And then there were two …
Grace Brethren and San Fernando are the only remaining local football teams still alive this season. Both are just two wins away from hoisting a CIF State title trophy. Here’s a look at each regional game, plus a few other notable matchups worth keeping an eye on for high school football lovers.
San Diego Morse (9-4) vs. Grace (11-3) at Moorpark College – Saturday at 6 p.m. (Division 6-A)
The Lancers did it, and in convincing fashion.
After the school decided to rid the football program entirely in 2021, coach Tom Coate resurrected the program through 8-man football to traditional 11-man football en route to last Friday night’s CIF Southern Section championship crowning. Grace beat Santa Paula 48-16 thanks to Jake Williams’ 159 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Wideout Landon Cooper scored four touchdowns.
Now, Grace will focus on a return to a CIF State final after winning the Division 2-AA crown in 2018. In the Lancers’ way is Morse High of San Diego, led by standout senior running back Superior Garror, who has led the Tigers with 1,836 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. He also leads the team in receiving with 684 yards and eight scores on 29 catches.
On the other hand, Morse will have to find a way to stop Grace’s well-balanced offense led by Williams (1,947 rushing yards, 20 TDs) and Cooper (1,429 receiving yards, 21 TDs).
Grace’s run defense will be tested. However, passing the test is simple: slow down Garror and the Lancers have a chance to play one more week of football.
Tarek’s pick: Grace
San Fernando (11-3) vs. Woodbridge, Irvine (6-8) at University HS – Friday at 7:30 p.m. (Division 7-AA)
What a run San Fernando is on. The Tigers clinched the program’s ninth LA City Section football championship last week with a 21-14 win over Cleveland in the Division II final.
Maybe, one of the more interesting angles of this matchup is Woodbridge’s record, being well below .500, but playing its best ball at the right time after starting the season 0-7. The Warriors have won six of their last seven games, including last week’s CIF Southern Section Division 13 final victory over Montebello 24-23.
These regional games are slightly more compelling when teams from different sections play each other. In this case: a Southern Section versus City Section.
San Fernando QB Julian Sarzo has thrown for 28 touchdowns this season with a 128.2 QB rating and just six interceptions.
Tarek’s pick: Woodbridge
OTHER NOTABLE MATCHUPS
Pacifica/Oxnard (14-0) at Granite Hills (10-3) – Saturday at 7 p.m. (Division 1-A)
Can the Tritons stay unbeaten? For the second straight weekend, Pacifica will be on the road, and travel to San Diego to face the San Diego Section Division 1 winner Granite Hills, which beat powerhouse Lincoln 41-29.
Pacifica is on the heels of a 20-10 win over Palos Verdes in the CIF Southern Section Division 3 final to win a second straight CIF championship. But it came with controversy. Pacifica scored a touchdown on the last play of the game before an elaborate celebration spilled onto the Palos Verdes side of the field. The teams did not shake hands due to high emotion.
“We took care of it internally,” Pacifica coach Mike Moon said. “I wish it would’ve gone differently.”
Moon has the best team in Ventura County, led by junior QB Taylor Lee and three wideouts who have amassed more than 10 touchdown receptions. Top recruit Isaiah Phelps has 198 tackles with 18 for loss.
Granite Hills can score, too. QB Zachary Benitez has thrown for 3,674 yards and 39 TDs.
This game is a toss-up, and Granite Hills only lost to Los Alamitos (the CIF-SS D2 winner) by seven, 49-42, earlier this season.
Tarek’s pick: Granite Hills
Rio Hondo Prep (14-0) vs. Santa Fe Christian (13-0) at Carlsbad HS – Saturday at 6 p.m. (Division 2-A)
High school football’s best story is not over. Rio Hondo Prep, with 82 boys at the school, won its third straight CIF Southern Section title last Saturday with a 29-7 win at Redondo Union. The Kares have won Division 9, 7 and 5, respectively.
Throughout Rio Hondo Prep’s three-year run, it’s beaten 11 publics (out of 12+) with an average enrollment of 2,370. The program is 40-4 in that stretch. It’s truly remarkable.
That said, the program has never won a CIF State title. RHP lost in the Division 3-A final last year in overtime to Vanden, 42-41.
Tarek’s pick: Rio Hondo Prep