MaxPreps 2014 California Bowl Game predictions

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NorCal Open Division

Favorites: De La Salle (Concord), 12-0
The Spartans haven't lost a NorCal playoff game since 1991 and they have played in five of the six Open Division Bowl games, winning four of them. Selecting De La Salle could also create a rematch of last year's Open Division Bowl Game against St. John Bosco (the favorite in the South).

Sleepers: The last time De La Salle wasn't chosen for the Open Division was in 2008 when Grant (Sacramento) represented NorCal. Grant (Sacramento) won the state title that year and it could qualify again this year with a win over St. Mary's (Stockton). However, would the selection committee choose a Grant team over an undefeated Folsom team? The Bulldogs won the Division II state title in 2010, but they have lost to De La Salle in each of the last two Open Division NorCal regional playoff games. Selecting the NorCal Open Division representative will likely be the most difficult decision the bowl game committee has to make.

Most Likely Scenario: De La Salle defeats Pittsburg to earn the Open Division Bowl Game berth.

NorCal Division I

Favorites: Folsom 13-0, Grant 13-0
If De La Salle gets the Open Division nod, bet on Folsom and Grant facing each other in the Division I regional game. There's a chance that Folsom could get the Open Division berth. If that happens, Northern California football fans will get the De La Salle-Grant matchup they've been longing for.

Sleepers: Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) could finish the year undefeated with a win in the Central Coast Section Open Division, but it would need losses by Folsom and Grant in the Sac-Joaquin Section to likely gain any consideration.

Most Likely Scenario: Folsom beats Tracy and faces Grant in a battle to determine the best team in Sacramento.

NorCal Division II

Favorites: Clayton Valley Charter (Concord) 13-0; Enterprise (Redding), 11-1
A Campolindo win in the North Coast Section final against rival Concord would make Clayton Valley Charter the only undefeated team left standing. Determining the other bid will be tricky. Oakdale could win the Sac-Joaquin Section championship with a win over Inderkum (Sacramento), while Enterprise has already qualified with a dominating 31-0 shutout of Pleasant Valley (Chico) in the Northern Section Division II final. Both Oakdale and Enterprise have played in the state finals before. Enterprise has the advantage because its loss was to Vacaville, a Sac-Joaquin Section Division II team, while Oakdale lost to Sierra (Manteca), a Sac-Joaquin Section Division III team.

Sleepers: The winner of the Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) vs. Saint Francis (Mountain View) game can't be overlooked. The two teams play in the always-tough West Catholic Athletic League and thus each have four losses. However, upsets to Clayton Valley Charter or Oakdale could land Mitty or Saint Francis in the regionals.

Most Likely Scenario: Clayton Valley Charter defeats Concord to meet up with Enterprise in the NorCal Division II regional game.

NorCal Division III

Favorites: Campolindo (Moraga) 13-0; Sutter 13-0
Campolindo has been ranked at the top, or near the top, of the NorCal Division III bowl rankings all season. A win over state bowl game veteran Marin Catholic (Kentfield) in the North Coast Section Division III final would make it one of two undefeated teams left in the division. Sutter is the other undefeated team, as it completed its season last week with a 42-7 win over Lassen (Susanville) in the Northern Section Division III final.

Sleeper: Aptos, at 11-1, might have a chance to earn a berth if it defeats St. Ignatius in the Central Coast Section Division III playoffs and Campolindo were to lose to Marin Catholic.

Most Likely Scenario: Campolindo defeats Marin Catholic and meets Sutter in a battle of unbeaten teams in the NorCal Division III regional playoff game.

NorCal Division IV

Favorites: McClymonds (Oakland) 12-0; Central Catholic (Modesto) 10-3
McClymonds and Central Catholic have each completed their seasons. If they are selected, it will mark the third-straight year the teams have played in the regional playoffs. Even though Central Catholic has three losses, it would be hard to imagine that the committee would overlook the two-time defending state champion Raiders, who lost to section finalists St. Mary's (Stockton) and Oakdale and Div. III playoff team Sierra (Manteca).

Sleepers: Salesian College Preparatory (Richmond) could earn a spot if it defeats St. Helena in the North Coast Section Division V final. McClymonds could possibly have to forfeit four wins due to the use of an ineligible player. The matter is still under investigation, but it could be settled this week. If so, the committee will have to decide how heavily to weigh the four forfeit losses. One of those forfeit wins could be awarded to Salesian, which suffered its only loss of the season to McClymonds.

Most Likely Scenario: McClymonds is able to hold on to its wins and will face Central Catholic for a third-straight time in the NorCal Division IV playoffs.