FRIDAY’S TOP FOOTBALL GAMES
All games start at 7 p.m. unless noted.
CIF-SS SEMIFINALS
DIVISION 2
San Clemente (8-4) at Leuzinger (11-1)
Outlook: San Clemente defeated Los Alamitos (28-9) and Edison (10-9) to end the regular season and have wins over Beaumont (38-21) and Murrieta Valley (32-7) in the playoffs. Carson Sloan rushed for 137 yards and a touchdown last week against Murrieta Valley. The Tritons’ defense intercepted four passes and scored three defensive touchdowns (one fumble return and two interception returns). One week after completing 22 of 29 passes for 354 yards and four touchdowns, Leuzinger quarterback Russell Sekona attempted just three passes, with no completions, in the rain in last week’s 19-16 win over Chaparral. Journee Tonga rushed for 212 yards and three touchdowns, and the Leuzinger defensive unit continued to come up with big plays and stops. Four players for the Olympians recorded at least 10 tackles, led by Sharkee Vanisi (12). Samu Moala had two of Leuzinger’s six sacks.
Players to watch: Patrick Norman (San Clemente). The senior leads the Tritons in tackles (103). Sekona (Leuzinger). The rain took the passing game out of last week’s game plan, but Sekona will be ready for a big game this week.
Palos Verdes QB Ryan Rakowski run in for TD vs. Mira Costa in Bay League football game Friday Oct. 31, 2025 (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
DIVISION 3
Edison (7-5) at Palos Verdes (9-3)
Outlook: The Chargers and Sea Kings meet for Round 2. Edison won their regular-season meeting, 21-20, on Sept. 12. That was a day game on the hill; this one will be a night game at PV. The Sea Kings look to continue their run to a second consecutive CIF-SS final. Edison ended the regular season by losing three consecutive games. The Chargers opened the playoffs with a 31-19 win over Huntington Beach and last week had a 9-7 win over Inglewood. Sam Thomson completed 14 of 18 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns against Huntington Beach. Palos Verdes’ Dabe Nwude blocked the potential game-tying extra point to secure last week’s 14-13 win over Dana Hills. PV led 14-0 with less than 10 minutes left in the game before the Dolphins’ late rally. Ryan Rakowski completed 10 of 17 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown.
Players to watch: Weston Reis (Palos Verdes). Reis missed the first game against Edison. He had a big interception return for a touchdown against Dana Hills. Ashton Godley (Edison). The senior had 16 tackles in the first meeting against Palos Verdes.
Redondo back Bo Ausmus runs against North Torrance during Pioneer League football game Friday Oct. 10, 2025 (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
DIVISION 5
Redondo Union (8-4) at Loyola (6-6)
Outlook: The Cubs closed the regular season on a three-game losing streak as they were outscored by a combined 134-17. In the playoffs, their magic number has been 14. They’ve held each of their first two opponents, Newbury Park and Bonita, to 14 points apiece. Kane Casani and Jayden Rogers each had a rushing touchdown in last week’s win against Bonita. The Sea Hawks have brought their defensive toughness to the playoffs, defeating Torrance (21-14) and St. Paul (14-13). Bo Ausmus ran for one score and had a kickoff return for another touchdown in last week’s win. Ausmus now has 11 touchdowns in his last five games. This game is expected to be a battle.
Players to watch: Casani (Loyola). The junior has seven rushing touchdowns and leads the Cubs on defense with 133 tackles. Ausmus (Redondo). No one has been able to stop him during Redondo’s five-game winning streak.
8-MAN SEMIFINALS
Chadwick (7-3) at Flintridge Prep (8-0), 6 p.m.
Outlook: Last week, the Dolphins defeated Tri-Valley League foe Sage Hill 58-49 in the quarterfinals. Benjamin Wandrick rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns. The Dolphins will get another game against a league rival this week, visiting the top-seeded Wolves. Flintridge Prep won the first meeting 31-12 on Oct. 24. Flintridge Prep defeated Avalon 39-13 in the quarterfinals.
Players to watch: Asher Goldberg (Chadwick). Goldberg leads Chadwick with 122 tackles. Bryson Edgar (Chadwick). Edgar has 17 passing touchdowns and seven rushing touchdowns.
L.A. CITY SECTION SEMIFINALS
Carson QB Chris Fields darts in for his first TD vs. San Pedro in Marine League football game Thursday Oct. 30, 2025 (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
OPEN DIVISION
Garfield (9-2) at Carson (8-3)
Outlook: The Eastern League champion and fifth-seeded Bulldogs opened the playoffs with a 42-21 win over fourth-seeded Palisades last week. Garfield attempted one pass and rushed for 551 yards and six touchdowns. Zastice Jauregui rushed for 440 yards on 30 carries with five touchdowns. Since losing to Banning 21-20 on Sept. 12, the Bulldogs have won eight consecutive games. The top-seeded Colts defeated No. 8 King/Drew 27-2 last week. Carson quarterback Chris Fields III attempted three passes, but he rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, the key for Carson will be slowing down Garfield’s ground attack. The Bulldogs have been held under 200 yards only once this season. The teams met in the Open quarterfinals last year and Carson won 27-17. The Colts held the Bulldogs to a season-low 113 rushing yards.
Players to watch: Jauregui and Cesar Reyes (Garfield). The duo has combined to rush for 3,030 yards and 42 touchdowns. Xavier Allen (Carson). Allen is Carson’s leading tackler (78) and will be busy against the Garfield ground game.
