California Open Division Bowl Game preview: Centennial vs. De La Salle

Video: No. 1 Corona Centennial vs. No. 8 De La Salle


Team: Centennial (Corona)
Overall Record: 15-0
Computer Ranking: No. 1 in California, No. 1 nationally.
Southern Section title Win: Defeated St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 62-52
Passing Leader: Anthony Catalano 3,767 total yards, 40 total touchdowns
Rushing Leaders: J.J. Taylor 1,980 yards, 41 touchdowns
Receiving Leaders: Javon Mckinley 53 catches, 1,145 yards, 12 touchdowns, Cameron Jackson 40-863-10
Defensive leaders: Forrest Rivers 89 tackles, Reggie Whitfield 6 interceptions, Chacho Ulloa 6 interceptions
Biggest Regular Season Win: Defeated Serra (Gardena) 52-13

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Team: De La Salle (Concord)
Overall Record: 12-1
Computer Ranking: No. 3 in California, No. 8 nationally.
North Coast Section title Win: Defeated Foothill 35-0
Passing Leader: Anthony Sweeney 75 of 127, 1,358 yards, 15 touchdowns, four interceptions
Rushing Leaders: Antoine Custer 118 carries, 1,223 yards, 13 touchdowns; Andrew Hernandez 114-1,168-16; Sweeney 109-1,052-20
Receiving Leaders: Devin Asiasi 16 catches, 290 yards, five touchdowns
Defensive leaders: Keanu Andrade 72 tackles, Damon Wiley 71 tackles, 11 sacks
Biggest Regular Season Win: Defeated Long Beach Poly 52-6

Game Time: Saturday, 8 p.m.
Site: Sacramento State
Outlook: This is becoming something of a ritual, as the national powers square off for a fifth time in 10 years of the state bowl championships. De La Salle has won three of the previous four meetings, including 63-42 last year in a game that featured 1,129 yards and 53 first downs. Most of the key players are back from that game, including Custer, who rushed 31 times for 273 yards and four touchdowns. He also set up a score with an 89-yard kickoff return. McKinley had 92-yard kickoff return for touchdown too and had six catches for 153 yards and two more scores.

DLS' Hernandez added 26 carries for 175 yards and three scores as the Spartans piled up state bowl records for yards (595), rushing yards (559) and touchdowns (nine), despite allowing more points than ever since Bob Ladouceur took over the program in 1979. Taylor rushed for 133 yards on just 14 carries but never got in the end zone.

All of that was last year, this season it is Centennial which is the favorite and De La Salle has a chance to play spoiler. Centennial is ranked No. 1 in the country and a win would all but clinch its first mythical national title. The teams have one common opponent — Orange Lutheran (Orange). Centennial beat Orange Lutheran twice, 35-14 and 49-27, and De La Salle prevailed 41-3. In previous state bowl title games, Centennial defeated De La Salle 21-16 in 2008 and the Spartans prevailed 48-28 in 2012 and 37-31 in 2007.

Quote:
De La Salle coach Justin Alumbaugh: "We gave up 500 yards and 42 points and they’re even better. If we have anyone out of position, they’ll take full advantage. Great athletes, great schemes, great coaches. It’s going to take our best.”

Sweeney: "They have some of the best athletes you'll ever see on both sides of the ball. They play hard, they execute, they're physical. It's no wonder they are No. 1 in the country. It's a huge test for our team. The biggest factor will be turnovers and our defense. It's a whole different feeling being the underdog. I love that feeling. You know they don't want to be left with the same feeling as last year. It's going to be a great game. I can't wait."

Centennial coach Matt Logan: "It's a different game, different year, different teams. And we're at a different place. We just want to get all of our kids up there safe and sound and go after it."