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CIF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOOTBALL REGIONAL
DIVISION 1AA
Cathedral Catholic (10-2) vs. Los Alamitos (12-2)
Where, when: Veterans Stadium, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Parking: $10
TV: Spectrum News and Spectrum SportsNet
Live coverage: NFHS Network (stream)
Outlook: Los Alamitos sprints into the regional after rallying past San Clemente 33-20 in the Division 2 final for its first CIF-SS championship since 2002. The state playoffs debuted in 2006 so the Griffins are making their debut in the regional playoffs.
Los Alamitos’ strengths include the play-making skills of two-way standout Lenny Ibarra, a productive ground attack and the ability to strike with the pass. Ibarra, an Army commit, has rushed for 1,082 yards and 18 TDs and caught six scores. The senior also leads the team in total tackles with 122.
The Griffins’ offensive weapons include leading rusher Kamden Tillis (1,356 yards, 18 TDs) and QB Colin Creason (2,292 yards). Both players benefit from a strong offensive line. The Alpha League team averages 36.7 points on offense.
In the Division 2 playoffs, Los Alamitos’ defense allowed an average of 17 points.
Cathedral Catholic won the four-team Open Division in the San Diego Section as the No. 4 seed. The Dons rallied past Carlsbad 20-14 for their 12th section title behind 114 yards rushing and two TDs from Honor Fa’alave-Johnson. Cathedral Catholic score all its points in the fourth quarter.
Fa’alave-Johnson also plays defense is rated as the No. 1 junior recruit in the state by Rivals.
Cathedral Catholic quarterback Brady Palmer, who signed with Minnesota, has passed for 2,011 yards and 18 TDs for an offense averaging 35.1 points.
Prediction: Los Alamitos. The Griffins have a bit more firepower and advance to face the winner of Archbishop Riordan-Folsom.