Division 1: Rancho Cucamonga 42, Mission Viejo 26
It’s another week — a quarterfinal week in Division 1 — and another win for the Cougars, which continue to trend upward as the season progresses. Rancho Cucamonga ended Mission Viejo’s undefeated season by putting up 35 second-half points to stun the Diablos. Running back Jaylon Redd rushed 29 times for 143 yards and three touchdowns, and receiver Jaivian Lofton caught four passes for 55 yards and a score, as it required a points explosion to overcome an early 13-7 deficit. The Cougars limited the Diablos to 13 second-half points while finding their groove on offense in an effort that earned them a win and a berth in the semifinals against Mater Dei, the No. 1 team in California.
Division 2: San Clemente 23, Heritage 19
The Tritons jumped out to a 20-13 lead at halftime and managed to hang on for a close win in the quarterfinals in Division 2. Quarterback Jack Sears completed 9 of 14 passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns, and added 142 yards rushing on 13 carries to power San Clemente’s offense in the win. Sears found wide receiver Brandon Reaves five times for 88 yards and a score, and despite only managing three points in the second half, it was enough for the Tritons to pull out a victory.
Division 3: La Mirada 32, La Serna 31
A fourth-down conversion by quarterback Tristan Meyer helped the Matadores enter field goal range, from which kicker Bran Petruescu drilled a 30-yard field goal to send La Mirada to the semifinals with a one-point win. Meyer finished with 200 yards passing and two touchdowns, while Matthew Marshall rushed for 142 yards and two scores in a losing effort for La Serna. La Mirada’s shot at repeating as state champions remains alive as the Matadores advance to face Los Alamitos in the semifinals.
Division 4: Sierra Canyon 41, Redondo Union 34
This one needed not one, not two but three overtimes to decide a winner. Sierra Canyon proved to be the team that could put up enough points, thanks to senior running back Bobby Cole, who rushed for 196 yards and four touchdowns on 29 carries. Redondo Union scored a touchdown late in the fourth to tie the contest and send it to overtime, but quarterback Johnny Hawkins found wide receiver Dylan Tait for a 25-yard touchdown catch in the third overtime that proved to be the difference for the Trailblazers, who move on to face Charter Oak, which defeated Downey 35-21 in the quarterfinals.
Division 5: King 21, Salesian 14
Running back Jordan Murry, with his 195 yards and one touchdown on 34 carries, powered a King offense that churned up 222 yards and two scores on the ground. Murry led all King players in all-purpose yards with 206. Senior Jacob Sylvester recorded 11 total tackles as the Wolves won a tightly contested game to earn a date with Capistrano Valley, which defeated Ventura 20-10 in the quarterfinals.
Division 6: Los Altos 49, Paramount 41
The Conquerors came, saw and well, conquered. Los Altos fought off a flurry of fourth quarter points from Paramount — 21 to be exact — to maintain what was a 42-20 lead and win in the quarterfinals. Running back Tyler Nevens rushed for 238 yards and four touchdowns on 34 carries to power the Los Altos offense, which Andrew Manuele caught six passes for 75 yards and a touchdown. The Conquerors will face upstart Woodrow Wilson, which edged Saugus 25-23 in another quarterfinal matchup.
