Division 1: Rancho Cucamonga 27, Orange Lutheran 7
A healthy mix of running and passing led the Cougars to win over Orange Lutheran in the first round. Quarterback Nick Acosta completed 11 of 19 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown, while running back Jaylon Redd rushed 15 times for 84 yards and three scores in the victory. Wideout Thomas Graham Jr. caught four passes for 54 yards and a touchdown. The Cougars will face the powerful Mission Viejo in the quarterfinals, with a trip to the semifinals against the winner of Mater Dei and Vista Murrieta on the line.
Santa Margarita 27, Gardena Serra 14
Much like they have for most of the season, the Eagles from Santa Margarita leaned heavily on junior running back Chad Magyar, who rushed 23 times for 126 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Senior quarterback Richard Wagner completed 10 of 13 passes for 195 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the win, while junior receiver Malone Mataele caught three passes for 48 yards, including a touchdown reception. The Eagles face a tall task in the second round in St. John Bosco, which finished the regular season as the third-ranked team in the Prep2Prep Top 25 and defeated Upland 47-20 in the first round.
Division 2: La Habra 35, Oaks Christian 28
Coach Frank Mazzotta turned to running back Madison Wheeler to carry the Highlanders to victory. Wheeler rushed 35 times for 215 yards as La Habra surprised Oaks Christian in the first round of the playoffs. While Wheeler powered the Highlanders on the ground, senior defensive back Derrick Corso led the defense with two interceptions, and La Habra quarterback Zack Fogel engineered an offense that put up 35 points with the help of his two touchdown passes. The Highlanders advance to face Redlands East Valley, which triumphed over Great Oak 41-30.
Division 3: Palos Verdes 38, St. Francis 37
One last stand was necessary for the Sea Kings to advance in the Division 3 playoffs. Palos Verdes broke up St. Francis’ two-point conversion attempt, staving off defeat and earning a one-point win over the Golden Knights. The Sea Kings’ defense stiffened in the second half, holding the Golden Knights to just three points combined in the second and third quarter. Michael Bonds completed 26 of 37 passes for 351 yards and three scores in the losing effort.
Division 6: Summit 42, West Covina 41
West Covina couldn’t hang onto a lead and couldn’t stop Summit’s comeback attempt, as the SkyHawks drove 82 yards in 2:12, capped by Daniel Fortune’s 6-yard touchdown run to earn the win. Summit overcame a 41-27 deficit in the second half to roar back and secure a first-round victory over West Covina, which finishes the season with a 6-5 record. Joseph Barcena and Quintus Alton combined to pass for 310 yards on 15 attempts, but it wasn’t enough to earn the victory for the Bulldogs.
Division 8: Temescal Canyon 42, Saddleback Valley Christian 31
In a bit of an upset, the Titans came away victorious, thanks to a ground game that churned up 346 yards and five touchdowns. Sophomore Brandon Clemons led all Temescal Canyon rushers with 206 yards and three scores on 29 carries. Running back Jacob Stepanek added 63 yards and two scores on 12 touchdowns as the Titans scored 19 points in the second half to emerge victorious with a date with Don Lugo, coming off a 42-14 victory over Moreno Valley.
