CIF FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NOTES: First round games have a different twist -

Northwood quarterback Eugene Miyata and his teammates open on the road Friday night. (Photo courtesy Mark Bausman).

It used to be when the CIF football playoffs were announced, league champions were guaranteed a home game for the first round.

But that part of the CIF playoffs changed under the new competitive equity playoff system.

Northwood, coached by JC Clarke, was one of the teams affected. Northwood went 9-1 overall, won the Pacific Coast League title but is on the road for the opening round of the CIF Division 8 playoffs to face Monrovia, the Rio Hondo League champion.

Northwood is the defending CIF Division 11 champion.

Clarke, the veteran Timberwolves’ coach, did not voice any complaints however.

“Last year we got one with a 5-5 record, this year not. New ratings, no complaints,” he said.

The winner of Friday’s game advances to face the winner of the Grand Terrace-Harvard Westlake game in the second round.

Two other teams face challenges

Among the other league championship teams in the county facing tough challenges are Yorba Linda and El Modena.

Yorba Linda, the Crestview League champion, hosts Charter Oak, the Mountain West champion, Friday night in the Division 3 playoffs. Both teams are 10-0. El Modena, the North Hills League champion, hosts Pasadena, the Pacific League champion, Thursday night, also in Division 3.

El Modena is 10-0 and Pasadena 9-1.

CdM looking for another CIF title

CdM football coach Dan O’Shea seemed pleased Sunday when he found out the Sea Kings were placed in Division 3. There was speculation that CdM might be placed in Division 2. The Sea Kings are top seeded in Division 3 and will host Ayala Thursday night at Newport Harbor.

CdM is 7-3 and Ayala 8-2.

CdM captured the CIF Division 3 title in 2019 before going on to win the state 1A championship and finished 16-0.

Santa Ana home Friday vs. Fillmore

Santa Ana High School’s football team, coached by Charlie TeGantvoort, will host Fillmore Friday night at the Santa Ana Stadium. Santa Ana is the top-seed in the division, but is coming off a 35-0 loss to Orange Friday night.

Fillmore is 8-2 and captured the Citrus Coast League title. Fillmore was 4-0 in league play and finished with a 35-28 victory over Santa Paula. The team will have a lengthy trip from Ventura County for the 7 p.m. game.

The winner moves on to face the winner of the El Rancho vs. Palmdale game.

Fred Kelly Stadium hosts three games

Fred Kelly Stadium at El Modena High School will be a popular site for the opening round of the CIF football playoffs. Thursday night, El Modena hosts Pasadena. On Friday night, Villa Park hosts Murrieta Mesa and Saturday Orange hosts Huntington Beach.

Canyon coach honored by Chargers

Canyon’s first year coach Phil Hughes has been named the Los Angeles Chargers Orange County coach of the week. The Canyon football program will receive $1,000 from the Los Angeles Chargers.

Canyon has had a remarkable first year under Hughes and is headed to the CIF Division 5 playoffs Friday to face Colony on the road.

Northwood coach prepares for opener

JC Clarke, the Northwood coach, said he doesn’t know too much about the Timberwolves opponent on Friday, Monrovia.

“Know little about Monrovia, except it has two wide receivers with college offers, a big running back and a good throwing quarterback,” he said.

Northwood will look for another big game from Adam Harper, who is coming off a four touchdown performance in last week’s win over Dana Hills. Quarterback Eugene Miyata has also been a steady leader for the Timberwolves (9-1).

Crean Lutheran home again for playoffs

Crean Lutheran Coach Rick Curtis praised the support his team received from the Crean Lutheran community at Friday’s Empire League showdown with Cypress. The Saints will get a chance to play another game in front of their home crowd Friday night vs. Aliso Niguel. Aliso Niguel is an at-large team from the Sea View League.

The new Crean Lutheran stadium seats 1,200 so the place should be packed again for what could be one of the best first-round match-ups.

Two Santa Ana teams home for openers

Two of the three Santa Ana teams in the playoffs are home for the opening round. Santa Ana hosts FIllmore and Segerstrom hosts St. Margarets in Division 11. Santa Ana Valley plays at Victorville in Division 12.

Top seeds, highlights and brackets for CIF football playoffs

This week’s CIF playoff schedule

PHOTOS: Spirit continues at OC high school games