CIF-SS alumni in the NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round edition
The second week of the NFL playoffs has come and gone. Eight have become four after the Divisional Round.
Here's a look at some of the notable CIF-Southern Section alumni taking part in the NFL Playoff's Divisional Round on Saturday and Sunday:
Game on the line? Presenting Larry Fitzgerald...FOR THE WIN! #GBvsAZ #BeRedSeeRed https://t.co/GZoknPvs52
— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2016
Carson Palmer (Santa Margarita)
It was seriously dicey there for a bit at the end but the former Santa Margarita and USC standout secured the first playoff win of his career.
Palmer threw for 349 yard and three touchdowns against the Packers on Saturday. Though Aaron Rodgers' Hail Mary magic pushed the Cardinals to overtime, it was Palmer getting the last laugh as his cheeky shovel pass to Larry Fitzgerald in OT secured the victory. Palmer now leads the Cardinals in a Championship Sunday matchup with the No. 1 seed Carolina Panthers.
Clay Matthews (Agoura)
Matthews and the Pack made it exciting but in the end came up just short. The linebacker was active througout but was unable to get to fellow former USC alum Palmer. Matthews did manage five tackles in the game and helped hold the Cardinals to only 40 yards rushing.
Richard Sherman (Dominguez)
It was a tale of two halves for Sherman and the Seahawks. After giving up 31 points in the first half, Sherman and his defense pitched a shutout in the second half. Offensively, the Seahawks made a game of it scoring 24 points of their own in the second half but the deficit was too much. Sherman had two tackles and defended one pass as the Panthers eliminated last year's Super Bowl runner-up.
Ryan Kalil (Servite)
Centers never get much attention but the Pro Bowler and former Servite Friar had a strong game. Sprinting out to a 31-0 lead in the first half, Kalil and his offensive line helped Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart to the first 100-yd rushing performance against the Seahawks defense in 23 games. Kalil and the Panthers will host the Cardinals in the NFC Championship game on Sunday, Jan. 25.
Ronnie Hillman (La Habra)
Hillman had a rough go of it against the Steelers tough front seven on Sunday. Rushing for just 38 yards on 16 carries, he was rarely used late in the game and the Broncos found more success handing the ball off to CJ Anderson. Andersen would eventually run in the game's winning score sending Hillman and the Broncos to the AFC Championship game for the second time in three years.
The NFL playoffs continue next week with Championship Sunday. Palmer and the Cardinals face off against Kalil and the Panthers, while Hillman's Broncos host defending the Super Bowl Champs New England.
(all stats: nfl.com)
