to the hard-hitting Jalen Harvey and Derik Calhoun, both Arizona State commits. The Gauchos can also score on this side of the ball with 11 defensive touchdowns this season.
One may think the Gauchos are struggling recently on defense after allowing 72 points the last two weeks but keep in mind that El Cerrito held 34-14 and 41-3 third quarter leads in those contests.
The special teams were a sore spot early but El Cerrito has scored five touchdowns in that phase this year.
Sacred Heart Prep needs to prevent the Gauchos from making any big plays and play a perfect game for a win, but it may keep things close until El Cerrito pulls away in the second half.
The winner plays in a state bowl against either Nordhoff (13-1) or Corona del Mar (14-0).
Prediction: El Cerrito 38, Sacred Heart Prep 21
