Beckman football team takes aim at winning CIF title

Beckman's football players and coaches have been aiming for a CIF-SS Southern Division title all season long.

Now it looks like the Patriots, who set the title as a goal even before the season started, have a legitimate shot to win one.

Beckman reached the CIF-SS Southern Division title game last year, losing to Garden Grove, 31-30.

This year, the Patriots, who won the Pacific Coast League title, are top-seeded in the playoffs and will host Godinez (5-5) Friday at 7 p.m. at Tustin.

Beckman (8-2) will be a heavy favorite in its opener against Godinez, an at-large entry. But Beckman coach Ken Mushinskie said he will make sure his players don't look ahead.

"Being chosen as the number one seed is definitely a great accomplishment for this year's team, but once CIF begins, all records are out the door," he said Sunday.

"It is definitely important to take CIF one game at a time and never take anybody for granted, and that is exactly what we are going to do with Godinez. It does not matter what seed you are or where you finished in league.CIF is single elimination, so if you lose, your season is finished. The last few weeks, we have had outstanding, competitive practices and we will continue to do that now that CIF has begun."

Beckman wrapped up the PCL title Friday night with a 42-37 victory over Corona del Mar at Newport Harbor. It has been quite a season already for Beckman, which the week before won the Dennis Toohey Fence Post Trophy.

"The win against CdM was very special because it was Beckman's first league championship, but truthfully, I think both sides were gearing up for the playoffs," Mushinskie said.

"It was a very hard fought game for both of us and we both wanted to stay relatively healthy heading into week 11. It was a very special win, however, because the Beckman community has been very supportive of the football program and it is nice to be able to give them something in return."