high school football: Previews, predictions for today’s CIF State championships

Rio Hondo Prep running back Caeden Holcomb (42) leaps through a hole his offensive line opened up during the CIF Southern Section Division 7 championship game against Warren at Arcadia High two weeks ago. Photo by Trevor Stamp

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DIVISION 4-A

Rio Hondo Prep (13-1) vs. Fairfield Vanden (12-2) at Long Beach CC, 7 p.m.

Analysis: The Kares will take on a large public school for the third straight week and will be hoping for their third championship of the season after winning the CIF Southern Section Division 7 title and last week’s Division 4-A South Regional title. The Kares, winners of 16 sectional titles, will look to run the ball behind Noah Penunuri, Caeden Holcomb and Nate Curtis, who have had their way during the playoffs. The Kares average 327 yards rushing and have scored 64 rushing touchdowns as they eye their first state title. Penunuri rushed for 203 yards and three touchdowns in Rio Hondo Prep’s 43-16 victory over Warren in the CIF-SS Division 7 championship game, and he rushed for 169 yards and two touchdowns in their 28-14 victory over Poway for the regional title. Vanden quarterback Kalani McLeod has thrown for 4,090 yards and 36 touchdowns this season and has thrown for 948 yards and 10 touchdowns over the Vikings’ past two championship games.

It’s a contrast of styles, and Vanden has defeated two run-heavy teams to reach its first state final since 2021. “I think they got roughly 80 guys on campus and 50 of them play football, so you can certainly see they play with passion in all phases,” Vanden head coach Mike Clark said of Rio Hondo Prep to the Vacaville Reporter. “For us, it’s specifically the tackling, space tackling, pursuit angles, but also just the discipline with their eye. I think the last two weeks have really forced us to dig into that as a defensive unit.” Rio Hondo Prep will not only have to deal with McLeod, but their core of talented receivers. Kares coach Mark Carson concedes that Vanden will be able to score points, but the Kares offense has been potent also, and they have won all five of their playoff games by 14 points or more. As long as the Kares avoid turnovers and penalties, they figure to get enough stops to let their run-heavy offense go to work. Warren was a big challenge for the Kares, but Vanden appears even more challenging. Still, it’s hard to bet against the Kares; they always seem to find a way.

The pick: Rio Hondo Prep

DIVISION 7-A

San Francisco’s Balboa (8-5) vs. Pioneer (10-5) at Fullerton High, 11 a.m.

Analysis: This has been a season of firsts for the Titans, winning their first CIF Southern Section title by beating San Gabriel 13-7 for the Division 14 championship. And their first trip to the state playoffs, where they had a 24-0 win over Panorama last week to win the Division 7-A South Regional title. Could their first state championship be next? The Titans have shown versatility on offense. They have leaned on quarterback Amiri Resendiz and standout receiver Jose Rojas in both championship games, but the Titans are at their best when they can establish their running game. Against Ganesha in the sectional semifinals, they ran for 478 yards and seven touchdowns. “We feel like we can do both and the game will dictate it for us,” Pioneer coach Ramon Juarez said. “Our defense has rose to the occasion too and they have a big challenge ahead of them.” Balboa is 8-1 over its past nine games after starting the season 0-4. It routed Los Molinos 46-6 to win the Northern California Regional title. Balboa ran for 191 yards in its win over Los Molinos, using several backs. They seem to have a size advantage over the Titans and quarterback Rylen Thien-Jones is a 1,000-yard passer.

Calpreps’ computer projection lists Balboa as a 12-point favorite. The Titans have overcome every challenge in the playoffs, but they’re in a tough spot in this one.

The pick: Balboa

— Fred Robledo