State championship football games will produce lots of tears
Prepare for lots of tears this weekend at the CIF State Championship football games in Orange County.
“Without a doubt,” Ventura High quarterback Derek Garcia said.
The seniors are playing their final high school football games. Others will never play again unless it is intramural football. And others will be heading off to college in a few days as scholarship athletes, so win or lose, change is coming that will challenge emotions as reality sets in.
“It’s been a great feeling all week knowing that this is going to be my last high school game because most of the time it’s up in the air,” Garcia said. “Win and you move on or lose and you go home. It’s a great feeling that we’ve made it this far and we’re down to the last possible game to play. We’re ready to go.”
Garcia has played for his father, Tim, the head coach at Ventura, for years. Now it ends Friday with a Division 3-AA final against San Francisco St. Ignatius at 8 p.m. at Fullerton High before heading to Nevada Las Vegas.
“It’s hard sometimes, but it’s brought us so many memories and so many good times together,” Garcia said. “It’s been a great journey and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Some teams in the state championship games are playing their 16th game in a long, memorable season.
“It’s cool to keep playing,” Garcia said.
On Jan. 18, he moved into his UNLV dorm, driving his truck and relying on his parents to help him move. But will his mother let him leave the family nest?
“We’ll see when the day comes,” he said.
Yes, it’s time for tears for footballers and their parents.
There’s a tripleheader on Saturday at Saddleback College that should produce some memorable games.
Open division
De La Salle (12-0) against Santa Margarita (10-3), 8 p.m.
A Northern California team hasn’t won in the state’s highest division since 2015. De La Salle’s speed could produce big plays against the state’s top defense, especially if 100-yard dash record holder Jaden Jefferson gets room to run. But Santa Margarita has its own big-play weapon in Trent Mosley, who had 10 catches for 292 yards two weeks ago against Corona Centennial. The choice: Santa Margarita.
Division 1-A
Oxnard Pacifica (15-0) vs. Fresno Central East (13-1), 3:30 p.m.
It’s a battle of junior quarterbacks. Pacifica’s Taylor Lee had 3,742 yards and 51 touchdowns. East passed for 4,298 yards and 56 touchdowns. If you like offense, this might be the most entertaining game. The choice: Pacifica.
Division 2-A
Preparation Rio Hondo (15-0) against Sonora (14-0), 11:30 a.m.
This is the game where small schools are finally in the spotlight. Both of them love to run with the ball, so the game could be over in less than two hours. Sonora rushed for 340 yards in its regional final. Rio Hondo Prep totaled 263 yards rushing and one pass attempt. The choice: Sonora.
Division: 3-AA
Ventura (13-2) vs. San Francisco St. Ignatius (8-6), 8 p.m., Friday, at Fullerton High
Garcia passed for 3,360 yards and 36 touchdowns and totaled 750 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Cougars also have Oregon-bound linebacker Tristan Phillips. St. Ignatius is on a six-game winning streak after getting more consistent play at quarterback. The choice: Ventura.
