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Division 2-AA Championship
Grant @ La Serna
Friday 12/8 4PM
Saddleback College
Live on Spectrum SportsNet LA
PREVIEW: The CIF State Championships have arrived, boasting five thrilling games set to unfold at Saddleback College. Kicking off the series, we witness a rematch from a couple of weeks ago as the La Serna Lancers, formerly Division 4 Southern Section contenders and now Southern California D2-AA Champions, clash with the Northern California D2-AA Champions, Grant High School from Sacramento, CA. In their previous encounter, the Lancers’ defense, spearheaded by Owen Long and Adrian Castro, showcased their dominance, tallying an impressive 25 combined tackles and 3 tackles for loss. The La Serna Lancers are now on a quest for their inaugural state championship, rallying behind Senior Quarterback CJ Ceron, who delivered a stellar performance last week with 383 total yards and played a pivotal role in the Lancers’ comeback victory over Orange Vista in the Southern California Regional Final, notching 2 crucial passing touchdowns.
Shifting focus to the Grant Pacers, they embark on the lengthy road trip from the North down to Saddleback College following their emphatic victory over Rocklin High School in the Northern California Final, triumphing with a commanding 41-14 win. The Pacers’ offensive prowess centers around Quarterback Luke Alexander, boasting an impressive 3,051 yards on 105 completions and an outstanding 42 touchdowns. In their recent triumph, the Pacers witnessed a powerful display from their running backs, Wayshawn Parker and Devin Green, who combined for 277 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, the Pacers were led by Hakim Reynolds, recording 11 total tackles, including 1 tackle for loss.
PREDICTION: Grant wins in a close one 28-25
Division 1-AA Championship
De La Salle @ Mission Viejo
Friday 12/8 8PM
Saddleback College
Live on Spectrum SportsNet LA
PREVIEW: This game could easily claim the spotlight as the State Game of the Week, with Mission Viejo set to play just a few miles away from Saddleback College, following their impressive victory last week. Despite trailing 14-0 in the 2nd quarter against Granite Hills in the Southern California Division 1-AA Regional Championship, Mission Viejo rallied remarkably, scoring 42 unanswered points and ultimately sealing a 49-21 win. Junior Quarterback Draiden Trudeau was absent, but his potential return this week looms, leaving the Diablos with Sophomore Quarterback Luke Fahey, who has shared time under center with Trudeau throughout the season. Fahey showcased his mettle in the previous game, throwing for 208 yards on 17 completions, securing 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Mission Viejo exhibited their prowess, boasting three players with over 10 tackles: Jack Matranga led with 14 tackles, Jonavan Asuncion followed with 12, and Jaden Williams contributed 10 tackles.
Shifting focus to the De La Salle Spartans from Concord, CA, they arrive as the Northern California Division 1-AA Regional Champions, having secured a dominant shutout victory over Clovis North with a resounding 41-0 win. At the helm of the Spartans’ offense is Quarterback Toa Faavae, tallying 790 passing yards this season with 63 completions and 7 touchdowns. Faavae’s prowess extends beyond passing, as he’s amassed an impressive 727 rushing yards from 97 carries, scoring 16 rushing touchdowns this season. Defensively, last week’s standout for the Spartans was Junior Linebacker Niko Bumgartner, registering 12 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss.
PREDICTION: Mission Viejo sneaks away with a win 28-27
Division 3-AA Championship
Acalanes @ Birmingham
Saturday 12/9 11:30AM
Saddleback College
Live on Spectrum SportsNet
PREVIEW: Stepping into the opening game of the second day at Saddleback College, we have the clash between the Southern California D3-AA Champions, the Birmingham Patriots from Lake Balboa, CA, and the Northern California D3-AA Champions, the Acalanes Dons from Lafayette, CA. The Dons enter this matchup fresh off their Northern California Championship victory over Escalon with an impressive 49-14 win. Senior Quarterback Sully Bailey stood out, tallying 204 passing yards and 1 touchdown, while also contributing 33 rushing yards and securing 3 rushing touchdowns. However, it was the formidable defense of the Dons that shone brightly last week, as Paul Kuhner, Everett Glass, Colin Malmquist, Jake Boselli, and Jack Giorgianni each amassed over 10 tackles, combining for an impressive 74 tackles collectively.
On the other side, we have the Southern California champions, the Birmingham Patriots, who secured a nail-biting victory last week over Del Norte, clinching a 30-28 win. Junior Quarterback Kingston Tisdell led the charge with 225 passing yards on 13 completions, notching 4 touchdowns. The Patriots’ offensive strength extended further with Junior Running Back Dredon Fowles amassing 148 rushing yards from 27 carries, while Senior Wide Receiver Peyton Waters boasted 7 receptions for 108 yards. Defensively, the Patriots were anchored by Emiliano Carlos and Maynor Morales, both tallying 7 tackles each.
PREDICTION: Acalanes takes the win and a state title in a 35-21 win
Division 1-A Championship
Folsom @ St Bonaventure
Saturday 12/9 3:30PM
Saddleback College
Live on Spectrum SportsNet
PREVIEW: Next up at Saddleback College, we have a matchup featuring the Northern California Division-1A Champions, the Folsom Bulldogs, fresh from a tight victory over the Pittsburg Pirates, ending 28-25. The Bulldogs are commanded by Sophomore Quarterback Ryder Lyons, who exhibited his dual-threat ability by accumulating 191 passing yards on 11 completions, securing 1 touchdown, and adding 122 rushing yards from 27 carries for 3 additional touchdowns. Defensively, the Bulldogs’ standout was Mason Kelly, amassing an impressive 14 total tackles, including 5 tackles for loss.
They’re set to face off against the Southern California Division 1-A Champions, the St Bonaventure Seraphs, who earned their spot by triumphing over St Augustine in a thrilling 21-20 encounter last week. The Seraphs are led by Senior Quarterback Anthony Wolter, who orchestrated the offense with 196 yards from 18 completions, securing 1 touchdown. On the defensive end for the Seraphs, Sophomore Defensive End Matt Perez showcased his prowess with 9 tackles and 1 tackle for loss.
PREDICTION: Folsom wins big and brings a state championship back up North 28-7
Open Championship
Serra @ Mater Dei
Saturday 12/9 8PM
Saddleback College
Live on Spectrum SportsNet
PREVIEW: The pinnacle clash to conclude the 2023 CIF Football season features the #1 Nationally Ranked and CIF Southern Section Champions, the Mater Dei Monarchs from Santa Ana, CA, facing off against the formidable Serra Padres from San Mateo, CA. Mater Dei’s last showdown occurred two weeks ago at the Los Angeles Coliseum in the Division 1 Southern Section Championship, clinching a commanding 35-7 victory against Trinity League rivals, the St John Bosco Braves. Senior Quarterback and Stanford Commit, Elijah Brown, led the charge with 109 passing yards, completing 10 passes and securing 2 touchdowns. Ajon Bryant, Senior Running Back, played a pivotal role in their previous dominating victory against the Orange Lutheran Lancers on October 19th at Orange Coast College, contributing significantly to the Monarchs’ commanding 55-13 win.
Turning attention to the Serra Padres, an undefeated 12-0 powerhouse hailing from San Mateo, CA, they enter the fray following a substantial victory on November 18th against Wilcox, securing a resounding 63-27 win. Senior Maealiuaki Smith commands the offense at Quarterback, while Senior Outside Linebacker Jabari Mann stands out as a defensive leader for the Padres. Returning to Saddleback College for the third consecutive year, the Padres aim to seize victory against the nation’s top-ranked team and stake their claim as Open Division State Champions.
PREDICTION: Mater Dei shuts out Serra for the State Championship and claims yet another National Title 52-7
Last week in Football: 7-9
This season in football: 165-71
Other Game Predictions
Division 2-A Championship
Los Gatos @ Central Valley Christian
Saturday 12/9 7PM
Pasadena City College
Live on NFHS Network
Winner: Los Gatos
Division 3-A Championship
Marin Catholic @ Mayfair
Saturday 12/9 7PM
El Camino College
Live on NFHS Network
Winner: Mayfair
Division 4-AA Championship
Soquel @ Jurupa Hills
Friday 12/8 8PM
Pasadena City College
Live on NFHS Network
Winner: Soquel
Division 4-A Championship
Palma @ Mission Oak
Saturday 12/9 3PM
Pasadena City College
Live on NFHS Network
Winner: Mission Oak
Division 5-AA Championship
Pleasant Valley @ Ramona
Friday 12/8 8PM
El Camino College
Live on NFHS Network
Winner: Ramona
Division 5-A Championship
Woodland Christian @ Banning
Saturday 12/9 3PM
El Camino College
Live on NFHS Network
Winner: Woodland Christian
Division 6-A Championship
Colusa @ Sweetwater
Saturday 12/9 11AM
El Camino College
Live on NFHS Network
Winner: Colusa
Division 7-AA Championship
Ferndale @ Fairfax
Friday 12/8 4PM
El Camino College
Live on NFHS Network
Winner: Fairfax
Division 7-A Championship
Strathmore @ Bell Gardens
Saturday 12/9 11AM
El Camino College
Live on NFHS Network
Winner: Strathmore
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