Semifinal Showdowns Arrive as Expected

There have been no surprises in the Division I football playoffs, making for two outstanding matchups in the semifinals.

On Friday night, defending champion and top-seeded Long Beach Poly (12-0) will meet fourth-seeded La Puente Bishop Amat (11-0-1) at Veteran’s Stadium in Long Beach.

Second-seeded Los Alamitos (12-0) plays third-seeded Santa Ana Mater Dei (11-1) Saturday at Edison Field.

Bishop Amat Coach Tom Salter said the division has not had this many dominant teams in years.

Poly, however, is still the team to beat.

The Jackrabbits’ 35-20 victory over Loyola last Friday extended Poly’s winning streak to 26 games. Quarterback Chris Lewis, wide receivers Kareem Kelly and Samie Parker and running backs Larry Croom and David Word have been almost unstoppable.

“We’ve played teams over the years that have had team speed,” Salter said. “What sets this Poly team apart is that they have a quarterback who can get the ball to everyone so they can use it.”

Bishop Amat, which won its last Division I championship in 1995, is coming off a 21-0 victory over Trabuco Hills. The Lancers are led by running back Michael Wagner, quarterback Chris Rix and wide receiver-defensive back Dennis Wyrick.

“They are going to try and take the ball and hold on to it and shorten the game,” Poly Coach Jerry Jaso said. The interesting thing will be to see how they play defense, whether they’re patient or attacking.”

Mater Dei, which defeated Los Alamitos in the quarterfinals last year, beat Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 30-3, last week.

Los Alamitos defeated Fontana, 42-12, in the quarterfinals.

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The high school basketball portion of the John R. Wooden Classic will be played Friday at the Arrowhead Pond.

The schedule begins with a 4:30 p.m. girls’ game between Brea Olinda and Chino Hills Ayala. The three boys’ games that follow are: Rancho Buena Vista vs. Los Alamitos at 6; Compton Dominguez vs. Houston Waltrip (Texas) at 7:30; and Mater Dei vs. Glendora at 9.