THIS WEEK'S KEY GAMES.GAME OF THE DAY No. 8 SYLMAR (12-0) at No. 2 TAFT (12-0), 7 p.m. Key stat: 3. Since coach Troy Starr took over the Taft of Woodland Hills program in 1992, the Toreadors have had three 13-win seasons, in 1996, 1997 and 2002. Outlook: Taft and Sylmar have made eight appearances in City championship games the past 13 years, but they haven't met often. The last meeting was in the 1997 City 4-A semifinals, with Taft winning 8-6. The Toreadors defeated the Spartans 30-6 in 1996. Sylmar's last victory in the series was in 1995, when it won a season opener 27-7. Taft last appeared in the City final in 2002, losing 35-7 to West Valley League rival Birmingham of Lake Balboa. Sylmar, making its second semifinal appearance in three seasons, last reached a City title game in 1994, winning the 4-A championship, its second in a three-year span under former coach Jeff Engilman. Sylmar lost 62-21 to Venice in the 2003 semifinals. All eyes will be on Taft WR/DB Jamere Holland and Sylmar RB/DB C.J. Gable, who figure to be matched up against one another at points during the game. Holland has 42 catches for 927 yards and 16 touchdowns. Gable, who has 1,995 yards and 33 TDs, is closing in on Ryen Carew's 2002 program record of 2,095 yards. Gable also has five interceptions. Quarterback play could decide the outcome of the game. Taft's Exavier Johnson (2,578 yards, 31 TDs) and Sylmar's John Austin John Austin may refer to a:
No. 7 VALENCIA (9-3) at No. 4 CANYON (11-1), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Key stat: 504. Valencia's average yardage yard·age 1 n. 1. An amount or length measured in yards. 2. Cloth sold by the yard. Noun 1. in its first two playoff games. Outlook: Canyon defeated Valencia by 28 points a month ago, but there's a lot more on the line here. Valencia continues to move around players on defense - JV call-up Michael Lien is starting at LB in place of Travis Quesada, who has switched to DL - and Valencia QB Michael Herrick is coming off a career-best 441 yards and four TDs last week. Canyon's top player is RB J.J. DiLuigi, who scored five TDs against Valencia in the first meeting. The junior has rushed for 100 or more yards in seven consecutive games and set school single-season records for yardage (1,707) and TDs (39). Canyon also has a solid defense led by DLs Garrett Leary and Ben Armbruster, LBs Tyler Hawkins and Matt Brown, and DBs Randy Rigg, Michael Montano and Wirthlin. Canyon is bidding for its first championship appearance since 1988. The Cowboys won three successive titles from 1983 to 1985. Herrick, California's all-time career yardage leader, has passed for 3,575 yards and 18 TDs after totaling 4,065 yards as a junior and 3,167 as a sophomore. Junior Shane Vereen leads Valencia in rushing (1,624 yards), receiving (47 catches, 5 TDs) and scoring (33 TDs). Canyon QB Austin Civita (2,192 yards, 20 TDs) has been hot. In two playoff victories, he's completed 69 percent of his passes for 507 yards and seven TDs, and he's scored a TD. No. 1 N.D. (12-0) at No. 10 ST. FRANCIS (10-2), 7:30 p.m. Key stat: 28. First-half points scored by Notre Dame Notre Dame IPA: [nɔtʁ dam] is French for Our Lady, referring to the Virgin Mary. In the United States of America, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks in last year's 49-14 victory over St. Francis of La Canada Flintridge in the Div. III semifinals. Notre Dame scored 28 second-half points in last week's 35-10 victory over Muir of Pasadena. Outlook: St. Francis has lost eight in a row and 16 of the past 17 meetings to Notre Dame, and the odds are stacked against coach Jim Bonds and his team again in tonight's Div. III semifinal. St. Francis is making its second successive semifinal appearance and third in six seasons under Bonds, who is trying to lead the Knights to their first Southern Section championship game since 1964. Notre Dame, also the Knights, has made six title-game appearances in the past 11 years under coach Kevin Rooney Kevin Rooney born on May 4, 1956 in Catskill, NY and is a boxing trainer and former boxer. Amateur Boxing Career Rooney won the 1975 147lb Sub-Novice New York Golden Gloves Championship. Rooney defeated Kevin Higgins of West Point in the finals. , winning four titles, including three in a row. Notre Dame is riding a 34-game winning streak Noun 1. winning streak - a streak of wins streak, run - an unbroken series of events; "had a streak of bad luck"; "Nicklaus had a run of birdies" - sixth-longest in Southern Section history - and has won 14 consecutive playoff games. Both Div. III semifinals are rematches of last year, with second-seeded Dominguez of Compton taking on third-seeded Peninsula of Rolling Hills Rolling hills are like a mountain chain, only a "hill chain" of hills that roll on and on continually. You will often find them in between plains and mountains, near major rivers, or randomly anywhere. The only places without rolling hills are deserts and flood plains. Estates on Saturday. Notre Dame defeated Dominguez for the championship last season. Notre Dame scored 17 second-quarter points to beat St. Francis 24-3 in a Mission League clash Nov. 4. It was N.D.'s second-lowest scoring output of the season. THIS WEEK'S OTHER GAMES MISSION VIEJO Mission Vi·e·jo A community of southern California southeast of Irvine. It is mainly residential. Population: 96,300. (12-0) vs. No. 5 HART (10-2) at COC See chip on chip. , 7:30 p.m. Outlook: Mission Viejo is fast becoming Hart of Newhall's archrival arch·ri·val n. A principal rival. after eliminating the Indians from the playoffs in 2002 and 2004, and this year the Diablos, ranked No. 2 in the nation by USA Today USA Today National U.S. daily general-interest newspaper, the first of its kind. Launched in 1982 by Allen Neuharth, head of the Gannett newspaper chain, it reached a circulation of one million within a year and surpassed two million in the 1990s. , are as strong as they've ever been. Hart is a heavy underdog, and it will take a near-perfect performance - and perhaps a few lucky breaks - to pull off an upset against a team that has won 67 of its past 68 games. Mission Viejo's one loss since 2000 was a 25-7 defeat to Hart in the 2003 Div. II championship. Hart's Tyler Lyon has passed for 1,732 yards and 12 TDs and scored seven TDs in nine games. Troy Yudin (57 catches, 11 TDs) and James Wheeler (46 receptions, one TD) are among four starters with 25 or more receptions. Yudin is questionable with an ankle injury. Hart's top defensive players are LBs Patrick Sarkissian (115 tackles), Chris Hickok and Griffin Cannon, DL Wilfred Aka and DBs Wheeler, Anthony Luna, Brandon Arndt and Adam Reyes. Mission Viejo RB Chane Moline, a 6-foot-2, 240-pounder, is among the nation's top players, but he hasn't been used as frequently as last season, when he rushed for more than 2,000 yards. Moline this year has 1,034 yards and 25 TDs, one on a 96-yard run last week. R.J. Tolman has passed for 1,706 yards for the Diablos, and TE Konrad Reuland is among the nation's top recruits. KEY NUMBER 136 Hart RB Delano Howell's rushing yards in last week's 21-19 victory over Los Osos of Rancho Cucamonga Rancho Cucamonga (răn`chō k  'kəmäng`gə), city (1990 pop. 101,409), San Bernardino co., S Calif. .
No. 6 MOORPARK (9-3) at VENTURA (11-1), Saturday, 7 p.m. Outlook: Ventura already has defeated one opponent twice this season. Moorpark will try to prevent the Cougars from doing it again. Ventura advanced to the semifinals for the second year in a row and third time in five seasons with a 42-28 victory last week over Camarillo, a team it defeated 27-13 in its season opener. The Cougars handed the Musketeers a 33-26 setback on Sept. 16. Since then, Moorpark has won nine of 10 to reach the semifinals for the third time in four years. Although Moorpark's Darrell Scott For Darrell Scott, the "Rachel's Challenge" founder of this name, see . Darrell Scott is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He has written several mainstream country hits, and also has established himself as one of Nashville's premier session rushed for 256 yards in the first meeting, the Musketeers surrendered a touchdown pass in the final 30 seconds to lose. Scott (1,662 yards, 16 TDs) and Dan Moran (867 yards, 10 TDs) have developed into the best 1-2 rushing punch in the area, but Moorpark also can throw the ball. Scott and Moran combined for 194 yards in last week's 26-0 victory over Arroyo Grande, but QB Adam Barry was the offensive star, completing 11 of 15 passes for 226 yards and three TDs. KEY NUMBER 4 Moorpark shutouts. Ventura is averaging 34.8 points per game. ST. BONAVENTURE (12-0) at No. 15 RIO MESA (9-3), 7:30 p.m. Outlook: The good news for Rio Mesa of Oxnard: The Spartans are in the semifinals for the first time since 1985 and need one victory for their first appearance in a division final since 1983. The bad news: Rio Mesa might be playing the hottest team in all of Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, , St. Bonaventure of Ventura. The Seraphs, who moved up to No. 3 in the Cal-Hi Sports state rankings this week, behind Mission Viejo and Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, have won 93 of their past 96 games - and their past 22. St. Bonaventure, the defending Div. IV champion, is seeking its eighth title-game appearance in 10 years and its fourth straight in Div. IV after dominating Div. XI. Matt Evans passed for 324 yards and three TDs and Michael Lee Michael Lee may refer to:
Rio Mesa rebounded from a 28-13 loss to Camarillo in the regular-season finale to upset third-seeded Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. 38-31 in the first round and previously unbeaten Beverly Hills Beverly Hills, city (1990 pop. 31,971), Los Angeles co., S Calif., completely surrounded by the city of Los Angeles; inc. 1914. The largely residential city is home to many motion-picture and television personalities. 31-17 in the quarterfinals. Malachi Lewis, who rushed for 257 yards and two touchdowns against Beverly Hills, is the top area rusher, with 2,076 yards, and has scored 24 TDs. KEY NUMBER 6 Consecutive championship-game appearances for St. Bonaventure, longest active streak in the Southern Section. CABRILLO (10-2) vs. No. 11 CRESPI (9-3) at Pierce College In 2006 the Library won a national Excellence award. Academics Pierce College offers associate's degrees, mainly in the arts and sciences. There are also certificate programs in early childhood education, social services, dental hygienist, and others. , 7:30 p.m. Outlook: Crespi of Encino's quest to repeat as Div. X champion almost ended last week, but the Celts The following pages provide lists of nations or people of Celtic origin, arranged by branch of Celtic ethnicity or language grouping: Goidelic Celts
To reach another final, Crespi must overcome Los Padres
Not to be confused with San Diego Padres. League champion Cabrillo of Lompoc, which atoned for last year's first-round loss to La Canada with a 28-12 quarterfinal victory. The Celts, who have won seven straight, rely heavily on RB Josh Morgan, who has 1,068 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. He ran for 221 yards and scored all three TDs for Crespi against North Torrance, scoring with 1:20 left in regulation to send the game to overtime. Cabrillo, which has a five-game winning streak, also is strong on the ground. Vailala Taua has 1,574 yards and 27 TDs, and C.J. Simmons has contributed 831 yards and 11 TDs. KEY NUMBER 2-1 Crespi's playoff record against Los Padres League teams since joining Div. X in 2002. NORDHOFF (9-3) at No. 3 OAKS CHR CHR canine hypoxic rhabdomyolysis. . (11-0), 7:30 p.m. Outlook: Much has been made of the Nov. 11 regular-season finale between the teams, won by Oaks Christian of Westlake Village 42-7 in a penalty-marred game. As a result, Oaks Christian coach Bill Redell Bill Redell (born April 17, 1941 in Red Bluff, California) is an American football coach and member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Redell serves as head coach at Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, California, since 2000, and has formed them into one of and Nordhoff of Ojai coach Cliff Farrar have drafted a letter that will be passed out to all spectators in attendance tonight in an attempt to generate as positive an atmosphere as possible. This marks the third consecutive year the teams are meeting in the semifinals. Oaks Christian won 33-14 in 2003 and 42-6 last year. Nordhoff, which last reached a division final in 1999, is facing a Lions team that has won 29 consecutive games - third-longest active streak in the state - and outscored opponents 613-80 this season. Oaks Christian, which has scored 133 points in playoff victories over Twentynine Palms and La Salle La Salle, city (1990 pop. 9,717), La Salle co., N Ill., on the Illinois River; settled 1830, inc. 1852. It forms a tricity unit with Peru and Oglesby. Corn, wheat, and soybeans are grown, and cattle and hogs are raised. of Pasadena, has received outstanding production from RB Marc Tyler Marc Tyler (born September 27, 1988 in Palmdale, California) is an American football running back for the University of Southern California Trojans football team. High school career Tyler attended Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, California. (1,605 yards, 35 TDs). Jimmy Clausen James Richard "Jimmy" Clausen (born September 21, 1987, in Thousand Oaks, California[3]) is an American football player. He is a quarterback at the University of Notre Dame. , who is 25-0 as a starting quarterback, has thrown for 2,229 yards and 26 TDs for the Lions. KEY NUMBER 4 Years in a row at least two Tri-Valley League teams have advanced to the Div. XI semifinals. SAN JACINTO San Jacinto, river, c.130 mi (210 km) long, rising in SE Texas as the West Fork and flowing S to Galveston Bay. Its chief tributary is Buffalo Bayou, and both the bayou and the lower river are used for the Houston ship channel. (9-3) at GRACE BRETHREN (10-2), Saturday at Newbury Park HS, 7:30 p.m. Outlook: Grace Brethren of Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. coach Terry Gourley called last week's 28-19 triumph over Oak Park ``one of the biggest in program history.'' The Lancers lanc·er n. 1. A cavalryman armed with a lance. 2. A member of a regiment originally armed with lances. 3. lancers (used with a sing. verb) a. A kind of quadrille. b. , who scored 21 fourth-quarter points to rally for the victory, will need to be more consistent to get past San Jacinto, which upset second-seeded Verbum Dei of Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. last week. Grace Brethren, seeking its fourth appearance in a division final in five years, has been among the Southern Section's best defensive teams during its 10-game winning streak, surrendering only 47 points. The Lancers, who won the Div. XI title last year and were bumped up to Div. XI, have recorded five shutouts during that stretch. Matt Cull cull the act of culling. Called also cast. (845 yards, 9 TDs), Brad Willhite (592 yards, 14 TDs) and QB Travis Chupp (602 yards, 9 TDs) contribute to Grace Brethren's balanced rushing attack. Chupp has passed for 1,048 yards and 13 TDs. KEY NUMBER 5 Southern Section teams to reach the semifinals five consecutive years: Grace Brethren, Mission Viejo, St. Bonaventure of Ventura, Oaks Christian of Westlake Village and South Hills of Covina. WHITTIER CHRISTIAN (11-0) vs. CAMPBELL HALL Campbell Hall can refer to:
Outlook: Campbell Hall of North Hollywood, at the time the top-ranked team in Div. XIII, surrendered a touchdown in the final minute and lost 20-19 in the first meeting this season with the Heralds. It was one of three setbacks in a five-week period down the stretch, and Campbell Hall, hurt by injuries the final month of the regular season, had to petition for an at-large berth to get into the playoffs. Finally healthy, the Vikings have returned to form. Brandon Scott has rushed for 1,252 yards and 14 TDs, and QB Zachary Kaplan has thrown for 1,421 yards and 15 TDs for Campbell Hall. LB Sam Weinberger (94 tackles) and DE Taylor Henry (22 sacks) lead the defense. Only two opponents aside from Campbell Hall have stayed within seven points of Whittier Christian. The third-seeded Heralds are averaging 42.6 points per game, and they scored 68 in their first-round victory over Fairmont Prep of Anaheim. KEY NUMBER 8 Undefeated 11-man teams remaining in the Southern Section, including Whittier Christian and St. Margaret's of San Juan Capistrano San Juan Capistrano (săn wän kăpĭsträ`nō), city (1990 pop. 26,183), Orange co., S Calif.; inc. 1961. San Juan Capistrano has some manufactures, including aircraft parts, medical apparatus, and boats, but the economy is in Div. XIII. EL CAMINO REAL El Camino Real (Spanish for The Royal Road or The King's Highway) was the name of a series of pre-automobile highways linking the various New World colonies of Spain:
Outlook: Eagle Rock, one of the top four seeds in the City Section's Invitational playoffs, expected to be playing for a chance to go to the Coliseum. The Eagles probably didn't expect to see 15th-seeded El Camino Real of Woodland Hills in their path. After winning only three games during the regular season, El Camino Real can claim their third postseason victory tonight. The Conquistadores, led by RBs Jamelle Kibble kibble baked dough that is crushed or cracked. Prepared usually by extruding and then heating-drying the dough. Used as dry food for dogs and cats. (849 yards, 9 TDs) and Michael Derby (816 yards, 6 TDs), have knocked off second-seeded Verdugo Hills of Tujunga and seventh-seeded Huntington Park Huntington Park, city (1990 pop. 56,065), Los Angeles co., S Calif., a residential and industrial suburb of Los Angeles; founded 1856, inc. 1906. Its varied manufactures include metal, glass and rubber products and industrial equipment. to reach the semifinals. Eagle Rock, winner of seven in a row, has relied on QB Jeremy Camacho (2,177 yards, 25 TDs) and RB V.J. Castanos (1,353 yards, 14 TDs) in the postseason. WRs Josh Jovanelly and Jose Navarro have combined for 104 catches and 24 TDs. KEY NUMBER 3 Northern League teams in the Invitational semifinals: Eagle Rock, Marshall of Los Feliz and Wilson of El Sereno. ONTARIO CHRISTIAN (10-2) vs. L.A. BAPTIST (7-3-1), Saturday at Alemany HS, 7:30 p.m. Outlook: L.A. Baptist of North Hills was 3-3-1 and in danger of not qualifying for the Southern Section Div. XII playoffs a month ago. The Knights won their final two regular-season games, captured the Alpha League title and has been strong in the postseason, knocking off third- seeded Rosamond 33-15 last week. L.A. Baptist, making its second semifinal appearance in three years, is led by QB Tyler Robertson (1,229 yards, 17 TDs). Ontario Christian, also the Knights, have reached the semis four years in a row. It lost to Grace Brethren of Simi Valley in last season's final. Ontario Christian, seeded second, has outscored playoff foes 77-9. A victory could set up a rematch with top-seeded Aquinas of San Bernardino San Bernardino, city, United States San Bernardino (săn bûr'nədē`nō), city (1990 pop. 164,164), seat of San Bernardino co., S Calif., at the foot of the San Bernardino Mts.; inc. 1854. , which defeated the Knights 14-3 on Oct. 28. KEY NUMBER 237.9 Yards per game for L.A. Baptist, lowest average among area teams still alive in the playoffs. - Erik Boal and Gerry Gittelson contributed CAPTION(S): box, 3 maps Box: PEERLESS prognostication Map: (1) St. Francis High (2) Taft High (3) Canyon High |
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