The No.2-seed Central Spartans (11-0) will put their undefeated season on the line taking on No.6-seed Santa Fe Christian (8-3) in the Division III semi-final game.
The often-overlooked Spartans quietly lead the division with 442 points scored. The high-potent offense goes through quarterback Deniro Osuna who is third in the division with 25 passing touchdowns. His excellent 3.5:1 touchdown to interception ratio is tops in the division. The junior averages a healthy 17 yards per completion thanks to his explosive receivers.
Osuna’s favorite target is wide receiver Joseph Tarango who leads the team with 40 receptions for 795 yards and 10 touchdowns. Thadeo Cambell is the next best deep threat for the Spartans. Both seniors are averaging a notch over 19 yards per reception. Cambell is a legit two-way player leading the county with nine interceptions in nine games.
Running back Jonathan Medina adds great balance to the attack as he has the fifth-most rushing yards in the division with 957.
Santa Fe Christian’s rush defense was tested last week against UCLA commit and Silver Pigskin Finalist, Jahmon McClendon. They didn’t shut him down completely, but they did hold Monte Vista to under 20 points for the first time all season.
This week, the Eagles pass rush and secondary will be challenged. Osuna is a prototypical pocket passer. When inside a clean pocket, he is deadly accurate.
It will be up to a trio of seniors to disrupt Osuna. Charlie Wislar, Caleb Johnson, and Carson Drake are all tied with four sacks on the season. If the pass rush can push Osuna outside the pocket, the secondary has a better chance of slowing the gun slinger down.
Offensively, Sante Fe Christian relies on three-skill players to move the ball.
In the two playoff games, quarterback Michael Linguadoca completed 11-of-14 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns. He also added 60 yards and two scores on the ground.
Senior Will Littlejohn can expose defenses on the ground and in the air. The duel-threat athlete leads the team with 323 receiving yards and is third on the team with 328 rushing yards.
Running back Jack Miles is a 220 pound bruiser who gets stronger as the game goes on. The senior leads the team with 931 rushing yards and totaled 214 rushing yards in the two playoff games.
The winner of this game will play the winner of Morse and Christian in the championship game.
Please make sure to catch the highlights on KUSI’s Prep Pigksin Report.