Long Beach Poly in Division 4; St. Pius X gets in with 1 win – Press Telegram

The CIF-Southern Section football playoff brackets were released Sunday morning.

Here’s a look at the 17 Long Beach area teams that made the playoffs:

Long Beach Poly (5-5) hosts undefeated Northview (10-0) in the first round of Division 4. The last time Poly was accepted to Division 4, it won the program’s 20th CIF-SS title in 2021.

“I think that’s our trend and I don’t think it’s a surprise,” Long Beach Poly coach Stephen Barbee said.

“Northview is 10-0 for a reason,” he added. “They have a strong running game and quality receivers.”

The Jackrabbits finished second in the Moore League. Barbee’s young team, made up mostly of sophomores and juniors, would benefit greatly from the experience it would gain during a long playoff run.

St. Pius X-St. Matthias (1-9) hosts Cypress (2-8) in the first round of the division. The Warriors have only won one game this season. However, they received an at-large spot after playing in the Angelus League. St. Pius’ young team played a competitive schedule that CalPreps rated as tougher than some Division 2 and Division 3 teams.

“I am grateful that CIF has given us the opportunity to continue to compete at a high level in Division 8,” said St. Pius X-St. said Matthias coach Devah Thomas. “It was a busy but challenging year in which 30 Soldiers went to war against some of the largest programs in California and fought hard in all four quarters.”

“Cypress is another great football team,” Thomas continued. “We will prepare as best we can and compete on Friday evening.”

St. John Bosco (9-1) is the No. 2 seed in Division 1. The Braves finished second in the Trinity League and received a first-round bye. They will host a quarterfinal game on November 15th. Besides No. 10 seed Inglewood, all of the other teams on Bosco’s side of the bracket are from the Trinity League: No. 3 Orange Lutheran, No. 6 JSerra and No. 7 Santa Margarita. The Braves defeated everyone in league play except No. 1 Mater Dei.

Los Alamitos (5-5) earned an at-large playoff spot in Division 2. The Griffins will host their first-round game against Leuzinger, which defeated Santa Margarita (Division 1 team) in nonleague play and finished third in the Bay League.

Downey (9-1) will play at Serra in the first round of Division 2. The Vikings won the program’s first Gateway League title. Downey coach Jack Williams knows his team must be able to run the ball to win in the playoffs. Senior running back Bernando Blanco and junior quarterback Oscar Rios are the dynamic duo that fuel Downey’s running game.

Millikan (8-2) hosts Crean Lutheran in the first round of Division 3. The Rams reach the playoffs after winning the program’s first outright Moore League title since 1973.

“We are thankful and thankful for a home game in Round 1,” Millikan coach Romeo Pellum said. “We’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Mayfair (7-3) hosts Trabuco Hills in the first round of Division 5. The Monsoons finished second in the Gateway League and narrowly lost to Downey (Division 2 team) 49-44 on Friday night. The Monsoons are an experienced team after winning the 2023 Division 7 championship.

“We’re excited about the opportunity,” Mayfair coach Derek Bedell said. “(Division 5) is really solid and we need to continue to play good football going forward.”

Lakewood (6-4) will play in the first round of Division 5 in Valencia. The Lancers finished third in the Moore League but have the type of running game typically required to make the playoffs.

“We are excited to be in Division 5 with a group of strong teams,” Lakewood coach Justin Utupo said. “I love the concentration of our team when we play away and we will need that attention to detail against a well-coached team.”

labyrinth (3-7) hosts Palm Desert in the first round of Division 7. The Bears went 3-2 in the Gateway League and secured an automatic playoff spot.

Of utmost importance (9-1) will play No. 2 seed Segerstrom in the first round of Division 8. The Pirates won the Mid-Cities Leauge. Senior running back Tyler Goodman is averaging 121.8 yards per game.

Wilson (6-4) hosts Victor Valley in the first round of Division 9. The Bruins finished fourth in the Moore League and secured a playoff spot. Wilson coach Travis Clark led Lawndale to the 2018 CIF-SS Division 5 title and then the CIF SoCal Regional and CIF State titles.

“I’m excited for these kids, especially the seniors, as they get their first chance at the playoffs and the school’s first-ever CIF championship,” Clark said. “Every round of the tournament is tough, so we look forward to the challenge that Victor Valley brings.”

Norwalk (8-2) hosts St. Genevieve in the first round of Division 9. The Lancers finished second in the Mid-Cities League. Norwalk’s double-wing offense is led by senior running back Ezra Meuller, who averages 183.9 yards rushing per game.

Cerritos (8-2) will play No. 1 seed Highland in the first round of Division 9. The Dons won the 605 League and were just one ranking away from number 1 in Division 10. Whether Cerritos advances in the playoffs, junior quarterback Justin Sagun will have to get the ball to his playmakers, including senior receiver Ruben Castro and senior running backs Dikshanta Adhikari and Josiah Ungos. The Dons won the 2023 D12 CIF-SS title.

“I am honored to be selected to the Division 9 team,” said Cerritos coach Demel Franklin. “It’s a big jump from Division 12. We’re looking forward to the challenge and were seeded 13th last season.”

“Highland is the No. 1 seed for a reason,” Franklin continued. “We have to play our best game to advance.”

St. Anthony (5-5) is the No. 1 seed in Division 10. The Saints will host South Hills. St. Anthony finished second in the Del Rey League. The Saints have won five of their last six games under first-year coach Jeff Magdaleno.

Gahr (5-5) is the No. 1 seed in Division 13. The Gladiators host La Puente in the first round. Gahr finished third in the Mid-Cities League, but played a competitive game on October 11 in a 43-35 loss to Division 9 team Norwalk. Gahr’s top player is senior receiver Markell Slaughter.

Lynwood (5-5) hosts South El Monte in the first round of Division 13. The Knights received an overall berth outside of the Mid-Cities League. Lynwood is no stranger to postseason runs. The Knights have lost two consecutive Division 14 championship games.

Artesia (8-2) will play in the first round of Division 13 at Desert Hot Springs. The Pioneers finished second in the 605 League. Experienced dual-threat quarterback Charlie Lopez is the engine of Artesia’s offense.

According to officials, the CIF-SS playoff brackets were based on Saturday’s CalPreps rankings as of 1:11 p.m

FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

FRIDAY

Unless otherwise stated, games begin at 7:00 p.m.

FIRST ROUND

DEPARTMENT 2

Leuzinger (8-2) at Los Alamitos (5-5)

Downey (9-1) at Gardena Serra (7-3)

DEPARTMENT 3

Crean Lutheran (8-2) at Millikan (8-2)

DEPARTMENT 4

Long Beach Poly (5-5) vs. Northview (10-0) at Veterans Stadium

DEPARTMENT 5

Mayfair (7-3) vs. Trabuco Hills (5-5) at Bellflower HS

Lakewood (6-4) at Valencia (6-4)

DEPARTMENT 7

Palm Desert (6-4) at Warren (3-7)

DEPARTMENT 8

Cypress (2-8) at St. Pius X-St. Matthias (1-9)

Paramount (9-1) at Segerstrom (7-3)

DEPARTMENT 9

Cerritos (8-2) at Highland (6-4)

Victory Valley (8-1) at Wilson (6-4)

St. Genevieve (8-1) at Norwalk (8-2)

DEPARTMENT 10

South Hills (5-5) at St. Anthony (5-5)

DEPARTMENT 13

La Puente (9-1) at Gahr (5-5)

Artesia (8-2) at Desert Hot Springs (6-4)

South El Monte (7-3) at Lynwood (5-5)