CIF-SS FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
DIVISION 11
El Rancho (9-4) vs. Portola (7-6)
Where, when: Portola High, Friday, 7 p.m.
Live coverage: NFHS Network live streaming
Tickets: gofan.co
Outlook: Portola is seeking its first CIF-SS football championship and had previously never made it past the quarterfinals. The Bulldogs have been hot defensively and have not allowed more than 20 points in either of their three playoff wins. Maxwell Mapstone has the second most tackles in the county and Adam Nofal had a school-record four sacks last week against Baldwin Park. A key to Portola’s defensive success is the seven turnovers it has forced in the playoffs.
Timothy Grettenberg leads the running game with 914 yards and 10 touchdowns but Diego Reyna has the hot hand in the playoffs. Reyna ran for 126 yards with a touchdown against Baldwin Park. Quarterback Nash Luper does not have gaudy passing numbers, but has thrown eight touchdowns in the playoffs.
El Rancho is an at-large team from the Del Rio League. The Dons have a quality quarterback in Ryan Dominguez who averages 166 yards per game with 24 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Andrew Guerrero has 958 yards receiving with 9 touchdowns and Javier Hernandez leads the defense with 118 tackles.
The Dons ended Los Amigos’ undefeated season in the quarterfinals and beat San Gorgonio 28-21 in the semifinals. El Rancho has won three CIF championships and is playing in its first title game since 1988.
Portola was the No. 16 seed in this bracket and El Rancho was the No. 14 seed. If Portola can pressure Dominguez and continue its streak of creating turnovers, the Bulldogs should win their first CIF championship.
Prediction: Portola
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