John Maffei’s picks: Look for San Marcos to challenge Lincoln in Division 1 semifinals

The Union-Tribune’s John Maffei picks all of this weekend’s high school football playoff games. Games start at 7 p.m., unless noted:

CIF San Diego Section playoffs

Friday’s games

Division 1 semifinals

(4) San Marcos (7-4) at (1) Lincoln (9-2)

Preview: San Marcos beat Point Loma 24-14 last week to advance. The Knights are led by running back Zamar Reese, who has 2,393 total yards and 27 touchdowns. Kreet Makihele has thrown for 1,849 yards with 20 TDs. Two-way player Zeke McIntyre has 31 catches and 69 tackles. Linebacker Jett Zayer leads the defense with 129 tackles, while Ethan Martinez has 66 and Colton Walker 62. Ty Sagaser has 7 1/2 sacks. … Lincoln outlasted Poway 51-41 in a shootout last week. Quarterbacks Jordan Roa and Kainan Manna have combined for 2,059 yards and 28 TDs. Rashad Robinson and Junior Curtis have combined for 2,185 rushing yards and 31 TDs. Courtney Miller-Thompson has 53 receptions and 10 TDs. The defense is led by Prince Tavion’s 89 tackles. Linebackers Cam Joy (81 tackles) and Seth Fanua (75 tackles) and defensive back Cammeron Pernell (73) get your attention. … San Marcos is ranked No. 25 in the state, with its losses coming to Mission Hills, Carlsbad, La Costa Canyon and Mount Miguel. Lincoln is No. 11 in the state, with losses to Cathedral Catholic and Mission Viejo.

Prediction: San Marcos 42, Lincoln 35

(3) Mount Miguel (8-3) at (2) Granite Hills (8-3)

Preview: Mount Miguel got to the semifinals with a win over Oceanside last week. Jeremiah Loper has thrown for 2,278 yards and 25 touchdowns. AJ Logan is his favorite target with 50 catches for 809 yards and 12 TDs. Brandon Arrington has 19 catches for 372 yards. Linebacker Dominic Lopez leads the defense with 82 tackles, while defensive back Malachi Jackson has 61 … Granite Hills beat Rancho Bernardo 56-7 last week to advance. Zac Benitez has thrown for 3,256 yards and 33 TDs. Benitez’s go-to receivers include Noah Walker (54 catches for 969 yards), Dan Smith (47-509) and Tristan Diaz (59-506). Davion Williams is the leading rusher with 451 yards. Linebacker Brayden Wells leads the defense with 76 tackles, while Cayden Phillips has 62 tackles. The team has 20 sacks and 20 interceptions … Mount Miguel is ranked No. 29 in the state. Granite Hills is No. 18. … The teams played earlier this season with Granite Hills winning 29-16 to capture the Grossmont Hills League championship.

Prediction: Granite Hills 28, Mount Miguel 24

Division 2 semifinals

(12) Scripps Ranch (7-5) vs. (1) Santa Fe Christian (11-0)

Where: La Jolla High School

Preview: Scripps Ranch edged El Camino 17-14 last week to advance. The Falcons are led by quarterback Parker Armstrong and running back Malachi Sayles. Jackson Rochet anchors the defense. … Santa Fe Christian beat St. Augustine 17-9 last week to advance. The Eagles are led by Dax Labrum, who has thrown for 2,379 yards and 26 touchdowns. The team has eight WRs with more than 100 yards. SFC’s defense has allowed just 120 points this season.

Prediction: Santa Fe Christian 35, Scripps Ranch 21

(11) San Diego (7-5) at (2) Steele Canyon (8-3)

Preview: San Diego beat Mission Bay 33-19 last week to get to this round. The Cavers are led by Jayden Harris, who has thrown for 2,053 yards. Kye Cooper has 60 catches for 860 yards. Jayden Johnson has rushed for 703 yards. … Steele Canyon moved on with a 22-19 win over Helix. Gavin Caha has thrown for 2,059 yards and 21 touchdowns. Six receivers have more than 125 yards, led by Jacob Henton.

Prediction: Steele Canyon 28, San Diego 24

Division 3 semifinal

(4) University City (6-5) at (1) Central Union (9-2)

Preview: University City outlasted Madison 48-42 last week. Quentyn DeMara, who has thrown for 2,458 yards and 18 touchdowns, is the leader. Deshaun Hille has 1,843 total yards, and DJ Ferguson has 34 catches for 653 yards. … Central Union beat Bishop’s 35-17 last week to advance. Luis Jimenez leads the offense with 1,432 passing yards and 19 TDs.

Prediction: Central Union 34, University City 17

(6) Christian (5-7) at (2) Army-Navy (9-1)

Preview: Christian beat Ramona 31-28 in overtime last week. Kaleb Runkle has thrown for 2,657 yards and 20 touchdowns. Kai Rosier has 63 catches for 957 yards. … Army-Navy beat Patrick Henry 28-19 last week. Judah Bogard has 1,767 passing yards and 20 TDs.

Prediction: Army-Navy 35, Christian 27

Division 4 semifinals

(5) Eastlake (6-6) at (1) Westview (7-4)

Preview: Led by quarterback Tyler Balko, Eastlake scored 80 points in playoff wins over West Hills and Mt. Carmel. … Westview beat Hilltop 45-28 last week. Matthew Guimond has thrown for 2,616 yards and 30 touchdowns. Kyler Brown and Josh Haney are two of the top receivers.

Prediction: Westview 27, Eastlake 24

(10) La Jolla Country Day (6-6) at (3) Valley Center (5-6)

Preview: LJCD beat El Capitan 22-7 last week to advance. Keenan Ward has rushed for 1,088 yards, while Jett Astephen has thrown for 2,130. Hesh Hertz has 857 receiving yards. Two-way standout Quentin Ceasire has 81 catches and 52 tackles. Darius Nwagbuo has intercepted six passes. … After forfeiting to Carlsbad because of a lack of healthy players, Valley Center is finally at full strength. Braylon Mitchell has thrown for 2,417 yards and 26 touchdowns. Jesse Morales had 67 catches for 1,071 yards and 13 TDs, while Joeisha Ryan Tirado has 781 yards rushing and 9 TDs.

Prediction: Valley Center 27, La Jolla Country Day 24

Division 5 semifinals

(9) Hoover (6-6) at (4) Canyon Hills (7-4)

Preview: Hoover upset top-seeded Sweetwater 52-49 last week to advance. Hezekiah Manuel has thrown for 2,518 yards and scored 37 total touchdowns. Rahni Grant and Abdulhakam Abdallah both have more than 800 receiving yards. … Canyon Hills beat Chula Vista 23-12 last week to advance. Ma’kahi Fields-Cook has rushed for 1,946 yards and 16 TDs. Josiah Singh has thrown for 989 yards. Two-way standout Taylon Sheriff has 49 receptions and 7 interceptions. … The teams played in October, with Canyon Hills winning 27-20.

Prediction: Canyon Hills 24, Hoover 20

(3) Monte Vista (6-5) at (2) Morse (7-4)

Preview: Monte Vista beat Fallbrook 21-10 last week and is led by quarterback Derrick Taylor, running back Dion Hunter and linebacker Travarius Florence. … Morse beat Santana 38-0 last week. The Tigers are led by running back Superior Garror, who had 2,596 yards running, passing, receiving and in returns. Ethan Esmailian has thrown for 1,306 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Prediction: Morse 24, Monte Vista 21

Saturday’s games

8-man championship

(2) Borregon Springs vs. (9-1) vs. (1) St. Joseph Academy (9-1), 3 p.m. 

Where: Escondido High School

Tickets: $17 for adults, $10 for students and seniors at gofan.co; parking is $10.

Preview: Borrego Springs is making its first championship appearance. The Rams are led by Christopher Alcaraz, who has 1,494 passing yards, 439 yards and 35 total touchdowns. Josef Rocha has 824 receiving yards and 15 TDs. Humberto Torres Arias leads the defense with 76 tackles. … St. Joseph is the defending 8-man champions after losing in the championship game in 2023 and 2022. Asher Larkin has 90 carries for 1,095 yards and 18 TDs, and Blaise McMahon has 59 carries for 626 yards and 13 scores. The team has passed for just 109 yards all year. … The teams met earlier this season, with St. Joseph winning 48-20.

Prediction: St. Joseph Academy 45, Borrego Springs 28

Division 5-AA championship

(3) Palo Verde Valley (8-4) vs. (1) Maranatha Christian (11-1), 7 p.m. 

Where: Escondido High School

Tickets: $17 for adults, $10 for students and seniors at gofan.co; parking is $10.

Preview: Palo Verde Valley advanced by beating O’Farrell Charter and Mountain Empire in the playoffs. Christian Richards leads the Yellowjackets with 889 rushing yards and 11 TDs. Ayden Walker has 754 yards and 8 TDs. … Maranatha has ripped off 11 wins in a row, advancing to the final with a 49-6 win over Clairemont last week. Quarterback Shane Piester has 1,210 total yards and 21 TDs. Aaron Tasin has 732 total yards, while Sawyer Bryant has 629 receiving yards. Maranatha’s defense has 26 sacks and 12 interceptions.

Prediction: Maranatha Christian 35, Palo Verde Valley 24

Last week: 17-9

Season: 120-42