The playoffs may provide a big stage for some intriguing rematches around the country.
Vista Murrieta and Centennial would be a great game for the second year in a row. It could happen in this season's Inland Division playoffs.
Graphic by Ryan Escobar
All playoff games are significant, but some have a little extra juice than others due to past history.
Here are 10 rematches we wouldn't mind taking in as playoffs continue to get underway.
Centennial (Corona, Calif.) vs. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.)Playoff Bracket: Southern Section: Inland Division
Last Meeting: Dec. 9, 2011 (Vista Murrieta, 35-28)
Not only are Centennial and Vista Murrieta two of Southern California's top programs, but over the last three seasons, they have ranked among the nation's elite teams. Centennial made it to a CIF Bowl Game in 2010, while many felt Vista Murrieta deserved to play in a Bowl Game in 2011. When the two met last December, Vista Murrieta escaped with a 35-28 victory. Vista Murrieta has a clear path to a Bowl Game this year if it can beat a Centennial team that has been on a roll since a five-point, season-opening loss to a very good St. Bonaventure team.
See our Football state champs and playoff brackets from across America
DeSoto (Texas) vs. Skyline (Dallas)Playoff Bracket: Class 5A-I
Last Meeting: Nov. 19, 2011 (Skyline, 41-31)
Skyline
downed DeSoto en route to an appearance in the Class 5A-I title
game. It began this year ranked No. 3 nationally but was stunned by a
38-36 upset to Arlington Bowie. Now, DeSoto is the undefeated team with a
high national ranking and dreams of a No. 1 finish. This rematch would
pit two of the country's most talent-laden teams against each other.
Katy (Texas) vs. La Porte (Texas)Playoff Bracket: Class 5A-II
Last Meeting: Nov. 26, 2011 (La Porte, 9-7)
The last time La Porte and Katy met, La Porte won a defensive battle that ended Katy's season. This fall, Katy has looked nearly unstoppable. Once again, La Porte has a defense that might be able to slow down the Tigers, led by sensational junior linebacker
Hoza Scott. It has allowed fewer than 10 points in all but three games this season.
DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) vs. Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.)Playoff Bracket: WCAC
Last Meeting: Oct. 5, 2012 (Good Counsel, 13-10)
These two programs have combined to dominate the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference for more than a decade. Lately, Good Counsel has gotten the better of DeMatha (and the rest of the conference) by winning the WCAC championship each of the last three seasons. With second-year coach Elijah Brooks and boatload of young talent, DeMatha is hungry to knock Good Counsel off its perch.
Cass Tech (Detroit) vs. Catholic Central (Novi, Mich.)Playoff Bracket: Division 1
Last Meeting: Nov. 26, 2011 (Cass Tech, 49-13)
When these teams last met, Cass Tech's victory was so shockingly one-sided that some thought Cass Tech could be a Top 25 team entering 2012. So far this fall, both squads have endured some upset losses. However, each is well-stocked with talent and there's no doubt that Catholic Central, which was favored entering last year's state final, would relish another opportunity to play Cass Tech.
Petal (Miss.) vs. Olive Branch (Miss.)Playoff Bracket: Class 6A
Last Meeting: Dec. 2, 2011 (Olive Branch, 35-34)
Last year's Class 6A final between Olive Branch and Petal was the game of the year in the state of Mississippi -
a one-point thriller in which Olive Branch claimed its first state title. Both teams were supposed to be down this fall after extremely heavy losses due to graduation, but interestingly both squads sit near the top of the Class 6A rankings. Their success is a testament to the outstanding coaching of longtime Olive Branch head coach Scott Samsel and first-year Petal head coach Marcus Boyles.
Colerain (Cincinnati) vs. St. Xavier (Cincinnati)Playoff Bracket: Division 1, Region IV
Last Meeting: Sept. 7, 2012 (Colerain, 31-28)
There are plenty of great football rivalries in the Cincinnati area, but there seems to be something special about the rivalry lately between the Cardinals and the Bombers. The teams met in September and Colerain used a late field goal to sink St. Xavier. If Colerain survives a loaded Region IV bracket, it will have a legitimate shot to capture a Division I state title. If it does so, a high national ranking will be in store.
Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) vs. Paramus Catholic (N.J.)Playoff Bracket: Non-Public Group IV
Last Meeting: Oct. 12, 2012 (Don Bosco Prep, 31-8)
In the a highly anticipated matchup, Don Bosco Prep won easily over Paramus Catholic two weeks ago. Then something unusual happened: Paramus Catholic bounced back from its first loss to score its biggest win on the season, a 44-35 upset of St. Joseph Regional that gave the young Paladins team a renewed sense of confidence. After a stunning early-season loss, Don Bosco Prep is once again favored to win another state title.
Fayetteville (Ark.) vs. Bentonville (Ark.)Playoff Bracket: Class 7A
Last Meeting: Dec. 3, 2011 (Fayetteville, 29-28)
Last fall, Fayetteville exacted revenge for a regular season blowout loss to Bentonville when Austin Allen carried the team to a stunning victory for the Class 7A title. As a result, Fayetteville was the prohibitive state title favorite to enter the season before it lost twice to out-of-state opponents. Undefeated, Bentonville now sits atop the Class 7A rankings and looks to avoid being upset en route to a state title.
Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) vs. Gaffney (S.C.)Playoff Bracket: Class 4A-I
Last Meeting: Oct. 12, 2012
Byrnes and Gaffney have traded mega-upsets over the last two seasons, as Byrnes shocked Gaffney in December's title game in 2011 while Dorman stunned nationally ranked Byrnes in their regular season meeting this season. In a year where there are many good teams in South Carolina, this matchup would be one of the more dramatic pairings.
