CIF STATE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL FINALS
DIVISION 7-AA
SAN FERNANDO (11-3) VS. WOODBRIDGE (6-8)
Where, when: University High, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Live streaming: NFHS network
Tickets: At GoFan.co ($8-$12)
Outlook: Woodbridge has gone from an 0-7 start to qualifying for the playoffs, winning a CIF Southern Section championship and playing in the state playoffs. Woodbridge beat Montebello 24-23 last week in the CIF Southern Section Division 13 championship game. Montebello scored a touchdown with 1:09 remaining but missed the point-after kick attempt.
Warriors freshman quarterback Waylon Stone rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries and completed 10 of 14 passes for 153 yards. For the season Stone has completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,872 yards and seven touchdowns. He has nine rushing touchdowns.
Woodbridge senior running back Kayjahn Pitts has rushed for 876 yards and eight touchdowns. Senior receiver Jalen Webb has 47 receptions for 653 yards and three touchdowns.
San Fernando defeated Cleveland 21-14 in the CIF L.A. City Section Division II championship game. Tigers senior running back Melvin Pineda rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries in that game. Pineda has rushed for 854 yards and seven touchdowns this season and averages 8 yards a carry.
San Fernando senior quarterback Julian Sarzo has completed 71 percent of his passes for 2,460 yards and 28 touchdowns. Senior Darrion Turner Jr. has 45 receptions for 662 yards and eight touchdowns.
San Fernando senior Andrew Newchurch is listed on the roster as a receiver, but he is also a running threat in direct-snap formations. During San Fernando’s game-winning drive in the win over Cleveland he carried the ball six times for 32 yards, including a 2-yard TD run.
The winner of this game plays in the CIF State championship game against the winner of Redding Christian vs. Middletown in the CIF Northern California Regional final. The football finals will be played at Saddleback College and Buena Park and Fullerton high schools. The dates and venues will be announced this weekend..
Winner: San Fernando. The Tigers’ offensive balance could be enough to get it done. If it’s a close game, though, Woodbridge has proven that it can thrive in such a situation. The Warriors beat Montebello by one point in the CIF-SS finals and Saddleback by three points in the semifinals.
