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CIF-SS FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
DIVISION 4
La Habra (10-3) vs. San Jacinto (10-3)
Where, when: HCN Bank Stadium in Menifee, Saturday, 7 p.m.
Live coverage: NFHS Network (stream)
Outlook: La Habra and San Jacinto play for the first time this season but the teams are familiar with each other. La Habra coach Frank Mazzotta and San Jacinto coach Aric Galliano are close friends and bring their programs together for scrimmages and passing competition.
Mazzotta, in his 28th season, is 7-1 in section finals and can tie Bruce Rollinson (Mater Dei) and Bob Johnson (El Toro, Mission Viejo) for the most CIF championships in O.C. football history.
No. 2 seeded La Habra has tightened its defense in advancing to the finals for the first time since 2015.
The Highlanders have allowed a combined 21 points in playoff victories against El Modena, Cathedral and Oaks Christian. In its three losses earlier in the season, La Habra surrendered an average of 42 points per game.
La Habra linebacker Noah Barajas leads a balanced La Habra defense in tackles (85) and sacks (6.5). Defensive lineman Luke Hedgpeth has six sack and ranks second to Barajas in tackles for loss.
La Habra’s offense has run the ball well in the playoffs. The Highlanders have averaged 263 yards per game.
Running back Kevika Mata’utia-Martinez leads the ground attack with 1,144 yards and 11 touchdowns. The junior has averaged 148 yards in three playoff games.
Dual-threat quarterback DJ Mitchell contributes to running game. The junior has rushed 596 yards and 11 touchdowns.
In his first season as the full-time starter, Mitchell has completed 51 percent of his passes for 2,553 yads and 29 touchdowns and six touchdowns.
Juniors Bryce Vasquez (61 catches for 1,045 yards, 13 TDs) and Blake Rogers (45 receptions for 889 yards and eight TDs) are his top targets.
San Jacinto, the No. 9 seed, won its first two playoff games in overtime and defeated Villa Park 18-15 in the semifinals.
Running back Jomini Ransom leads the Tigers with over 1,400 yards rushing but was limited by injury in the semifinals.
Freshman running back Kingslee Tivao, quarterback Josue Estrada, wide receiver Jordan Bernard and wide receiver/defensive back Daishaun Davis are other players to watch.
Davis is committed to San Diego State.
Prediction: La Habra. The Highlanders’ combination of a ground attack and stout defense will deliver Mazzotta a record eighth title.