PHOTOS: Capo Valley prepares for challenge of taking on No. 3 La Habra in opener

Deandre Lenard of Capo Valley breaks a tackle for a gain against El Toro Friday night. (Photos courtesy Capo Valley football/Michael Tanaka, For OC Sports Zone)

Capistrano Valley’s football team is headed to the CIF Division 3 playoffs as an-large team Friday to face third seeded La Habra in the opening round Friday night.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

Coach Sean Curtis Capo Valley team enters with 4-6 overall record and wrapped up South Coast League play with a 36-7 victory over El Toro. La Habra, the Freeway League champion, is 8-2.

“We are thrilled to have made the playoffs,” said Curtis, the first year coach. “That is the expectation here at Capo. Our schedule this year was not easy. The teams we lost to are a combined 52-7.

“Four of them went on to be league champions. We had to prepare each week to play some of the best teams around. So getting to the playoffs in Division 3 is a big accomplishment for us.”

Curtis knows there is a big challenge ahead in a loaded Division 3 bracket.

“We understand it doesn’t get any easier in our first round match up,” Curtis said.. “La Habra has been great program for a long time. They are used to having a lot of success. They are always well coached, tough and athletic. Their home stadium is one of the most electric environments to play in. 

“We feel that our schedule has prepared us for this part of the season. Anything can happen at this point. I have been proud of my team and all of their hard work so far. They always play hard and look forward to playing in big games like this. We expect them to come out and play their best football game. That is what it is going to take to advance.”