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 Canyon fans will be able to cheer for their team Friday in the CIF State Regional Championships. The Comanches play Bonita Vista at Southwestern College in Chula Vista.
Canyon fans will be able to cheer for their team Friday in the CIF State Regional Championships. The Comanches play Bonita Vista at Southwestern College in Chula Vista.
Associate mug of Kenny Connolly, Anaheim reporter.

Date shot: 12/31/2012 . Photo by KATE LUCAS /  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

OCVarsity’s preview and prediction for the CIF State Regional Championship game on Friday:

DIVISION IV-AA

Canyon (9-5) vs. Bonita Vista (11-2)

Where, when: Southwestern College in Chula Vista, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Fan info: tickets, $12 general admission, $8 children, seniors and students with valid ID … the game will be streamed live at twccommunity.com.

Canyon analysis: The Comanches captured the school’s first CIF-SS championship last week, topping league rival Brea Olinda, 35-21, in true team fashion. Connor Dunn scored on a kickoff return and Elliot Payne returned an intercption for a TD. Quarterback Jason Harman threw 20 passes and Charlie Treanor carried the ball 21 times in the victory. A similar type of effort is needed if Canyon hopes to keep things rolling in the regionals. On offense, look for Treanor to get between 20 and 25 touches, while Harman tries to get Trace Hobbs back into the mix a week after the senior wideout had just 26 yards receiving. Defensively, the Comanches must tackle well in space. Having played San Juan Hills, Edison and Villa Park prepared the Comanches for games like this. It inevitably comes down to how well they can execute.

Bonita Vista analysis: The Barons steamrolled through San Diego Sectionals, outscoring opponents, 150-28, in three postseason games. Bonita ran the ball on nearly 70 percent of its snaps this season, largely because of shifty senior running back Greg Bell. The San Diego State commit is electric with the ball in his hands and shows great field vision on tape, routinely reversing fields for big gains. Bell has racked up 2,217 yards rushing and 30 touchdowns, being held under the 100-yard mark just once in 13 outings. The Barons welcome back their leading receiver and top cornerback, Ethan Williams, from a suspension. Bonita Vista also challenged itself during the season, having faced Helix, which is playing Mission Viejo tonight in Division I-AA. The Barons have won eight in a row since their loss to Helix, and have held seven of those opponents to 15 points or less.

Player to watch: Canyon’s Jason Harman. The Comanches’ best weapon is their tempo. Playing a team it has no familiarity with, Harman and the offense will need to utilize their pace to keep a stingy Barons defense on its heels.

Prediction: Bonita Vista 35, Canyon 28. Both squads boast arsenals that can rack up the points. Playing at home with a home run-threat, Bell, in its backfield, the Barons edge out the Comanches in an exciting back-and-forth contest.

Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com