CIF FOOTBALL PLAYOFF: A LOOK DOWN SOUTH

Posted Dec 12 2009 8:03PM - By Jeff Patterson, Bay Area Sports Channel
Category: General

SO CAL, Los Anegels - CIF FOOTBALL PLAYOFF: A LOOK DOWN SOUTH

Just as the North Coast Section is continuing with their championship games today, the Southern sections of the California Interscholastic Federation are also in the midst of their title rounds.

Around various venues in Southern California, sections winners will hope that they are the team that is selected to play the Northern California selection for the state title in the CIF State Championships presented by Farmers at the Home Depot Center next weekend.

There are many headline games including the City Section Division I final between Harbor City Narbonne vs. top-seeded Los Angeles Crenshaw at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Crenshaw is looking to make history. With a victory, they would be the first City team to play for a state title. The Cougars also have extra motivation due to their loss to Narbonne in last year’s semifinal. The Cougars return to the finals for the time since winning it all in 2005.
The Southern Section Pac-5 Division final is between Huntington Beach Edison against Anaheim Servite at Angels Stadium. A victory probably assures Edison of a state title berth by completing an undefeated season, their first since 1980, and ending a twenty-four year title drought. Edison defeated Servite 23-9 earlier this year are the favorites to do it again.

In the Southwest Division, top seeds clash as La Habra battles Trabuco Hills for the title. La Habra is looking for the three-peat and fifth section title this decade. Trabuco Hills will try to recapture their championship past with a win. It will be their first title since 1993.
The Eastern Division Final matches Phelan Serrano against Palm Springs. Palm Spring rolls into today’s contest by posting a 41-0 shutout of Kaiser. Serrano also comes in on a hot streak by shutting out their first two playoff opponents and the winning a shootout vs. Norte Vista 49-36. This is a rematch of the Division 2004 VIII final won by Serrano. Palm Spring is looking to win their first section championship.

The East Valley Division matchup is between San Juan Capistrano St. Margaret and Ontario Christian. This division has been dominated by St. Margaret, who has won the last three section titles. Ontario Christian looks for their fourth section title overall, and first since 2002.
An interesting matchup in the Mid-Valley Division has San Dimas squaring off against Monrovia. San Dimas is playing in the title game for the first time in 37 years. Monrovia is looking to end a dreadful 0-7 championship game streak. Monrovia defeated San Dimas in September 36-17. The Northeast Division features Temecula Linfield Christian vs. Arcadia Rio Honda Prep. Rio Honda looks for back to back titles while Linfield is playing it their first title game.

In Friday night action, Temecula Chaparral edged top-seeded Vista Murrieta in the Inland Division title game. The Pumas savored their improbable title after winning their three previous games on the last play of the game. The unseeded Pumas were able to avenge a 32-13 loss earlier in the season to their Southwestern League rival.
La Mirada took the Southern Division title by scoring 42 unanswered points to win 49-27 over Garden Grove. The game turned when Garden Grove quarterback Sean Young left the game due to injury. The Argonauts were leading 21-7 when the injury occurred early in the first half. La Miranda took advantage of the Garden Grove’s inability to move the football and blew the game open.

A quarterback injury worked out for Westlake Village as freshman quarterback Justin Moore scored the game-winning touchdown to nail down a 14-10 win over Moorpark in the Northern Division. Moore was a second half replacement for starter Nick Isham, who suffered a broken collarbone on the first play of the second half. Moore scored on a four yard sweep on fourth and one with 41.3 seconds left to play.

Mira Costa claimed the Western Division with a 24-21 victory over Alemany. Upland came victorious versus Los Osos 19-7 in the Central Division final. It was the third straight section title for Upland Coach Tim Salter.
Finally, Los Angeles Hamilton outscored Woodland Hills El Camino 67-42 in the City Section Division II title game.
CIF Bowl Game Selection Committee playoff berths will be posted on Twitter right be the press conference at 3:30 tomorrow afternoon.