THE STAGE IS SET: STATE TITLE MATCHUPS ANNOUNCED

Posted Dec 14 2009 7:50AM - By Jeff Patterson, www.BayAreaSportsChannel.com
Category: Football

STATEWIDE, California - Marie M. Ishida, CIF Executive Director, announced the matchups for the 2009 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games Presented by Farmers, which take place this upcoming weekend, December 18-19, 2009, at the Home Depot Center in Carson. 10 CIF Section Commissioners were on the Selection Committee.

In the Open Division, De La Salle, Concord,(12-2, 7-0) will look to regain the state title with their fourth straight appearance in the title game Saturday night at 8:00pm vs. Crenshaw High Cougars (14-0, 5-0). The Spartans are 1-2 in the championship round, losing the Division I crown to Centennial, Corona, 21-16. The Spartans dominated Pittsburgh High 49-14 for their 18th straight North Coast Section title. The Cougars make their first appearance in the title game by winning the CIF City Section championship over Narbonne, 34-14. The Cougars are the first City Section team to play for a state title.

In Division I, Bellarmine, San Jose (11-1-1, 6-0-1), play in their first state title game against Oceanside, San Diego (13-0, 6-0), Friday at 8:00pm. Bellarmine defeated St. Francis, Mountain View to win their second straight Central Coast Section Open Division championship. Oceanside earned a return trip to the championship round beating Helix Charter 26-10 for their sixth straight San Diego Section title. Oceanside won the 2007 Division II title over Novato 28-14.

The Division II game has Sac-Joaquin Section Rocklin (14-0) against Servite, Anaheim (13-1) on Saturday at 4:00pm. Rocklin earned their way to Carson by beating defending Open Division state champ Grant, Sacramento and knocking off Del Oro in the Section final. Servite, Anaheim slugged their way to a 16-6 victory at soggy Anaheim Stadium to win the Southern Section Pac 5 championship. Both teams make their first state championship appearance.

The Division III game starts the action on Saturday at 12:00pm with North Coast Section champion Marin Catholic vs. CIF Southern Section Northwest winner Serra, Gardena. Marin Catholic (13-1, 7-0) has won 13 games in a row, including an upset of top-seeded Encinal in the section final. Undefeated Serra (14-0, 4-0) also pulled a big upset, knocking off Oaks Christian, Westlake Village in a battle of the ages, 42-41 in overtime.

The first game of the series is the Small Schools Division game on Friday at 4:00pm. CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV champion Modesto Christian (square off against Francis Parker, San Diego. Modesto Christian (14-0, 5-0) is undefeated with victories over eight playoff teams. Francis Parker (12-1, 5-0) defeated defending Small School Division champ St. Margaret 28-20 earlier this year.

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