Interleague rivalries will be rekindled in the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section football playoffs this weekend, with Catholic schools guaranteed to reach the championship game in at least two divisions.
In Division I, Loyola (8-4) takes on Serra League foe Mater Dei (8-4) Dec. 2 (7:30 p.m.) at East Los Angeles College Stadium for the right to play in the championship game Dec. 10 at Home Depot Center in Carson. Mater Dei won their Serra League meeting with the Cubs on Nov. 4, 19-16, and went on to share the league title with Servite.
Loyola earned its semifinal berth with a 26-22 win over Edison, while Mater Dei outscored Colton, 42-27. Servite (9-3) scored a 28-20 win over Long Beach Poly to reach the other semifinal against Esperanza Dec. 3 at the Santa Ana Bowl.
The Division III semifinals include a Mission League rematch Dec. 2 (7:30 p.m.) between Notre Dame (12-0) and St. Francis (10-2) on the latter's La Canada home field. Notre Dame won the previous meeting between the two schools on Nov. 4, 24-3.
In the quarterfinals, the Knights stayed unbeaten by defeating Muir 25-10, while St. Francis beat Mira Costa 21-14. Chaminade was edged by Peninsula, 21-18, in its quarterfinal game to finish its season 9-3.
In Division IV, high-scoring St. Bonaventure (12-0) beat Newbury Park 49-13 in the quarterfinals to gain the semis Dec. 2 (7 p.m.) at Rio Mesa (8-4).
Crespi (9-3) defeated North Torrance 20-14 in double overtime to move into the Division X semifinals at Pierce College in Woodland Hills Dec. 2 (7:30 p.m.) against Cabrillo of Lompoc (10-2). The other half of the draw pits St. Joseph of Santa Maria (7-5) against Lompoc on dec. 3 at Arroyo Grande High School. St. Joseph defeated Serra 20-14 in the quarterfinals, ending Serra's season at 7-5.
In Division XI quarterfinals, La Salle was beaten by Oaks Christian 63-0, and Verbum Dei lost to San Jacinto 28-27.
And in Division XIII, Villanova Prep (11-1) saw its perfect season end with a 28-14 quarterfinal loss to St. Margaret's.
Girls Volleyball
Marymount and Santa Margarita were eliminated in the Nov. 29 semifinals of the Southern California state high school championships.
Marymount's Sailors lost to Parker of San Diego in the Division IV semis, 26-24, 24-26, 25-19, 25-17, in a rematch of last year's Division IV final.
In a rematch of the CIF-Southern Section Division III-AA final, Santa Margarita lost to Rim of the World, 25-13, 29-27, 25-18, in the Division III semis. |