OCVarsity’s preview for Friday’s CIF-SS football playoff games.
DIVISION 13
SEMIFINALS
Santa Ana (12-0) vs. Laguna Beach (8-4)
Where, when: Santa Ana Stadium, 7 p.m.
Outlook: It wasn’t all that long ago Santa Ana High’s football program was routinely going winless or putting up 1-9 seasons, and down in south county, Laguna Beach High was having discussions of whether or not its program should fold. Credit Saints coach Charlie TeGantvoort and Breakers head man, John Shanahan, for not only turning these programs around, but to have them thriving in late November. Santa Ana running back Jorge Briseno was unstoppable in a 41-0 win over Azusa last week, running for 245 yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries. The offensive line continues paving the way for their senior tailback, who have now rushed for 823 yards in the last four games alone. Against Boron last Friday night, the Breakers defense allowed 377 yards rushing, but did end up holding the Bobcats to just 14 points. Laguna Beach’s front seven will have to play much better if they hope to advance to the CIF title game because if Briseno gets to the second level of the defense, he’s electric.
