CIF-SS FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS
Preview capsules for today’s first-round games:
PAC-5 DIVISION
Santa Margarita (6-4) vs. Crespi of Encino (8-1)
Where, when: Crespi High, 7:30 p.m.
Live coverage: foxsports.com/west/prepzone-stream
Outlook: Santa Margarita finished fourth in the six-team Trinity League. The Eagles received one of the division’s two at-large berths. They missed the playoffs last year but have returned under first-year coach Rick Curtis. Junior quarterback KJ Costello has completed 61 percent of his passes for 2,920 yards and 21 touchdowns. Crespi finished in a three-way tie, with Bishop Amat of La Puente and Serra of Gardena, for first in the Mission League. The Celts beat Bishop Amat by one point in overtime and lost to Serra by one point. Crespi is coached by former Servite coach Troy Thomas. Crespi is No. 10 in CalHiSports.com’s state top 25. Santa Margarita is No. 12.
Servite (4-6) vs. Long Beach Poly (9-1)
Where, when: Veterans Stadium, Long Beach, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Servite finished fifth in the six-team Trinity League. The Friars received one of the division’s two at-large berths. They lost their final four league games after beating Orange Lutheran. Servite’s offense is led by quarterback Travis Waller. Long Beach Poly overwhelmed league competition to win the Moore League championship. The Jackrabbits’ average margin of victory while going 6-0 in league was 54 points. Their loss was to Centennial of Corona. Poly senior quarterback Josh Love (6-2, 195) has completed 66 percent of his passes for 2,479 yards and 33 touchdowns with only two interceptions. Poly is ranked No. 8 in California. Servite is No. 21.
Mater Dei (8-2) vs. Westlake of Westlake Village (8-2)
Where, when: Westlake High, 7:30 p.m.
Live coverage: Fox Sports West
Outlook: These teams played each other at Westlake in October. Mater Dei won, 28-27, as the Monarchs blocked two Westlake field-goal attempts. Mater Dei finished third in the Trinity League. The Monarchs’ strength is their defense, which allowed a Trinity League-low 16 points a game. Westlake junior quarterback Malik Henry (6-3, 184), who committed to Florida State on Thursday, has thrown for 1,932 yards and 15 touchdowns, and junior running back Chase Jasmin is averaging 135 rushing yards a game.
Santiago of Corona (6-4) vs. JSerra (9-1)
Where, when: Saddleback College, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: Santiago finished third in the Big VIII league. Sharks senior quarterback Blake Barnett (6-4, 195), who committed to Alabama, is averaging 319 passing yards a game. He threw for a season-low 178 yards in a 56-27 loss to Santa Margarita. JSerra beat Santa Margarita, 35-28. This is the first playoff game for JSerra, which finished second in the Trinity League and is seeded second in the division. The Lions’ only loss was to Trinity champion St. John Bosco. JSerra junior running back Edward Vander is fourth in county rushing with 1,389 yards. He has 22 touchdowns rushing and is averaging 8 yards a carry.
