PREVIEWS AND PREDICTIONS: CIF Southern Section Semifinals Edition

JPWest Media Game of the Week: Division 1- #5 Santa Margarita @ #8 Orange Lutheran

Friday – 7:00 PM | LeBard Stadium (Orange Coast College)

Photographer: Richard Do • Reporter: Isabella Lyons

PREVIEW

The Division 1 semifinals bring two of the hottest teams in California together under the lights at Orange Coast College, and both arrive after knocking off national powers in one of the wildest quarterfinal rounds in years.

Orange Lutheran (3–8) is the Cinderella story of the postseason — and they’re not apologizing for it. The Lancers stunned the entire state last week with a 20–19 upset over #1 St. John Bosco, a game where they played with complete fearlessness on both sides of the ball. Junior quarterback Reagan Toki was calm and efficient, going 7/11 for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns, while senior running back Sean Morris Jr. carried the offense with 121 yards on 21 carries, setting the tone physically from the first snap.

Defensively, OLu delivered its best performance of the season: 70 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and a 66-yard pick-six from sophomore corner King Rich Johnson that flipped momentum in the second half. The Lancers won the line of scrimmage, won the turnover battle, and simply made more plays than the nation’s top-ranked program.

But waiting for them is a Santa Margarita team playing its best football of 2025.

Santa Margarita (8–3) rolled into Chatsworth and handled undefeated #4 Sierra Canyon, 21–9, behind a complete, disciplined performance on both sides of the ball. Senior quarterback Trace Johnson was sharp, throwing for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns, with junior receiver Ryan Clark erupting for 75 yards and both scores, including a 42-yard strike that broke the game open.

The Eagles’ defense was elite from start to finish, suffocating Sierra Canyon’s offense with 66 tackles, 11 TFLs, and 4 sacks, highlighted by Isaia Vandermade’s 3 sacks and the relentless front seven that controlled the line all night. Santa Margarita didn’t just win — they dominated time of possession, field position, and physicality.

Two teams.

Two massive upsets.

One trip to the Division 1 Championship at the Rose Bowl on the line.

PREDICTION

Orange Lutheran looks nothing like a 3–8 team anymore — they’re physical, confident, and playing inspired football. But Santa Margarita is the more complete team right now, especially in the trenches, and their defensive front has been the most consistent unit in the entire bracket over the last month.

JP’S PICK: Santa Margarita 24, Orange Lutheran 20

Eagles advance to the Division 1 Championship

Division 1 — #3 Mater Dei @ #2 Corona Centennial

Friday – 7:00 PM | Husky Stadium (Corona)

Photographer: Joey Gray

PREVIEW

The rematch everyone circled in September is finally here — but this time, the stakes are far bigger, the teams are far different, and a spot in the Division 1 Championship awaits.

Back on September 12th, Centennial stunned the then–No. 1 Monarchs in Corona, a statement win that changed the complexion of the early national rankings. But fast forward to mid-November, and Mater Dei (8–2) steps back into Husky Stadium looking nothing like that early-season version of themselves. The Monarchs are healthier, more balanced, and coming off one of their best defensive performances of the season.

Mater Dei punched its semifinal ticket with a 20–0 shutout over #6 Mission Viejo, dominating every phase of the game. The defense was suffocating — 57 total tackles, 15 TFLs, and 3 sacks — as the Monarchs completely eliminated the Diablos’ passing game and held them to just 64 yards through the air.

Senior running back Kennie Leggett powered the offense with 92 yards and a touchdown, while Justin Lewis added 79 yards of his own as Mater Dei’s ground attack handled the heavy lifting. Through the air, the Monarchs didn’t need volume — they needed impact. Chris Henry Jr. hauled in a 22-yard grab, Gavin Honore added a key reception, and Koen Parnell contributed 25 yards as the passing game complemented a clock-controlling run game.

But if Mater Dei is hot — Centennial is blazing.

Corona Centennial (10–1) rolled into the semifinals after a 41–6 dismantling of Servite, showing once again why their offense is one of the most explosive in the state. Sophomore running back Malaki Davis was unstoppable, ripping off 160 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, while quarterback Dominic Catalano added 65 rushing yards and another score as part of a dominant 256-yard ground attack.

This Centennial offense is fast, physical, and relentless — and their defense is every bit as intimidating. The Huskies held Servite to just 86 passing yards, forced constant third-and-longs, and leaned on the tackling trio of Jaden Walk-Green (13 tackles), Dean Gibson (10 tackles), and Fifita Moore (6 tackles) to shut the door early.

Both teams are red-hot.

Both teams look dramatically better than they did in Week 3.

Now, the bracket finally gives us the rematch.

PREDICTION

Centennial’s offense is the most explosive remaining in the tournament, and Husky Stadium is one of the toughest places to steal a playoff win. But Mater Dei’s defense right now looks like a championship-caliber unit, and the offense has regained balance behind Leggett, Lewis, and the returning rhythm in the passing game.

Expect a far closer, far more physical game than September — but the Monarchs’ defensive front feels like the difference.

JP’S PICK: Mater Dei 27, Centennial 24

The Monarchs return to the Division 1 Championship in a thriller.

Division 3- #7 Edison @ #11 Palos Verdes

Friday – 7:00 PM | Palos Verdes HS

Photographers: Jeremy Westerbeck / John Clingan

PREVIEW

Edison heads back to the hill for a highly anticipated September 12th rematch — this time with a trip to the Division 3 Championship on the line.

The first meeting was one of the wildest finishes of the regular season. Palos Verdes led 20–7 after three quarters, controlling the pace and looking firmly in command. But Edison stormed back with 14 unanswered in the fourth, capped by a dramatic walk-off field goal block to steal a 21–20 road victory.

Now the Chargers return to the same field — in November, as a battle-tested 7–5 group playing their best football of the year.

Edison enters after grinding out a hard-fought win over Inglewood last week, a game where the Chargers leaned on their toughness, their defensive front, and their ability to control the line of scrimmage. Running backs Maddox Thomas and Anthony Godinez carried the load on the ground, combining for over 120 yards while Sam Thomson made timely throws, including a short touchdown to Maddox Thomas, who continued to be Edison’s most dependable playmaker.

Defensively, Edison delivered one of its most disciplined efforts of the season — swarming to the football, winning first down, and forcing Inglewood into uncomfortable situations all night.

They look far more polished than they did in September.

But Palos Verdes (9–3) is also a better team than the one Edison saw in Week 2. The Sea Kings outlasted Dana Hills, 14–13, behind a gritty defensive performance that forced two turnovers and held the Dolphins scoreless in the fourth quarter. Dana Hills quarterback Ryan Rakowski threw for 128 yards and a touchdown, but Palos Verdes tightened in the red zone and got stops when it mattered most.

Offensively, PV moved the chains with balance and stayed patient, matching the toughness that has defined their season.

PREDICTION

This has the feel of another down-to-the-final-minute battle. Palos Verdes has improved defensively, but Edison has become one of the most resilient late-game teams in the entire division — and they’ve already proven they can win on this field.

JP’s Pick: Edison 23, Palos Verdes 20

Another tight finish — and the Chargers head back to the Division 3 Championship.

Division 4- #2 La Habra @ #3 Oaks Christian

Friday – 7:00 PM | Oaks Christian HS

Photographer: Tajuan Netterville

Preview

A powerhouse Division 4 semifinal arrives in Westlake Village as La Habra travels to face an Oaks Christian team that is suddenly surging at exactly the right time.

Oaks Christian (7–6) is coming off its most complete win of the year — a 27–14 road victory at Paraclete — powered by an absolutely dominant performance from senior running back Deshonne Redeaux, who exploded for 264 yards and 2 touchdowns on 25 carries, including an 87-yard burst that broke the game open. Oaks only needed 24 passing yards, leaning entirely on Redeaux and a physical offensive line that controlled the night from start to finish.

Defensively, the Lions were just as impressive. They recorded 77 total tackles, 5 TFLs, and 2 sacks, holding Paraclete to 14 points and making big plays throughout the second half. Junior safety Joshua Tyler and senior hybrid defender Shane McAfee combined for 21 tackles, while Alifeleti Tuihalamaka and Logan Panthier each produced multiple tackles for loss. The exclamation point came from senior CB Davon Benjamin, who returned an interception 101 yards for a touchdown — a potential playoff-saving swing.

Oaks Christian looks every bit like a semifinal-caliber team, and they get this one at home.

But La Habra (9–3) arrives riding its own wave of momentum after a 13–7 defensive win over Cathedral in the quarterfinals. The Highlanders didn’t allow a single point after the first quarter and smothered Cathedral’s passing game, giving up just 94 yards through the air while forcing key stops all night.

La Habra’s offense leaned on its two most reliable playmakers:

• Kevika Mata’Utia-Matafeo: 28 carries, 158 yards

• QB DJ Mitchell: 18 carries, 87 yards and 1 touchdown, plus 94 passing yards

The Highlanders ran the ball 51 times for 268 yards, grinding the game down and winning time of possession behind their physical run game. Defensively, La Habra stacked up 41 tackles, 2 sacks, and an interception from Santi Bautista Cuesta, who continues to anchor their secondary.

Both teams want the same thing: to run the football, control the tempo, and force the opponent to play from behind.

The difference? Oaks Christian has the most explosive individual player in the matchup — and he’s coming off a historic performance.

PREDICTION

La Habra has the defense to make this a four-quarter battle, and their run game travels well. But Oaks Christian enters with momentum, a surging ground attack, and a defense that’s creating impact plays at the right time.

JP’s Pick: Oaks Christian 28, La Habra 20

The Lions ride Redeaux’s momentum into the Division 4 Championship.

Division 4- #9 San Jacinto @ #13 Villa Park

Friday – 7:00 PM | Fred Kelly Stadium

Photographer: Bailey Sanchez

Preview

A physical Division 4 semifinal is set for Orange as Villa Park hosts San Jacinto in a clash between two teams that have caught fire at the perfect time.

San Jacinto (9–3) enters after a dramatic 29–27 win over Charter Oak, a game defined by big plays and strong late-game execution. Sophomore quarterback Josue Estrada delivered one of his best outings of the season, throwing for 207 yards and 2 touchdowns while keeping the Tigers’ offense balanced and unpredictable.

His top target, junior receiver Jordan Bernard, was nearly unstoppable — finishing with 5 catches for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 65-yard strike that flipped the momentum. On the ground, senior running back Jomini Ransom powered the Tigers with 101 yards and 2 touchdowns on 24 carries, helping San Jacinto finish with 345 total yards.

This offense is explosive, efficient, and capable of flipping a game in a single snap.

But they now face the best defense they’ve seen all postseason.

Villa Park (8–4) arrives after a dominant 30–6 win over Great Oak — a performance completely controlled by the Spartans’ defense. Villa Park suffocated the Wolfpack with:

• 56 total tackles

• 11 tackles for loss

• 6 sacks

• 4 fumble recoveries

Junior linebacker Maverick DeClark, sophomore edge Parker Johns, and junior linemen Jayden Bracamontes and James Ulloa led a front that overwhelmed Great Oak from the opening whistle. The Spartans didn’t allow a point after the first quarter and shut down every attempt to stretch the field.

Offensively, senior quarterback Vince Lagatta continues to steer the Spartans with poise, managing the game, extending drives, and leaning on a balanced supporting cast around him. Villa Park’s offense doesn’t have to be flashy — they simply complement a defense that’s been one of the most disruptive units in Division 4.

This matchup pairs two drastically different strengths:

• San Jacinto’s explosive skill talent

vs.

• Villa Park’s physical, turnover-creating defense

Whichever unit sets the tone early will control the night.

PREDICTION

San Jacinto can score in chunks and has the most dynamic receiver in the matchup, while Villa Park brings a defense that’s been overwhelming opponents for two straight rounds.

But Villa Park’s defensive front has been too consistent, too disruptive, and too steady in big moments.

JP’s Pick: Villa Park 24, San Jacinto 21

The Spartans’ defense delivers again and pushes Villa Park into the Division 4 Championship.