DIVISION I
Canyon upsets De La Salle
By Mike Terry, Times Staff Writer
December 17, 2006


Canyon Country Canyon's stifling defense and opportunistic offense came up big Saturday and the Cowboys upset Concord De La Salle, 27-13, to win the CIF Division I championship before an announced 13,863 at the Home Depot Center.

The victory made it a sweep for the Southern California teams against their Northern California opponents in the inaugural CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games.

If the Oaks Christian win was the most compelling and the Orange Lutheran win the most convincing, the Cowboys' win was scintillating in terms of its magnitude. De La Salle (13-1) had hoped to not only win the state title, but also a mythical national championship in the USA Today poll due out Dec. 26.

It was the Canyon defense, however, that kept the De La Salle option game under control and was at its best when it was needed most.

Twice in the second half the Cowboys turned back the Spartans on fourth-down plays, one coming at the Canyon six. And the biggest play came when Nick Jurado recovered a fumbled punt by De La Salle's Ryan Nastor at the Spartans 22 with 3 minutes 19 seconds to play. Tailback J.J. DiLuigi scored the game's last touchdown on a one-yard run with under a minute to play.

In the first quarter, after blocking a De La Salle 29-yard field-goal try on the Spartans' opening drive, Canyon drove 80 yards in nine plays and took a 6-0 lead on a one-yard run by Ben Longshore with 2:52 left in the first quarter.

De La Salle used two big option runs of 17 yards by quarterback Mike MacGillivary and a 37-yard run by Tim Maupin to reach the Canyon four, and Maupin scored on the first play of the second quarter. With the extra point, the Spartans led, 7-6.

But the rest of the first half belonged to Canyon. Longshore struck through the air with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Suber (and misfired on a two-point pass attempt). And DiLuigi, who rushed for 76 yards in the first half, dived in from a yard with 14 seconds to play. Longshore then got in on a two-point run, and the Cowboys led, 20-7.

De La Salle needed a spark and got one when defensive back Bryon Colbert intercepted a pass by Longshore at the Spartans 31 and set up the Spartans at their 36. Two plays later, Maupin launched a halfback option pass to a wide-open John Hendershott, who caught the ball at the 22 and ran it the rest of the way for a 59-yard touchdown reception. The Spartans missed the extra-point try but had cut the deficit to 20-13.

Hendershott returned an interception to the Cowboys 33. The Spartans drove to the six-yard line, but were stuffed on a fourth-down play when Canyon linebacker Mike Loucks stopped Nastor for a four-yard loss.



A NATIONAL SHOCKER
Cowboys' QB Longshore, defense are too much for Spartans.
Mitch Stephens, Chronicle Staff Writer

Sunday, December 17, 2006 04:00 PST Carson --

Northern California's bright light and last hope went down in a heap late Saturday night at the Home Depot Center.

Canyon of Canyon Country (Los Angeles County) rode the first half offensive performances of Ben Longshore and J.J. DiLuigi, then relied on a surprisingly stingy defense to post a 27-13 victory over indomitable De La Salle-Concord in the inaugural CIF State Division I Bowl Championship game before 13,683 fans on Saturday night.

It was a Southern California sweep of the three games and the first form of a state football championship in 79 years. The victory also snapped a De La Salle 41-game playoff win streak, a state record.

"Everyone questioned whether we belonged here," Canyon coach Harry Welch said. "Obviously we belonged."

De La Salle (13-1), the nation's No. 1 team according to USA Today and five-time mythical national champion, couldn't muster any offense in the second half, scoring only on a trick play early in the third quarter to close to 20-13.

Its defense held Canyon (12-2), winners of 10 straight, scoreless in the second half until Longshore, the younger brother of Cal quarterback Nate Longshore, scored on a 1-yard sneak with 49 seconds left.

It came after Ryan Nastor fumbled a short punt return and Canyon's Nick Jurado recovered at the De La Salle 23. Five plays later, Longshore clinched it.

Canyon managed just 75 second half yards but the Spartans, averaging more than 400 yards per game, finished with 315 total yards.

"We were in a fog defensively the first half, but I was proud of how we responded the second half," De La Salle defensive coordinator Terry Eidson said. "Obviously you're not going to win many championship games scoring just 13 points."

With his team down 20-7 at halftime, De La Salle coach Bob Ladouceur pulled out an old trick, with the Spartans hitting on a 59-yard touchdown pass from Tim Maupin to a wide open John Hendershott on its second play of the third quarter.

Maupin looked like he was sweeping right, then pulled back and fired a long, lofting pass to Hendershott, who was completely forgotten about. He caught the ball at the 20 and waltzed into the end zone.

After a Hendershott interception and 20-yard return, the Spartans were in business again at the Canyon 33. A pair of completions to Hendershott put the ball at the 5, 3rd and inches. But quarterback Mike MacGillivray was stopped for no gain on a sneak and on fourth down, Nastor was thrown for a 4-yard loss.

"Our defensive front is as strong as any you'll see at this level," Welch said. "We really swarm."

The 1-2 punch of Longshore and DiLuigi was as good as advertised as Canyon took a 20-7 halftime lead.

After a missed De La Salle field goal attempt, Canyon drove 80 yards in nine plays, finished off with a 1-yard TD sneak by Longshore. The extra point missed and Canyon had a 6-0 lead with 2:52 left in the first quarter.

It didn't last long as the Spartans went 76 yards in eight plays, keyed by a 37-yard run by Maupin, who powered in from the 4-yard line on the first play of the second quarter to give De La Salle a 7-6 lead.

Longshore responded by completing four passes on Canyon's next drive, including a pretty 30-yard touchdown strike to Kenny Suber, giving his team a 12-7 lead. Longshore was at it again late in the first half, leading the squad on an 82-yard scoring drive capped by a 1-yard TD plunge over the top by DiLuigi, who keyed the drive with a scintillating 40-yard run.

Longshore completed a 15-yard pass to Mark Urbina, followed by a 9-yard scamper by DiLuigi, who leaped over a large pile to make it 18-7. A Longshore keeper on the two-point conversion gave Canyon a 20-7 lead.




State title eludes DLS.
Canyon tops Spartans in Div. I final.
By Curtis Pashelka
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
CARSON - This was the season that all of the traditions associated with De La Salle High School football were going to come back.

They all did -- except for one.

Despite collecting three interceptions, the Spartans couldn't overcome a 14-point halftime deficit as Canyon-Canyon Country held on for a 27-13 win in the California Interscholastic Federation Division I state championship bowl game at Home Depot Center.

The Spartans' three second-half interceptions only resulted in six points as their 41-game postseason winning streak came to an end. De La Salle had won 11 unofficial state championships and were searching for their first official title.

"We thought we could cap it off and really bring it back to the old De La Salle," said Spartans senior John Hendershott, who finished with 128 yards and a touchdown on seven catches. "This was going to be the last game as we were going to bring it all back, but it didn't work out that way."

De La Salle trailed 20-7 at halftime, the first time it trailed at the break all season, but began the second half with an interception by cornerback Bryon Colbert, who returned to the Cowboys 36.

Two plays later, Tim Maupin found Hendershott wide open for a 59-yard touchdown on a halfback pass that cut Canyon's lead to 20-13 with 10:03 to go in the third quarter.

De La Salle's defense continued to sparkle in the second half, as two more interceptions gave the Spartans the ball in excellent field position.

A Hendershott pick gave the Spartans possession at the Cowboys' 33, and the Spartans moved the ball to Canyon's 6. But on a 4th-and-inches play, running back Ryan Nastor was tackled for a 4-yard loss by Michael Loucks. Another Spartans interception, this one by Dominguez Dickerson, was again fruitless.

"We just weren't our usual self in the first half, but we became our usual self in the second half," Spartans defensive coordinator Terry Eidson said. "We were shutting it down pretty good in the second half against a pretty good offense. I told them at halftime, 'I don't have any magic dust to throw on you. You have to find out a way.'"

De La Salle trailed by two digits at halftime for the first time since a 36-26 loss to Mission Viejo in week 5 of last year.

Canyon scored touchdowns on three of its first four possessions, which went 80, 80 and 81 yards. Canyon quarterback Ben Longshore was nearly perfect in the first 24 minutes, completing 8 of 13 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown.

Longshore's performance was complemented by John DiLuigi, who finished with 146 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. DiLuigi's first touchdown, a 1-yard plunge, was preceeded by a 40-yard run in which he eluded seven Spartans to bring the ball to the De La Salle 28.

De La Salle drove 66 yards on its first possession before being stopped at the Cowboys' 12. A 29-yard field goal attempt was then partially blocked by Canyon junior Steven Wirthlin.

The Spartans had eight first downs and 177 total yards in the first half, but a 4-yard touchdown run by Maupin was all they had to show for it. They finished with 147 yards rushing on 37 carries.

"Our run defense is pretty exceptional," Canyon coach Harry Welch said. "I don't know if any high school running team would want to run against us. They swarm so well ... and they throw their bodies into the abyss."

De La Salle was searching for its sixth USA Today mythical national championship, as it has been the national publication's No. 1 team since the beginning of October.

The game was meant to be a showcase of the best two large school teams in California, which, coincidentally were the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in CalHiSports.com's preseason state rankings.

Expectations were huge for this year's De La Salle team as it returned a majority of its starters from last season. The Spartans were ranked No. 1 in California by CalHiSports.com to start the year, and were in the top 10 in most national polls.

More often than not, De La Salle met those expectations.

Not on Saturday.

"We just didn't make enough plays in the second half," Eidson said. "You're not going to win many football games scoring 13 points."




Canyon proved its critics wrong.
De La Salle was an overwhelming favorite to win the state title.
By Chace Bryson
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
CARSON - All week the Canyon High School football team read and listened to the debate.

Various media outlets across the state questioned whether the Cowboys could stack up against nationally ranked De La Salle in the California Interscholastic Federation Division I state championship.

Canyon answered emphatically on Saturday, beating the Spartans 27-13 and surprising everybody but themselves.

"I don't think anybody gave us a chance," Canyon free safety Michael Loucks said. "We read a lot of things about how De La Salle should have a better opponent, and we took that in and just believed in ourselves."

While it seemed that many agreed that Canyon (12-2) was the best Division I representative from Southern California, a lot of the conversation during the week centered on whether the selection system needed to be tweaked to set up a matchup against the top two ranked teams in the state.

De La Salle entered the game ranked No. 1 in the state by CalHiSports.com and Oaks Christian-Westlake Village was No. 2. Oaks Christian played in the Division III championship and beat Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa 27-20 in overtime.

"People questioned whether we belonged in that game," Cowboys coach Harry Welch said. "Obviously, I think we showed that we belonged in that game."

The Cowboys proved that fact early on when they took a 6-0 lead on a 1-yard run by Ben Longshore with 2:52 left in the first quarter. The touchdown marked the first time De La Salle had trailed in any game since the third week of the season, and it was also its largest deficit of the season.

De La Salle (13-1) briefly regained the lead with a Tim Maupin touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter, but Longshore came right back with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Suber and the Cowboys wouldn't trail again.

As good as Canyon's offense looked in the first half, things went south in the second half and it allowed the Cowboys defense a chance to shine.

After allowing 102 rushing yards in the first half, the Cowboys shut down De La Salle's running game in the second half. The Spartans finished with just 169 rushing yards on 37 carries.

"We knew they were a running team, and we knew they were real good at it," Loucks said. "We wanted to stop that first."

Canyon's defense was forced to come up with stop after stop as Longshore kept De La Salle in the game with three second-half interceptions. The Cowboys defense forced just one turnover, a Ryan Nastor fumble on a punt return that set up Canyon for the game-clinching touchdown.

Combo is too much for Paly.
Mitch Stephens, Chronicle Staff Writer

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Palo Alto's dream of copying its basketball brethren was done in by a blur of a quarterback.

Lutheran-Orange senior Aaron Corp was more than the Vikings could handle in a 42-28 CIF State Division II Championship victory before about 6,000 rain-drenched fans at the Home Depot Center.

The USC-bound quarterback accounted for 363 yards and all six touchdowns as Lutheran (14-1), ranked 17th nationally, raced to a 42-14 fourth-quarter lead before Palo Alto (12-2) made a comeback.

The Vikings were trying to copy the efforts of their basketball team, which last season shocked heavily favored and nationally ranked Mater Dei-Santa Ana to win the state championship.

"We never gave up," junior receiver Mike Scott said, "but that quarterback (Corp) was amazing. He threw as well as (Oak Grove's) Kevin Vye and ran like (Milpitas') Brandon Carswell. That guy had it all."

The 6-foot-5, 190-pound Corp completed half of his 32 passes for 208 yards and four touchdowns, all to Boise State-bound receiver Austin Pettis (8 catches, 108 yards).

Corp also showed off speed with 155 yards rushing, including a 31-yard touchdown.

"He's a combination of every good quarterback we've seen this year," Palo Alto two-way lineman Fred Koloto said. "He's something else."

Palo Alto had its own passing combination that kept it in the game.

Senior quarterback Nick Goodspeed completed 18 of 29 passes for 279 yards and two scores, both to Scott, who finished with game highs of 10 catches and 210 yards.

"We're Palo Alto and we have a lot of pride," Scott said of his team's late surge. "We never felt like we were out of reach. We just kind of ran out of time."

The Vikings, who surprised most by winning the rugged Open Division of the Central Coast Section, moved the ball effectively throughout with 368 total yards.

But Lutheran, which won the Southern Section's top Division, the Pac-Five, couldn't be stopped. It finished with 456 yards and 24 first downs, thanks mainly to Corp who scored on runs of 31 and 52 yards, while completing TD passes to Pettis for 20, 6, 24 and 15 yards.

Just what Palo Alto couldn't do -- turn the ball over -- it did on its third play when Scott fumbled after a short completion and Lutheran's Doug Gebhart recovered.

Three plays later, Corp showed off his long legs with a 31-yard scamper for a touchdown around left end after a great fake inside.

Lutheran made it 14-0 on its next possession, completing an 83-yard drive with a picturesque 20-yard TD pass from Corp to Pettis, who was well defended in the right corner of the end zone by Trenton Hart.

After Corp hooked up with Pettis for their second touchdown, a 6-yarder midway through the second quarter, Palo Alto showed some life on a 64-yard scoring drive, which was finished off with an 8-yard pass from Goodspeed to Scott. A 21-yard pass from Goodspeed to Scott set up the score.

But Lutheran took back control just before halftime, going 81 yards in 10 plays capped by a 24-yard strike from Corp to a wide open Pettis, who caused the defensive back to slip. That made it 28-7.






DIVISION II
Corp is second to none in Orange Lutheran win.
By Martin Henderson, Times Staff Writer
December 17, 2006


In separate games Saturday, the best high school football team in the state and the best high school football quarterback in the nation supposedly were on the field at the Home Depot Center in Carson, but those focusing on Concord De La Salle and Westlake Village Oaks Christian's Jimmy Clausen might have been watching the wrong games.

Orange Lutheran and quarterback Aaron Corp turned the Division II CIF State Championship Bowl Game against Palo Alto into a showcase event, resulting in a 42-28 victory.

Corp, headed for USC, repeatedly burned Palo Alto's defense. He rushed 11 times for 136 yards, including touchdowns of 31 and 52 yards, and passed for four touchdowns — all to Austin Pettis — of 20, six, 24 and 15 yards.

"I'd take Aaron hands down over any player anywhere," Orange Lutheran Coach Jim Kunau said. "He can run, he can throw, he's fearless. He will hurtle himself into any situation to do whatever it takes to help his teammates."

Corp completed 16 of 32 passes for 208 yards. He also threw two interceptions, both after having guided the Lancers to a 35-7 lead with 3:29 left in the third quarter.

"It's a quarterback's offense," Corp said. "I can run the ball, I can throw the ball."

Pettis, who has committed to Boise State, caught eight passes for 108 yards.

Orange Lutheran (14-1) put the finishing touches on a season in which it had the state's second-toughest schedule, according to the computer-based Freeman Ratings at Calpreps.com. Its only loss came in double overtime to Anaheim Servite, with whom it shared the Trinity League title.

That gauntlet took its toll, however.

Lutheran played without USC-bound defensive end Michael Reardon, who suffered a shoulder injury against Huntington Beach Edison in the Southern Section Pac-5 Division finals last week.

Starting tailback and middle linebacker Ricky Pemasa reinjured his lower leg in that game and was also out Saturday, as was defensive tackle and offensive guard Don Williams, who was injured in the semifinals against Long Beach Poly.

Blake Ayles, Russell Koh and Cullan Maher filled in on defense, and complemented the play of linemen Kelan Bragg and sophomore Kapono Asuega.

Lutheran built a 21-0 lead before Palo Alto (12-2), the Open Division champion from the Central Coast Section, was able to score.

"We had to pick up the defense," said Corp, who scored from 31 yards on his team's third play of the game. "I just wanted to play well for the team to win."




South- Orange Lutheran (14-1) 42 Palo Alto (12-2) 28 State Championship

Orange Lutheran 42, Palo Alto 28: Aaron Corp passed for four touchdowns and ran for two more to lead the Lancers (14-1) in the CIF Division II final.

Corp, a senior quarterback who will attend USC, accounted for 344 of Orange Lutheran's 456 yards of total offense.

Corp completed 16 of 32 passes with two interceptions for 208 yards and ran 11 times for 136 yards, including 42 yards on a fake punt that kept a scoring drive going.

Austin Pettis, the son of former major-league outfielder Gary Pettis, caught all four scoring passes and made eight receptions for 108 yards.

Palo Alto's Mike Scott caught two touchdown passes and finished with 10 catches for 210 yards. Sione Mataele rushed for two more touchdowns for the Vikings (12-2).

Quarterback Nick Goodspeed threw for 279 yards and two scores while completing 18 of 29 passes with one interception.

But Palo Alto running back Will Frazier, who entered the game with 1,057 rushing yards, was held to 56 yards in 13 carries.

Cardinals shy of upset.
Santa Rosa school falls in OT.
Mitch Stephens, Chronicle Staff Writer

Sunday, December 17, 2006 04:00 PST Carson

Jimmy Clausen started jawing before the game even started.

After the coin toss, the high-profile, high-energy Notre Dame-bound quarterback for nationally ranked Oaks Christian-Westlake Village flailed his fists and yelled in a "let's get ready to rumble" sort of way to the Cardinal Newman bench.

Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lingle stepped out of the crowd and jawed and flailed right back.

"I don't know what he said, but I was just letting him know we were ready," Lingle said.

It was a perfect precursor to the first form of a state football championship in 79 years and set the tone for Oaks Christian's 27-20 overtime victory in the CIF State Division III Bowl Championship game at the Home Depot Center.

Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa (13-2) dominated the clock (34:41 time of possession to 13:19) and finished with more plays (83-45), first downs (22-14) and yards (282-233) than the heavily favored Lions, who feature at least nine Division I-A prospects.

Newman's 6-foot, 210-pound tailback Brian Hutton finished with a game high 30 carries and 101 yards.

If not for a procedure penalty in the final minute on a potential game-winning drive -- they had to settle for a game-tying field goal from Ellio Torrano with 31.1 seconds left -- the Cardinals might have pulled a shocker.

Instead, after USC-bound Marshall Jones scored his third touchdown, a 7-yard run on the first possession of overtime, and two Lingle incompletions, Oaks Christian had survived to win its 46th straight game.

But Cardinal Newman, ranked 18th in the state coming in, definitely made at least one point:

Talk is cheap.

"Everyone thought we were going to get blown out," Lingle said. "We didn't win, but it kind of feels like we did. ... I think we represented ourselves well. I enjoyed every minute of it. It was a whole lot of fun."

Not so much even in victory for Clausen or the Lions (15-0), ranked sixth nationally by USA Today.

The nation's top-ranked quarterback, who had thrown for more than 10,000 yards in his career, completed just 11-of-22 for 94 yards, a career low in 42 starts, and three interceptions, matching his total for the entire season coming in. Two of the interceptions were by linebacker Kyle Young.

"Cardinal Newman is a great team," Clausen said. "They really made us struggle."

Not in the beginning.

The Lions went 50 yards in six plays to open the game, capped by a 17-yard touchdown strike from Clausen to Marshall Jones. With just 2:11 gone, the much-anticipated rout appeared to be on.

But Lingle directed a 15-play, 70-yard drive capped with a perfectly thrown 4th-down, 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ethan Crandall to tie it.

"I wasn't surprised," Newman coach Paul Cronin said of his team's response. We "believed we could play with these guys. We might have been the only ones who did."

After Scott Magnuson intercepted Clausen, Lingle (14-of-29, 114 yards) made his only mistake when a pass over the middle was tipped and intercepted by Malcolm Jones.

The younger brother of Marshall Jones, only a freshman, then made a 64-yard return down the Oaks Christian sideline for a TD, giving the Lions a 13-7 lead.

After a Torrano 34-yard field goal just before halftime, Newman took a 17-13 lead midway through the third quarter on a 1-yard sneak by backup quarterback Max Pond. It completed a 14-play, 61-yard drive and came one play after Lingle hurt his ankle on a sneak.

It was only the second time Oaks Christian, which finished with 797 points, trailed this season.

But the Lions went 90 yards on eight plays on their first drive in the fourth quarter capped by a 4-yard TD from Marshall Jones, to take a 20-17 lead.

Newman, like it had all day, responded, driving from its own 20 to the Lions' 7 in 14 plays. On 4th-and-1 and 35 seconds left, Cronin decided to go for the win, but the Cardinals moved early, pushing the ball back to the 12. Torrano booted the field goal sending the game into overtime.

"I feel bad for Cardinal Newman," Oaks Christian coach Bill Redell said. "I really felt they were outmanned, but they coached and played their fannies off."

Afterward, Clausen gave Lingle a hug.

"I told him he was a hell of a quarterback, they were a hell of a team and he deserved a scholarship," Clausen said.





DIVISION III
Oaks Christian prevails in OT
By Dan Arritt, Times Staff Writer
December 17, 2006


For the first time since the program rose from obscurity three years ago, Westlake Village Oaks Christian was forced to rally from a fourth-quarter deficit and work overtime Saturday afternoon at the Home Depot Center in Carson.

The Lions, ranked No. 2 in the state by CalHiSports.com, held on to defeat No. 18 Santa Rosa Cardinal Newman, 27-20, in the inaugural CIF Division III State Championship Bowl Game, extending their winning streak to a state-leading 46 games.

"It was exciting, but I don't want to play any more games like this," said running back-defensive back Marshall Jones, who scored three touchdowns, including the winner in overtime.

"That was the first time I've really had to play a fourth quarter….I was worn out."

Jones, starting at running back in place of injured standout Marc Tyler, scored on a seven-yard run on the first possession of overtime, and Oaks Christian's defense stopped the Cardinals on downs to secure the victory.

"They could have won that game," Coach Bill Redell said of Cardinal Newman. "They controlled the clock, controlled the ball."

Cardinal Newman (13-2) had the ball for 34 minutes 11 seconds to only 13:19 for the Lions (15-0).

Oaks Christian quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who has committed to Notre Dame, came into the game with only three interceptions this season, but he had three passes intercepted, all in the first half.

The second set up a 34-yard field goal by Ellio Torrano that cut the Cardinals' deficit to 13-10 with one minute left in the half.

The Cardinals received the second-half kickoff, marched 61 yards in 14 plays and took a 17-13 lead on a one-yard sneak by backup quarterback Max Pond.

Oaks Christian moved back in front, 20-17, on a three-yard touchdown run by Jones with 5:57 left, a play that was set up by Oaks Christian's longest play from scrimmage, a 26-yard run by freshman Malcolm Jones, Marshall's brother.

Malcolm, who was Tyler's replacement at linebacker, also returned a 64-yard interception for a touchdown in the first half.

Cardinal Newman answered with another long drive that was aided by two pass-interference penalties, the second on fourth and 10 at the Oaks Christian 43, but the Cardinals had to settle for a tying 29-yard field goal by Torrano with 31.1 seconds left.

"People underestimated us coming into this game," Coach Paul Cronin said. "Obviously, they're going to be disappointed, but this will be some great memories."



Final: Oaks Christian wins in overtime
CARSON -- It was the best performance by a losing team in a California state championship game, and not because it was the first played in 79 years.

Cardinal Newman made believers out of everyone, including Oaks Christian head coach Bill Redell.

Newman, who many felt comfortable tabbing as 25-point underdogs, led 17-13 for 11:55 of the third and fourth quarters.

Newman placekicker Ellio Torrano kicked a 29-yard field goal with 31 seconds left in regulation to tie the game 20-20, but Oaks Christian won 27-20 in overtime.

"That is the best team we've played all year," said Redell, "better than St. Bonaventure, better than Venice."

Oaks Christian is ranked sixth in the country and heading into Saturday's Division III championship game at the Home Depot Center, most California football aficionados were calling for an Oaks Christian-De La Salle game, the "true" state championship game, they said.
"I thought we could win, there was never a doubt in my mind," said Newman head coach Paul Cronin. "They're a great team, but we're a great team, too. We were underestimated all year."

Newman owned the edge in nearly all the final statistics, running 83 plays to 45 for Oaks Christian, passing for 166 yards to 139 for Oaks Christian and rushing for 116 yards to 94 for the Lions.

Newman quarterback Ryan Lingle, possibly headed to Portland State, outplayed Jimmy Clausen, considered one of the top senior quarterbacks in the country and already committed to Notre Dame.

Clausen, intercepted just three times in 14 games heading into Saturday's contest was intercepted three times, twice by Newman linebacker Kyle Young.


State opener a thriller
Highly regarded Oaks Christian defeats Cardinal Newman in overtime
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CIF roundup

CARSON - Oaks Christian High School-Westlake Village won the first California state high school football championship in 79 years by defeating Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa 27-20 in overtime in the California Interscholastic Federation's Division III title game Saturday.

The Lions (15-0) extended their winning streak to 46 games in becoming the first team to win the state championship since Kern County Union High, now Bakersfield High, won in 1927.

Oaks Christian's Marshall Jones scored the winning touchdown on a 7-yard run on the second play of the national tie-breaker used when regulation expires. Each team gets four chances to score from the opponent's 10-yard line.

The Cardinals (13-2) drove five yards in two plays during their ensuing series. But Oaks Christian's defense caused Cardinal Newman quarterback Ryan Lingle to throw two incomplete passes to secure the victory.

The Lions took a 20-17 lead on Jones' 4-yard run with 5:57 to play. Ellio Torrano's 29-yard field goal tied the score with 31 seconds left.

Oaks Christian quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who holds the state record for career touchdown passes and will attend Notre Dame, completed 11 of 22 passes for 94 yards and one touchdown but threw three interceptions. In 14 previous games, Clausen had three total interceptions.

Jones rushed 14 times for 82 yards and two touchdowns, caught four passes for 32 yards and another touchdown and returned a kickoff 42 yards.

Lingle threw for 116 yards and a touchdown while completing 14 of 29 passes with one interception. Teammate Brian Hutton gained 96 yards in 30 carries and made two catches for 15 yards.



Cardinals expose highly touted Lions as overconfident
By RICH RUPPRECHT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

CARSON
In the first California state championship football game played in 79 years, Cardinal Newman made believers out of everyone, including Oaks Christian coach Bill Redell.


"That is the best team we've played all year," said Redell, "better than St. Bonaventure, better than Venice."

Newman, tabbed by some as 25-point underdogs, led 17-13 for nearly 12 minutes spanning the third and fourth quarters. And Newman's Ellio Torrano kicked a 29-yard field goal with 31 seconds left in regulation to tie the game, 20-20.

But Oaks Christian won, 27-20, in overtime.

Oaks Christian is ranked sixth in the country, and heading into Saturday's DivisionIII championship game at the Home Depot Center, most California football aficionados were calling for an Oaks Christian-De La Salle game, the "true" state championship game , they said.

"I thought we could win, there was never a doubt in my mind," said Newman coach Paul Cronin. "They're a great team, but we're a great team, too. We were underestimated all year."

Newman owned the edge in nearly all the statistics, running 83 plays to 45 for Oaks Christian, passing for 166 yards to 139 for Oaks Christian and rushing for 116 yards to 94 for the Lions.

Newman's desire to control the ball worked to near perfection. Newman had 22 first downs to 14 for Oaks Christian.

Newman quarterback Ryan Lingle, possibly headed to Portland State, outplayed Jimmy Clausen, considered one of the top senior quarterbacks in the country and already committed to Notre Dame.

Clausen, intercepted just three times in 14 games heading into Saturday's contest, was picked three times, twice by Newman linebacker Kyle Young.

"We came out and battled them and had them on their heels," Young said. "We knew they had great players, but it didn't matter to us. We just played as well as we could. We were making memories."

Marshall Jones, headed to USC, ran for a 3-yard score, capping a nine-play drive that gave Oaks Christian its first lead of the second half, 20-17, with 5:57 remaining.

But like he did most of the day, Lingle led Newman down the field. Helped by two 15-yard pass-interference penalties and an 11-yard run by backup quarterback Max Pond, the Cardinals found themselves on Oaks Christian's 17-yard line with 1:31 left.

Lingle threw an incomplete pass, then ran up the middle for 8 yards. Lingle gained another yard on a quarterback sneak, one of Newman's favorite plays on Saturday.

It was fourth-and-1 from the 8, and Cronin decided against a field-goal try. But a Newman lineman jumped offsides and Torrano was brought on, and he converted the field goal.

Clausen threw to the end zone, but Christopher Potter's catch in the closing seconds was ruled out of bounds .

In the state tiebreaking format, Oaks Christian took the ball first in overtime, starting on Newman's 10 and getting four plays to score.

Jones ran for 3 yards on the first play and ran 7 yards through the middle of Newman's line for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown. The PAT kick was good.

Then it was Newman's turn, getting the ball at the Lions' 10. Pond, coming back from the slot, ran for 5 yards and Brian Hutton, who rushed 30 times for 101 yards on a bad ankle, was stopped for no gain. On third down from the 5, Lingle threw a perfect-looking pass to Pond, who was running a slant pattern in the end zone. But defensive back Brad Freeman slapped the ball away. On fourth down, Lingle threw long and incomplete in the end zone.

At that moment, the Oaks Christian players ran and jumped on one another in celebration, while Newman players gathered at midfield, some crying, some wondering what more they could have done.

"You always want to win, but it was an honor to play those guys," said Lingle, who sustained a knee injury and had to leave the game when Newman was on the verge of scoring in the third quarter. Pond took over and scored from the 1, but Lingle was back, limping, on Newman's next possession.

"We all believed we could win," said Newman safety Roger Nulton. "I thought it was a bunch of kids who wanted to win more than (Oaks Christian) did."

Redell didn't refute any of those who said Newman should have won.

"Cardinal Newman played a fabulous game and they have an outstanding coaching staff," the Oaks Christian coach said. "It was one of those (games) either team could have won and should have won."

The game didn't start favorably for Newman. Although it won the coin toss, Newman elected to kick off.

"I wanted to get our defense out there," Cronin said.

Newman would use squib kicks all day to keep the ball away from Oaks Christian's speedy returners. But the Lions returned the opening kick to the 50.

Six play later, Oaks Christian led, 7-0. Claussen, who completed 11 of 22 passes for just 94 yards, connected on his first two throws, finding Potter for 21 yards and throwing a 17-yard TD to Jones.

Newman eliminated the thought of a one-sided game quickly. Using short patterns and up-the-middle bursts by Hutton, Newman kept the ball and moved it.

Cronin also showed he wasn't going to play conservatively. Lingle converted a fourth-and-1 on a quarterback sneak; then on fourth-and-7, Lingle threw a perfect 20-yard TD to Ethan Crandall. Torrano converted and with 3:50 left in the first quarter, and it was 7-7.

Clausen threw his first interception on the next series, Scott Magnuson grabbing it before going out of bounds at the 50.

Lingle's only real mistake of the game followed with 2:03 left in the opening quarter. Malcolm Jones intercepted Lingle and returned it 64 yards for a TD, although the PAT kick failed.

Young's first interception set up the only score in the second quarter, a 34-yard field goal by Torrano with one minute left in the half.

Asked about Claussen's day, Redell said: "We probably got greedy. Instead of throwing so much, we probably should have run more."

Defensively, both teams played the pass, moving backs deep into coverage and often rushing just three linemen. Newman answered by having Lingle throw under the coverage and by rushing Hutton. Claussen, though, seemed to force the ball and it wasn't until the final quarter that he successfully scrambled a few times.

"Our defenders were in the right place at the right time," said Newman defensive coordinator Dennis Bruno. "We stopped their passing and they went to the run. We stopped that and they went back to the pass. We were ready for everything."

Cronin, who worked around the clock all week on a game plan, had a hard time accepting the defeat. He was laying on a trainer's table in the Newman locker room, running through particular plays and what might have led to a win.

"Lingle is a warrior, Hutton is a warrior, (Al) Netter is a warrior and the whole offensive line played great," he said. "The kids will hurt and be bitter for a week. But all of them will have the memory of how well they played.

"Yeah, all their guys are getting scholarships. Well, some of our guys should get some, too."



Lingle sneaks up on opponent, media
By RICH RUPPRECHT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT


CARSON
By halftime, the top question posed by the Southern California media was: Where is Ryan Lingle going to college?


The quarterback from the small private school in Santa Rosa was outplaying his flashy Oaks Christian counterpart, Jimmy Clausen.

Whereas Claussen is going to Notre Dame - the story goes he showed up in a limousine on his signing day and predicted a national championship - Lingle has only been seriously recruited by coach Tim Walsh at Portland State.

"Hey, maybe I can go to a bigger school," Lingle said after the game.

Lingle was limping from a third-quarter leg injury, sustained on one of 10 quarterback sneaks he tried.

Max Pond replaced Lingle, who had to leave the game for at least one play, and scored on a one-yard plunge. But Lingle was back on the field the next time Newman got the ball.

Lingle wore a huge smile afterward and seemed genuinely happy just to have gotten the opportunity to play Oaks Christian.

"We had a lot of third-down and short plays, so that's why we ran so many sneaks," Lingle said. "Our offensive line just played great."

Asked about the hitting, Lingle said, "Oh yeah, there was some serious popping going on."

In the locker room, Lingle said losing in overtime was disappointing, but tying Oaks Christian in regulation more than dismissed Newman's critics.

"Everyone else doubted us, but everybody in this room believed we could win," he said.

Lingle was 14 of 29 passing for 116 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed 18 times for 58 yards.

Lingle's career postseason record is 7-1 with 16 TD passes and one interception.

STELLAR DEFENSE
Newman usually has a swarming defense that shares in tackles. That was obvious from the game statistics. Five Newman players had five tackles and James Kay, Kyle Young and Joe Janowczyk led with six apiece. Young, Roger Nulton and nose guard Ellio Torrano had four solo tackles each.

Oaks Christian, which averaged nearly 50 points a game and more than 500 yards of offense, managed just 233 net yards against Newman.

Torrano said Newman really didn't switch much on defense.

"We put three men on the line and still had a solid pass rush," he said. "A lot of times there was no place for him (Oaks Christian quarterback Jimmy Clausen) to throw. This hurts (the loss), but what I'll take from this are my teammates. These boys have a lot of heart."



EXTRA POINTS
Newman wound up 13-2, the most games played by a Redwood Empire school in a single season.

It rained for most of the second quarter, but not in the fourth quarter.

Claussen threw one TD pass, giving him 148 in his career, a state record.

Malcom Jones, a freshman, and Casey Matthews, son of former NFL player Clay Matthews, each had 15 tackles to lead Oaks Christian.



Despite dreary weather, CIF Bowl Games deliverBy Andy Boogaard / The Fresno Bee12/17/06 05:53:25

CARSON — The first CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games asked for some magic here at the Home Depot Center, especially on a day cursed by elements — wind, rain and temperatures that plunged into the 40s.

On Saturday the state held its first postseason play since Bakersfield High was crowned champion in 1927. To make it a success, the underdogs needed to land haymakers that would humble the rankings gurus and, essentially, justify the logic of subjectively matching northern and southern teams for a tripleheader in mid-December.

And that was delivered — to begin and end the day — from Cardinal Newman and Canyon of Canyon Country.

Cardinal Newman, an all-boys school from Santa Rosa, stood toe to toe in a 27-20 Division III overtime loss to Oaks Christian-Westlake Village, which ranked second in the state, sixth in the nation and armed with nine major college recruits.

"They punched us in the mouth pretty good," said one of those bluechippers, Duke Lemmens, a 6-foot-5, 251-pound defensive end headed to Florida.

And scoring a knockout was Canyon, which won 27-13 in the D-I game against De La Salle-Concord, which was 13-0, top-ranked in the state and No. 3 nationally.

And to think Canyon (12-2) — ranked fifth in the state — barely got here, requiring a second vote by a state selection committee last Sunday to nose out Clovis East as the Southern California D-I representative.

Oaks Christian (15-0) registered a Southern Section record-tying 46th consecutive victory, but not before trailing in the second half for the first time in two years and quickly calming the greatest fears of producers from Fox Sports Net.

Televising live all three games, what they didn't need was an audience-flushing, first-half blowout in the 11 a.m. opener. And that was recognized by Marie Ishida, executive director of the California Interscholastic Federation, which governs high school sports in the state: "Wow, we couldn't have started out with a better game."

She had nothing to apologize for the next two, either.

USC-bound quarterback Aaron Corp accounted for six touchdowns as Orange Lutheran held off Palo Alto 42-28 in the Division II matchup.

Then rode in the Cowboys of Canyon.

"Generally," Ishida said, "the whole day went very well. I think it was a great move on the CIF's part to do this, and I absolutely loved what I saw."

She and other bowl officials are confident they'll make a modest profit in phase one of a two-year pilot.

A $225,000 budget, CIF assistant executive director John Tarman said, would likely be balanced by $160,000 in sponsorships and ticket sales from a three-game paid total of 13,638 fans.

They paid $8 and $15 for all-day tickets, but few appeared to watch more than one game.

"Given the weather, we're extremely pleased," Tarman said.

Staged concurrently with the games at this massive complex 15 miles northeast of Long Beach was a cheerleading competition involving nearly 1,000 participants, agility drills for about 500 high school football players not included in the games, and presentations by college coaches Tyrone Willingham of Washington and Dan Hawkins of Colorado for almost 300 high school coaches.

Nike and Macy's picked up the tabs for those functions. But it was Cardinal Newman that provided the most priceless effort of all — even in defeat.

Not that the Cardinals arrived with shabby credentials. The North Coast Section champions were ranked 18th in the state with a 13-1 record highlighted by a season-opening 22-14 win that snapped Central Catholic-Modesto's 61-game winning streak.

But you had to see the other guys.

Besides Lemmens, and even without USC-bound running back Marc Tyler (broken leg), Oaks Christian paraded out another Trojan-to-be in wide receiver/running back Marshall Jones, two players going to Oregon, one each to Stanford, Texas A&M and Boise State, and then the alleged prize of all — quarterback Jimmy Clausen.

He's going to Notre Dame as the nation's top recruit, the wizards say. He's 6-3, 208 pounds with perfect teeth, a square jaw, blond hair and a state-record 146 career touchdown passes. He wears a headband matching the team's wine-colored uniforms, a white towel is folded neatly into his trunks and he cocks the ball from his right ear just as pictured in the textbooks.

Brutally perfect.

But he had better hope Charlie Weis wasn't in the house Saturday because the Irish coach could only have cringed watching Clausen equal his season total with three interceptions — all in the first half.

"It wasn't the best I've played," he said with obvious indifference to postgame questions. "But we got a victory, and that's all I care about."

The guy who really cared was the one who bloodied your nose.

"What memories," Cardinal Newman linebacker Kyle Young said. "That was a lot of fun. And what a great start for the bowls."



CIF's big day isn't quite state of the art.
December 17, 2006
Columnist
- Bill Plaschke,Latimes

Jimmy Clausen spotted an orange cooler filled with green liquid, popped the top and leaned down to pick it up.

He was going to pour it on the coach's head. That's what you do after you win a championship, right?


Clausen's Westlake Village Oaks Christian High football team had just won the Division III title in the state's first championship game in 79 years, and Clausen is the quarterback, so it was his job to …

"No!" shouted a security guard.

"No?" said Clausen.

"No water on the field!" shouted the guard.

"Why not?" said Clausen.

"We have two more games here today, you have to be respectful of other people," shouted the guard.

Clausen shrugged and ran off, this being just another bit of unfinished business on a day filled with them.

His team, with a 45-game winning streak and nine players headed for Division I colleges, was going to inaugurate the state's bowl series by proving it was one of the best teams in state history.

But it was barely the best team on the field.

Clausen, who last summer showed up for his Notre Dame signing announcement in a limousine, was going to prove he was the best quarterback in the nation.

But he wasn't even the best quarterback in the game.

Oaks Christian needed overtime to beat Santa Rosa Cardinal Newman, 27-20, in a celebration of everything wonderful, and wrong, about high school football.

The winning team was undisciplined and underwhelming in victory.

The losing team was limping, grass-stained and triumphant in defeat.

"They hit us really hard," said Oaks Christian defensive back Brad Freeman.

The winning team showed that national rankings and reputations of private-school sports factories mean nothing.

The losing team showed that, once again, a couple of hours on the field mean everything.

"They're a bunch of studs," said Newman quarterback Ryan Lingle. "But maybe this means we're a bunch of studs too?"

Oaks Christian had won its games this season by an average margin of 47 points.

But Cardinal Newman outgained the Lions by 49 yards, held the ball for 21 more minutes, committed two fewer turnovers and had 81 fewer yards of penalties.


Clausen had never lost as a starting quarterback in his high school career — 41 games before Saturday.

But Lingle, a lightly recruited kid who was knocked flat during the game with ankle and knee injuries, limped circles around him.

Critics said Oaks Christian was too good to even play in this game, claiming the Lions belonged with the big-enrollment schools for a real state championship game.

The critics were wrong. The hype was silly. Everyone is so busy turning prep sports into college's minor leagues, they forget these sports are still played by 16-year-old kids who act like it.

Well, OK, Clausen is 19, but you get the point.

"We're just a bunch of little guys from up north," Lingle said. "But I think we showed everyone that we belong on the same field."

Considering this was California's first north-south championship showdown in decades, that Home Depot Center field could have been better.

It was brown. It was patched. It contained lines from both baseball and soccer. The midfield emblem — "CIF: 79 Years Of Waiting" — was faded.

Yeah, 79 years of waiting for fertilizer.

But at least it was high school football, with marching bands and — well, no. Not in this first of the day's three games.

Neither small school has a marching band, and organizers didn't feel a need to import one, so it was a rare high school championship game that didn't sound like one.

Nobody sang the national anthem, it was a recording. And, unlike in the two later games, the starters were not introduced. With an 11 a.m. kickoff, there were only a couple of thousand spectators in the stands.

At the start of the first game, a friend called me from Texas Stadium, and I could barely hear him because of the 26,000 fans attending a Texas state semifinal. But he could hear me perfectly.

This celebration of high school football will take place at Home Depot Center again next winter. Let's hope officials will work harder at making it feel like a celebration.

The only real pregame noise came from Clausen, who ran to midfield and pointed and shouted at the Cardinal Newman kids before the opening kickoff.

The kid has a swagger. The kid also has a quick trigger, throwing a bullet 17-yard pass to Marshall Jones for a touchdown on the game's first possession.

But the kid also is impatient. Cardinal Newman dropped eight guys off the line of scrimmage, and forced him to find an opening, and he couldn't.

And the kid has a temper, as we saw when he scolded receivers for not catching some of his high-and-wide passes.

And, of course, as everyone should expect, the kid can be human; he finished the game with only 11 completions in 22 attempts, with three interceptions — equaling his season total — and just one touchdown.

"I wouldn't say they got us down," Clausen said afterward. "I would say it was just a bump in the road, but we took care of it."

Give credit to Oaks Christian for not stumbling over that bump.

But give credit to the weekly wonder that is high school football for making them, and us, swerve.

Notre Dame-bound Clausen and USC-bound Corp have contrasting performances
By Chace Bryson and Curtis Pashelka
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
CIF notebook

CARSON - Jimmy Clausen and Aaron Corp ended up as winning quarterbacks on Saturday afternoon. But the two highly rated prospects ended up having wildly different games.

The Notre Dame-bound Clausen threw three interceptions and completed 11 of 22 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown as favored Oaks Christian High School-Westlake Village pulled out a 27-20 overtime win over Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa in the CIF Division III football title game.

Corp, who has agreed to go to USC, sparkled as he led Orange Lutheran to the Division II crown with a 42-28 win over Palo Alto. The Lancers scored touchdowns on six of their first eight possessions to wind up with their ninth straight win.

Clausen, the state's top recruit according to rivals.com, came into the game with just 17 interceptions in 53 games played. And his 42-0 record as a starter is a state record.

Cardinal Newman did an impressive job containing the Lions' passing game, as it came out rushing just three lineman and dropping everyone else into coverage. The strategy worked as well as anyone could have expected, as Clausen's three interceptions in the first half doubled his total for 2006.

Palo Alto didn't have the same success defending Corp, who was 16-of-32 passing for 208 yards with four touchdown passes. He also ran for 155 yards and two scores.

Clausen could still be in line for a number of postseason awards, including national player of the year. Coming into Saturday, he had completed 183 of 259 passes for 3,334 yards and 48 touchdowns. His 146 career touchdown passes are a state record.

Corp wasn't any less valuable. In leading his team to a 13-1 record before Saturday, he completed 196 of 279 passes for 2,542 yards and 17 touchdowns, and his arm strength and size (6-foot-4, 190 pounds) had most college scouts drooling.

Get wet

It was windy and relatively cold all day Saturday, and heavy rain started to come down during the third quarter of the Division II championship. The rain stopped between the Division II game and the Division I game between De La Salle and Canyon-Canyon Country, which began at 7:48 p.m.

Just in case it was wet, Canyon quarterback Ben Longshore was practicing throwing with a damp ball during his team's walk-though on Friday. De La Salle's Mike MacGillivray did not, but he did have the experience of playing through last Saturday's rain during a 33-7 win over Foothill in the North Coast Section 4A title game.

Big, but not biggest

As De La Salle supporters made their way into the Home Depot Center and took in the atmosphere on Saturday, most seem to come to the same conclusion.

"This is big," said Jon Muglie, a 2006 graduate who traveled down together will fellow recent alumni Justin Melson and Kevin Sininger. "There's definitely been bigger matchups (in recent years), though."

Colin Krause, the older brother of De La Salle trainer Jeff Krause, agreed that the atmosphere certainly was one worthy of a state championship game.

"It definitely feels a lot bigger than any section championship game," Krause said.

Extra points

The cold weather may have led to smaller-than-expected attendance. About 5,000 people sat for the Division III game and a slightly larger crowd was in place for the Division II final. ... Pittsburg resident Ken Leffle was an official for the Orange Lutheran-Palo Alto game.


Lingle sneaks up on opponent, media
By RICH RUPPRECHT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT


CARSON
By halftime, the top question posed by the Southern California media was: Where is Ryan Lingle going to college?


The quarterback from the small private school in Santa Rosa was outplaying his flashy Oaks Christian counterpart, Jimmy Clausen.

Whereas Claussen is going to Notre Dame - the story goes he showed up in a limousine on his signing day and predicted a national championship - Lingle has only been seriously recruited by coach Tim Walsh at Portland State.

"Hey, maybe I can go to a bigger school," Lingle said after the game.

Lingle was limping from a third-quarter leg injury, sustained on one of 10 quarterback sneaks he tried.

Max Pond replaced Lingle, who had to leave the game for at least one play, and scored on a one-yard plunge. But Lingle was back on the field the next time Newman got the ball.

Lingle wore a huge smile afterward and seemed genuinely happy just to have gotten the opportunity to play Oaks Christian.

"We had a lot of third-down and short plays, so that's why we ran so many sneaks," Lingle said. "Our offensive line just played great."

Asked about the hitting, Lingle said, "Oh yeah, there was some serious popping going on."

In the locker room, Lingle said losing in overtime was disappointing, but tying Oaks Christian in regulation more than dismissed Newman's critics.

"Everyone else doubted us, but everybody in this room believed we could win," he said.

Lingle was 14 of 29 passing for 116 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed 18 times for 58 yards.

Lingle's career postseason record is 7-1 with 16 TD passes and one interception.

D-I Preview: Canyon Looks to Solve De La Salle
Winners of 21-straight, De La Salle hopes to add another chapter to historic run under Ladouceur.

2006 CIF State Championship Bowl Games

Division I Championship: Canyon (11-2) vs. De La Salle (13-0)


Canyon head coach Harry Welch obviously attended the Lou Holtz School of Pregame Press Conferences.


“It is a huge game and we are playing arguably the No. 1 team in the United States of America,” Welch said. “We are a little banged up. We got battered and bruised and we are going to be very, very challenged.”

The praise for his opponent Saturday at the CIF State Championship Bowl Games didn’t stop there.

“I’m honored, as I get towards the end of my career, to go up against a legendary coach,” Welch said. “Maybe the greatest active coach at any level in any sport in America today.”


But unlike Holtz, who might land that type of praise upon anybody during his career at Notre Dame, Welch is talking about the De La Salle Spartans. Unfortunately for his Cowboys, it isn’t hyperbole.

De La Salle will look to add another chapter to its legendary run under head coach Bob Ladouceur by adding a state championship. Ladouceur is 319-19-3 at De La Salle and has led the Spartans to 15-straight section titles. They enter the Home Depot Center riding a long win streak once again, 21-straight since a loss to Mission Viejo during the 2005 season.

“I think it’s really exciting. The CIF has put a lot of work into this and it’s an honor to be here and be a part of it,” Ladouceur said. “We are a part of California high school history right now. I think it’s a great thing.”

But the Spartans are used to the hoopla that will surround California’s historic championship event after playing in highly-anticipated, inter-sectional showdowns in Hawaii, Ohio, and Washington in recent years.

“The kids know we are coming down here to play a game,” Ladouceur said. “We’re not coming down here to sightsee or go to Disneyland or anything.”


As easy as it is to heap praise upon De La Salle, Canyon is no slouch, and much less of an underdog than Palo Alto in the Division II championship, or Cardinal Newman in Division III.


The Cowboys are 34-5 over the past three seasons, and were included in the Top 25 of MaxPreps’ Preseason National Rankings. Canyon’s offense is explosive, posting point totals of 90, 62, 63, and 76 this season. Welch’s club played arguably the most difficult schedule in the state.

“I love my team, so I’m not 100 percent objective, but we have played everyone the last eight or nine weeks, and I do not know if anyone has played a more formidable schedule than we have since August,” Welch said.

Expanding on the Cowboys’ cause, they have something, or someone, that De La Salle doesn’t – J.J. DiLuigi.


Committed to Brigham Young University, DiLuigi is one of California’s top all-purpose performers, racking up 2,678 yards and 38 touchdowns this season. The 5-9, 188-pound senior has done most of his damage from the running back position, accumulating 2,021 yards and 33 touchdowns on the ground.


The formula might be pretty simple for Canyon. In two losses to Notre Dame and St. Bonaventure this season, DiLuigi averaged 74.5 rushing yards per game. In 11 victories, the future Cougar averaged 170 rushing yards. Could a big day for DiLuigi mean a big day for Canyon at the Home Depot Center Saturday?


If only it were that simple against De La Salle.


Canyon (11-2) at a Glance…


Points Per Game/Allowed: 45.4/16.5

Leading Passer: Ben Longshore (2,669 yards, 22 touchdowns, 12 interceptions)

Leading Rusher: John (J.J.) DiLuigi (2,021 yards, 33 touchdowns)

Leading Receiver: Michael Loucks (38 receptions, 662 yards, 6 touchdowns)

Big Win: Longshore threw for 302 yards, and the Cowboy defense “held” star junior running back Darrell Scott to 118 yards (110 below his season average), as Canyon held off Moorpark, 24-22, in the Southern Section Northern Division championship game last week. Chris Chapman hit a field goal with under 10 seconds remaining to give the Cowboys the game-winner.

Date Time Opponent Result
8/31/06 TBA Moorpark (CA) W 33-14
9/8/06 TBA Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, CA) L 17-18
9/15/06 7:00 PM St. Bonaventure (Ventura, CA) L 14-21
9/29/06 TBA Chaminade (West Hills, CA) W 49-32
10/6/06 TBA @Crespi (Encino, CA) W 38-35
10/13/06 7:30 PM @Hart (Newhall, CA) ** W 41-25
10/20/06 TBA Golden Valley (Santa Clarita, CA) ** W 90-0
11/3/06 TBA @Saugus (CA) (College of Canyons)** W 42-7
11/9/06 TBA Valencia (CA) ** W 62-17
11/17/06 7:00 PM Royal (Simi Valley, CA) W 63-3
11/24/06 7:00 PM vs Rio Mesa (Oxnard, CA) **** W 76-14
12/1/06 TBA @Westlake (Westlake Village, CA) **** W 42-7
12/9/06 TBA vs Moorpark (CA) (Cal State Dominguez Hills [Home Depot...)**** W 24-22
12/16/06 7:30 PM vs De La Salle (Concord, CA) (Cal State Dominguez Hills [Home Depot...)**** Pregame



De La Salle (13-0) at a Glance…


Points Per Game/Allowed: 43.9/14.3

Leading Passer: Mike MacGillivray (1,111 yards, 8 touchdowns, 6 interceptions)

Leading Rusher: Tim Maupin (1,309 yards, 22 touchdowns)

Leading Receiver: John Hendershott (663 yards, 3 touchdowns)

Leading Tackler: Albert Rosette (107 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 sacks)

Big Win: The running game powered the Spartans to a 35-28 win over Mission Viejo Oct. 7 in a North-South showdown. Maupin and Tillman Pugh were the workhorses, combining for 40 carries and 336 yards.

Date Time Opponent Result
9/9/06 TBA @Serra (San Mateo, CA) W 40-28
9/16/06 TBA vs Elder (Cincinnati, OH) (U. of Cincinnati) W 56-38
9/23/06 TBA vs Palma (Salinas, CA) (Salinas Sports Complex) W 28-3
9/29/06 TBA Freedom (Oakley, CA) ** W 34-12
10/7/06 TBA Mission Viejo (CA) W 35-28
10/13/06 7:30 PM Liberty (Brentwood, CA) ** W 48-0
10/20/06 7:30 PM @Antioch (CA) ** W 62-0
10/27/06 TBA @Clayton Valley (Concord, CA) ** W 63-17
11/3/06 TBA @Monte Vista (Danville, CA) W 35-14
11/10/06 TBA @Ygnacio Valley (Concord, CA) ** W 55-7
11/17/06 7:00 PM College Park (Pleasant Hill, CA) **** W 41-7
11/24/06 7:00 PM San Ramon Valley (Danville, CA) **** W 41-25
12/9/06 TBA vs Foothill (Pleasanton, CA) (McAfee Coliseum)**** W 33-7
12/16/06 7:30 PM vs Canyon (Canyon Country, CA) (Cal State Dominguez Hills [Home Depot...)**** Pregame

D-II Preview: Lancers, Vikings Earned Their Way
Orange Lutheran, Palo Alto ran the gauntlet in 2006.


2006 CIF State Championship Bowl Games

Division II Championship: Orange Lutheran (13-1) vs. Palo Alto (12-1)


Orange Lutheran’s meeting with Palo Alto Saturday in the Division II portion of the CIF State Championship Bowl Games was forged the old fashion way – they earned it.


Orange Lutheran defeated five teams ranked in the Top 25 of MaxPreps’ California State Rankings – Long Beach Poly (No. 4), Edison (No. 5), Santa Margarita (No. 8), Mater Dei (No. 15), and San Clemente (No. 25) – and faced two others in the Top 50.


Palo Alto made its way to Carson by eliminating Aragon, Palma, and Oak Grove – teams with a combined 29-6-1 record in 2006 – in the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs. The Vikings won those three contests by a total of just seven points.

“What I like about this team more than anything is that there are really no stars,” Palo Alto head coach Earl Hansen said. “We played 13 games and you could mark a different guy every week who stepped up.”


Against Orange Lutheran, Hansen might need all of his Vikings to become stars. Like Cardinal Newman in the Division III game, Palo Alto enters the contest lacking the star power of its Southern counterpart. But Hansen isn’t conceding anything.


“We have to control the ball and make sure we don’t make mistakes,” Hansen said. “If we do those things, we’ve got a chance.”

Orange Lutheran features at least three Division I-A-bound seniors in quarterback Aaron Corp (USC), wide receiver Austin Pettis (Boise State), and two-way lineman Michael Reardon (USC).

But Lancer head coach Jim Kunau isn’t buying the disparity in talent, and don’t expect his team to either.


“They have got plenty of size and firepower, and they captured our attention right off the bat,” Kunau said. “Plus, our guys are aware in the state basketball championships this past March, Palo Alto beat one of our league schools, Mater Dei, for the state championship. All of our players understand that we are playing a great opponent.”


The key for Palo Alto will be finding an answer for Corp, a legitimate California Player of the Year candidate. The 6-4, 190-pound future Trojan has amassed 3,581 passing and rushing yards and is responsible for 27 touchdowns on his own. He has risen to the occasion on the big stage several times this season, averaging 400 total yards in important wins over Santa Margarita, Mater Dei, and San Clemente.

The Vikings will likely counter with the “Thunder & Lightning” combo of Sione Mataele (6-0, 260 pounds) and Will Frazier (6-0, 175) to turn the contest into a slugfest. Mataele and Frazier have combined for 1,750 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2006.


Orange Lutheran and Palo Alto will be the second game of Saturday’s tripleheader, scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.


Orange Lutheran (13-1) at a Glance…


Points Per Game/Allowed: 33.6/17.1

Leading Passer: Aaron Corp (2,537 yards, 17 touchdowns, 7 interceptions)

Leading Rusher: Aaron Corp (1,044 yards, 10 touchdowns)

Leading Receiver: Austin Pettis (980 yards, 10 touchdowns)

Big Win: The Lancers had a lot of them, but we’ll go with the Oct. 19 win over Santa Margarita. A week after suffering its only loss of the season against Servite, Lutheran used a 28-point second-half outburst to knock off the unbeaten Eagles, 49-39. Corp threw for 278 yards and ran for another 111 in the victory.

Date Time Opponent Result
9/1/06 TBA @Dana Hills (Dana Point, CA) W 59-7
9/8/06 TBA @Lancaster (CA) W 35-6
9/15/06 7:30 PM Tesoro (Las Flores, CA) W 42-13
9/21/06 TBA @Valencia (CA) W 47-17
9/28/06 TBA @Los Alamitos (CA) (Veterans Stadium) W 38-27
10/12/06 TBA Servite (Anaheim, CA) (Cal State Fullerton)** L 21-28
10/19/06 TBA Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) (Brea Olinda)** W 49-39
10/27/06 TBA @Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) (Santa Ana Stadium)** W 24-21
11/4/06 5:00 PM @JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, CA) ** W 0-Forfeit
11/9/06 TBA St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA) (Brea Olinda)** W 28-8
11/17/06 7:30 PM vs San Clemente (CA) (Santa Ana Stadium) W 49-20
11/24/06 7:30 PM @Compton (CA) **** W 26-12
12/1/06 4:30 PM vs Poly (Long Beach, CA) (Home Depot Center)**** W 23-22
12/9/06 TBA vs Edison (Huntington Beach, CA) (Cal State Dominguez Hills [Home Depot...)**** W 30-20
12/16/06 3:30 PM vs Palo Alto (CA) (Cal State Dominguez Hills [Home Depot...)**** Pregame



Palo Alto (12-1) at a Glance…


Points Per Game/Allowed: 35.2/15.7

Leading Passer: Nick Goodspeed (1,810 yards, 15 touchdowns, 7 interceptions)

Leading Rusher: Will Frazier (1,057 yards, 15 touchdowns)

Leading Receiver: Maurice Williams (26 receptions, 493 yards, 4 touchdowns)

Leading Tackler: James McCollough (110 tackles, 3 sacks)

Big Win: The Vikings avenged their only loss of the season last week in the Central Coast Section Open Division title game, beating Oak Grove of San Jose, 23-21. Frazier and Sione Mataele churned out 216 yards on the ground.

Date Time Opponent Result
9/8/06 TBA @Carlmont (Belmont, CA) W 49-8
9/15/06 TBA @Burlingame (CA) W 21-13
9/22/06 TBA @Oak Grove (San Jose, CA) L 14-35
9/29/06 TBA @Los Gatos (CA) ** W 35-7
10/6/06 TBA Wilcox (Santa Clara, CA) ** W 42-14
10/13/06 TBA @Mountain View (CA) ** W 30-14
10/20/06 TBA Santa Clara (CA) ** W 34-7
10/27/06 7:30 PM Gunn (Palo Alto, CA) W 55-12
11/3/06 TBA @Milpitas (CA) ** W 40-7
11/9/06 7:30 PM Homestead (Cupertino, CA) ** W 51-8
11/17/06 TBA Aragon (San Mateo, CA) **** W 23-21
11/24/06 TBA vs Palma (Salinas, CA) (San Jose City College)**** W 41-38
12/1/06 TBA vs Oak Grove (San Jose, CA) (San Jose City College)**** W 23-21
12/16/06 3:30 PM vs Lutheran (Orange, CA) (Cal State Dominguez Hills [Home Depot...)**** Pregame

D-III Preview: Cardinal Newman Assigned Tall Order
Cardinals must come up big to end Lions’ 45-game win streak.


2006 CIF State Championship Bowl Games

Division III Championship: Cardinal Newman (13-1) vs. Oaks Christian (14-0)


Cardinal Newman isn’t used to playing the underdog role. The Cardinals are 31-6 since 2004, winning North Coast Section titles in each of the past two seasons.


But head coach Paul Cronin’s club will be in the unfamiliar position of being the hunter Saturday at the Home Depot Center when they take the field against Oaks Christian.


“Every game, you have to focus on yourself,” Cronin said. “You can’t concentrate on the other team.”


The Lions, loaded with Division I-A commitments and prospects, have won 45-straight games and would love to send their decorated senior class out by making Cardinal Newman No. 46.


“These kids really want to show how good they are,” Oaks Christian head coach Bill Redell said. “We really don’t have to worry about getting them up.”


One Lion the Cardinals won’t have to worry about is USC-bound running back Marc Tyler, who is recovering a leg injury suffered Nov. 17 against St. Bernard. Unfortunately for Cardinal Newman, Marshall Jones, another future Trojan, has filled in admirably.


Marshall Jones is going to USC as a safety, but he is a heck of a running back,” Redell said. “If it wasn’t for Marc Tyler, you would be reading about Marshall Jones being one of the best running backs in the country.”

Redell said he expects Jones’ freshman brother, Malcolm, to also contribute in the running game.


The best game plan for Cardinal Newman may be to keep the ball in its possession, and away from Oaks Christian’s bevy of offensive weaponry, including the Jones Brothers and Notre Dame-bound quarterback Jimmy Clausen.

Cronin might just have the back to do it. Senior Brian Hutton has been a warhorse this season, toting the ball 309 times for nearly 1,800 yards. He had 36 carries in the Cardinals’ 28-22 win over Hayward last week, totaling 158 yards.


Whatever the outcome, one team is guaranteed to make history. The Division III championship game opens Saturday’s slate at 11 a.m., and at the conclusion, one team will become the first true state champion in 79 years.


Oaks Christian (14-0) at a Glance…

Points Per Game/Allowed: 55.0/8.1

Leading Passer: Jimmy Clausen (3,348 yards, 48 touchdowns, 3 interceptions)

Leading Rusher: Marshall Jones (614 yards, 8 touchdowns)

Leading Receiver: Sean Wiser (56 receptions, 886 yards, 16 touchdowns)

Leading Tackler: Casey Matthews (143 tackles, 10 sacks, 2 interceptions)

Big Win: The Lions made a big statement Sept. 22 by knocking off St. Bonaventure, 59-13, behind 271 rushing yards by Marc Tyler.

Date Time Opponent Result
9/1/06 TBA @Lompoc (CA) W 49-0
9/8/06 7:00 PM @Muir (Pasadena, CA) W 60-6
9/22/06 TBA @St. Bonaventure (Ventura, CA) (Ventura) W 59-13
9/28/06 TBA @Venice (Los Angeles, CA) W 47-17
10/6/06 TBA Diamond Ranch (Pomona, CA) W 57-0
10/13/06 7:30 PM Carpinteria (CA) ** W 63-7
10/20/06 7:30 PM @Oak Park (CA) ** W 55-7
10/27/06 TBA Grace Brethren (Simi Valley, CA) ** W 70-7
11/3/06 7:30 PM Nordhoff (Ojai, CA) ** W 41-10
11/9/06 TBA @Santa Paula (CA) ** W 56-0
11/17/06 7:30 PM St. Bernard (Playa del Rey, CA) W 70-9
11/24/06 7:30 PM vs Morro Bay (CA) **** W 49-17
12/2/06 TBA vs Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, CA) (Los Angeles Valley College)**** W 48-14
12/8/06 TBA Oak Park (CA) **** W 46-7
12/16/06 11:00 AM vs Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa, CA) (Cal State Dominguez Hills [Home Depot...)****




Cardinal Newman (13-1) at a Glance…

Points Per Game/Allowed: 34.7/10.6

Leading Passer: Ryan Lingle (2,368 yards, 23 touchdowns, 6 interceptions)

Leading Rusher: Brian Hutton (1,767 yards, 27 touchdowns)

Leading Receiver: Scott Magnuson (38 receptions, 621 yards, 7 touchdowns)

Leading Tackler: Kyle Young (117 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries)

Big Win: The Cardinals began their season by ending Central Catholic’s (Modesto) 61-game winning streak. The win turned out to be huge, as Central Catholic won 12-straight after the loss, won a section title, and was Cardinal Newman’s primary competitor for the Division III

Date Time Opponent Result
9/9/06 7:00 PM Central Catholic (Modesto, CA) W 22-14
9/15/06 TBA @Del Oro (Loomis, CA) W 14-7
9/23/06 TBA Logan (Union City, CA) W 31-13
9/29/06 TBA @Allen (Santa Rosa, CA) ** W 59-0
10/7/06 7:30 PM Montgomery (Santa Rosa, CA) ** L 24-27
10/14/06 TBA @Piner (Santa Rosa, CA) ** W 51-0
10/21/06 TBA Carrillo (Santa Rosa, CA) ** W 49-14
10/27/06 TBA Santa Rosa (CA) ** W 36-8
11/3/06 TBA @Ukiah (CA) ** W 28-7
11/11/06 TBA Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park, CA) ** W 28-14
11/17/06 TBA Sonoma Valley (Sonoma, CA) **** W 42-20
11/25/06 TBA @Casa Grande (Petaluma, CA) **** W 35-3
12/1/06 TBA vs Montgomery (Santa Rosa, CA) (Santa Rosa)**** W 39-0
12/8/06 TBA vs Hayward (CA) (Santa Rosa)**** W 28-22
12/16/06 11:00 AM vs Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, CA) (Cal State Dominguez Hills [Home Depot...)****

Cardinals recall beating super QB
By RICH RUPPRECHT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT



Oaks Christian's Jimmy Clausen, already signed to play for Notre Dame next season, isn't the first high-powered quarterback Cardinal Newman has faced.


When Newman defensive coordinator Dennis Bruno takes the field at the Home Depot Center in Carson alongside the Cardinals for today's 11 a.m. Division III state championship game, it's with the memory that Newman once slowed down and defeated a Super Bowl MVP.

Ed Monahan was the Cardinal Newman head coach and Bruno headed the defense when Newman played San Mateo's Serra High in the 1996 preseason. The quarterback for Serra was Tom Brady, now the quarterback of the New England Patriots.

"It was a great game," Bruno said. "We trailed at halftime and came back to win."

Newman's quarterback that season was Cory Willison, a 5-foot-7 human bowling ball who could run and throw and take a hit.

Willison looked nothing like current Newman QB, Ryan Lingle, who is 6-foot-1½ and 205 pounds, but Bruno said there was a distinct similarity. "They're both great field generals."

Bruno knows Serra wasn't as good an all-around team as Oaks Christian (14-0), winner of 45 consecutive games is, but he believes disrupting a great quarterback, like a Brady or a Clausen, can perhaps send shock waves through the rest of the team.

Oaks Christian is "the best offensive team I've seen," Bruno said. "Sometimes you can point to a couple guys and say this guy is good or that one is good, but on Oaks Christian you can say that about all five guys on the (offensive) line."

Bruno isn't one to get stressed out over an opponent, particularly one as imposing as Oaks Christian. And he's certainly not going to change much in Newman's defensive schemes, the defense allowing just two touchdowns in the past three playoff games.

"I just think you do what you do," Bruno said. "I'm a teacher and I try and teach how football works.

"We've got a group of players that is pretty unique. The kids are bright and they're respectful of talent."

Newman head coach Paul Cronin has watched the tapes of Oaks Christian all week and has heard all the praise heaped on the Lions.

Outside of the nine Division I college players on Oaks Christian, compared to his one - Al Netter, Northwestern - Cronin sees similarities between the two teams.

"They run a lot of one-back offenses, similar to us, and coverage-wise they play man and zone like us."

The colors of the two schools are almost nearly identical with shades of red and gold.

What was Cronin most impressed by watching some of Oaks Christian games?

"Jimmy Clausen is a stud and has a rifle arm, but the running back, Marc Tyler, is unbelievable," Cronin said. "He looks like a Heisman winner."

Tyler, son of former 49er Wendell Tyler and headed to USC, sustained a knee injury a few weeks ago and will not play today.

Cronin, whose team left Friday for Carson and had an afternoon workout at nearby Long Beach City College, wasn't particularly happy about having to fly to Carson on Monday for a news conference, putting him a day behind in game preparation.

There has been mostly "classroom" preparation for the Cardinals, who have been watching video of Oaks Christian. Cronin said physical contact was all but abandoned by his team two weeks ago. At 13-1, a 15th game today makes it the longest season ever for a Redwood Empire school, just one game shy of an NFL regular season.

Cronin is fine with Oaks Christian getting most of the attention.

He also believes his players will handle the big stage just fine. "The kids are jacked and focused."

Bruno said he'll be happy with his defense if it just plays well. "We've got a bunch of sandlot kids. They're going to have some fun, no matter what."

First day of conditioning - Monday, August 14, 2006
First day of practice - Monday, August 21, 2006
Deadline for leagues to determine qualifiers to the NCS/Les Schwab Tires Championships - Saturday, November 11, 2006
Final date of competition other than NCS/Les Schwab Tires Championships or State CIF State Championship competition - Saturday, November 11, 2006
NCS At-large & Seeding Meetings - Sunday, November 12, 2006
NCS/Les Schwab Tires Football Championship Dates

Quarterfinal Round Class A, 2A/3A Redwood Empire and 2A/3A/4A East Bay - Friday and Saturday, November 17, 18, 2006
Semifinal Round Class B - Friday and Saturday, November 17, 18, 2006
Semifinal Round Class A, 2A/3A Redwood Empire and 2A/3A/4A East Bay - Friday and Saturday, November 24, 25, 2006
Championship Round Class B - Friday or Saturday, November 24 or 25, 2006
Championship Round Class A, 2A/3A Redwood Empire and 2A/3A/4A East Bay - Friday and Saturday, December 1, 2, 2006



Last day for teams to declare desire to participate in the CIF State Football Championship Bowl games if selected - Friday, November 24, 2006
State CIF Football Championship Bowl games - Saturday, December 16, 2006

Region Ranking National Ranking
1 7 Oaks Christian
Westlake Village, California 13-0 12/9 Next Southern Northwest Championship, Oak Park


2 9 De La Salle
Concord, California 12-0 12/9 Foothill, North Coast 4A East Bay Championship

3 10 Bellevue
Bellevue, Washington 14-0 Season Complete Class 3 A Champions

4 13 Jesuit
Portland, Oregon 12-0 12/9 Southridge, Class 6 A Championship

5 Bingham
South Jordan, Utah 14-0 Season Complete Class 5 A State Champions

6 Centennial
Peoria, Arizona 14-0 Season Complete Class 5 A-II Champions

7 Hamilton
Chandler, Arizona 12-1 12/9 Mountain View Class 5 A-I Championship

8 Mountain View
Mesa, Arizona 12-1 12/9 Hamilton Class 5 A-I Championship

9 Lutheran
Orange, California 12-1 12/9 Edison Southern Pac-5 Championship

10 Kahuku
Kahuku, Hawaii 11-2 Season Complete Division 1 Champions

11 Lake City
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 12-0 Season Complete Class 5 A State Champions

12 Notre Dame
Sherman Oaks, California 11-1 Season Complete Southern Section Playoffs

13 Grant
Sacramento, California 13-0 Season Complete Sac-Joaquin II Champions

14 Lynden
Lynden, Washington 13-1 Season Complete Class 2 A Champions

15 Campbell County
Gillette, Wyoming 11-1 Season Complete Class 5A Champions


HM Poly
Long Beach, California 11-2 Season Complete Southern Pac-5 Playoffs

HM St. Louis
Honolulu, Hawaii 11-1 Season Complete Division 1 Playoffs

HM Kennedy
Burien, Washington 13-1 Season Complete Class 3 A Playoffs

HM Centralia
Centralia, Washington 12-2 Season Complete Class 2 A Playoffs

HM Beaverhead County
St Dillon, Montana 11-0 Season Complete Class A Champions

HM Prosser
Prosser, Washington 12-1 Season Complete Class 2 A Playoffs

HM South
Anchorage, Alaska 11-0 Season Complete Large School State Champions

HM Sheldon
Eugene, Oregon 11-1 Season Complete Class 6 A Playoffs




Region Ranking National Ranking Team Record Next
1 9 Oaks Christian Westlake Village, California 9-0

2 11 De La Salle Concord, California 9-0

3 14 Bellevue Bellevue, Washington 10-0 Class 3 A Playoffs

4 15 Notre Dame Sherman Oaks, California 9-0

5 18 Jesuit Portland, Oregon 9-0

6 24 Prosser Prosser, Washington 10-0

7 Bingham South Jordan, Utah 12-0

8 Centennial Peoria, Arizona 10-0

9 St. Bonaventure Ventura, California 8-1

10 Kennedy Burien, Washington 10-0

11 Hamilton Chandler, Arizona 9-1

12 Lake City Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 10-0

13 Mountain View Mesa, Arizona 9-1

14 St. Louis Honolulu, Hawaii 9-0

15 Sheldon Eugene, Oregon 9-0

December 4, 2006
National Prep Football Poll - Week 17
The National Prep Football Poll is compiled by high school sports journalist Jamie DeMoney with input from sportswriters, experts, and coaches. The national Top 25 and regional Top 10's follow with won-loss-tie records through December 3:


Week 2 National Prep Basketball Poll
# School Record Note LW
1.Lakeland, Fla. 14-0-0 plays for third Class 5A title in a row 1

2.Southlake, Texas, Carroll 13-0-0 15 consecutive playoff wins 2

3.Indianapolis, Ind., Warren Central 15-0-0 first Indiana team with

4 straight state titles 3

4.River Ridge, La., John Curtis 13-0-0 earned 27th trip to state finals 4

5.Concord, Calif., De La Salle 12-0-0 plays for 15th straight section crown 5

6.Westlake Village, Calif., Oaks Christian 13-0-0 average win margin is 48 6

7.Miami, Fla., Northwestern 14-0-0 advanced to 6A state championship 7

8.Ramsey, N.J., Don Bosco Prep 12-0-0 blanked then-No. 13 St. Peter's, 41-0, for Non-Public state crown 15

9.Hyattsville, Md., DeMatha 12-0-0 7th Washington Catholic crown in 9 years 8

10.Charlotte, N.C., Independence 15-0-0 plays for seventh straight 4AA title 9

11.Batesville, Miss., South Panola 15-0-0 ended season with 60th consecutive win 10

12.Hilliard, Ohio, Davidson 15-0-0 earned first Division I state title 11

13.Hoover, Ala. 13-1-0 into 6A state final for seventh straight season 14

14.Upper St. Clair, Pa. 14-0-0 advanced to 4A state semifinals 19

15.Portland, Ore., Jesuit 12-0-0 plays for back-to-back state championships 16

16.Gaffney, S.C. 15-0-0 third state crown in four years 17

17.Wheaton, Ill., Wheaton-Warrenville South 14-0-0 won 8A state title 18

18.Katy, Texas 13-0-0 three playoff foes scored a total of 14 points 21

19.Bastrop, La. 14-0-0 drilled Minden, 60-6, in 4A state semis NR

20.Maryville, Tenn. 15-0-0 sixth 4A title in seven seasons 24

21.Eden Prairie, Minn. 14-0-0 captured fifth state crown in 11 seasons 23

22.Euless, Texas, Trinity 11-1-0 state title defense ended by No. 2 Carroll, 22-21 22

23.Warner Robins, Ga., Northside 13-0-0 advanced to 4A state semifinals 25

24.Pahokee, Fla. 14-0-0 had 7 shutouts and won third Class 2B title in four years NR

25.Muskegon, Mich. 14-0-0 second D2 state crown in three seasons NR


Northeast Region
1. Ramsey, N.J., Don Bosco Prep (12-0-0) (2)
2. Upper St. Clair, Pa. (14-0-0) (3)
3. Wayne, N.J., Wayne Hills (12-0-0) (5)
4. Bethlehem, Pa., Liberty (13-1-0) (4)
5. Manasquan, N.J. (12-0-0) (7)
6. Jersey City, N.J., St. Peter's (11-1-0) (1)
7. Fairless Hills, Pa., Pennsbury (13-1-0) (6)
8. Everett, Mass. (12-0-0) (10)
9. State College, Pa. (12-2-0) (9)
10. South Huntington, N.Y., St. Anthony's (11-0-0) --


East Coast Region
1. Hyattsville, Md., DeMatha (12-0-0) (1)
2. Charlotte, N.C., Independence (15-0-0) (2)
3. Gaffney, S.C. (15-0-0) (3)
4. Manassas, Va., Osbourn (13-0-0) --
5. Greenville, N.C., Rose (15-0-0) (5)
6. Duncan, S.C., Byrnes (11-2-0) (6)
7. Fort Washington, Md., Friendly (13-0-0) (7)
8. Parkersburg, W.Va. (14-0-0) (10)
9. Chantilly, Va. (10-3-0) (8)
10. Sandy Spring, Md., Sherwood (11-2-0) --


Southeast Region
1. Lakeland, Fla. (14-0-0) (1)
2. River Ridge, La., John Curtis (13-0-0) (2)
3. Miami, Fla., Northwestern (14-0-0) (3)
4. Batesville, Miss., South Panola (15-0-0) (4)
5. Hoover, Ala. (13-1-0) (5)
6. Bastrop, La. (14-0-0) (8)
7. Maryville, Tenn. (15-0-0) (6)
8. Warner Robins, Ga., Northside (13-0-0) (7)
9. Pahokee, Fla. (14-0-0) (10)
10. Prattville, Ala. (14-0-0) (9)


Midwest Region
1. Indianapolis, Ind., Warren Central (15-0-0) (1)
2. Hilliard, Ohio, Davidson (15-0-0) (2)
3. Wheaton, Ill., Wheaton-Warrenville South (14-0-0) (3)
4. Muskegon, Mich. (14-0-0) (4)
5. Mentor, Ohio (13-2-0) (6)
6. Cincinnati, Ohio, Colerain (13-1-0) (5)
7. Cincinnati, Ohio, St. Xavier (10-2-0) (7)
8. Springfield, Ill., Sacred Heart-Griffin (14-0-0) (9)
9. Louisville, Ky., Trinity (14-1-0) --
10. Mequon, Wis., Homestead (14-0-0) (10)


Midlands Region
1. Eden Prairie, Minn. (14-0-0) (2)
2. Blue Springs, Mo., South (13-0-0) (3)
3. South Jordan, Utah, Bingham (14-0-0) (4)
4. Littleton, Colo., Columbine (13-1-0) --
5. Denver, Colo., Mullen (13-1-0) (1)
6. Hutchinson, Kan. (13-0-0) (5)
7. Stilwell, Kan., Blue Valley (13-0-0) (6)
8. Lakeville, Minn., South (13-1-0) (7)
9. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Lake City (12-0-0) (8)
10. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Xavier (13-0-0) (9)


Southwest Region
1. Southlake, Texas, Carroll (13-0-0) (1)
2. Katy, Texas (13-0-0) (2)
3. Euless, Texas, Trinity (11-1-0) (3)
4. Cedar Hill, Texas (13-0-0) (4)
5. Jenks, Okla. (12-1-0) (5)
6. Chandler, Ariz., Hamilton (13-1-0) (7)
7. Peoria, Ariz., Centennial (14-0-0) (8)
8. Houston, Texas, Westfield (13-0-0) (9)
9. Las Vegas, Nev. (12-2-0) (10)
10. Las Cruces, N.M., Mayfield (12-0-0) --


West Coast Region
1. Concord, Calif., De La Salle (12-0-0) (1)
2. Westlake Village, Calif., Oaks Christian (13-0-0) (2)
3. Portland, Ore., Jesuit (12-0-0) (3)
4. Bellevue, Wash. (14-0-0) (4)
5. Sacramento, Calif., Grant (13-0-0) (5)
6. Orange, Calif., Lutheran (12-1-0) (10)
7. Canyon Country, Calif., Canyon (10-2-0) (9)
8. Huntington Beach, Calif., Edison (11-2-0) --
9. Kahuku, Hawaii (11-1-0) --
10. Long Beach, Calif., Poly (11-2-0) (6)



Dropped out: No. 20 Salem (Virginia Beach, Va.); Northeast: No. 8 Ridley (Folsom, Pa.); East Coast: No. 9 Northwest (Germantown, Md.); Midwest: No. 8 Mooney (Youngstown, Ohio); Midlands: No. 10 Kearney (Neb.); Southwest: No. 6 Texas (Texarkana, Texas); West Coast: No. 7 Kennedy (Burien, Wash.), No. 8 St. Louis (Honolulu).

FEATS OF THE WEEK: No. 8 Ramsey, N.J. Don Bosco whipped then-No. 13 Jersey City, St. Peter's, 41-0, to win the Non-Public Group IV state championship. More than 16,000 fans at Giants Stadium watched the game, which was a rematch of last year's state championship, won by St. Peter's . . . No. 11 Batesville, Miss., South Panola beat Meridian, 28-21, for its fourth consecutive Class 5A state championship. Over 14,000 fans at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium watched the Tigers extend their winning streak to 60 games, the second-longest active streak in the nation . . . More than 12,000 fans at Canton's Fawcett Stadium saw No. 12 Hilliard, Ohio, Davidson defeat regionally ranked Mentor, 36-35, for its first Division I state title. Senior running back Bo Delande ran 47 times for 236 yards and scored the game-winning two-point conversion on the Wildcats' second overtime possession. Davidson is just the second team from the Columbus region to win the large-school division since Ohio's playoff format began in 1972 . . . No. 24 Pahokee, Fla., beat Ocala, Trinity Catholic, 25-11, for its third Class 2B state crown in four years. The Blue Devils employed a swarming defense that held opponents to less than 5 points per game this season. Trinity Catholic, featuring blue chip quarterback John Brantley (Texas), was held 42 points below its season average.



November 6, 2006
National Prep Football Poll - Week 13
The National Prep Football Poll is compiled by high school sports journalist Jamie DeMoney with input from sportswriters, experts, and coaches. The national Top 25 and regional Top 10's follow with won-loss-tie records through November 5:


Week 12 National Prep Poll Scoreboard
# School Record Note LW
1. Lakeland, Fla. 10-0-0 edged crosstown rival Kathleen, 29-26 1
2. Westlake Village, Calif., Oaks Christian 9-0-0 average victory margin is 56-7 2
3. Southlake, Texas, Carroll 9-0-0 41 straight wins 3
4. River Ridge, La., John Curtis 9-0-0 only 5 TDs allowed all season 4
5. Concord, Calif., De La Salle 9-0-0 whipped state-ranked Monte Vista, 35-14 5
6. Indianapolis, Ind., Warren Central 12-0-0 DB Jerimy Finch headed to Michigan 6
7. Lufkin, Texas 9-0-0 clinched district crown with 50-0 rout 7
8. Cincinnati, Ohio, St. Xavier 9-1-0 defending Division I state champ 8
9. Miami, Fla., Northwestern 10-0-0 outscored last 7 foes by combined 270-0 10
10. Lakewood, Ohio, St. Edward 9-1-0 DB Nate Oliver an Ohio St. commit 9
11. Hyattsville, Md., DeMatha 10-0-0 thumped city-ranked Good Counsel, 42-13 12
12. Charlotte, N.C., Independence 11-0-0 needed double-OT to extend win streak to 103 11
13. Cincinnati, Ohio, Colerain 11-0-0 Moeller in triple-OT in playoff opener 13
14. Batesville, Miss., South Panola 11-0-0 seeks fourth straight 5A title 14
15. Frankfort, Ill., Lincoln-Way East 11-0-0 defending 8A state champion 15
16. Hoover, Ala. 9-1-0 DT Josh Chapman will play at Auburn 16
17. Jersey City, N.J., St. Peter's 8-0-0 defending Non-Public big-school state champ 17
18. Ramsey, N.J., Don Bosco Prep 8-0-0 clipped rival Bergen Catholic, 34-10 18
19. Sherman Oaks, Calif., Notre Dame 9-0-0 three CIF titles last four years 19
20. Portland, Ore., Jesuit 9-0-0 blanked Southridge, 38-0, on FSN 20
21. Gaffney, S.C. 11-0-0 routed Spartanburg, 33-3, to close regular season 21
22. Euless, Texas, Trinity 9-0-0 OG Manaaki Vaitai committed to BYU 22
23. Denver, Colo., Mullen 10-0-0 QB Clint Brewster will play at Illinois 23
24. Maryville, Tenn. 11-0-0 four Class 4A titles last five seasons 24
25. Eden Prairie, Minn. 11-0-0 coach Mike Grant son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Bud Grant 25


Northeast Region
1. Jersey City, N.J., St. Peter's (8-0-0) (1)
2. Ramsey, N.J., Don Bosco Prep (8-0-0) (2)
3. Upper St. Clair, Pa. (10-0-0) (3)
4. Allentown, Pa., Parkland (10-0-0) (4)
5. Pittsburgh, Pa., Central Catholic (9-1-0) (5)
6. Philadelphia, Pa., Saint Josephs Prep (8-2-0) (6)
7. Harrisburg, Pa. (9-1-0) (7)
8. Wayne, N.J., Wayne Hills (9-0-0) (8)
9. Phillipsburg, N.J. (8-0-0) (9)
10. Central Valley, N.Y., Monroe-Woodbury (10-0-0) (10)


East Coast Region
1. Hyattsville, Md., DeMatha (10-0-0) (2)
2. Charlotte, N.C., Independence (11-0-0) (1)
3. Gaffney, S.C. (11-0-0) (3)
4. Greenville, N.C., Rose (11-0-0) (4)
5. Duncan, S.C., Byrnes (10-1-0) (6)
6. Summerville, S.C. (11-0-0) (5)
7. Virginia Beach, Va., Salem (9-0-0) (8)
8. Chantilly, Va., Westfield (9-0-0) (10)
9. Fort Washington, Md., Friendly (9-0-0) --
10. Ashburn, Va., Stone Bridge (9-0-0) --


Southeast Region
1. Lakeland, Fla. (10-0-0) (1)
2. River Ridge, La., John Curtis (9-0-0) (2)
3. Miami, Fla., Northwestern (10-0-0) (3)
4. Batesville, Miss., South Panola (11-0-0) (4)
5. Hoover, Ala. (9-1-0) (5)
6. Maryville, Tenn. (11-0-0) (6)
7. Bastrop, La. (10-0-0) (9)
8. Warner Robins, Ga., Northside (9-0-0) (7)
9. West Monroe, La. (9-0-0) (8)
10. Prattville, Ala. (10-0-0) (10)


Midwest Region
1. Indianapolis, Ind., Warren Central (12-0-0) (1)
2. Cincinnati, Ohio, St. Xavier (9-1-0) (2)
3. Lakewood, Ohio, St. Edward (9-1-0) (3)
4. Cincinnati, Ohio, Colerain (11-0-0) (4)
5. Frankfort, Ill., Lincoln-Way East (11-0-0) (5)
6. Wheaton, Ill., Wheaton-Warrenville South (11-0-0) (6)
7. Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Brother Rice (11-0-0) (7)
8. Hilliard, Ohio, Davidson (11-0-0) (9)
9. Cary, Ill., Cary-Grove (11-0-0) --
10. Mentor, Ohio (10-1-0) (10)


Midlands Region
1. Denver, Colo., Mullen (10-0-0) (1)
2. Eden Prairie, Minn. (11-0-0) (2)
3. Overland Park, Kan., Shawnee Mission West (10-0-0) (5)
4. Stilwell, Kan., Blue Valley (10-0-0) (6)
5. Lakeville, Minn., South (11-0-0) --
6. South Jordan, Utah, Bingham (12-0-0) (7)
7. Omaha, Neb., Millard South (11-0-0) --
8. Blue Springs, Mo., South (10-0-0) (8)
9. Hutchinson, Kan. (10-0-0) (9)
10. Blue Springs, Mo. (9-1-0) (10)


Southwest Region
1. Southlake, Texas, Carroll (9-0-0) (1)
2. Lufkin, Texas (9-0-0) (2)
3. Euless, Texas, Trinity (9-0-0) (3)
4. Houston, Texas, North Shore (9-0-0) (4)
5. Katy, Texas (9-0-0) (5)
6. Cedar Hill, Texas (9-0-0) (6)
7. Jenks, Okla. (9-1-0) (7)
8. Chandler, Ariz., Hamilton (9-1-0) (8)
9. Dallas, Texas, Highland Park (9-0-0) --
10. Rogers, Ark. (10-0-0) --


West Coast Region
1. Westlake Village, Calif., Oaks Christian (9-0-0) (1)
2. Concord, Calif., De La Salle (9-0-0) (2)
3. Sherman Oaks, Calif., Notre Dame (9-0-0) (3)
4. Portland, Ore., Jesuit (9-0-0) (4)
5. Bellevue, Wash. (10-0-0) (5)
6. Sacramento, Calif., Grant (9-0-0) (6)
7. Ventura, Calif., St. Bonaventure (8-1-0) (7)
8. Burien, Wash., Kennedy (10-0-0) (8)
9. Honolulu, Hawaii, St. Louis (10-0-0) (9)
10. Canyon Country, Calif., Canyon (6-2-0) (10)



Dropped out: East Coast: No. 7 Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Va.), No. 9 Good Counsel (Wheaton, Md.); Midwest: No. 8 Libertyville (Ill.); Midlands: No. 3 Southwest (Lincoln, Neb.), No. 4 Cretin-Derham Hall (St. Paul, Minn.); Southwest: No. 9 Cimarron-Memorial (Las Vegas), No. 10 Salpointe (Tucson, Ariz.).

FEATS OF THE WEEK: No. 9 Miami, Northwestern crushed Miami Jackson, 41-0, in its annual rivalry game dubbed the 'Soul Bowl.' Northwestern's defense notched its seventh consecutive shutout, in which the Bulls have outscored opponents by a combined 270-0 . . . Blythewood, S.C., defeated Blue Ridge, 84-41, in a Class 3A playoff game that featured 1,200 combined yards of offense. Blythewood quarterback Richard Mounce tossed a state-record nine touchdowns, eight of them to receiver Marquan Jones, who finished with 17 catches for 376 yards. The eight touchdown receptions tied a national record, according to the National High School Sports Record Book . . . Senior Jimmy Stevens of Oklahoma City, Heritage Hall became prep football's all-time leader in field goals made in a 14-13 loss to Shawnee, Bethel. Stevens (Oklahoma) connected from 26 yards and 52 yards in the game for field goals Nos. 49 and 50 in his career. However, he missed a potential game-winning 31-yard attempt late in the game . . . Limon, Colo., the three-time defending Class A state champion, defeated Sanford, 24-13, for its state-record 49th consecutive victory. It is the third longest current win streak in the nation among 11-man teams . . . No. 12 Charlotte, N.C., Independence rallied from down 21-0 in the third quarter to defeat state-ranked Matthews, Butler, 30-24, in double-overtime. Running back Dequan Leak had four touchdown runs as the Patriots extended the nation's longest current win streak to 103 games. Eighty of Independence's first 100 consecutive wins were by at least 20 points, but three of its last six have been by 6 points or less.

California

Central Coast, Large champions: Milpitas (CA) [12/02 Milpitas (CA) 39 Piedmont Hills (San Jose, CA) 21]

Central Coast, Medium champions: St. Ignatius (San Francisco, CA) [12/01 St. Ignatius (San Francisco, CA) 35 Los Gatos (CA) 20]

Central Coast, Open champions: Palo Alto (CA) [12/01 Palo Alto (CA) 23 Oak Grove (San Jose, CA) 21]

Central Coast, Small champions: Seaside (CA) [12/02 Seaside (CA) 28 Pacific Grove (CA) 14]

Central, I champions: Clovis East (Clovis, CA) [12/01 Clovis East (Clovis, CA) 33 Clovis West (Fresno, CA) 14]

Central, II champions: Mt. Whitney (Visalia, CA) [12/01 Mt. Whitney (Visalia, CA) 28 El Diamante (Visalia, CA) 9]

Central, III champions: Garces (Bakersfield, CA) [12/01 Garces (Bakersfield, CA) 42 Foothill (Bakersfield, CA) 14]

Central, IV champions: Dos Palos (CA) [12/01 Dos Palos (CA) 17 Chowchilla (CA) 7]

Central, V champions: Caruthers (CA) [11/24 Caruthers (CA) 44 Firebaugh (CA) 8]

Los Angeles, City Championship champions: Birmingham (Van Nuys, CA) [12/08 Birmingham (Van Nuys, CA) 45 San Pedro (CA) 7]

Los Angeles, Invitational champions: Eagle Rock (Los Angeles, CA) [12/08 Eagle Rock (Los Angeles, CA) 21 Garfield (Los Angeles, CA) 17]

North Coast, 2A champions: Novato (CA) [12/09 Novato (CA) 48 Miramonte (Orinda, CA) 3]

North Coast, 3A champions: Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa, CA) [12/08 Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa, CA) 28 Hayward (CA) 22]

North Coast, 4A East Bay champions: De La Salle (Concord, CA) [12/09 De La Salle (Concord, CA) 33 Foothill (Pleasanton, CA) 7]

North Coast, A champions: St. Patrick/St. Vincent (Vallejo, CA) [12/01 St. Patrick/St. Vincent (Vallejo, CA) 43 Salesian (Richmond, CA) 28]

North Coast, B champions: Mendocino (CA) [12/02 Mendocino (CA) 27 Tomales (CA) 6]

Northern, I champions: Paradise (CA) [11/22 Paradise (CA) 23 Foothill (Palo Cedro, CA) 21]

Northern, II champions: Anderson (CA) [11/22 Anderson (CA) 7 Gridley (CA) 0]

Northern, III champions: Mt. Shasta (CA) [11/22 Mt. Shasta (CA) 8 Live Oak (CA) 7]

Northern, IV champions: East Nicolaus (Nicolaus, CA) [11/22 East Nicolaus (Nicolaus, CA) 28 Hamilton (Hamilton City, CA) 7]

Northern, V champions: Maxwell (CA) [11/22 Maxwell (CA) 50 Los Molinos (CA) 6]

Northern, VI champions: Butte Valley (Dorris, CA) [11/09 Butte Valley (Dorris, CA) 44 Princeton (CA) 14]

Sac-Joaquin, I champions: Vacaville (CA) [12/09 Vacaville (CA) 37 Merced (CA) 36]

Sac-Joaquin, II champions: Grant (Sacramento, CA) [12/01 Grant (Sacramento, CA) 50 Union Mine (El Dorado, CA) 0]

Sac-Joaquin, III champions: Del Campo (Fair Oaks, CA) [12/02 Del Campo (Fair Oaks, CA) 21 Pioneer (Woodland, CA) 14]

Sac-Joaquin, IV champions: Manteca (CA) [12/02 Manteca (CA) 34 Colfax (CA) 14]

Sac-Joaquin, V champions: Central Catholic (Modesto, CA) [12/02 Central Catholic (Modesto, CA) 31 Modesto Christian (Modesto, CA) 7]

Sac-Joaquin, VI champions: Lindhurst (Olivehurst, CA) [12/01 Lindhurst (Olivehurst, CA) 30 Denair (CA) 7]

Sac-Joaquin, VII champions: Calvary Temple (Modesto, CA) [11/24 Calvary Temple (Modesto, CA) 27 Vacaville Christian (Vacaville, CA)
14]

San Diego, 8 Man champions: San Pasqual Academy (Escondido, CA) [11/24 San Pasqual Academy (Escondido, CA) 64 Borrego Springs (CA) 14]

San Diego, I champions: Carlsbad (CA) [12/04 Carlsbad (CA) 43 Poway (CA) 6]

San Diego, II champions: Oceanside (CA) [12/04 Oceanside (CA) 14 Helix (La Mesa, CA) 7]

San Diego, III champions: St. Augustine (San Diego, CA) [12/04 St. Augustine (San Diego, CA) 17 Point Loma (San Diego, CA) 7]

San Diego, IV champions: Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach, CA) [12/04 Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach, CA) 34 Mission Bay (San Diego, CA) 21]

San Diego, V champions: Christian (El Cajon, CA) [12/08 Christian (El Cajon, CA) 14 Parker (San Diego, CA) 10]

Southern, 8 Man Division I champions: View Park Prep (Los Angeles, CA) [12/02 View Park Prep (Los Angeles, CA) 48 Riverside Christian (Riverside, CA) 40]

Southern, 8 Man Division II champions: South Bay Lutheran (Inglewood, CA) [12/01 South Bay Lutheran (Inglewood, CA) 52 Cuyama Valley (New Cuyama, CA) 28]

Southern, Central (V) champions: Colony (Ontario, CA) [12/08 Colony (Ontario, CA) 16 Elsinore (Wildomar, CA) 13]

Southern, East Valley (XII) champions: Big Bear (Big Bear City, CA) [12/09 Big Bear (Big Bear City, CA) 42 San Jacinto (CA) 21]

Southern, Eastern (VIII) champions: North (Riverside, CA) [12/09 North (Riverside, CA) 26 La Quinta (CA) 10]

Southern, Inland (II) champions: Norco (CA) [12/09 Norco (CA) 43 Chaparral (Temecula, CA) 0]

Southern, Mid-Valley (XI) champions: Verbum Dei (Los Angeles, CA) [12/09 Verbum Dei (Los Angeles, CA) 32 La Salle (Pasadena, CA) 10]

Southern, Northeast (XIII) champions: St. Margaret's (San Juan Capistrano, CA) [12/09 St. Margaret's (San Juan Capistrano, CA) 21 Maranatha (Pasadena, CA) 20]

Southern, Northern (IV) champions: Canyon (Canyon Country, CA) [12/09 Canyon (Canyon Country, CA) 24 Moorpark (CA) 22]

Southern, Northwest (X) champions: Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, CA) [12/08 Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, CA) 46 Oak Park (CA) 7]

Southern, Pac-5 (I) champions: Lutheran (Orange, CA) [12/09 Lutheran (Orange, CA) 30 Edison (Huntington Beach, CA) 20]

Southern, Southeast (VII) champions: Schurr (Montebello, CA) [12/08 Schurr (Montebello, CA) 40 Santa Fe (Santa Fe Springs, CA) 22]

Southern, Southern (IX) champions: Kennedy (La Palma, CA) [12/08 Kennedy (La Palma, CA) 29 Anaheim (CA) 10]

Southern, Southwest (VI) champions: El Dorado (Placentia, CA) [12/08 El Dorado (Placentia, CA) 17 Charter Oak (Covina, CA) 6]

Southern, Western (III) champions: Dominguez (Compton, CA) [12/08 Dominguez (Compton, CA) 28 West (Torrance, CA) 21]

1. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (12-0) vs. Foothill (Pleasanton) in final at Oakland-Alameda County McAfee Coliseum Dec. 9

2. John Curtis, River Ridge, La. (13-0) vs. Clinton in semifinals W, 59-12

3. Southlake (Texas) Caroll (13-0) vs. Odessa Permian in Region 1 semifinals at Jones Stadium in Lubbock. W 42-6

4. Lakeland, Fla. (14-0) vs. Mainland (Daytona Beach) in 5 A state semifinals W, 35-24

5. Warren Central, Indianapolis (15-0) Season complete

6. Oaks Christian, Westlake Village, Calif. (13-0) at Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood) in semifinals W, 48-14

7. Northwestern, Miami (14-0) vs. North Miami Beach in 6A state semifinals at Miami's Orange Bowl W, 42-20

8. Hoover, Ala. (13-1) vs. Vestavia Hills in 6A semifinals W, 42-37

9. Independence, Charlotte (15-0) vs. Butler (Charlotte) in 4AA semifinals W, 49-23

USA TODAY GAME OF THE WEEK
10. St. Peter's Prep, Jersey City (11-1) vs. No. 13 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) in Non-Public, Group 4 final at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford L, 41-0

11. South Panola, Batesville, Miss. (15-0) vs. Meridian in 5A final at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson W, 28-21

12. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (12-0) Season complete

13. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (12-0) vs. No. 10 St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City) in Non-Public, Group 4 final W, 41-0

14. Gaffney, S.C. (14-0) vs. Irmo (Columbia) in final at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia W, 45-0

15. Norcross, Ga. (12-1) vs. Warner Robins in 5A quarters L, 14-3

16. Jesuit, Portland, Ore. (12-0) vs. Canby in semifinals at Portland's PGE Park W, 63-21

17. Mullen, Denver (13-1) vs. Columbine (Littleton) in final at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver L, 13-10

18. Wheaton (Ill.) Warrenville (14-0) Season complete

19. Hilliard (Ohio) Davidson (15-0) vs. Mentor in Division I final at Canton's Fawcett Stadium W, 36-35

20. Lufkin, Texas (11-1) Season complete

21. Orange (Calif.) Lutheran (12-1) vs. Poly (Long Beach) in semifinals at Home Depot Center in Carson W, 23-22

22. Upper St. Clair, Pittsburgh (14-0) vs. Cathedral Prep (Erie, Pa.) in PIAA 4A quarterfinals in Wexford W, 30-7

23. Colerain, Cincinnati (13-1) Season complete

24. Jenks, Okla. (12-1) vs. Enid in 6A final in Tulsa Ppd.to Friday

25. St. Anthony's, South Huntington, N.Y. (11-0) Season complete

11-18-06


New No. 1:De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) moves up three spots to claim the top spot in the Super 25 rankings. DLS inherits the top spot after then-No. 1 Hoover (Ala.) fell to John Curtis (River Ridge, La.) 28-14. No. 5 Curtis moves up six; Hoover drops eight. No. 2 Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) and No. 3 Lakeland (Fla.) remain the same. Five teams in the top 10 shifted positions. Despite a shake-up near the top of the football rankings, Hoover was the only loser among the Super 25.
PREP RALLY BLOG: Tell us who your Top 5 teams are

Player of the week:RB-DB Joe McKnight of No. 5 John Curtis caught two long TD passes from QB Kyle Collura and had an interception late in the fourth quarter in the victory against Hoover. McKnight, one of the nation's top seniors, had three receptions for 134 yards, two for scores of 80 and 45 yards. The 80-yarder tied the score at 14 in the second quarter. McKnight's 61-yard run set up Curtis' first TD. He had two tackles, two pass breakups and returned his interception 46 yards.

Game of the week:No. 4 Lufkin hosts Longview on Thursday at Abe Martin Stadium (8:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Net) in a battle of East Texas rivals. Lufkin (4-0) has outscored opponents 155-41, averaging almost 40 points a game. Longview (3-1) lost to then-unranked West Monroe (La.) 19-15 this season.

Record performance:Depending on the record book, RB Paul McCoy rushed for either a single-game record 661 yards or the total is second all time as Matewan (W.Va.) beat Burch (Delbarton) 64-0. Matewan assistant Tim Dixon says the 658 that was first reported was adjusted by Matewan statisticians after reviewing tape. The previous mark of 619 yards was set by Ronney Jenkins of Oxnard (Calif.) Hueneme in 1995, according to the 2006 National High School Record Book, edited by the National Federation of State High School Associations. McCoy's rushing total is second to that of John Giannantonio, who ran for 739 yards in 1950 for Netcong (N.J.).

Additionally, McCoy ran for 10 TDs (tied for second all time) vs. Burch on runs of 69, 1, 52, 56, 53, 15, 31, 84, 87 and 25 yards.

Extra points:No. 17 South Panola (Batesville, Miss.) equaled a Mississippi record for consecutive victories in a 12-7 win vs. Olive Branch. South Panola (6-0) tied Hamilton's mark of 51, established from 1978-83. ... DB Tommy Gatewood of No. 21 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) intercepted a pass at the goal line with less than a minute remaining to preserve a 21-14 win vs. Edison (Huntington Beach). ... Junior WR Randall Hawkins and RB Deonte Gist each contributed three touchdowns as No. 2 Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) defeated Spartanburg 55-17. ... Eugene Clifford of No. 19 Colerain (Cincinnati) says he'll sign with Ohio State. Clifford (6-2, 190), the nation's top-rated safety according to recruiting website rivals.com, chose the Buckeyes instead of Florida State and Michigan. ... St. Anthony's (South Huntington, N.Y.), No. 6 in the East Region, won its 59th consecutive regular-season game, 36-35 vs. St. Joseph's by the Sea (Staten Island). Keith Shannon's 1-yard TD run and Mike Barbour's ensuing two-point conversion in the final minute rallied St. Anthony's from a 35-28 deficit. ... No. 6 Southlake (Texas) Carroll limited Keller Central to minus 34 yards rushing and 83 yards overall in a 57-7 victory. Junior QB Riley Dodge accounted for five touchdowns, including three passing. ... No. 13 Independence received its second scare in the last three weeks but used a late defensive stand to stop Providence 20-14 for its 98th consecutive win (second all time). ... Tom Lopez of Lincoln-Sudbury (Mass.) picked up his 200th coaching victory in a 48-23 win against St. Bernard's (Fitchburg). ... DB Zerick Lowery of Navasota (Texas) returned an interception 105 yards for a TD in a 34-3 win vs. Cleveland. ... RB Dan Dierking of Wheaton (Ill.) Warrenville South ran for 285 yards and five TDs on 28 carries in a 34-20 win against Naperville North. Dierking, a Purdue recruit, is the son of Scott Dierking, who played in the NFL with the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

1. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (4-0)

Previous rank:4. Result:d. Freedom (Oakley) 34-12. Next:Saturday vs. Mission Viejo on ESPNU, 10 p.m. ET.

2. Byrnes, Duncan, S.C. (6-0)

Previous:2. Result:d. Spartanburg 55-17. Next:Friday vs. Hillcrest (Simpsonville).

3. Lakeland, Fla. (6-0)

Previous:3. Result:d. Lake Gibson 46-7. Next:Friday at Centennial (Port St. Lucie).

4. Lufkin, Texas (4-0)

Previous:5. Result:Idle. Next:Thursday vs. Longview on Fox Sports Net, 8:30 ET.

5. John Curtis, River Ridge, La. (4-0)

Previous:11. Result:d. then-No. 1 Hoover (Ala.) 28-14. Next:Friday vs. Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton Beach, Fla.).

6. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (4-0)

Previous:6. Result:d. Keller Central 57-7. Next:Friday vs. Heritage (Colleyville).

7. Warren Central, Indianapolis (7-0)

Previous:7. Result:d. vs. Carmel 28-0. Next:Friday vs. Terre Haute South.

8. Oaks Christian, Westlake Village, Calif. (4-0)

Previous:8. Result:d. Venice 47-17. Next:Friday vs. Diamond Ranch (Pomona).

9. Hoover, Ala. (4-1)

Previous:1. Result:Lost to then-No. 11 John Curtis (River Ridge, La.) 28-14. Next:Friday vs. Minor (Adamsville).

10. St. Xavier, Cincinnati (5-1)

Previous:9. Result:d. Elder (Cincinnati) 30-15. Next:Friday at LaSalle (Cincinnati).

11. Lincoln-Way East, Frankfort, Ill. (6-0)

Previous:10. Result:d. Bolingbrook 22-14. Next:Friday at Lincoln-Way Central (New Lenox).

12. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (5-1)

Previous:12. Result:d. St. Francis (Athol Springs, N.Y.) 45-0. Next:Saturday vs. East Tech (Cleveland).

13. Independence, Charlotte (6-0)

Previous:13. Result:d. Providence (Charlotte) 20-14. Next:Friday vs. Ardrey Kell (Charlotte).

14. Northwestern, Miami (5-0)

Previous:14. Result:d. Hialeah 51-0. Next:Saturday vs. Columbus (Miami).

15. St. Peter's Prep, Jersey City (3-0)

Previous:15. Result:d. North Bergen (N.J.) 44-26. Next:Saturday vs. Hudson Catholic (Jersey City).

16. Summerville, S.C. (6-0)

Previous:16. Result:d. Goose Creek 49-28. Next:Friday vs. West Ashley (Charleston).

17. South Panola, Batesville, Miss. (6-0)

Previous:17. Result:d. Olive Branch 12-7. Next:Friday vs. Columbus.

18. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (5-0)

Previous:18. Result:d. St. John's (Washington, D.C.) 42-6. Next:Saturday at Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.).

19. Colerain, Cincinnati (6-0)

Previous:19. Result:d. Lakota East (Liberty Township, Ohio) 34-0. Next:Friday at Hamilton.

20. Smithson Valley, Spring Branch, Texas (5-0)

Previous:20. Result:d. Madison (San Antonio) 30-27. Next:Friday vs. Converse Wagner.

21. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (4-0)

Previous:21. Result:d. Edison (Huntington Beach) 21-14. Next:Saturday vs. Loara (Anaheim).

22. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (3-0)

Previous:22. Idle. Next:Friday vs. Montclair.

23. Mount Carmel, Chicago (6-0)

Previous:23. Result:d. Loyola Academy (Wilmette, Ill.) 32-14. Next:Friday at De La Salle (Chicago).

24. Central Catholic, Pittsburgh (4-1)

Previous:24. Result:d. Penn-Trafford (Harrison City, Pa.) 37-18. Next:Saturday vs. Norwin (North Huntingdon).

25. West Monroe, La. (5-0)

Previous:25. Result:d. Natchitoches Central 48-6. Next:Friday vs. Byrd (Shreveport).

Dropped out: None

Records through Oct. 1.

About the rankings:USA TODAY's 2006 Super 25 football rankings are compiled by Lawlor with a national network of high school sportswriters, analysts and coaches. Among the criteria are strength of schedule, quality of competition in its state or league and quality of its players.