PREVIEWS AND PREDICTIONS: CIFSS Championships Edition

JPWest Media Game of the Week: #2 Corona Centennial @ #5 Santa Margarita

Friday, November 28th, 2025 – Rose Bowl Stadium (Pasadena, CA)

Photographer: Jeremy Westerbeck

Reporter: Justin Lee

Videographer: Tank Valenzuela

PREVIEW: Championship Friday returns to Pasadena for the first time since 2022 as #2 Corona Centennial (11–1) meets #5 Santa Margarita (9–3) in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 title game — a rematch of a thrilling Week 1 overtime matchup won by the Eagles, 33–27.

Centennial enters the title stage for the first time in a decade and has been red-hot since the postseason began. The Huskies, champions of the Big West North, have scored over 550 points this season and are coming off one of their best wins of the year, a 28–27 semifinal victory over Mater Dei.

Quarterback Dominick Catalano continues to play at a high level after throwing for 289 yards and a touchdown last week while adding 44 yards and 2 scores on the ground. Running back Malaki Davis brings physicality with 892 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns, giving the Huskies one of the most balanced attacks in the section.

Defensively, Centennial is led by Jaden Walk-Greene, who enters Friday with 102 tackles and 10 interceptions. Up front, Keawe Browne and Jonathan McKinley II have combined for 10.5 sacks, anchoring a pass rush that has shown major improvement since the start of the season.

Santa Margarita, meanwhile, returns to the championship for the first time since 2010 under first-year head coach Carson Palmer, who has turned the Eagles into one of the top defensive teams in Southern California. Santa Margarita has allowed just 150 points all season and is coming off a dominant 31–6 win over Orange Lutheran in the semifinals.

Quarterback Trace Johnson has thrown for 2,142 yards and 14 touchdowns on the year, while two-way standout Trent Mosley remains the engine of the offense after recording 83 receiving yards and 2 TDs last week. Mosley also gives the Eagles versatility in the run game.

The Eagles’ front seven continues to shine in postseason play. Dash Fifita posted 8 tackles and an interception last week, Leki Holani added 9 tackles and a sack, and Isaia Vandermade leads the team with 6 sacks after recording 2.5 tackles for loss in the semifinals. Santa Margarita totaled 5 sacks in their semifinal win.

This championship matchup brings everything you expect on the Rose Bowl stage — explosive offenses, elite quarterback play, and two defenses playing their best football of the season.

JP’S PICK:

Corona Centennial 31, Santa Margarita 24

Centennial avenges its Week 1 loss and brings home the program’s 11th CIF-SS championship

Division 2 Championship: #5 Los Alamitos @ #3 San Clemente

Saturday, November 29, 2025 – Thalassa Stadium (San Clemente, CA)

Photographers: Jeremy Westerbeck & Joey Gray

Reporter: Justin Lee

PREVIEW:

Championship Saturday heads to the South County coast as #5 Los Alamitos (11–2) travels to #3 San Clemente (9–4) in the CIF Southern Section Division 2 title game — a rematch of their Week 9 meeting won by the Tritons, 28–9.

Los Alamitos returns to the finals for the first time in over 20 years after an impressive postseason run that included wins over two seeded opponents. The Griffins enter on a three-game winning streak and have scored over 480 points this season behind a balanced attack guided by head coach Ray Fenton.

Quarterback Colin Creason helped lead the Griffins to a 23–10 semifinal win over Murrieta Valley, rushing for 76 yards and a touchdown while completing six passes. Running back Kamden Tillis added 70 rushing yards and a score, while senior athlete Lenny Ibarra contributed 89 yards on the ground. Los Alamitos totaled 244 rushing yards in the victory. Defensively, junior Marco Alvillar recorded an interception, while kicker Beckham Hofland added five points and continues to be steady in the postseason.

San Clemente, meanwhile, returns to the championship stage for the first time since its 2016 title season. The Tritons have become one of the most balanced teams in Division 2, led by quarterbacks Eiler King and Preston Beck, who have combined for over 2,400 passing yards this year.

Beck is coming off one of the Tritons’ most efficient performances of the season, throwing for 270 yards and 2 touchdowns in their 35–7 semifinal win over Leuzinger. Running back Carson Sloan added 40 rushing yards and a touchdown, while also leading the team in receiving with 99 yards. Senior receiver Thomas Alexander contributed 73 receiving yards and a score.

Defensively, San Clemente limited Leuzinger to just seven points last week. Junior Payton Proffitt recorded 3 tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 sack, while the Tritons as a whole allowed only 55 rushing yards and forced multiple stops. San Clemente’s postseason run has been anchored by standout defenders Patrick Norman (111 tackles) and Joshua Kerst, who has 10.5 sacks on a team with nearly 30 total sacks and 13 interceptions.

This matchup brings two disciplined, physical programs to the same field — both capable of controlling tempo, running the football, and playing sound defense. Los Alamitos looks to capture its fifth CIF title, while San Clemente aims to bring home its second.

JP’S PICK:

Los Alamitos 24, San Clemente 21

The Griffins continue their postseason surge, leaning on their run game and timely defense to edge the Tritons late and bring home the Division 2 championship.

Division 3 Championship: #8 Pacifica (Oxnard) @ #11 Palos Verdes

Friday, November 28, 2025 – 7:00 PM | Palos Verdes High School

Photographer: Joey Gray

Reporter: Isabella Lyons

PREVIEW:

The Division 3 championship features two defending CIF champions as #8 Pacifica (Oxnard) travels to #11 Palos Verdes in a matchup between programs that have combined to win titles in back-to-back seasons. Pacifica comes in at 13–0, one of only two undefeated teams left in the CIF Southern Section, while Palos Verdes returns to the finals after winning Division 5 a year ago.

Pacifica is back in the championship for a second straight season after capturing the Division 4 title in 2024. The Tritons rolled through the Marmonte League at 13–0 and have topped 550 points this year behind one of the most productive offenses in Southern California. Quarterback Taylor Lee has thrown for 3,345 yards and 47 touchdowns, while receivers Anthony Jacobs Jr. and Alijah Royster each have double-digit touchdown grabs. Running back Angel Sepulveda adds balance with nine rushing touchdowns.

The Tritons’ defense has also been one of their strengths, allowing just 229 points while forcing 18 fumble recoveries. Linebackers Isaiah Phelps and Deville Warner anchor the unit with over 160 tackles each, and Warner posted 10 total tackles and 3 TFL in last week’s semifinal win over Chino Hills. Pacifica has allowed only 24 points or fewer in nine straight games.

Palos Verdes enters this championship at 10–3 after knocking off the No. 3 seed last week. The Sea Kings have been steady all season behind a defense that has held opponents to just over 200 total points. Quarterback Ryan Rakowski has thrown for 2,045 yards and 24 touchdowns, while also adding eight rushing scores. Ten different Sea Kings have caught a touchdown pass this season.

Defensively, Palos Verdes relies on linebacker Weston Reis, who leads the team with 94 tackles, and a secondary that has produced 15 interceptions, led by Jalen Flowers with four. The defensive front has recorded 16 sacks and allowed just 87 rushing yards to Edison last week. Rakowski also added 49 rushing yards and a touchdown in the semifinal.

This matchup features two experienced teams returning to the biggest stage — one undefeated and coming off a championship, the other surging late with a defense that continues to force turnovers. Both programs are seeking back-to-back CIF titles.

JP’S PICK:

Pacifica (Oxnard) 31, Palos Verdes 21

Pacifica’s offensive balance and defensive physicality carry the Tritons to a second straight CIF-SS championship.

Division 4 Championship: #2 La Habra @ #9 San Jacinto

Saturday, November 29 – 7:00 PM | HCN Bank Stadium (Menifee, CA)

Photographer: Bailey Sanchez • Videographer: Tank Valenzuela

PREVIEW:

Championship Saturday heads to Menifee for a rugged Division 4 title clash as #2 La Habra (10–3) faces #9 San Jacinto (10–3) — two of the CIF Southern Section’s hottest teams entering the weekend, each riding momentum, each built on physicality, and each seeking to bring home another championship banner.

La Habra returns to the stage for the first time in ten years and does so behind one of the division’s most balanced and battle-tested rosters. The Highlanders advanced with a 20–7 semifinal win over Oaks Christian, powered by the relentless dual-threat presence of junior quarterback DJ Mitchell, who rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown while adding 66 yards through the air. Running back Kevika Mata’Utia-Martinez delivered his most complete performance of the postseason — 29 carries for 144 yards and a touchdown plus two receptions for 18 yards — finishing with 162 all-purpose yards.

Defensively, La Habra suffocated Oaks Christian from start to finish, holding the Lions to just one score while forcing a critical turnover. Mata’Utia-Martinez also made his presence felt on defense with six tackles and a fumble recovery, while senior safety Bobby Brooks added an interception and four tackles. The Highlanders posted 36 total tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 sacks, and a takeaway in a complete defensive showing that mirrors their season-long identity — physical, disciplined, and opportunistic.

San Jacinto, meanwhile, arrives with equal momentum, edging Villa Park 18–15 in a gritty semifinal that saw the Tigers deliver in the fourth quarter to punch their ticket to the championship. Sophomore quarterback Josue Estrada led the late rally, helping push the offense to 12 points in the final frame while the defense iced the game in the final minutes.

The Tigers’ calling card all season has been balance and toughness. Running back Jomani Ransom has passed 1,400 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, giving San Jacinto a true workhorse in the backfield. On defense, Damare Coleman headlines a group that has compiled sixteen sacks and multiple game-changing takeaways across their six-game winning streak. San Jacinto is peaking at the perfect time — fast, physical, and unshaken in tight games.

Both teams lean on dual-threat quarterbacks, punishing run games, and defenses that swarm to the football. Both have championship experience in their DNA. And both enter Menifee believing they should be the ones hoisting the plaque when Saturday night ends.

This one is built for four quarters.

JP’S PICK:

La Habra 27, San Jacinto 20

The Highlanders’ rushing combo of Mitchell and Mata’Utia-Martinez supplies just enough firepower, and their defense — which has allowed just 7 points in the past two playoff rounds — delivers again in the fourth quarter to secure La Habra’s eighth CIF-SS title.

Division 5 Championship: #10 Rio Hondo Prep @ #16 Redondo Union

Saturday, November 29 – 7:00 PM | Redondo Union HS (Redondo Beach, CA)

Photographer: John Clingan

PREVIEW:

Championship Saturday heads to Redondo Beach for a Division 5 title matchup as #10 Rio Hondo Prep (13–0) travels to #16 Redondo Union (9–4).

Rio Hondo Prep enters as one of the two remaining undefeated teams in the CIF Southern Section and returns to a championship game for the third straight year in a third different division. The Kares have been dominant all season behind an offense that has scored over 530 points and a defense that has not allowed 200.

Quarterback Yanick Diaz has thrown 17 touchdowns, while running back Noah Penunuri has powered the ground game with over 1,200 yards and 22 touchdowns. Defensively, Rio Hondo Prep has totaled 18 sacks, led by Nathaniel Shine’s 4.5, as the Kares look to capture their third consecutive CIF title and the seventeenth in program history.

Redondo Union enters having won 10 straight, reaching a championship game for the first time in more than 80 years. The Seahawks sit at 9–4 and are the second team out of the Pioneer League, with a defense that has barely allowed 220 points all season.

Quarterback Cole Leinart has thrown for over 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns, while running back Bo Ausmus has added eight scores on the ground. Receiver Tyler Harper has seven touchdown catches, and the defense is led by Lincoln Esparza with over 70 tackles and Brock Herrera with 6.5 sacks.

This matchup features a battle between one of the section’s most consistent programs and one of its hottest teams as the Seahawks look to complete one of the most impressive postseason runs of the year.

JP’S PICK:

Rio Hondo Prep 27, Redondo Union 17

Rio Hondo Prep’s experience in championship environments, combined with the consistency of Penunuri in the run game and a defense that hasn’t allowed 200 points all season, gives the Kares the edge. Their ability to control tempo and finish long drives has been the difference all year, and that formula holds again on Saturday night.