CIF-SS FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
DIVISION 8
Beckman (10-3) vs. Brea Olinda (10-3)
Where, when: Brea Olinda High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Live coverage: NFHS Network
Outlook: Beckman jumped to a 21-point lead against top-seeded Palm Desert in the semifinals and won 28-14. Noah Nam threw for 153 yards with two touchdowns. Makhi Czaykowski has rushed for 493 yards with five touchdowns in Beckman’s three playoff games and has a receiving touchdown.
“It’s pretty remarkable,” Beckman coach Marcello Giuliano said of Czaykowski. “I don’t know how many guys get the ball at tailback, quarterback, receiver, kick returner. He has such a broad skill set.”
Xavier Musselman-Cano has eight interceptions on the season and Nathan Garcia has 113 tackles. Beckman has won a county-high nine consecutive games after starting the season 1-3 against challenging opponents.
“Early on we had some issues defensively and playing those teams really exposed those issues and allowed us to adapt,” Giuliano said. “We put in a package that better suited our talent. On the offensive side, it forced us to expand the package and experiment with what worked and didn’t work. I do feel like it helped us get in touch with our personality as a team.”
Beckman is seeking its first CIF-SS football championship in school history and is playing in the championship game for the first time since 2011.
Brea Olinda has really adapted its offensive style in the playoffs and ran the ball extremely well. The Wildcats have averaged 265 yards per game in the playoffs and have scored 12 rushing touchdowns. Junior quarterback Gavyn Nicholson has rushed for 435 yards in the playoffs with eight touchdowns.
“I think the weather had something to do with that,” Brea Olinda coach Justin Villasenor said. “He’s a special athlete and an even better kid. He’s the only junior out of our four captains. He’s built different. He has an extra gear and never complains.”
Kolotolu Liti ran for 100 yards in Brea Olinda’s semifinal win over Irvine and had two touchdowns in the second round against St. Monica. Brea Olinda’s offensive line features Matthew Gieldon, Andres Zuniga, Jesse Jimenez, Austin Elder and Jacob Vega. Jason Luevanos is the fullback who is often a lead blocker for Nicholson. Nolan Santana leads the defense with 119 tackles and 11 sacks.
Brea Olinda has won five CIF-SS championships and is playing in the championship game for the first time since 2018. “We have to play mistake-free football and our brand of physical football to win,” Villasenor said.
Prediction: Beckman. Beckman’s defense has allowed 14 points or fewer in three of its last four games. If the Patriots can slow down Brea Olinda’s running game and force the Wildcats to put the ball in the air, they could be taking home their first CIF championship.