Survive and advance. It’s cliche, but that’s the nature of high school football in November.
Each division, including the CIF Southern Section Division 1 field, has just eight teams remaining. Here is a recap of how area teams did in the first round.
MISSION LEAGUE REPRESENTS WELL
The Mission League — top to bottom — is one of the best leagues in California, and it showed last week. Five of the six teams earned a berth to the postseason, and three of those four teams that competed last week won their opening round games.
Sierra Canyon had a bye and will host Santa Margarita in the Division 1 quarterfinals Friday, but Bishop Amat, Notre Dame and fifth-place finisher Loyola all represented the league well. The only team to fall short was Chaminade, which was topped by Chaparral 63-42 in Division 2.
Bishop Amat beat Murrieta Mesa 28-9 and Notre Dame topped 9-1 Laguna Beach 44-28 in Division 3. Loyola, which got an at-large playoff berth at 4-6, beat Newbury Park 17-14 in Division 5.
This Friday, Amat will play at Pacifica/Oxnard, Notre Dame will host Chino Hills, and Loyola will travel to Bonita.
OAKS CHRISTIAN FINDING A WAY
After the program’s worst regular season in school history (4-6), the Lions avenged a loss to St. Bonaventure earlier this season with a 16-13 win over the Seraphs. However, it took everything Oaks Christian had — totaling just 225 yards of total offense.
The defense shined. Isaac Topete, Shane McAfee and Damian Duff each recorded double digits in tackles. The defense also had 4.5 sacks.
Because of the competitive equity model, Oaks Christian finds itself in an advantageous position in Division 5 and playing at Paraclete in the quarterfinals. The Lions better be ready for the cold Friday night in the high desert.
UNBEATENS GO DOWN
The flip side of Oaks Christian’s scenario is what happens to teams like Westlake and Crespi, each finishing its respective season 10-0. The Warriors and Celts had to suit up for what was their biggest test all season long in a win-or-go-home situation.
Villa Park beat Westlake 28-24 in Division 4. No. 1-seeded Crespi lost to Eastvale Roosevelt 33-24 in Division 6.
Nevertheless, a job well done for both programs and coaches. Westlake coach Rick Clausen took a program that was 0-10 last fall to 10-1. Crespi coach Brad Vonnahme was 5-6 last year and has clearly found something to build on with standout QB Chase Curren.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
In Notre Dame’s win over Laguna Beach, sophomore running back Noel Washington ran for 84 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries.
In Agoura’s 35-7 Division 7 victory over Summit, QB Gavin Gray tossed for 266 yards and four touchdowns on 23 of 28 passing. George Hastings caught three touchdowns. The Chargers play at Orange Vista in the quarterfinals.
In Moorpark’s 31-28 win over ML King in Division 7, Gerrit Gray had 17 tackles and Johnny Lopez had 16 tackles. The Musketeers play at Ventura in the next round.
In Division 7, Hart’s Jacob Paisano threw for 178 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 162 yards rushing and three scores. Teammate Matix Frithsmith had 16 carries for 146 yards with a touchdown while adding five catches for 90 yards and two scores. Hart beat Mayfair 52-24 and will take on unbeaten Palm Springs on the road this week.
Calabasas beat El Segundo 31-24 in Division 7 thanks to Kayne Miller’s 195 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries. The Coyotes play Saugus in the next round.