Orange County high school football teams preparing for CIF playoff openers

(PHOTO: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

Many Orange County high school football teams were back to practice Monday in preparation for the CIF football playoffs that begin for most on Friday.

Here’s a look at some of the match-ups:

LEUZINGER AT CREAN LUTHERAN

Division 2

Coach Rick Curtis and his Crean Lutheran Saints are getting ready to host Leuzinger in a Division 2 opener Friday at Crean Lutheran. Crean Lutheran went through the regular season 10-0 after winning the Epsilon League title.

Leuzinger (8-1 overall) won the Bay League title with a 5-0 record.

“We are excited to be able to host this first round game,” Curtis said. “All of the teams in Division 2 are excellent. I expect all of the games to be close and exciting.”

Curtis said Leuzinger has two “outstanding running backs,” Journee Tonga and Kelton Strickland, who have both rushed for close to 1,000 yards.

Quarterback Russell Sekona has thrown 18 touchdown passes with just one interception and the “Olympians are quick and aggressive on defense and are led by defensive end Samu Moala and safety Mason Miller,” Curtis said.

The winner of Friday’s game moves on to the second round Friday, Nov. 14 against the winner of the Chaparral vs. Chaminade winner. Chaparral is the No. 2 seed in the division.

Crean Lutheran would be the home team if the Saints and Chaparral win. If Crean Lutheran and Chaminade win, Chaminade would be the home team.

SEGERSTROM AT VICTOR VALLEY

Division 7

Segerstrom, coached by Joseph Tagaloa, won the Kappa League title and enters the game 8-2 overall. Victor Valley, an at-large team from the Desert Sky League, is 5-5.

“First I am excited that we will be competing in the Division 7 bracket this season,” Tagaloa said. “We have been moving up divisions the last couple of years, which is a testament to our student athletes hard work. I wasn’t quite sure where we were going to land going into the draw, but all signs were pointing to Division 7. Looking at the other teams in the bracket, there are two teams who we played in the preseason in Palm Springs and Barstow, who are both really talented.

“We are the only Orange County team in the bracket, so traveling to play is going to have to be something we prepare for. We will be on the road taking on Victor Valley High School, which according to Google Maps can take anywhere from two to three hours to get there on a Friday evening. After watching some film in preparation for the big game, it is obvious that they belong in the playoffs. Their record does not reflect how good of a team they really are. We definitely won’t make the mistake of using a record to judge how talented a team is, especially after last season. This week we will prepare to compete for four quarters.”

Segerstrom has been led by its captains this season, Tagaloa said.

“Moving into the playoffs we are going to look to our senior leadership to make sure we are focused and ready to go come Friday night. Our captains Ayden Morales, Jorge Briseno, Louis Garcia, Gabriel Vergara and Vicente Rivera played in our difficult loss last season in the playoffs and have made it their mission to make a run deep into the playoffs.  All five of these guys have assumed not only leadership roles as captains, but have contributed to our success on the field by making big plays all season. Come Friday night we are going in with the same mindset as every other game, that is to compete every snap.”

The winner of Friday’s game faces the winner of the Apple Valley vs. North Torrance game in the second round on Friday, Nov. 14. Segerstrom would be home if it can win Friday night, regardless of who the opponent is.

LA QUINTA AT FULLERTON

Division 8

Fullerton, after going 0-10 last season, is back in the CIF playoffs under first year coach Pete Karavedas to host La Quinta from La Quinta Thursday night at 7 in a CIF Division 8 opener.

Fullerton (8-2) finished second in the Lambda League while La Quinta (7-3) was the No. 3 team from the Desert Empire League.

“This will be a tough draw,” Karavedas said. “La Quinta is well coached, physical, tough, and they play in a good league with quality opponents. We are excited to be at home, and we are on a Thursday. 

“Our guys on offense this year have been Caden Wise, Cyrus Aviles. Our quarterback is Sergio Andrade and we love our center David Salgado. Our defense is led by Wilson Aldana and Nate Vejar. Cyrus Aviles also plays defense and it a key factor on both sides of the ball.”

The winner moves on to face the winner of the La Mirada vs. Beckman opener in the second round. If Fullerton and La Mirada win, La Mirada would be the home team. If Fullerton and Beckman win, Beckman would be the home team and the game would be at Tustin.

TEMECULA VALLEY AT IRVINE

Division 8

Irvine, the No. 3 team in the Iota League, is third-seeded and home for its opener Friday night in Division 8 against Temecula Valley (5-5). Irvine is 7-3 overall. The game will be at Irvine Stadium.

The Vaqueros are coming off a 42-15 victory over Sonora that clinched third place in the Iota League.

The winner moves on to face the Quartz Hill-Calvary Chapel winner next week. If Irvine and Calvary Chapel win, Calvary Chapel would be the home team. If Irvine and Quartz Hill win, Quartz Hill would be the home team.

PORTOLA AT BRENTWOOD

Division 10

Coach Peter Abe’s Bulldogs won the CIF Division 11 title last year. This year, Portola is in Division 10 and is on the road to face Brentwood, an at-large team from the Coast League. Brentwood is 7-3, Portola is 6-4 and finished third in the Omicron League.

“Looking forward to the challenge as we enter the post season and are excited to make some more noise in our division this year,” Abe said. “Got to stay healthy and take things one play at a atime, that’s for sure, play Bulldog football and we got a sure for sure.”

Portola hopes to have starting quarterback Orion Suttle, who sat out last week’s game with a sprained ankle, back in the lineup. Running back Timmy Grettenberg and linebacker Maxwell Mapstone, both members of last year’s CIF championship team, are among the standouts.

The winner faces the Santa Monica-Pasadena winner in the second round. If Portola and Santa Monica win, Portola would be the home team. If Pasadena wins, Pasadena would be the home team.

OCEAN VIEW AT SANTA PAULA

Division 12

Ocean View, coached by Daniel Hernandez, is the No. 3 team out of the Sigma League. Santa Paula (5-5) is an at-large entry out of the Tri-County League.

“We’re looking forward to opening the playoffs on the road at Santa Paula High,” Hernandez said. “Some of our key contributors this season include sophomore Trevor Vaivao-Luapo, juniors Aidan Bond, Greg Gates and Kelvin Leal, along with seniors Elijah Armenta and Caden Townsend. Their leadership has been instrumental in shaping our team culture and helping us reach the playoffs for the second time in my three years as head coach.”

“I’m extremely grateful for the dedication of our coaching staff. Their experience and commitment have been invaluable, and we’ll continue to lean on them as we prepare for our first playoff matchup.”

The winner moves on to face the winner of Desert Academy vs. Arroyo Valley. Ocean View would be home for the second round if it wins the opener.

PACIFIC AT SADDLEBACK

Division 13

Saddleback High School’s football team, which captured the Zeta League title going undefeated, is the top seed in the division.

Coach Rob Thompson’s Roadrunners (8-2 overall) open at home Friday against Pacific, which was the Mountain Valley co-champion. Pacific is also 8-2.

The Roadrunners, who have won the last two league titles, are led by quarterback Andre Scott.

The Roadrunners lost their CIF playoff opener last year to La Quinta 21-20 in the CIF Division 14 bracket.

The winner moves on to face the winner of the Heritage-Santa Rosa Academy winner. If Heritage wins, Saddleback would be the home team. If Santa Rosa Academy wins, Santa Rosa Academy would be the home team.

DESERT HOT SPRINGS VS. WOODBRIDGE

Division 13

Coach Connor McBride’s Warriors, the No. 3 team from the Omicron League, will host the opener Friday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at University.

Desert Hot Springs (5-5) is the No. 2 team from the Sun Valley League.

Woodbridge (2-8) is led by freshman quarterback Waylon Stone and senior running back Kayjahn Pitts on offense and senior linebacker David Bosley and senior defensive end Avery Hur on defense.

The winner of Friday’s game moves on to face the winner of the Nordhoff-Buena Park game on Friday, Nov. 14. Buena Park (5-5) earned an at-large berth from the Omicron League.

“We are thrilled to be continuing our season and making it to playoffs,” said McBride, the Warriors’ first year coach.

The winner will play the Buena Park-Nordhoff winner. If Woodbridge and Buena Park win, Woodbridge would be the home team. If Nordhoff wins, Nordhoff would be the home team.

GODINEZ AT PIONEER

Division 14

Godinez, coached by Aron Kaye, is in the CIF playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Godinez (5-5 overall) finished second in the Zeta League while Pioneer (4-6) was the No. 2 team from the 605 League.

“So happy for our kids and coaches,” Kaye said. “It took a lot of hard work and sacrifice over five years to get our program competitive again and to now make the playoffs is just a thrill. We have our hands full. They are the defending champs and we are going to have to play really well. But that’s what makes the playoffs fun.”

Pioneer defeated San Gabriel 13-7 to win the Division 14 title last season.

The winner moves on to face the winner of the Trinity Classical Academy vs. Gabrielino game in the second round on Friday, Nov. 14. Godinez would be the home team it it wins Friday.

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