The wait is over and the drive toward CIF Southern Section football championships begins.
There are first-round games Friday night in all divisions except Division 1.
The list of CIF-SS playoff teams from the LA Daily News area: Sierra Canyon, Notre Dame, Chaminade, Crespi, Valencia, Hart, Westlake, Calabasas, Newbury Park, Quartz Hill, Moorpark, Agoura, Oaks Christian, Simi Valley, St. Francis, Paraclete, Saugus, Oak Park, Fillmore, Harvard-Westlake, Royal, Grace, Crescenta Valley, Viewpoint, La Canada, Lancaster and Antelope Valley.
Those teams will be vying for titles across 14 different divisions.
How good is Sierra Canyon? Will the Trailblazers climb atop Division 1? What other intriguing matchups should fans watch?
It’s time to start answering those questions.
Is Sierra Canyon that good?
Winning the Mission League is no joke. Sierra Canyon is in the same league as Chaminade, Loyola, Serra, Notre Dame and Bishop Amat. It outscored those opponents 259-13. It has been a process-driven effort by Sierra Canyon, which entered the season with arguably the best defensive line, led by Under Armour All-American Marcus Fakatou (Ohio State commit), Kasi Currie (Texas) and Brayden Tautolo (Wyoming). The Trailblazers also have an elite secondary headed by Myles Baker (UCLA) and uncommitted three-star recruit Faruq Muhammad. And now its offense has caught up. Senior quarterback Demarco Hernandez completed 12 of 16 passes for 297 yards and an interception as Sierra Canyon won the Mission League title with a win over Bishop Amat on Friday. Hernandez is showing more confidence in his throws and the ability to stay in the pocket. The team has a high-level receiving core led by juniors Lance Brown and Sir Homer King Webb. Sierra Canyon is that good. But all things are equal in Division 1, and now the range of the Trailblazers’ talent gets tested by Mission Viejo in the quarterfinals Nov. 13. Nothing comes easy from here on out.
Best first-round, double-local matchup?
Quartz Hill hosting Hart brings together two explosive offenses that will put points on the board. Hart is led by running back Matix Frithsmith and quarterback Camren Ketner. Ketner’s ability to hit the open target and Frithsmith’s durability have allowed Hart to maintain its high trajectory heading into the playoffs despite losing to Valencia last week. Hart faces Quartz Hill senior quarterback and Delaware State commit Deshawn Laporte. Laporte went through the Southern Section’s mandatory sit-out period this season after transferring from Burbank. Quartz Hill is peaking at the right time after Laporte completed 15 of 19 passes for 331 yards and five touchdowns with zero interceptions in a 62-14 rout of Lancaster. Laporte’s arm and maneuverability as a dual threat will force Hart to better contain the edge while also tracking seniors Jaivyn Nelson and Tyler Hudson. Hudson and Nelson were among nine receivers who caught passes. It will be a game of contrasting styles with Quartz Hill’s high-paced passing game and the balanced run game of Hart.
Most dangerous team to play besides Sierra Canyon?
Crespi has proven it can play at a high level, having faced Notre Dame, St. Francis and Oak Park. The offense, led by continued rise of junior quarterback Chase Curren, is matched by a defense headed by linebacker Noah Sanchez. His size and quickness allows Sanchez to affect the pass rush and make interceptions in coverage. His impact has been felt. Sanchez has 85 tackles, including 14.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and three interceptions. Across the offense with Curren are sophomore wide receiver Harlem Bullock and juniors Blue McFarland, Stephen Nunez and Oliver White. Junior running back Amir Morton has developed into an All-Area-caliber running back.
Second-round matchup we are begging for?
A CIF-SS playoff berth seemed in jeopardy for Oaks Christian. The Lions entered Marmonte League play 0-5 with blowout losses to Serra and Notre Dame. A league loss to Newbury Park or Simi Valley would’ve put Oaks Christian on thin ice. But that was before freshman quarterback Cody Bird adapted and grew into a team leader. His breakout performance came against Simi Valley, a school he grew up less than two miles from before choosing Oaks Christian. Bird led Oaks Christian to a win over Simi Valley, 42-35, in double overtime. Now the two Marmonte League rivals could meet in the Division 5 playoffs on Nov. 13 if Oaks Christian takes care of Temecula and Simi Valley handles El Dorado.
Who has to travel the furthest in the first round?
Viewpoint will be burning the most mileage when it travels 119 miles, a 2 1/2-hour bus trip one way, to face Hemet. Viewpoint is poised for the challenge with an offense led by senior running back Ben Burkin (694 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns), quarterback Magnus Merriman (61 of 85 passing, 1,593 yards, 25 touchdowns, two interceptions) and a defense led by senior Shane Anderson (68 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, two interceptions) and sophomore Liam Stocker (33 tackles, four interceptions).
Most underrated team in the playoffs?
Nothing came easy for Valencia, which this season had to replace star running back Brian Bonner after he graduated and moved on to play college football for Washington. There was no telling how good Valencia’s offense would be. And then sophomore quarterback Evan McCalister entered the fray. McCalister completed 99 of 138 passes for 2,033 yards, 24 touchdowns and three interceptions during the regular season. The team also leans on senior running back Nico Funez (1,245 rushing yards, 20 touchdowns) and wide receiver Caysen Badawi (13 receptions, 446 yards, six touchdowns).