Previews for seven of the Orange County teams playing in the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section football playoffs Friday, Nov. 14:
San Clemente wide receiver Jaxson Rex carries the ball after a catch during an Alpha League game against Mission Viejo on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
San Clemente (7-4) at Vista Murrieta (8-3), Friday, 7 p.m.
Overview: San Clemente has been waiting for its defense to create some key turnovers and that’s exactly what happened last week in its first round win over Beaumont. The Tritons forced five turnovers and had three interceptions. San Clemente is 4-0 with Preston Beck as its starting quarterback and he threw four touchdowns last week, all to Thomas Alexander. Vista Murrieta is playing without Oregon commit Bryson Beaver at quarterback but it wasn’t a problem last week in its 36-31 win over Damien. Aiden Williams ran for 233 yards with two touchdowns for the Broncos and Cash Bryant had a touchdown reception.
Player to watch: Patrick Norman, San Clemente: Norman leads San Clemente in tackles with 95 and is second on the team in sacks with 4.5. He will be crucial in stopping Williams in the run game and can pressure Vista Murrieta’s freshman quarterback, Levi Dean.
Dana Hills (10-2) at Palos Verdes (8-3), Friday, 7 p.m.
Overview: Dana Hills overcame a 20-point deficit to beat Aquinas in the first round and got a break with a bad snap on a potential game-tying extra point in the final minute for the Falcons. Jack Norman had 107 yards receiving with three touchdowns for Dana Hills. Four of Carter Anderson’s 10 completions were touchdown passes. Trevor Blackmore had two sacks for Dana Hills’ defense and Thompson Foulger had a late interception to seal the win. Palos Verdes won the Division 5 championship last season and scored 28 points in the second half to beat Valencia in round one. Ryan Rakowski threw three touchdown passes and ran for 103 yards. Sophomore Jalen Flowers had three touchdown receptions and is the top defensive back for the Sea Kings with four interceptions on the season.
Player to watch: Thompson Foulger, Dana Hills: Foulger is second on the Dolphins in tackles with 86 and has four interceptions. Rakowski is a dual-threat quarterback who makes plays with his legs and Foulger is a linebacker who can prevent the big plays in the run game.
Edison wide receiver Jordan Pelaez carries the ball during a CIF-SS Division 3 playoff game against Huntington Beach on Friday, Nov. 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Edison (6-5) at Inglewood (6-5), Friday, 7 p.m.
Overview: Sam Thomson threw three touchdown passes for Edison in its first round win over Huntington Beach last week. Edison’s defense delivered in that game and held Ohio State commit Brady Edmunds to 181 yards which was his second-lowest yardage total of the season. Maddox Thomas forced a fumble that Matthew Auau recovered which led to a touchdown. Inglewood beat Capo Valley 40-16 last week but the Cougars were playing without its starting quarterback Talon Spencer. The Sentinels ran for 395 yards with six touchdowns in that game. Semaj Welch had 136 yards with two touchdowns and Masyn Harvey had two touchdown runs. SMU commit Andre Nickerson paced Inglewood’s defense with a sack and an interception.
Player to watch: Devyn Blake, Edison: Blake is committed to Sacramento State and plays right tackle for the Chargers. He will be tasked with blocking Stanford commit Sarrel Howard who is an outstanding edge rusher for Inglewood. Blake also plays defensive tackle and will be tasked with slowing down Inglewood’s rushing attack.
Great Oak (8-3) vs. Villa Park (7-4) at El Modena High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Overview: Villa Park ended Westlake’s undefeated season last week in the first round of the Division 4 playoffs. Coy Collins ran for 145 yards with three touchdowns and Matt Smith threw for 187 yards with a touchdown. Maverick Declark had 3.5 sacks and Cooper Nagele had an interception in the final minute to seal the win. Villa Park’s defense held Westlake’s star running back to just 50 yards on 13 carries. Great Oak cruised to a win over Cajon in the first round. Idaho State commit Ryder Smith had three rushing touchdowns for the Wolfpack and forced a fumble on defense. Sophomore quarterback Trent Lux completed 75 percent of his passes for 170 yards with two touchdowns. Great Oak has won its last four games by at least 23 points.
Player to watch: Coy Collins, Villa Park: Great Oak has allowed over 300 rushing yards in two of its three losses this season. Collins is capable of breaking off big runs and the Spartans will have to run the ball well to win this game.
La Habra running back Kevika Mata’Utia- Martinez runs the ball into the end zone for score against El Modena in round one of the CIF-SS Division 4 playoffs in La Habra on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Cathedral (6-5) at La Habra (8-3), Friday, 7 p.m.
Overview: La Habra rolled to a 41-7 win over El Modena in round one due to a dominant run game and three interceptions by Bobby Brooks. Kevika Mata’Utia-Martinez ran for 142 yards with two touchdowns and quarterback DJ Mitchell ran for 92 yards with two scores. Bryce Vasquez had 103 yards receiving with a score and Santi Bautista Cuesta added an interception. Cathedral beat Western 40-21 last week due to an incredible game from Sacramento State commit Jaden Jefferson. Jefferson threw for 310 yards with two touchdowns and had three rushing touchdowns. The Phantoms had six sacks and Kayden Brooks had two interceptions.
Player to watch: DJ Mitchell, La Habra: Cathedral can be vulnerable against dual-threat quarterbacks. Western quarterback Chance Thomas ran for 128 yards and threw for 250 against them last week. Mitchell is capable of gashing this defense with his athleticism and La Habra may need a big game from him to come out with a win.
La Serna (8-3) at Aliso Niguel (8-3), Friday, 7 p.m.
Overview: These teams combined for 14 points in their first round wins and had just one offensive touchdown. Aliso Niguel was fortunate to beat Millikan 7-6 last week and it was largely due to the Wolverines forcing three interceptions in the red zone. Parker Comerford blocked a punt that Kaleo Elam returned for a touchdown. Corey Lewis had five tackles for a loss with two sacks and a blocked field goal for the Wolverines. La Serna beat Lakewood 7-0 last week and ran for 148 yards. Grady Long has thrown 25 touchdown passes this season and can scramble to earn yardage with his legs. Nolan Allison leads the Lancers with six sacks. Aliso Niguel is seeking its first semifinal appearance since 1996 when it won its lone CIF championship in school-history.
Player to watch: Artin Hatamabad, Aliso Niguel: Hatamabad is second on the team in tackles from the middle linebacker position and has two interceptions. La Serna will try to establish the run, especially on what may be a rainy night, and Hatamabad will need to rack up tackles for the Wolverines to pull off the upset.
Troy running back Charles Rippon, center, gets a block from running back Ethan Mundt (5) as he runs into the end zone to score against El Toro in an Iota League football game in Fullerton on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Troy (10-1) vs. Rio Hondo Prep (11-0) at Arroyo High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Overview: This game features two of the highest-volume rushing teams in the Section and this game may be over before 9 p.m. Troy ran for 242 yards with three touchdowns last week in a 49-27 win over Orange. Quarterback Mason Mays had his second-highest yardage total of his career with 161 yards passing with three touchdowns. Noah Torosian and Mason Avey had interceptions for the Warriors. Rio Hondo Prep runs the ball on 78 percent of its plays and Noah Penunuri has 17 rushing touchdowns in just eight games. Nathaniel Shine is another running back to watch for the Kares. Rio Hondo Prep has won two consecutive CIF championships and won the Division 7 title last season.
Player to watch: Noah Heathington, Troy: Heathington leads Troy in tackles and has seven tackles for a loss. The linebacker will have a lot of tackling opportunities against Rio Hondo Prep’s run game.
