Mission Viejo players celebrate after winning CIF Southern Section West Valley Division title on Saturday at Anaheim Stadium over Vista Murrieta. Photo: Mark Tennis.
Just getting on the board for the CIF state bowl games selection meeting on Sunday is an honor and those who were in the room know how much hard work it took for every team to win a section title and get listed.
Congratulations to all of these teams (11-man only) for winning a section title in California during the 2014 football season. Writeups by Mark Tennis, Paul Muyskens & Harold Abend.
For this weekend’s State Top 25 scoreboard, CLICK HERE.
For info on Jan. 31 Cal-Hi Sports/Gold Medal Excellence Speed Camp at Palisades HS, CLICK HERE.
For info on Dec. 31 My Goal Mine webinar for new goal-setting smart phone app, CLICK HERE.
Oh, and by the way, please consider signing up for your Gold Club membership today so you can see everything that we do to enrich California high school sports and with 35 years of doing it. CLICK HERE for details.
NORTHERN SECTION
Division II: Enterprise (Redding)
Coach Darren Trueblood’s squad won its third straight section title by blanking Pleasant Valley of Chico 31-0. It was much different than the 19-16 close call that Enterprise had earlier in the season. By not getting selected for the NorCal D2 bowl game, it also was the final game for a great senior class led by D1 RB recruit Izzy Matthews. Pleasant Valley ended 10-3.
Sutter helmet
Randy Post completed 15 of 19 passes for 289 yards and five TDs as the Huskies (13-0) topped Lassen of Susanville (9-4) in a 42-7 dominating win.
Division IV: Winters
Jacob Lowry passed for 129 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 143 yards and three scores on 13 carries as the Warriors (12-1) captured the CIF Northern Section Division IV championship with a 42-12 win over East Nicolaus. The Spartans finished their season at 9-4.
Division V: Maxwell
The Panthers (9-2) defeated Etna 28-0 to win their second straight section title. There were only 16 players on Maxwell’s roster, but one of them, Brian Burg, rushed for 257 yards and scored three TDs. The Lions ended 7-7.
SAC-JOAQUIN SECTION
Division I: Folsom
Co-coaches Kris Richardson and Troy Taylor got a lot done on Saturday when the Bulldogs (14-0) dominated Tracy 55-7 for their third straight title. The game was over by halftime and QB Jake Browning took care of the national career TD pass record with his 220th in the closing minutes. No one from Tracy (10-4) took offense.
Division II: Grant (Sacramento)
The Pacers (14-0) won their first section title since they won the CIF Open Division bowl game in 2008 and claimed their seventh overall under head coach Mike Alberghini with a 21-14 victory over St. Mary’s of Stockton. The Rams (12-2) took a 14-7 lead when Demetrius Ferguson returned the second half kickoff for a score.
Division III: Oakdale
The Mustangs (13-1) trailed 20-0 in the first half, but went ahead quickly in the second half and held on to beat Inderkum of Sacramento 27-23. Inderkum (12-2) was hoping to earn its first-ever CIF state bowl bid.
Junior Central Catholic QB Hunter Petlansky completes a high percentage of his passes. Photo: Mark Tennis.
Division IV: Central Catholic (Modesto)
Since the Raiders (10-3) won their third straight section title in this division with a 42-35 victory over Sonora, it is guaranteed they will be moved up to Division III next season. They also would no longer be eligible for D4 for the bowl games. The Wildcats finished 12-2 with their only other loss coming to D3 champ Oakdale.
Division V: Bear River (Lake of the Pines)
Co-coaches Terry Logue and Scott Savoie directed the Bruins (11-2) past league rival Colfax 28-17 in the final. Jason Voter passed for 207 yards and three TDs and ran for a score to lead Bear River. Logue earlier this season also won his 200th game. The Falcons finished 8-5.
Division VI: Capital Christian (Sacramento)
The Cougars (13-0) came up with a late defensive stand to turn back Modesto Christian 35-28. They were led by two-way standout Justice Shelton-Mosley with 141 yards rushing and three TDs. The Crusaders (11-2) lost by just one point to Capital Christian earlier in the season and were 11-0 vs. everybody else.
Division VII: Stone Ridge Christian (Merced)
It was a 19-14 triumph for the Knights (11-2) over Jim Elliot Christian of Lodi in the championship. The Eagles ended 10-2.
NORTH COAST SECTION
Division I: De La Salle (Concord)
The NCS Division I title game with the last team to beat the Spartans was pretty much over quickly. The Spartans, who won a 23rd straight NCS title and improved to 13-0, led 28-0 at halftime of a 35-0 final and had outgained the Pirates 276 yards to 20 after two quarters. It would have been great to see another rematch of De La Salle and Folsom but the CIF eliminating an Open Regional game took care of that, and Corona Centennial took care of a re-match with St. John Bosco for the CIF Open Division title as well. Pittsburg finishes 10-3 this season.
Justin Zapanta shows there’s more to Clayton Valley running game than just Miles Harrison. Photo: Courtesy school.
The Ugly Eagles bolted out to a 27-0 lead just before the half and coasted home to a 33-7 victory over a Concord team that had tested them in league in a 48-40 Clayton Valley road win. Miles Harrison rushed 24 times for 285 yards and three touchdowns (all in the first half), but it was the work of the Ugly Eagle defense that was the real story. Jake Peralta had two interceptions and the defense held Concord’s high-powered offense to just 268 yards, including 83 in the second half. Clayton Valley head coach Tim Murphy had his 12-1 Clovis East team on the board in 2006 but the CIF Central Section D1 champions were passed over for the first CIF Division I Bowl Game in favor of Canyon Country, however this year his team’s selection is pretty much a foregone conclusion. Concord finishes 12-2 with both losses to Clayton Valley.
Division III: Campolindo (Moraga)
The get on the board the Cougars (14-0) came through, 27-21, with just enough offense to get by a Marin Catholic team that is much improved since the early season. Quarterback Jack Stephens overcame a shaky first half that saw the score tied 14-14 to finish 13-of-25 for 207 yards and two TDs, including a 43-yarder to Duke-bound Tyler Petite that gave the Cougars a 20-14 third quarter lead they never relinquished. Marin Catholic (10-4) lost in the NCS D3 title game for the second-straight year.
Division IV: Justin-Siena (Napa)
After a back-and-forth 18-10 win over St. Mary’s of Berkeley the Braves (11-3) delivered a sixth North Coast Section championship since 2000 (shortly after Justin-Siena joined NCS) for 2004 State Small School Coach of the Year Rich Cotruvo. St. Mary’s (11-2) was looking for a second-straight CIFNCS D4 title.
Division V: Salesian (Richmond)
The top-seeded Pride (11-2) won a fifth NCS title, second-straight, and fourth in the last five years after a 14-7 win over St. Helena. Salesian led 14-0 until St. Helena scored with 3:12 left the Pride holding on from there. St. Helena finishes a fine season with a 12-2 record.
OAKLAND SECTION
Silver Bowl: McClymonds (Oakland)
It was a disappointing finish for the Warriors (12-0 on the field, 8-4 official) off of the field when they had four forfeit losses count on their record at the CIF bowl game selection meeting and thus did not get voted into this year’s D4 North bowl game. On the field, though, it was another title. This one was came after a 17-8 victory against Fremont of Oakland. The Tigers ended 8-4.
SAN FRANCISCO SECTION
Turkey Day Game: Mission (San Francisco)
The Bears (9-3) are eligible for the CIF D3 North bowl game but will not be strongly considered. They defeated Lincoln 36-12 last week’s championship held at Lowell High. The Mustangs finished 7-5.
CENTRAL COAST SECTION
Open Division: Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton)
After winning the NorCal Division III title last year, the Gators (13-0) stepped it up and have now captured the CIF Central Coast Section Open Division title with a 14-0 victory over Bellarmine of San Jose. The school of 600 students got a pair of touchdown runs by Washington-bound Ben Burr-Kirven and the defense pitched a shutout of the school of 1,600 boys from the West Catholic Athletic League. Three-time Open Division champion Bellarmine finishes 10-3 this season.
Division I: San Benito (Hollister)
The No. 3 seed Balers (9-4) upset top-seeded Salinas, 14-7, but despite being on the board the boys from Hollister aren’t even in the discussions about NorCal bowl berths.
The anchor in the middle of the St. Francis defense was senior nose guard Thomas Toki. Photo: Student Sports.
Division II: St. Francis (Mountain View)
With a 17-7 victory over Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) in an all West Catholic Athletic League CCS D2 title game, the Lancers (9-4) won a record 16th CIF Central Coast Section title but despite being on the board they have little chance of getting selected since there are three teams ahead of them in the NorCal D2 Bowl rankings, Concord Clayton Valley, Redding Enterprise and Oakdale. Mitty finishes 8-5 this season.
Division III: Aptos
The Mariners (12-1) got on the NorCal bowl board after a field goal with seconds left pulled out an 11-8 win over St. Ignatius for a second straight CIF Central Coast Section Division III title with both coming against St. Ignatius. The win over a St. Ignatius team that has win over two section finalists, Stockton St. Mary’s in the CIFSJS D2 playoffs and Kentfield Marin Catholic in the CIFNCS D3 playoffs, is a feather in Aptos’ cap. St. Ignatius finishes 7-6 this season.
Division IV: Terra Nova (Pacifica)
Showing just how topsy-turvy the Central Coast Section is this year, last year’s top seed in the Open Division that got knocked out in the first round was the No. 8 and lowest seed in the smallest division this year and went all the way to a title after a 42-23 victory over Monte Vista Christian of Watsonville (10-3).
CENTRAL SECTION
Division I: Edison (Fresno)
It was a battle between the top two seeds as the No. 1 seed Tigers (12-1) got a 63-yard touchdown pass from Hunter Swearingen to Kamron Lewis midway through the fourth quarter which held up as the game-winning score during the 21-14 win over Liberty of Bakersfield. The Patriots, who beat Bakersfield twice this season, wrapped up at 10-3.
Division II: Ridgeview (Bakersfield)
Sheldon Croney’s six-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter was the lone score of the second half as the Wolfpack (12-1) defeated Dinuba 16-14. Lawrence White had a one-yard touchdown run followed by a field goal for a 10-0 lead, but the Emperors (11-2) took a 14-10 lead at halftime.
Division III: Hanford
History when the Bullpups (12-1) captured their first section championship in school history with a 35-14 win over Madera. Last season, the Bullpups had their postseason come to an end in a first-round with a loss to the Coyotes (9-4), but got revenge by forcing five turnovers on the night.
Division IV: Liberty (Madera Ranchos)
While the P.A. guy saying that the Lions have the longest active winning streak in California was incorrect, what is correct is that they are an unbeaten section champion. The defense dominated during a 24-6 win over Central Valley Christian of Visalia. The winning streak of 18 games is the longest winning streak in the section and second-longest in the state. It also may be the longest to start next season depending on how Christian of El Cajon does in the next two weeks. The Cavaliers (11-2) probably would have gotten a D4 South bowl bid with the win. Liberty is D3 South for the bowl games and was not selected.
Division V: Corcoran
While the Panthers (10-3) may have been the No. 8 seed at the start of the playoffs, they capped off an impressive playoff performance with their first section championship since 2009 with a 44-16 romp past Immanuel of Reedley. Da’Shaun Henderson led the way with four touchdowns. Immanuel ended at 9-4.
Division VI: Kennedy (Delano)
The Thunderbirds (9-3) topped Avenal 41-20 in the championship. The Buccaneers finished 9-4.
L.A. CITY SECTION
Division I: Narbonne (Harbor City)
The Gauchos avenged an earlier league loss by topping Carson 33-20 at the L.A. Coliseum for their third section title in four years. Narbonne (11-3) took the lead when junior Sean Riley ran back the second-half kickoff for an 89-yard touchdown. Damon Gatlin also scored three TDs for the Gauchos. The Colts ended at 10-4.
Division II: Hamilton (Los Angeles)
The Yankees (11-3) topped Sylmar 37-16 in the title game. The Spartans also finished the season at 11-3. Last year’s winner of this division, San Fernando, went 14-0 and was considered for a CIF bowl game.
Division III: Los Angeles
The Romans (12-2) began playing football in 1893 and gained bowl eligibility for a CIF bowl game for the first time. They beat Monroe of Sepulveda 28-14 in Saturday’s final. Monroe finished 10-4.
SOUTHERN SECTION
Pac-5 Division: Centennial (Corona)
Going into the Pac-5 for the Huskies (12-2), who have dominated previously in the Inland Division, was a huge challenge but they got it done with a 48-41 win over defending champ and No. 1 state-ranked St. John Bosco of Bellflower. Centennial won its ninth section title under head coach Matt Logan. The Braves (12-2) had a 28-game win streak against California teams snapped. They stayed No. 1 in the state because their other loss was 34-31 to Bishop Gorman of Nevada in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 national rankings game (at least according to USA Today).
West Valley Division: Mission Viejo
A pair of TD passes from Brock Johnson to Connor Hill lifted the Diablos (12-2) past Vista Murrieta 21-10. Johnson is the grandson of head coach Bob Johnson and the son of offensive coordinator Bret Johnson. It was the school’s sixth section title but for Johnson counting his years at El Toro of Lake Forest it was his seventh. Vista Murrieta, which lost in CIFSS Inland Division finals in 2012 and 2013 to Centennial, finished 11-3.
Inland Division: Redlands East Valley
Sticking with the family theme, the Wildcats (13-1) defeated Riverside Poly 35-31 in a showdown at Riverside Ramona to give head coach Kurt Bruich and the school its first section title. Kurt played on one of several section title teams at Fontana coached by father, Dick, who watched REV win on a late TD pass from Armando Herrera to Khris Vaughan. Poly (13-1) was hoping to win its first section title since 1984.
Southwest Division: Trabuco Hills (Mission Viejo)
Jimmy Jacobs passed for 137 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for a score as Trabuco Hills (10-4) upset favored San Clemente 44-37. Jacobs’ touchdown pass to Noah Thompson on fourth down gave the Mustangs the lead with 7:51 remaining and shortly after that Colin Schooler made it a two-score game with a 26-yard fumble return for a touchdown. The Tritons (12-2) were led all season by USC-bound QB Sam Darnold.
Crescenta Valley’s 14-0 season was spearheaded by QB Brian Gadsby. Photo: Hudl.com.
For the first time since 1973, the Falcons (14-0) can say they are section champions after defeating Downey 21-14 on Friday night. Bryan Gadsby connected with Jordan Lobianco early in the fourth quarter for a 22-yard touchdown that turned out to be the game-winning score for the Falcons. Downey wrapped up a 10-4 campaign.
Western Division: Palos Verdes (PV Estates)
Despite trailing 24-11 at halftime, the PV defense didn’t allow a point in the second half while the offense came alive in a 32-24 triumph against Ventura. The Sea Kings (11-3) won their second section championship in three years. The Cougars ended 12-2.
Eastern Division: Palm Springs
Able to come up with a few plays in the final quarter when they really needed them, the Indians (12-2) got a 3-yard touchdown run from Franklin Miller with 5:31 remaining and held on for a 24-21 win over Serrano of Phelan. William Olvera also passed for 197 yards and two TDs as they captured the second CIF title in program history. The Diamondbacks wrapped up a 12-2 season.
Central Division: Colony (Ontario)
Scoring on its first four possessions, the alma mater of the Seattle Seahawks’ Bobby Wagner defeated Los Altos of Hacienda Heights 35-7 for the third section title in program history. It was 28-0 at halftime and 35-0 for coach Steve Randall’s team until the Conquerors avoided the shutout with a score during a running clock fourth quarter.
Northern Division: Paso Robles
Winning tough, hard-nosed battles is a staple of the Bearcats’ program and they did it again in a 13-10 triumph over Newbury Park. Paso improved its record to 13-1 and was given a CIF SoCal D3 bowl bid. The Panthers fell to 11-3.
Southern Division: Garden Grove
After losing in the championship game the last two seasons to Corona del Mar (now in a different division), the Argonauts captured the section championship with a 35-0 win over crosstown Rancho Alamitos. Alejandro Ceja rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns while Jordan Antunez rushed for 99 yards and a score as the Argonauts as a team rushed for over 300 yards and five touchdowns. The Vaqueros ended at 10-3.
Mid-Valley Division: Pomona
Darreon Lockett passed for 352 yards and three touchdowns as Pomona defeated Paraclete of Lancaster 37-29 on Friday night. The Red Devils (12-1 on-the-field) trailed twice in the second half before coming back for the win and their first section championship since 1951. The Spirits finished at 10-4.
Northwest Division: Nipomo
Yet another team that captured its first section championship in program history, Nipomo defeated Arrowhead Christian of Redlands 22-19. Peyton Witcher had a big interception with 2:01 remaining that allowed the Titans (10-4) to run off most of the remaining clock. Arrowhead Christian ended 12-2.
East Valley Division: St. Margaret’s (SJ Capistrano)
Two teams with 13-0 records entered for a section championship and it was St. Margaret’s that got to leave with a first-place plaque after defeating Grace Brethren of Simi Valley 34-21. Making the most of three turnovers, which included two interceptions by Fernando Delgado in the fourth quarter, the Tartans (14-0) scored 17 straight points.
SAN DIEGO SECTION
Open Division: Oceanside
Trailing 13-3 in the third quarter, the Pirates (13-0) scored the game’s final 17 points to defeat Helix of La Mesa 20-13. Josh Bernard scored on a touchdown run late in the third quarter and then in the first minute of the fourth quarter Matthew Romero connected with Johnny Arzola for the lead. The only score for Helix (10-3) came on a 60-yard run by Nathan Stinson.
Christian (El Cajon) helmet
Division I: St. Augustine (San Diego)
In a comeback for the ages, the Saints (8-5) beat Madison of San Diego 49-42 to win a second straight section title. St. Aug trailed 42-28 before scoring the game’s final 21 points, which included the game-winning touchdown catch with three seconds remaining by Jacob Baker on a throw from Thomas Goodridge. The Warhawks capped a 9-4 campaign.
Division II: El Capitan (Lakeside)
It was a defensive battle when the Vaqueros (13-0) defeated Rancho Bernardo of San Diego 14-7. Coach Ron Burner’s undefeated squad trailed 7-0 in the first quarter before a Brad Cagle 24-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Capoocia had the game tied at halftime. Cagle ran for the game-winning score with a 6-yard TD late in the third quarter. The Broncos finished 10-2.
Division III: Christian (El Cajon)
It was close at the start of the fourth quarter as the Patriots (13-0) were only ahead of San Diego Hoover by 12-9, but they opened it up down the stretch for 31-9 win and claimed a second straight section crown. The Cardinals ended at 10-3.
Division IV: Bishop’s (La Jolla)
In another come-from-behind section championship win, the Knights trailed 10-0 at halftime before defeating Mater Dei Catholic of Chula Vista 19-16 in overtime. After giving up a field goal in overtime, Bishop’s(13-0) got the walk-off win when three-year standout RB Bulla Graft scored on a one-yard touchdown run. The Crusaders finished 8-6.
Division V: La Jolla Country Day
Braxton Burmeister passed for 423 yards and three TDs to lead the Torreys (7-6) past Vincent Memorial of Calexico (10-2) 42-0. Burmeister is a sophomore who has committed to Arizona.
Mark Tennis is the co-founder and publisher of CalHiSports.com. He can be reached at markjtennis@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow Mark on the Cal-Hi Sports Twitter handle: @CalHiSports
6 Comments
Too bad people who rank and select teams don’t watch film. BEST defense I’ve ever had and I’ve had some great teams over the years. We are happy to beat a 10-0, a10-1 and a WCAL team that played and beat some of 6 section finalist, to win Back2Back CCS titles. Our boys at the beach can play. Happy Holidays. Sutter and Campolindo are fine teams also. Happy Holidays
Randy,
We tried to watch film one season and it just took so much time that it was impossible. We do try to get out and see as many teams as possible and we do try to seek out opinions of some writers who’ve seen multiple teams play. The biggest problem with these bowl games is that we have games ending at 11 p.m. on a Saturday night and then have the meeting starting at 10 a.m. the next day. I do wish there was a way that your team could still be playing. As you know, I watched your teams way back at Nevada Union in the 1980s and have huge respect for the career you’ve had also at Clovis West, Fallbrook, Capo V, Madera, etc. Your teams have always played hard and played the games with passion. Happy holidays to you and yours as well.
If I was on the committee to pick the teams I know overall I would be looking for the knockout games. The South D3 picks were very easy, not only are the 2 teams picked rated the highest from a power rating point of view but both teams have a knockout or 2 victories on their schedule. El Cap beating Helix is huge, PR had 3 victories against teams with a power rating in the mid 40’s and solid win/loss records ………
Very different when you look at the 4 teams to choose from for the North D3. I looked at all 4 schedules and I just don’t see that knockout victory. What I did notice was Aptos defense was good and seemed to be peeking by the end of the season. There was just no clear cut picks to be made, someone was going to be disappointed. Glad CIF is going to remedy this in the future. Randy, you’ve had a great career, I’m sure if you continue to coach we’ll see another team coached by you make it to a state bowl.
Coach Blankenship, congrats on another great season.
Really cool article
Randy, congratulations on a great year. It would have been pretty ironic and fun if the old Nevada Union Coach, would have been matched up against Bear River in Div III. (For those that don’t know, NU and Bear River are in the same school district, but play in different divisions.) It would have had some interesting side stories anyhow. Have a great Holiday, maybe will see you at Pebble Beach again this year. Congrats again, Terry Logue, Bear River High.