PREVIEW: Katella and Segerstrom, both 10-1, meet in CIF Division 10 quarterfinal

Segerstrom’s football team meets Katella Friday night in the quarterfinals. (Photo courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone)

Katella and Segerstrom, who both have 10-1 records, square off Friday night in the quarterfinal round of the CIF Division 10 football playoffs at Segerstrom.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Segerstrom will be trying to reach the semifinal round of the playoffs for the first time in four years against a Katella program that won the CIF Division 11 title in 2017. Katella captured the Orange League title this season with a 5-0 record.

Segerstrom finished second in the Big Four League with a 2-1 record.

“We are excited at the opportunity to compete Friday night against a tough Katella team,” said Segerstrom Coach Joseph Tagaloa. “This is the first time our two programs will play at the varsity level. They have a solid program and I have a lot of respect for what they have accomplished.  With that being said I am proud of our guys and their will to compete. It should be an exciting game.

“The last and only time that we made it to the semifinals was my first year as a head coach four seasons ago.”

Katella Coach Fred DiPalma said there are some keys to Friday’s game.

“I think Segerstrom is a well-coached, disciplined team that does not make many mistakes,” said DiPalma. “Turnovers could play an important role this week.  They execute well on both offense and defense but I think like all teams we have weaknesses but so do they. 

“The key is taking advantage of those weaknesses and making big plays when possible.  I look forward to the challenge this week.”

DiPalma said he’s looking for another strong game from his defensive unit.

“Our defensive front made up of Miles Poland, Nate Lopez, Jaden Vanhorn and others are key for this game,” DiPalma said.

The Knights offense is led by junior quarterback Pharrell Scorza who has passed for 1,179 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 447 yards.

Junior Luke Monzon has rushed for 428 yards. The leading receiver is Raymond Mendoza, who has hauled in 21 catches for 334 yards and three touchdowns.

Segerstrom is led by quarterback Angel Vega who has passed for 1,545 yards and 24 touchdowns. The Jaguars leading rushers are Jacob Rodriguez (366 yards rushing, four TDs) and Nathan Tagaloa (315 yards rushing, four TDs).

The top receivers have been Anthony Gomez (16 catches for 371 yards and 10 touchdowns), Andrew Schouw (17 catches for 368 yards and five touchdowns) and Iverson Fuiava (18 catches for 324 yards and seven touchdowns).

The winner of Friday’s game moves on to face the winner of the Crescenta Valley-Eisenhower game. Crescenta Valley is the top seed.

In another Division 10 game Friday night, Orange plays at J.W. North. The winner of that game moves on to face the winner of the Norte Vista-Simi Valley game in the semfinals.

CIF PLAYOFF SCHEDULE FOR FIRST AND QUARTERFINAL ROUND GAMES

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com