Division 8 Southern Section football playoff bracket preview: Muir is the team to beat

Muir is the favorite to win Division 8, but will face stiff competition.

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 D8 bracket:

DIVISION 8 BRACKET | ALL CIF-SS FOOTBALL BRACKETS

TOP D8 FIRST-ROUND GAME:Temescal Canyon (7-3) vs. Serrano (7-3)

Neither of these teams have a bad loss to their name, nor any glaring weaknesses on the field. Temescal Canyon enters the game as the fourth-ranked team in the division, and it would've been at least third if not for a 44-34 loss against rival Elsinore to close the regular season. The Titans also lost games against San Jacinto and Yucaipa, but neither came in blowout fashion, and they've beaten both Heritage (D7) and Orange Vista (D8), so they're dangerous. The only knock against them is a lack of production at RB, but QB Koa Apana certainly produces like one while also throwing for 210 yards per game, so if that keeps defenses honest, then they'll be in good shape. Grant Givens is one of the top WRs in the division, and Zachary Horton is another receiving threat who can run when necessary, in addition to being a standout DB. Throw in LBs Robert Palumbo and Ray La Fontaine roaming the front seven, and you have a well-rounded team.

Similarly, Serrano got blown out by Apple Valley and Oak Hills in league play, as was expected, but has taken care of business otherwise. The Diamondbacks have a nice two-score win against Highland (D8), and played Alta Loma (D7) close in their only other loss. Their passing game leaves something to be desired, as running the ball through RB Payton Cornell is their top option and it's not a secret. But when they do pass, they avoid mistakes, and have two good targets in TannerChaffee and Trevor Sturdevant, who are both impact DBs as well.

While Temescal Canyon has the edge, Serrano is one of numerous low seeds in D8 who could prove to be real contenders. Both of these teams could use not only a win, obviously, but a statement win to garner some momentum for a longer run.

The pick: Temescal Canyon 27, Serrano 24

TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH & FIRST ROUND PREDICTIONS:

Muir (7-1) vs. Highland (8-2):

While their offense isn't overwhelmingly prolific, the Mustangs have the most well-rounded team in the division, and should be considered a mild favorite in every game the play. They got blown out 42-6 by Division 4 contender St. Francis, and also totaled just 18 points in the games before that and after that, narrow wins against La Salle and Cathedral. Still, their offense picked up after that, and other than the St. Francis game, they allowed just 42 points in seven games, all wins, good for just six points allowed per game. As usual for Muir, the defense features both serious production up front – where DLs Ethan Bowser, Adrian Ramirez, and Wesley Ekpo lead the charge for a team that's made 29 sacks in eight games – and some ballhawks, such as S Turran Williams and LB/SS Lessther Suarez. With QB Mahkhi Clark, RB Jakai Pulley, and WRs Issaiah Blade and Charles Bennett all featured threats in the offense, there's no part of Muir's game to exploit.

Additionally, 3-star WR Jeremiah Calvin reportedly in three games this season, and only on the defensive side of the ball. If that's true, and he's now healthy and ready to take on a bigger role, Muir might prove to be two divisions too low.

Highland is no stranger to deep playoff runs under head coach Richard Lear though. The Bulldogs went all the way in Division 9 and came three points away from winning a state championship in 2019, and were not hyped up as a championship favorite that season either. This season, they lost by nine points against Serrano, and also dropped another pre-league game against another good MRL team, Oak Hills. Other than that, it's been all wins, but their only test since then was Palmdale, who they did beat. Their offense, built around prolific RB Brandon Johnson, has been better and less one-dimensional since Justin Wyatt Jr. took over under center. Highland's defense has racked up a ridiculous 127 tackles for loss and 32.5 sacks this season with LB Aydehn Kingsberry leading the way and numerous others with a dozen or more TFLs. That would be a huge matchup problem for numerous teams in this bracket, and Muir might struggle with their front seven too, but the Mustangs still have numerous advantages across the field against almost everyone in the division.

The pick: Muir 24, Highland 14

Palm Springs (5-4) vs. California (6-4):

While the Condors don't have any particularly impressive wins, their losses all came against teams in higher divisions: El Toro, Downey, El Rancho, and La Serna, the latter two of whom they played closely. It's no secret that they'll play through RB Vance Johnson, who has run for 1,140 yards and 13 touchdowns in eight games on over nine yards per carry. DL Michael Flores leads a very good defense in which play-enders can be found anywhere on the field. The question is whether or not Cal's passing game will hold up in the playoffs, and if it does, they could go deep.

Palm Springs, even more than California, is a defensive-minded squad that struggles to put up a lot of points but is very comfortable executing in low-scoring affairs where one mistake can decide the outcome. So on a good day, the Aztecs can hold Palm Desert to seven points and hand it its only league loss; on a bad day, it's a shutout loss against Shadow Hills, or a disappointing loss against Rancho Mirage. 2-star CB Brayden Hapner is one of the top defensive players in the division, Mario Yanez leads a very strong linebacking corps, and WR Dylan Armendariz is the lifeblood of the offense. Both of these teams are one or two offensive breakouts from a possible finals run, but expect a low score in this one.

The pick: California 14, Palm Springs 10

Ramona (9-1) vs. Valley Christian (7-2):

Both of these teams have had very solid seasons so far, without any real blemishes on the record. Valley Christian dropped its season-opener against eventual Angelus League co-champion St. Paul (Division 4), forfeited a victory against Santa Rosa Academy, and hasn't lost since. While the Defenders haven't played any other powerhouses, they've also taken care of business week in and week out. They're led on offense by QB Logan Lemmonier and APB Rocco Caldarella. Ramona has also taken care of business, losing a competitive game against Division 6 heavyweight Norte Vista, and otherwise winning every match. What the Rams have that Valley Christian doesn't is a pair of close wins over Big VIII League teams Corona and King. That makes Ramona one of the scariest teams in the division, as does absolutely dominant RB Beau Bruins, who's run for 1,794 yards and 31 touchdowns on nearly 10 yards per carry. And with QB Nathan Johnson passing to four legit targets, you have to pick your poison against the Rams' offense. Whoever wins this one is a major threat to go all the way.

The pick: Ramona 24, Valley Christian 21

Buena (7-3) vs. Paraclete (5-5):

Ranked last in the division, Paraclete is certainly an underdog through and through this postseason, but is far from the least potent team in D8. Of the Spirits' five losses, one came against Sierra Canyon, one came against Camarillo, one came competitively against a good Central Section team in Garces Memorial, and the other two were near-victories against Westlake (Division 5) and Pasadena (top-ranked team in Division 7). They also beat Mira Costa, which has already won a Division 7 playoff game. RB Kai Brown, WR Treyshun Hurry, and LB/DB Gavin DePedro are a few of the best players at their positions in the brackets as well. So, that draw is really not a great reward for Buena snagging a top seed.

Still, the Bulldogs snagged a top seed for a reason, and are still the clear favorite here. They started the season with a close loss against Oak Park (Division 9), and then hit their stride. Their only losses since then came competitively against West Ranch (D4) and by one point against Rio Mesa (D5), and they've beaten the likes of Agoura, Santa Ynez, and Ventura. With a dominant RB in Jake Murphy complemented by dual-threat QB Zane Carter and WR Colin Guenther, they have what's needed at the skill positions to go all the way. LB Carson Russell leads a defense that isn't necessarily the best in the division, but should keep them in games against anyone. If Buena takes it game by game, they have a pretty decent chance of making a finals push.

The pick: Buena 28, Paraclete 21

El Dorado (7-3) vs. Orange Vista (6-4):

The rankings say this should be one of the closest matchups of the first round, and on paper, it makes sense. El Dorado was able to play the likes of El Modena (Division 5) and Foothill (D3) close before league play, and would probably be at least a division higher if not for a bit of an upset loss against Brea Olinda in the last game of the season. The Golden Hawks have one of the best defenses in the division, and with dual-threat QB Blake Thomas and RB Isaiah Quintero leading the offense via the run, teams have loaded up against their passing game a little bit. Similarly, Orange Vista's defense has been its strongest suit this season, and while they shine in the passing game, they don't run the ball as well. QB Elijah Robinson runs well and the Coyotes have a very good pass-catching RB in Michael Carney, but they still prefer to keep the ball in the air where WR Sire Gaines can also get in on the fun. If either of these teams can dictate what they want to do offensively without getting countered, they have what it takes to go deep in the playoffs.

The pick: El Dorado 24, Orange Vista 22

Elsinore (7-3) vs. Santa Ynez (8-2):

Elsinore is one of the top-ranked teams in the division despite having lost its best player for three games during the season. In the seven games he did play, RB Donovan Harvey was one of the better RBs in all of SoCal, running for 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns on 12.2 yards per carry, and also returning two kickoffs for touchdowns. It's no secret that the Tigers want to pass the ball as little as they can get away with, and in recent years, teams with good blocking schemes and one or two great RBs have been able to have playoff success in the CIFSS' middle and lower divisions using that formula. Elsinore should be able to keep doing what it does best, and also has one of the best defenses in D8. When they do pass the ball, TE Matthew Hodges is the biggest threat, and he's also had a dominant season on defense at LB. Throw in a good blend of blowout wins, close wins, and close losses against good teams, and you have the makings of a contender.

That said, Santa Ynez is another team in this bracket that is ranked very low but is a serious threat. Defense has been its calling card, led by LB Mikey Gills, CB Nolan Oslin, and a deep list of other contributors. Offensive firepower is of the essence for the Pirates, but they do have general balance on that end, so if they get an early lead, no one in the division is safe from an upset. 200 miles, from Santa Barbara County to Riverside County, is a long drive to make, especially on a Friday afternoon. Yikes.

The pick: Elsinore 28, Santa Ynez 19

Brea Olinda (5-3) vs. Silverado (5-5):

It's been a tale of two halves this season for the Hawks, literally – they lost their first five games and won their last five. There aren't any particular wins that scream out to you on their resume, but all their losses were against quality competition. Ian Wilson started at QB in their last couple games, and Darren Gandy has also spent a lot of time there this season, although he'll presumably be at wideout in this one. Silverado has more playmakers rounding out the offense in RB Frederick Hunter and WR Lyndon Ravare, who're also standout DBs, and LB Andrew Olmos and DB Richard Reed also give them defensive versatility.

The Wildcats haven't been the pinnacle of consistency, having lost to Anaheim Canyon (D9) and struggled to pull away from Fullerton (D12) in a win, but also having a near-win against Pacifica (Garden Grove) and a win against Sunny Hills, plus the upset win against El Dorado. On offense, they're led by QB Justus Thongprahchanh, RB Andrew Rubio, and a handful of receiving threats. With RB Aidan Arnold, DB Brock Labelle, and DE Emilio Gonzalez anchoring the defense, they're a pretty balanced team. It's a tossup between two wildcards in the division.

The pick: Brea Olinda 30, Silverado 29

WHO WILL WIN THE D8 TITLE?

Our prediction: Muir defeats 26-21 Ramona in the semifinals, Elsinore defeats Buena 34-31 in the semifinals, and Muir defeats Elsinore 19-14 in the title game.