The part soccer playoffs begin this weekend and people of us on the Bay Space Information Group who observe the highschool scene intently are predicting the champion in every of the brackets.
Within the Central Coast Part, that’s 5 winners.
Within the North Coast Part, that’s eight, together with two within the eight-team Open/Division I bracket.
These of us within the seasonlong weekly picks competitors reserve the fitting to make a change in that discussion board if, say, a projected winner right here suffers key accidents.
Let’s clearly hope that’s not the case.
Our panel of prognosticators right here consists of yours really, Joseph Dycus, Mike Lefkow and Alex Simon.
As with our weekly predictions — which we are going to nonetheless publish on Wednesday — we've included a video that features our championships picks and hot-button points because the playoffs start.
Plus, we poke enjoyable at The Child — aka Dycus — for selecting Clayton Valley to rout De La Salle final week.
If you'd like simply the predictions, preserve scrolling.
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Benefit from the video.
Central Coast Part
Division I
Dycus: Serra is 10-0 and the highest seed for a motive, and the group appears to have discovered its gradual begin downside over the previous few weeks. Serra would be the final group standing within the CCS’s high division, regardless of dealing with robust competitors.
Lefkow: Serra is the very best group in Northern California, and it’ll keep that approach a minimum of by the CCS playoffs.
Sabedra: As a lot as it might be rewarding for St. Francis to flip the script from final season – when Serra surprised the Lancers within the D-I last – I don’t see that occuring. This Serra group is just too deep, too athletic and too tenacious defensively. My choose is Serra.
Simon: It’s Serra’s division to lose … however I believe it is a way more daunting process than it seems. The winner of Sacred Coronary heart Prep-Salinas will probably be a tricky semifinal matchup. And if St. Francis will get to the ultimate, might it pull off a real reverse of final yr, when Serra beat undefeated WCAL champion St. Francis within the CCS last? I believe Serra nonetheless wins however will get one (perhaps two) vital scares.
Last tally: Serra (Dycus, Lefkow, Sabedra, Simon)
Division II
Dycus: Wilcox’s solely hiccup was a 28-7 loss to Los Gatos, and the group additionally held a Jurrion Dickey-equipped Menlo-Atherton to twenty factors. Coach Paul Rosa’s veer offense will grind groups down on the way in which to a Division II championship.
Lefkow: Wilcox ought to roll. The Chargers are the one public college group on this division that ought to be capable of maintain a few non-public faculties with 4-6 information.
Sabedra: Wilcox gained this division final season on its technique to a regional championship and an eyelash from a state title. It gained’t be simple to repeat – not with SI, M-A and Bellarmine within the bracket – however I see it ending with one other Chargers celebration. My choose is Wilcox.
Simon: The most effective participant on this bracket, when wholesome, is Jurrion Dickey for M-A. He instructed us final month he can be again … so if we see him on the sector, give me M-A. If not, then Wilcox wins that semifinal rematch and the division crown.
Last tally: Wilcox (Dycus, Lefkow, Sabedra, Simon)
Division III
Dycus: Why not be daring with a minimum of one in all these picks by selecting No. 8 seed Terra Nova to win the entire thing? The Tigers scored a surprising win over D-II’s Half Moon Bay to shut out the common season and have the protection to maintain the scoring low.
Lefkow: This division is a coin toss. Nonetheless suppose it comes right down to No. 1 seed Soquel and No. 2 Reside Oak. We’ll choose Reside Oak, with hard-throwing pitcher Landon Stump (UCLA baseball commit) at QB, sweet-swinging 1B Diego Castellanos at WR, and do-it-all RB/OLB Jordan Fuentes (1,459 yards speeding, 299 receiving yards, 17 TDs, 62 tackles) main the way in which.
Sabedra: This bracket is anybody’s guess. The 4 first-round matchups are so tight that calpreps.com’s laptop initiatives the video games to be determined by 1, 2, 6 and seven factors. I'm selecting the group projected to lose within the first spherical by some extent to win all of it. Give me final yr’s CCS Division II semifinalist Hollister, seeded fifth, to win Division III.
Simon: The King’s Academy has rapidly rotated beneath first-year head coach Dante Perez, profitable eight in a row. Junior operating again Jeaden Underwood has rushed for over 100 yards in every of his final six video games. With the aggressive fairness mannequin, these matchups really feel way more prone to see upsets. I’ll take the Knights to storm their approach by two street video games and win the title.
Last tally: Terra Nova (Dycus), Reside Oak (Lefkow), Hollister (Sabedra), The King’s Academy (Simon)
Division IV
Dycus: Santa Teresa is just 5-5, however that belies the Saints’ high quality. They misplaced two straight video games in extra time and one other by three factors to D-II’s Lincoln-San Jose. The Saints’ protection is arguably the very best within the division and the offense will do sufficient to win a title.
Lefkow: There are 4 9-1 groups on this division (Sequoia, Branham, St. Francis-Watsonville, Overfelt). There are two sub-.500 groups (Homestead, Mountain View). They’re taking part in one another. C’mon! Seed them seventh and eighth. Or transfer ‘em up a division if they're playoff-worthy. That being stated, I’ll take top-seeded Sequoia.
Sabedra: One other aggressive bracket that would unfold in a variety of methods. Calpreps.com’s laptop sees the first-round video games being determined by 3, 5, 6 and seven factors. With QB William Augenstein main the way in which, my choose is third-seeded Branham.
Simon: Terra Nova’s upset of Half Moon Bay bumped Sequoia right down to the highest seed on this division, and I believe that may in the end repay handsomely for the Ravens. Senior quarterback Johnny Larios is a risk by the air and on the bottom, and senior Aaron Melz can blow issues up defensively. Give me Sequoia.
Last tally: Santa Teresa (Dycus), Sequoia (Lefkow, Simon), Branham (Sabedra)
Division V
Dycus: Westmont kind of obliterated each group on its schedule, and solely misplaced to Division IV’s Overfelt by six. The No. 1 seed will maintain off a gifted Palo Alto group to turn out to be Division V champions.
Lefkow: I refuse to choose a sub-.500 group. Third-seeded Seaside is an underrated program that normally has its share of excellent athletes. So why not choose the Spartans?
Sabedra: You possibly can argue all day that Palo Alto – an “A” league group that completed 4-6 – shouldn’t be on this bracket. However nothing’s going to vary now. That’s how the factors system works within the CCS. It’s doable that Palo Alto doesn’t win and transfer on to a regional. However I don’t see that occuring. My choose is Palo Alto.
Simon: Do I believe “A” league groups needs to be allowed to play within the lowest division within the part? No. However Palo Alto is right here, and first-year head coach David DeGeronimo had the Vikings wanting stronger because the season went on (plus, they could be brisker than their opponents after their Week 11 sport was a forfeit win). I’ll take Palo Alto and hope CCS provides a sixth division for “B” and “C” league groups solely subsequent yr.
Last tally: Westmont (Dycus), Seaside (Lefkow), Palo Alto (Sabedra, Simon)
North Coast Part
Open/Division I (Open winner)
Dycus: De La Salle proved me (very) flawed by smoking what had been scorching-hot Clayton Valley within the common season finale, and that would be the final time I choose in opposition to De La Salle in opposition to an NCS group (this yr). The Spartans will defeat Pittsburg in an entertaining sport and advance to the regional playoffs.
Lefkow: Pittsburg’s Vic Galli will coach in opposition to his alma mater for the final time assuming his Pirates go to De La Salle for the Open Division title. Would make an important story if Pitt wins, however the Spartans will prevail.
Sabedra: Certain, it took longer than anybody anticipated for De La Salle to turn out to be De La Salle once more. However it’s higher late than by no means for the Spartans. They routed Clayton Valley to shut the common season and can beat Pittsburg for the Open title.
Simon: Lefkow says it might make for an important story if Pitt wins. I say we *will* have an important story. Pittsburg was the final NCS college to beat De La Salle again in 1991. I say they’ll be the following one, too. Give me Pittsburg, and any Spartans who had been ragging on Joseph (Clayton Valley by 18 over DLS final week) can come rag on me when y’all show me flawed.
Last tally: De La Salle (Dycus, Lefkow, Sabedra), Pittsburg (Simon)
Open/Division I (D-I winner)
Dycus: Pittsburg coach Victor Galli won't get that elusive win in opposition to his alma mater De La Salle and he won't win an NCS Division I title, both. Clayton Valley is my choose.
Lefkow: This may be a good time for one in all coach Vic Galli’s former teammates, gamers or coaches to go to Pittsburg and ship a “Win One For The Gipper” speech. The Pirates are so gifted it gained’t be wanted.
Sabedra: After dropping to De La Salle within the Open last, Pittsburg will drop down for an anticipated rematch in opposition to Clayton Valley within the Division I title sport. Earlier than final week, I might have picked Clayton Valley to win this sport. However now, with Pittsburg coach Victor Galli asserting that he'll step down on the finish of the season and Clayton Valley getting trounced by DLS, I choose Pittsburg to repeat as D-I champs and perhaps ship Galli out with regional and state titles.
Simon: De La Salle’s season gained’t finish with two straight losses to NCS faculties. Spartans win right here.
Last tally: Clayton Valley (Dycus), Pittsburg (Lefkow, Sabedra), De La Salle (Simon)
Division II
Dycus: San Ramon Valley has the very best quarterback within the part in Luke Baker and a multi-faceted offense. The Wolves will win at No. 8 seeded Berkeley and take down Campo within the last.
Lefkow: When is the NCS going to drop its foolish rule that league champs need to be at dwelling for the primary spherical of the playoffs until being opposed by a higher-seeded league champion? This implies No. 1 San Ramon Valley visits eighth-seeded Berkeley on Friday. The Wolves nonetheless win the division title, however shouldn’t the No. 1 seed be at dwelling within the first spherical?
Sabedra: San Ramon Valley is the highest seed for a motive. The Wolves performed a tricky schedule with their solely losses coming in opposition to Clayton Valley at McClymonds. It gained’t be simple getting previous second-seeded and undefeated Campolindo within the last. However after dropping to Campo 17-14 within the semifinals final season, San Ramon Valley will get its revenge and hoist the D-II championship trophy.
Simon: Campolindo hasn’t misplaced but this yr. I believe San Ramon Valley and its wonderful quarterback Luke Baker play one heck of a championship sport, however I gained’t doubt this Cougars group till it provides me a motive to. It hasn’t but, so I’ll go together with Campo.
Last tally: San Ramon Valley (Dycus, Lefkow, Sabedra), Campolindo (Simon)
Division III
Dycus: El Cerrito has a protection that gave up 5.6 factors per sport this season, and its opponents included Amador Valley and Foothill. The Gauchos will suffocate the remainder of Division III en path to an NCS crown.
Lefkow: El Cerrito’s path to an NCS title gained’t be simple regardless of its No. 1 seed and 10-0 common season. A probable match in opposition to Las Lomas within the semifinals is just not a cupcake, and a doable assembly in opposition to No. 2 seed Windsor within the finals is frightening. The Gauchos and Windsor performed final yr within the DIII semifinals. Windsor led 33-7 with 5 minutes to go within the third quarter. Last rating: Windsor 33, El Cerrito 32. The Gauchos failed on a 2-point conversion try with six minutes left. This yr El Cerrito will get its revenge and wins the division.
Sabedra: I noticed El Cerrito’s protection in a scrimmage at Pittsburg that additionally included De La Salle and Jesuit-Carmichael. The Gauchos regarded nice that night time and have regarded nice since then. My choose is El Cerrito.
Simon: El Cerrito’s protection has been absurd all season lengthy, solely permitting 56 factors in its excellent 10-0 season. There needs to be wonderful semifinals on either side of this bracket, however the Gauchos look to have the fiercest protection of the bunch. I’ll go together with El Cerrito.
Last tally: El Cerrito (Dycus, Lefkow, Sabedra, Simon)
Division IV
Dycus: The absurdity of taking part in Newark Memorial within the first spherical apart, No. 1-seeded Marin Catholic will nonetheless need to beat strong groups resembling Acalanes and Tennyson to win the title. It will not be the toughest street, however Marin Catholic will nonetheless win a decent title by defeating the very best the division has to supply.
Lefkow: There isn’t sufficient room to write down what I take into consideration this division, so suffice it to say that Acalanes in opposition to Marin Catholic within the last would pit two wonderful teaching staffs. Marin Catholic in an in depth one.
Sabedra: We have now made it clear what we take into consideration Marin Catholic and its No. 66 calpreps.com state laptop ranking being in Division IV. However that’s the system the NCS goes with. Although Acalanes or Cardinal Newman will emerge from the underside half of the bracket, Marin Catholic takes dwelling the title.
Simon: Marin Catholic is a top-75 group within the state. They gained’t cakewalk their technique to the division crown, however anybody aside from the Wildcats profitable this will probably be a big shock.
Last tally: Marin Catholic (Dycus, Lefkow, Sabedra, Simon)
Division V
Dycus: Miramonte bumped into the DAL Foothill Division buzzsaw that's Campolindo, Acalanes and Las Lomas to finish its season, however thankfully for the Mats no such groups exist in Division V. QB Luke Duncan and his plethora of weapons will rating a lot on their technique to an NCS championship.
Lefkow: No. 2 seed Miramonte has UCLA-bound quarterback Luke Duncan behind heart. Prime seed San Marin has former Washington State coach Nick Rolovich as an assistant, serving to with the quarterbacks. All the time appears to work greatest taking the group with the man making the performs. Predicting Miramonte.
Sabedra: This bracket will come right down to San Marin and Miramonte. However provided that San Marin is the highest seed and captured this division final season on its technique to regional and state titles, I'm taking San Marin to repeat as sectional champ.
Simon: The playoffs are normally about protection, however this division is all about offense. The highest three seeds — San Marin, Miramonte and Analy — all averaged over 30 factors per sport. San Marin appears the crispest on protection and already beat Analy in a enjoyable non-league matchup earlier. I’ll take San Marin.
Last tally: Miramonte (Dycus, Lefkow), San Marin (Sabedra, Simon)
Division VI
Dycus: St. Mary’s of Berkeley aced probably the most troublesome take a look at on its schedule in Week 11 when it took out Division VII’s St. Patrick-St. Vincent to seize a league title. Coach John Trotman’s squad boasts FBS skills like Kyle Goree who can carry a championship to Berkeley.
Lefkow: No. 1 St. Mary’s-Berkeley and No. 2 Moreau Catholic. Two good coaches. Two good groups. St. Mary’s had a 10-0 common season, however Moreau’s schedule was fairly a bit harder. It pays off for the Mariners, who win their first NCS soccer title.
Sabedra: The storylines listed below are fairly cool, with coaches John Trotman (St. Mary’s-Berkeley) and Keith Minor (Moreau Catholic) needing one season to get their groups on observe. St. Mary’s went from three wins in 2021 to 10-0 and the No. 1 seed. Moreau went from 0-10 in 2021 to 7-3 and the No. 2 seed. My choose is Moreau as a result of the Mariners performed a stronger schedule.
Simon: St. Mary’s-Berkeley is undefeated, sure. However Moreau Catholic performed a far harder schedule and confirmed effectively in opposition to some big-time groups, even in losses. I believe the Mariners pull off a championship sport upset and defeat the Panthers for the title.
Last tally: St. Mary’s-Berkeley (Dycus), Moreau Catholic (Lefkow, Sabedra, Simon)
Division VII
Dycus: Of the 2 St. Vincents within the bracket, the St. Patrick-St. Vincent model has an edge regardless of being the No. 3 seed. Jonathan Smith, who weighs 270 kilos, gave St. Mary’s-Berkeley all it might deal with final week. SPSV’s protection will probably be stingy sufficient to maintain the offense from having to win high-scoring video games. Give me SPSV.
Lefkow: CalPreps.com ranks St. Vincent de Paul (10-0) the 18th-best group in your complete NCS, 22 spots forward of runner-up St. Patrick-St. Vincent. The Mustangs performed two NCS D-III groups and beat them by a mixed 49 factors. In addition they beat Oakland Tech. St. Vincent de Paul simply.
Sabedra: St. Vincent de Paul has been spectacular on its technique to a 10-0 common season, profitable all however one sport by double digits. Clear Lake and St. Patrick-St. Vincent are one-loss groups within the backside half of the bracket. However my choose is St. Vincent de Paul.
Simon: St. Vincent de Paul put up almost 40 factors per sport in an undefeated common season. They’ll get a tricky matchup within the semifinal out of both Willits or McKinleyville, and the ultimate needs to be enjoyable. However give me the Petaluma college to remain undefeated and win the part title.
Last tally: St. Patrick-St. Vincent (Dycus), St. Vincent de Paul (Lefkow, Sabedra, Simon)