Ocean title up for grabs

Tonight, the two teams will battle for the Ocean Division title and the division's automatic Central Coast Section playoff berth. Both teams come into the 7 p.m. game at Woodside undefeated in Ocean Division play, although Half Moon Bay has a 21-21 tie with Hillsdale to mar its league record.

Woodside (6-0 Ocean Division, 8-0 overall), after struggling to wins over South City and Mills, have dropped the hammer on its last three opponents, outscoring them 146-43. Running back Tyreece Jacks is the leading rusher in the county. The senior has over 1,200 yards overall and needs just two yards to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in league play. He also leads the county with 21 touchdowns.

Half Moon Bay (5-0-1, 6-1-1) uses a grind-it-out offense to slowly put teams away. Senior running back Steve Adragna is third in the Ocean Division in rushing, averaging 127 yards per game.

Prediction: This is the classic case of quick-strike offense (Woodside) versus the slow-death attack (Half Moon Bay). Woodside will score early and Half Moon Bay won't catch up. Woodside 35, Half Moon Bay 21.

Aragon (6-0, 7-1) at

San Mateo (0-5, 1-7), 2:45 p.m.

This contest was the game of the year in 2003 with two heavyweights trading knockout blows until Eddie Williams finally put the Bearcats away with an improbable catch and run for a score.

This season finds the teams heading in different directions. Aragon has a chance to win a CCS title while San Mateo will be moving back to the Ocean Division after a two-year stay in the Bay.

Aragon running back Dominic Williams has been the focus of many teams this season, but junior fullback Matangi Tonga is starting to come into his own. The burly running back rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown on just six carries in the Dons 41-15 win over Carlmont last week.

San Mateo quarterback C.J. Easter continues his fine season. He's averaging 276 yards passing, throwing for 253 yards last week in a 35-14 loss to Menlo-Atherton.

Prediction: Aragon in a rout. San Mateo doesn't have the personnel to keep up with the Dons. Aragon 41, San Mateo 17.

Menlo School (2-4, 4-4) at Carlmont (2-4, 3-5), 2:45 p.m.

The Knights hung with Burlingame last week before giving up 21 fourth-quarter points in a 47-29 loss to the Panthers.

The Scots had Aragon confused early on last week during their 41-13 loss using various motion and misdirection. Sophomore running back David Aknin has been a find filling in for the injured R.J. Nicholl. Aknin rushed for 111 yards and a score on 21 carries.

Prediction: These teams are almost mirror images of each other. Carlmont is the more solid team, however. Carlmont 27, Menlo 21.

Menlo-Atherton (3-3, 4-4) at Capuchino (1-5, 1-7), 2:45 p.m.

After losing their first three Bay Division games, the Bears have won three in a row following their 35-14 win over San Mateo.

The Mustangs appeared to get more comfortable with new quarterback Ricky Gonzalez taking over the offense. Receiver/returner Philip Zavala almost single-handedly kept Capuchino in its game with Terra Nova last week, a 38-21 Mustangs' loss. Zavala returned a kick 88 yards for a score and finished the game with over 200 yards of return yardage. The Mustangs have also been buoyed by the return of running back/defensive back Kim Mitchell and linebacker Eddie Tonga, who were ineligible the first half of the season.

Prediction: Capuchino actually has the size and attitude to play with the rugged Bears. It won't be enough, but M-A will know it was in a fight. M-A 28, Capuchino 21.

Burlingame (5-1, 6-2) at Terra Nova (5-1, 5-3), 7 p.m.

Although Aragon has already locked up the Bay Division title, these two teams have plenty to play for with second place on the line and a higher seed in the CCS playoffs.

The Panthers were pushed by Menlo last week, finally putting the Knights away in the fourth quarter, winning 47-29.

The normally strong Panther running game has been missing in action the past two weeks. The 77 yards against Aragon can be explained, but they managed only 140 against Menlo, with 97 of those coming in the fourth quarter.

Despite the doom-and-gloom outlook by coach Bill Gray, the Tigers are in familiar territory - one of the top teams on the Peninsula. But Capuchino gave them fits last week, limiting them to under 200 yards of offense.

Prediction: If Burlingame struggles with the run, quarterback Drew Shiller will once again lead the Panthers to victory. Burlingame 35, Terra Nova 24.

South City (3-2, 6-2) vs. Hillsdale (1-4-1, 1-6-1) at Burlingame, 7 p.m.

The Warriors are one of the hottest teams in the league right now, having won their last three games while giving up only 30 points. They are coming off a 22-0 win over Mills last week.

South City has the second-best offense in the division, behind Woodside, averaging 351 yards per game.

The Knights are coming off an emotional 21-21 tie with Half Moon Bay last week. Receiver Eric Ratcliffe leads the county in receptions with 45, and is second in average yards per game with 66.5.

Prediction: As with most games this season, Hillsdale will fall behind early, rally, but come up short. South City 28, Hillsdale 14.

El Camino (2-3, 3-5) at Sequoia (0-6, 1-7), 7 p.m.

The Colts came into the season with high expectations, but it hasn't panned out. They have been up and down all season and are currently mired in a two-game losing streak after a 41-14 loss to Woodside. El Camino scored 25 points in its last two games.

The Cherokees came close over the last two weeks, but are still looking for their first Ocean Division win. Sequoia has lost by a touchdown in its last two games, including a 36-29 loss to Jefferson last week.

Prediction: Sequoia can hang with teams for 40 minutes, but not 48. El Camino 27, Sequoia 13.

Mills (2-4, 3-5) at Jefferson (3-3, 3-5), 7 p.m.

The Vikings have been shut out in two of their last three games, including a 22-0 blanking by South City last week.

Running back Chris Del Bianco has been a godsend for the Vikings with Danny Lloyd nursing a sore knee. The sophomore Del Bianco has rushed for 162 yards over the past two games on 15 carries.

The Indians are one of the most explosive teams in the Ocean Division. They are fourth in division in offense, averaging 318 yards a game and are third in rushing with 1,300 yards.

Prediction: Jefferson is too fast for Mills. Jefferson 28, Mills 14.

Riordan (0-4, 3-5) at Serra (2-2, 6-2), 2 p.m. Saturday

The Crusaders are still looking for their first WCAL win and after the Padres' stumbles the last two weeks, they have to feel good about their chances.

Running back Tyrone McGraw is third in the league in rushing with 910 yards. Quick as lightning, he can go the distance at any time.

The Padres are coming off a heartbreaking 34-32 loss to Valley Christian last week, despite dominating the stat sheet. They outgained the Warriors 417-269.

Prediction: Serra rebounds from two disappointing losses in a row to get back on track. Serra 28, Riordan 14.