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 Capistrano Valley wide receiver Gianni Munoz breaks a tackle during a CIF-SS Division 5 playoff game against Foothill on Nov. 11, 2016. (JEFF ANTENORE, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER)
Capistrano Valley wide receiver Gianni Munoz breaks a tackle during a CIF-SS Division 5 playoff game against Foothill on Nov. 11, 2016. (JEFF ANTENORE, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dan Albano. Sports HS Reporter.

// MORE INFORMATION: Staff Mug Shot taken August 26, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER.

CIF-SS CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL GAMES

DIVISION 5

Calabasas (13-0) vs. Capistrano Valley (12-1)

Where, when: Saturday, Capistrano Valley, 7 p.m.

Live coverage: foxsports.com/west/prepzone

Fan info: General admission, $12; students (with valid school ID) and children, $5.

Outlook: The second-seeded Cougars have reached their first CIF final since 1990, when they edged Paramount, 17-15, for the Division 2 title. The Sea View League champion is led by its “Dark Side” defense, statistically the best in the Orange County. Crafted by defensive coordinator Dave Ricci and featuring only two senior starters, the unit has allowed 112 points or an average of 8.6 points per game. In the semifinals, the defense didn’t allow any points in a 20-14 victory against M.L. King of Riverside, which returned two interceptions for touchdowns. The Cougars also beat Ventura, 20-10, and Foothill, 26-8, in the playoffs. Capistrano Valley lost standout outside linebacker Brock Ricci to a knee injury against Ventura. Junior defensive ends Zach Ritner and Nolan Reeve have collected 18 and 121/2 sacks, respectively, to help the Cougars pressure opponents. The duo could be critical against Calabasas’ spread attack and senior quarterback Tristan Gebbia. The Nebraska commit has passed for 129 touchdowns the past three seasons – 49 in 2016 — and features highly recruited senior receivers Keyshawn Johnson Jr. and Darnay Holmes. Top-seeded Calabasas, last season’s Western Division champion (considered Division 7), has six receivers with at least 30 receptions and averages 45.3 points per game. “The challenge is, one, that the defensive line can put pressure on that quarterback to get rid of the ball quicker,” Reeve said. “And (secondly) that the corners, safeties and linebackers all cover their guys and do their jobs because they’re a very pass-oriented team.” Capistrano Valley counters with quarterback Kevin Brown and its own deep group of receivers. The senior has passed for 3,184 yards and 25 TDs. Michael Dyer (77), Riley Kasper (58), Nathan Manning (47), Gianni Munoz (39) and Matt Blethen (25) each have at least 25 receptions. Brown has been offered by Cornell and Arizona State (preferred walk-on).

Contact the writer: dalbano@scng.com