The stage is set this week for the CIF Southern California Regional championship games, and three teams from the Daily News area will be fighting to continue their seasons.
A win in a regional championship game will punch a team’s ticket to the CIF State championships that will be held Dec. 13 and Dec. 14.
DIVISION 1-AA
Newbury Park (14-0) vs. Lincoln (10-2) at Southwestern College, Friday, 8 p.m.
The Panthers have been dealt the furthest travel and the latest kickoff among the area teams in the regional finals, but Newbury Park has risen to every occasion this season to remain unbeaten and won a CIF Southern Section Division 2 title.
Newbury Park is getting contributions from players in every phase of the game. The Panthers will be taking on Lincoln, which won the CIF San Diego Section Open Division title on Nov. 23. The Hornets held teams to 14 points or less on nine different occasions this season.
This game will feature a quarterback duel in Newbury Park’s Brady Smigiel (Florida State commit) and Lincoln’s Akili Smith Jr., who signed with Oregon. Both have passed for over 2,000 yards this year, although Smigiel has thrown significantly more touchdown passes with 46 compared to Smith’s 18. Smith is the son of former NFL quarterback and first-round draft pick Akili Smith.
The winner advances to the 1-AA state final, facing the Northern California champion, on Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.
DIVISION 7-AA
Lindsay (9-5) at Chatsworth (9-5), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Chatsworth has seen plenty of success since Shawn Johnson took over as head coach in the second week of the season. The Chancellors edged South Gate with a last-second field goal to win the CIF L.A. City Section Division II championship and will now host Lindsay, the CIF Central Section Division VI champions. The Cardinals shut out Mira Monte 28-0 to win in the finals and gave up just 77 yards of offense in the game.
Chatsworth can score in multiple ways. Five different Chancellors scored a touchdown in the championship game — defensive end Lizandro Finder, quarterback Connor Eagan, receiver Angelo Romo and running backs Jesse Leon and Jahari Moore.
Lindsay leans on its rushing attack, handing the ball off to six different players in the title game. Jose Cortes led the way with 187 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries.
The winner advances to the 7-AA state final, facing the Northern California champion, on Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. at Fullerton High School.
Chatsworth’s Jesse Leon gains yards against South Gate during the CIF L.A. City Section Division II championship game Nov. 30, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
DIVISION 7-A
Panorama (8-6) at Pioneer (9-5), Saturday, 6 p.m.
Panorama football finally won its first L.A. City championship by beating Pioneer in the Division III title game. It was the Pythons’ third championship appearance in four years.
The rushing attack has been important to Panorama’s success. The Pythons rushed for 361 total yards in the championship game to beat Van Nuys 38-29. Fullback Victor Mendez is at the center of it all and ran for 188 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries in that game.
Pioneer, the CIF-SS Division 14 champion, has a balanced offense and a defense that has achieved four shutouts this season. Quarterback Amiri Resendiz has connected with receiver Jose Rojas on 12 touchdown passes this season and Adrian Lopez is the leading rusher with 1,012 yards and 11 touchdowns on 130 carries.
The winner advances to the 7-A state final, facing the Northern California champion, on Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. at Fullerton High School.
Panorama’s Victor Mendez tries to avoid being tackled by a Van Nuys defender in the CIF L.A. City Section Division III finals at Birmingham Charter High School. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
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