Highschool soccer playoffs start Thursday and Friday within the Metropolis Part and Southern Part. Listed below are some story strains to comply with.
Unbeaten Newbury Park will get examined
Newbury Park quarterback Brady Smigiel, left, and vast receiver Shane Rosenthal.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Occasions)
Newbury Park (10-0) is the No. 2 seed in Division 2. The Panthers haven’t confronted a difficult opponent since defeating Lengthy Seaside Millikan of their opening recreation. It means the Panthers might want to increase their play to a different stage to advance. Quarterback Brady Smigiel and his greatest pals are succesful, however their first-round opponent, San Jacinto, led by receiver Daishaun Davis, is healthier than its 6-3 file signifies. San Jacinto forfeited wins over Culver Metropolis and Yorba Linda due to an ineligible participant, so the Tigers could possibly be 9-1.
No. 1 seed doesn’t assure victory 
Junior receiver Luc Weaver, left, and senior quarterback Steele Pizzella of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Occasions)
Within the competitive-equity playoff system, the No. 1 seed doesn’t imply a lot, particularly from Division 3 by Division 14. That’s why when a No. 1 seed goes down within the opening spherical, don’t be stunned. The seeding comes from a pc algorithm after the Southern Part made the choice to take 10 Division 1 groups, then 16 in every to fill the remaining 13 divisions.
For instance, Simi Valley is seeded No. 1 in Division 3, however drawing Sherman Oaks Notre Dame within the opening spherical isn’t precisely a simple opponent. The Knights are led by former Simi Valley quarterback Steele Pizzella and have numerous velocity.
Bear is out of hibernation 
Bear Bachmeier of Murrieta Valley working towards his throwing whereas ready to heal from a knee harm earlier this season.
(Craig Weston)
Murrieta Valley and Santa Margarita are two groups that all of the sudden turned completely different with the return of injured gamers. Murrieta Valley was operating the ball whereas ready for quarterback Bear Bachmeier to return. He got here again for the ultimate two regular-season video games, and the Nighthawks proceeded to attain 57 and 56 factors. They’re in Division 2 and to beat them, it’s going to take numerous factors.
Santa Margarita obtained again receivers Trent Mosley and Jonah Smith, so the Eagles will enter their Division 1 playoff recreation in opposition to Inglewood with their greatest offensive weapons lastly wholesome.
There are some video games that might be so entertaining, they need to hand out free kettle corn.
Downey Excessive junior quarterback Oscar Rios.
(Bejamin Royer / For The Occasions)
Downey at Gardena Serra will see loads of scoring fireworks as quarterback Oscar Rios of Downey makes use of his legs and arm making an attempt to outduel the Cavaliers’ Jimmy Butler.
Oak Hills has been ready weeks to show free operating again Karson Cox, and Oaks Christian presents the right problem, although the Lions have misplaced key gamers on protection to accidents.
Should you love the double wing, then go watch Granada Hills at North Hollywood. The sport needs to be completed in lower than 90 minutes as each groups run, run, run. The primary workforce to move deserves a standing ovation from the group.
L.A. Jordan might be saying goodbye to a few years of greatness from operating again David Sandy, who should lead his workforce in opposition to top-seeded Arleta within the Metropolis Division II playoffs after profitable Division III final season. He has rushed for two,151 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Intriguing matchups
There’s no greater underdog than 10-0 Northview going in opposition to 20-time Southern Part champion Lengthy Seaside Poly within the opening spherical of the Division 4 playoffs.
And the way about Crespi, the 1986 Division 1 champion, returning to the playoffs for the primary time since 2019 taking up Santa Paula in Division II.
Seeking to change its luck
Possibly the luck is altering for Loyola, which has misplaced 4 video games this season within the ultimate seconds however received a coin flip to be the Mission League’s No. 3 workforce and can open its Division 3 recreation in opposition to Tustin. Among the many losses: 16-13 in double additional time to Cathedral; 42-35 to Damien; 42-35 to Gardena Serra when it led 35-14 within the fourth quarter; 35-34 to Sherman Oaks Notre Dame. “We’re overdue for some luck,” coach Drew Casani mentioned. “It’s just mentally staying focused.”
From final to first
A particular commendation goes to Saddleback, which went 0-10 final season, switched leagues, switched coaches and went 6-4 and received the Zeta League title beneath Rob Thompson. Saddleback is at Westminster La Quinta within the first spherical of the Division 14 playoffs.
Father-son duos 
Garfield coach Lorenzo Hernandez and his son, Noah, a beginning offensive lineman.
(Nick Koza)
The Metropolis Part has coaches who might be taking the playoff video games personally as a result of their sons are taking part in. Garfield coach Lorenzo Hernandez has his son, Noah, taking part in offensive guard. Dorsey coach Stafon Johnson has his son, Deuce, taking part in receiver. King/Drew coach Joe Torres has his son, Jahmir, taking part in receiver.
