Division 6 Southern Section football playoff bracket preview: Top-seeded Camarillo has a slight edge

Camarillo is one of the favorites in Division 6, but there won't be one easy game.

The Southern Section released its 2021 high school football playoff brackets for all 14 divisions on Sunday. Ahead of the first round games on Nov. 4-5, we’re previewing every playoff division from D1 to D14. Since Division 1 won’t begin until next week, we started with D2, and are continuing to work our way down the list.

Here’s everything you need to know about the D6 bracket:

DIVISION 6 BRACKET | ALL CIF-SS FOOTBALL BRACKETS

TOP D6 FIRST-ROUND GAME:

Campbell Hall (10-0) and Santa Barbara (7-3) are two of the top contenders in the whole Division 6 bracket. But one of them isn't making it out of the first round. The undefeated Vikings have only played two close games this year, beating a good Rio Hondo Prep team that's in Division 7 34-27, and La Cañada (Division 12) 27-23. Pretty much every team they face in the playoffs will be their toughest foe yet, but that doesn't mean they won't be up for it. Dual-threat QB Isaiah Sepand has had an outstanding junior season under center for Campbell Hall, throwing for 2,438 yards and 36 touchdowns to just four interceptions with an outstanding passer rating of 136.9. The Vikings have dominated defensively in a number of facets, already totaling 74.5 tackles for loss and a ridiculous 33.5 sacks, led by havoc-wreaking DLs Jaden Williams and Peter Bario, and also 15 interceptions. Star WR/CB Kian Salehi is another major factor for the Vikings.

Santa Barbara is one of the toughest first-round matchups to challenge Campbell Hall's magical season though, and arguably the most slept-on team in the division. Two of the Dons' losses came by three points to potential Division 5 contenders, Rio Mesa and Pacifica (Oxnard). They also narrowly defeated Ventura (Division 9), Lompoc (Division 9), and Oxnard (Division 10). Their only other game that wasn't a big win was a blowout loss against Division 3 contender Saugus, and we aren't going to hold that against them. Dual-threat QB Abel Renteria is one of the best players in the bracket as a sophomore, and the question for SBHS is who will emerge as a second offensive star if needed. But the Dons have a litany of consistent nightly contributors on that end, plus one of the best defenses in the bracket that does major damage around the line of scrimmage. They're already battle-tested this season, and last time there was a postseason, head coach J.T. Stone led them to an underdog finals run in Division 8.

But again, Santa Barbara faces the same problem Campbell Hall does – having to deal with another major contender in the first round. It's a tossup.

The pick: Santa Barbara 33, Campbell Hall 28

TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH & FIRST ROUND PREDICTIONS:

Yucaipa (7-3) vs. Dominguez (8-2):

These teams are in the same boat as far as how their regular seasons went. Both took lopsided losses against great teams in higher divisions during league play, but otherwise stomped everybody they faced. As a result, neither really has a signature win to point to, but neither will be shellshocked upon facing some stiff competition. Yucaipa plays old school smash-mouth football on both sides of the ball, with most of its offense coming via run. RB Emmanuel "JoJo" Barajas, who's already surpassed 2,000 rushing yards this season, and DL Nick Juarez are the Thunderbirds' clear top threats on either side of the ball. Conversely, Dominguez has a thriving passing game led by standout QB Jordan Ford and his array of solid targets, but still has a good enough running game to keep defenses honest. Ormanie Arnold and Cieonta Davis are the Dons' leading receivers, and both double as standout defenders at DB and DE, respectively. Throw in another star DB in Takhari Carr and a very good LB in Malik Pryor, and Dominguez is one of the most well-rounded teams in the division.

The pick: Dominguez 21, Yucaipa 16

Santa Ana (7-2) vs. Mayfair (9-0):

This is another first round battle between two major contenders. Mayfair's undefeated regular season included wins over La Mirada (Division 7), St. Anthony (Division 10), Northview (Division 10), and Placentia Valencia (Division 11). All season long, teams have tried to stop 3-star ATH/RB Nick Adimora, but he's still run for nearly 200 yards per game, and he's also Mayfair's second-leading receiver. There's a strong argument to make that he's the best player in this bracket. Load up on the run too much, though, and defenses get punished by 3-star QB Evan Tomich.

Santa Ana doesn't lack firepower though, as the triumvirate of QB Sergio Torres, QB Jason Costa, and WR Raymond Casillas led the Saints' offense to an average of over 47 points per game in the regular season. They played Division 5 heavyweight El Modena down to the wire, and their only other loss came against Division 4 contender Orange. The only other team they played that pushed them at all was Millikan, and if Millikan is one of the most dangerous teams in this bracket (it is), that's a dangerous resumé. It's a brutal choice, but Santa Ana's home field advantage gives them the edge. Whoever wins this one still has to navigate a brutal bottom half of the bracket, but will be a contender to pull it off.

The pick: Santa Ana 29, Mayfair 26

Camarillo (6-4) vs. Millikan (6-4):

Camarillo's prize for getting the first seed in the bracket is... facing the team with by far the most top-end talent in the first round. With losses against Santa Ana and La Mirada (Division 7) in the regular season, Millikan is a clear underdog this postseason, but they have Power-5 prospects at QB (Myles Jackson), CB (3-star Arizona commit Tacario Davis, and Jaden Hunt), and WR (4-star prospect Ryan Pellum). And that doesn't include star LB Shea Robertson, or numerous other D-1 prospects such as OL Luke Clapham, LB Riley Tuggle, and DL Ethaniah Steffany. Making the Rams more dangerous is that they've at least seen some much higher-level competition such as Long Beach Poly, and San Diego Section powerhouse Carlsbad.

The Scorpions have seen really good competition too though, with narrow losses against Rio Mesa and Saugus, and less close losses against Oaks Christian and Bishop Diego. They might have the best defense in Division 6. Their well-rounded unit does it up front, with Jamie Schatmeier, Marcos Jaquez, and Robert Trey Valles III leading the team to 47 tackles for loss, and in the backfield, with safeties Brandon Contreras and Reese Winchester each grabbing four of the team's 17 interceptions this season. Balance and experience are strengths on offense as well for Camarillo, as teams have to account for QB Brody Meyer, RB Nathaniel Madrigal, WR Jack Maulhardt, and numerous others on any given day. If Millikan is just a case of a talented but young team needing half the regular season to put it all together, there might not be a team in this bracket that can stop them. Otherwise, this win could be the first of many this postseason for Camarillo.

The pick: Camarillo 28, Millikan 25

Shadow Hills (8-2) vs. Culver City (6-3):

Way out in the desert, and without any big names, Shadow Hills is likely one of the less recognized teams in this bracket. Make no mistake though, the Knights have one of the best front sevens in Division 6, with 67 tackles for loss, 22 sacks, and 43 QB-hurries on the season. LB Jeremiah Peffers, DE Andrew Hughes, DL Anthony Alvarado, and LB Jackson Mason are all threats to blow plays up in the backfield, and like nearly the entire Knights' core, they're all seniors. Culver City has the edge in speed and big-play capability. While raw, freshman QB Alonzo Esparza, who's already turning into a national recruit, is next up to carry the torch in Jahmal Wright's proven spread offense. The Centaurs' defense hasn't been half bad either this season, and while there are fewer individual TFL-leaders to account for (save for DL Bryce Williams), they've also been beating offenses up behind the line of scrimmage. Plus, safeties Jamiere Munson (who's also their top RB) and William Schultz give them some defensive playmaking in the backfield that hasn't been a staple of Shadow Hills this season.

Culver City does have the makings of a dark horse contender, but Shadow Hills' experience and home field advantage makes them our pick.

The pick: Shadow Hills 24, Culver City 23

Monrovia (10-0) vs. Norte Vista (9-0):

Both of these teams are undefeated with very few close calls on the season, so there's not much schedule analysis to be done here. Norte Vista is outscoring its opponents on the season tenfold, with 312 points on the season to only 31 allowed. It's no secret that the Braves only pass the ball a couple times a game, and when your team has run for 4,300 yards in just nine games on an absurd 13.4 yards per carry, that's just fine. Star RB1 and RB2 Eddie Allain and Jessie Carvajal are not only experienced offensive focal points, but have also turned into two of Norte Vista's best defensive players as well at LB, and Isaiah Chimal is another senior force in the front seven. Monrovia is a totally different boat personnel-wise with the outstanding QB/WR duo of Noah Rodriguez (3,027 passing yards, 37 touchdowns to four picks, 142.2 passer rating) and Carlos Hernandez (1,524 yards and 22 touchdowns receiving) leading the way. Monrovia is less senior-heavy, but is certainly not short on having experienced upperclassmen ready to step up. With so little to separate these squads, but such contrasting strengths, this one is nearly impossible to predict.

The pick: Norte Vista 21, Monrovia 20

Temecula Valley (7-3) vs. North (Torrance) 8-2:

Here we have a battle between two teams that went on impressive middle-division runs in 2019. Temecula Valley won Division 7 after pulling off a shocking Southwestern League title run, and North made the Division 9 finals with a freshman signal caller as one of its best players. Two years later, that experience for QB Trevor Lagarde, now a junior, is invaluable, and he has other talented playmakers around him such as WR Jacob Wicker, SB/WR Dylan Williams, and RB Toa Ortega, all three of whom double as big-time defensive players. LB Josese Kaina has been another one of the Saxons' top players on that end.

Temecula Valley's losses all came in succession against Murrieta Valley, Vista Murrieta, and Chaparral, by scores of 56-0, 51-0, and 55-27. Their next two games after that they only scored 26 points total, but they still got wins over Murrieta Mesa and Great Oak. Can the Golden Bears' offense return to form? Their defense will certainly be among the better ones in the division, and LBs Lucas Valencia and Jake Sinz helped lead it to a whopping 87 TFLs and 28 sacks during the regular season. But their offense needs some breakout stars this month to help take defensive pressure away from 2-star WR Samuel Gbatu Jr., who's also a star at CB.

The pick: North 17, Temecula Valley 15

Newport Harbor (3-7) vs. Sunny Hills (7-3):

At 3-7, Newport isn't exactly the stylish pick in Division 6, but they've played upper-division teams like Yorba Linda, Capo Valley, and Trabuco Hills very competitively. They've also seen the likes of Los Alamitos and Edison, and even avoided getting blown out by rival Corona del Mar. How many other teams in the division can that be said about? Pretty much none. The injury bug is more worrisome for the Sailors than their regular season record, but RB Payton Irving is ready to carry a significant load. And their defense might be the best in the division, even a little banged up, with S Carson de Avila leading the way.

That said, Sunny Hills is also one of the most battle-tested teams in the division, and is only a postseason removed from winning Division 8 with head coach Peter Karavedas at the helm. The Lancers aren't the pinnacle of consistency – they defeated El Modena (Division 5) and lost to Brea-Olinda (Division 8) in consecutive weeks this season, and struggled more than they should've to put away Troy and Fullerton. But when they're on, they're dangerous. As usual, they love running the ball, with David Mahood being their top rushing threat, but the QB/WR tandem of seniors Max Spero and Dylan Lawson round out the offense quite well. LB Tony Salas anchors the front seven, and DB Miguel Berrios already has seven interceptions on the season.

Consider this one a battle of X-factors. If either team can make a real statement win, there'll be an argument to make that they're the biggest threat in the division going forward.

The pick: Newport Harbor 19, Sunny Hills 16

WHO WILL WIN THE D6 TITLE?

The goal of the new Southern Section playoff system was to create parity within divisions, and Division 6 is a great example of that goal being accomplished. No team here is incapable of winning it all – or losing in the first round. The entire bottom half of the bracket is set to self-cannibalize, and many legitimate contenders will go down in the first round. The top of the bracket isn't much easier, but Camarillo is the top seed for a reason, and has one of the more navigable paths to the finals. So, we'll go with the Scorpions.