Division 1-AA: Narbonne (LA City Section Division I champion, 14-0) at San Diego Cathedral (San Diego Section Open Division champion, 13-0)
The Gauchos rolled through the regular season on a march to a state title that seemed almost inevitable, but they’ll meet their strongest test yet in San Diego Cathedral, a team powered by a running game that features two backs with 770 or more rushing yards. Narbonne will counter with quarterback Jalen Chatman, who has thrown for 3,641 yards and 50 touchdowns. Two undefeated records and a trip to the Division 1-AA final are on the line in this contest.
Division 2-AA: Calabasas (Southern Section Division 5 champion, 14-0) at San Diego Madison (San Diego Division 1 champion, 11-2)
Calabasas has record-setting quarterback Tristan Gebbia going for the Coyotes, which is quite the advantage, but will run into a quality opponent in San Diego Madison. The Warhawks boast a potent offense led by quarterback Terrell Carter (2,665 yards passing, 32 touchdowns, four interceptions) and running back Erick Buchanan (1,578 yards rushing, 14 touchdowns). The Coyotes will lean on a defense that has allowed just 20.4 points per game in their undefeated season with the hopes of reaching the Division 2-AA final.
Division 3-AA: Chula Vista Mater Dei (San Diego Division 2 champion, 12-1) vs. Paraclete (Southern Section Division 6 champion, 10-4)
Mater Dei’s C.J. Verdell (2,040 rushing yards, 31 rushing touchdowns, 35 total touchdowns) will be a handful for Paraclete, which is coming off a surprising run through the CIF-SS Division 6 playoffs. The Spirits held Los Altos to just 14 points in a title game victory and will again look to clamp down on defense. The winner will face the victor emerging from the Manteca/Atherton Menlo-Atherton regional final.
Division 5-AA: Valley View (Southern Section Division 11 champion, 11-3) vs. San Gorgonio (Southern Section Division 7 champion, 11-3)
San Gorgonio is a run-first squad that sprinted through the CIF-SS Division 7 playoffs. Led by quarterback Kaleb Hayes (2,080 yards passing, 19 passing touchdowns, 1,408 yards rushing, 18 rushing touchdowns) is the player to watch for the Spartans, who will face a Valley View defense that is prone to giving up points (28.7 per game) but puts up plenty itself, averaging 41.4 per contest. The Spartans will have to stop the two-headed rushing attack of Justin Keeling (1,891 yards, 25 touchdowns) and Dwight Brown (1,369 yards, 12 touchdowns). In what will likely be a high-scoring affair, the two teams will battle to determine who gets the right to play for the Division 5-AA state title.
Division 6-AA: Rancho Christian (Southern Section Division 13 champion, 12-2) vs. Franklin (LA City Section Division III champion, 13-1)
Rancho Christian dominated in the CIF-SS Division 13 title game, winning 52-14 to earn the right to face Franklin in the Division 6-AA South semifinal. The Eagles will meet a Franklin defense that is among the state’s best, allowing just 12.9 points per game. The Panthers posted three shutouts in the regular season and will look to improve their record to 14-1 with a victory by turning to quarterback Mario Bobadilla, who has completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 3,284 yards and 32 touchdowns. Rancho Christian will attempt to counter with a ground game featuring Jaden Schiberi (1,494 yards, 26 touchdowns) and Malosi Napoleon (1,429 yards, 15 touchdowns).
