High School Football State Championships Recap
This weekend, high school football teams across Southern California participated in the CIF State championship games, showcasing impressive talent and determination on the field.
In the Open Division, Mater Dei triumphed over De La Salle with a score of 37-15. This win capped off a perfect season for Mater Dei, finishing with a record of 13-0. Highlights included a 31-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dash Beierly to tight end Mark Bowman and a strong 15-yard touchdown run by running back Jordon Davison, which concluded a long 92-yard drive.
Moving to Division 1-A, Edison edged out Fresno Central with a close 21-14 victory. The Chargers celebrated their first CIF state title, thanks to a thrilling 54-yard touchdown pass from Sam Thomson to Jake Minter with only 20 seconds left on the clock.
In Division 2-A, Palos Verdes dominated Twelve Bridges in a striking 55-19 match. Quarterback Ryan Rakowski had an outstanding performance, throwing for six touchdown passes and racking up 353 yards, tying the state record for touchdowns in a championship game. This victory marks Palos Verdes’ first state title in football.
Division 3-A brought an intense overtime finish as Vanden narrowly defeated Rio Hondo Prep, 42-41. A dramatic fourth-down touchdown pass clinched the win after Rio Hondo Prep nearly converted a game-winning 2-point attempt.
Sonora celebrated their first state championship title in Division 4-A by overcoming St. Pius X-St. Matthias, finishing 52-34. Sonora ran for over 360 yards and five touchdowns, completing a remarkable turnaround from a tough regular season.
Finally, in Division 6-A, Arcata triumphed over Portola 27-21 in overtime, and Balboa defeated Pioneer in Division 7-A with a score of 55-27. Other notable games included Lincoln winning against Pittsburg in Division 1-AA and Grant defeating Pacifica in Division 2-AA.
The championships showcased not only fierce competition but also the spirit of teamwork and sportsmanship across all participating teams. Fans and communities rallied behind their athletes, making this a memorable weekend in high school football.
