high school football: Previews, predictions for today’s CIF SoCal Regional finals

Rio Hondo Prep’s Nathaniel Curtis (3) rushed for 228 yards and three touchdowns in the Kares’ 43-16 victory over Warren for the CIF-SS Division 7 championship last week. Rio Hondo Prep faces Poway in the SoCal Regional Division 4-A title game tonight. Photo by Trevor Stamp

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CIF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

DIVISION 4-A

Rio Hondo Prep (12-1) at Poway (6-7), 6 p.m.

Analysis: The Kares are a small school, but they dominated the big boys in the CIF Southern Section Division 7 playoffs, hammering Warren 43-16 in the championship game behind 228 yards rushing and three touchdowns from Noah Penunuri to win the school’s 16th sectional title. The Kares rushed for more than 300 yards in the victory, and they outscored their four playoff opponents by a combined score of 145-44. Caeden Holcomb and Nate Curtis also share time in the backfield for the Kares, who are going to run on nearly ever down and dare you to stop them.

What the Kares have never done is win a regional or state championship. They have a tough opponent in the regional final in Poway, which has been dominant of late too. Poway finished last in the Avocado League but won the CIF San Diego Section Division 2 playoffs, beating Mater Dei Catholic of Chula Vista 62-24 in the championship game. In the semifinals Poway hammered University City, 63-27.

Poway’s explosive offense is led by quarterback Ty Hurst, who threw for 191 yards and three touchdowns in their win over Mater Dei Catholic. He has thrown for 2,264 yards and 21 touchdowns this season. The Titans also average 105 yards on the ground. led by 1,000-yard rusher Luke Jorgenson. It’s another big test for the Kares, but in their illustrious history, this is arguably their best team ever and it’s hard to pick against them at this point.

The winner plays in the state championship at Long Beach City College on Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.

The pick: Rio Hondo Prep

DIVISION 6-A

Pasadena (8-6) at Monte Vista (8-5), 6 p.m.

Analysis: The Bulldogs’ Josiah Rucker scored the game-winning touchdown in their come-from-behind 21-17 victory over Gahr to win the CIF-SS Division 13 championship, giving the school its fourth section title and first since 1933. The Bulldogs’ big two offensive weapons, quarterback Dutch Burbidge and senior receiver Christopher Solis-Lumar, who committed to Cal Poly SLO on Wednesday, combined for two touchdowns in the win. For Pasadena to win a regional title, though, it will have to slow down one of the best rushers in Southern California when it heads to Spring Valley. Monte Vista’s Alexander Villanueva carried the ball 46 times for 297 yards and five touchdowns in its 38-20 win over Bonita Vista to win the CIF San Diego Section Division 5 championship. Villanueva has rushed for 3,006 yards this season, which set a San Diego Section record. One thing going for the Bulldogs is their physicality and they have been up against tougher teams. Calpreps projects the Bulldogs to win by more than a touchdown. The winner plays in the state championship game at Fullerton High School on Dec. 14 at 3 p.m.

The pick: Pasadena

DIVISION 7-A

Panorama (8-6) at Pioneer (9-5), 6 p.m.

Analysis: The Titans relied on their defense in a 13-6 victory over San Gabriel to win the CIF-SS Division 14 title, which was their first title in school history. Amiri Resendiz and receiver Jose Rojas did all the damage on offense. Resendiz’s only five completions went to Rojas as the two combined for 170 yards passing and two touchdowns. Adrian Lopez rushed for 70 yards. The Titans will probably need more offense if they hope to keep on winning. Panorama defeated Van Nuys 38-29 to win the LA City’s Division III title, the first City title for the program. Panorama, like San Gabriel, is a run-oriented team. Victor Mendez rushed for 188 yards and three touchdowns in their title game. The Pythons’ schedule hasn’t been as tough as the one Pioneer played. Panorama was fourth in the Valley Mission League and looks like a longshot to knock off the Titans. Calpreps projects Pioneer to win by two touchdowns. The winner plays in the championship game at Fullerton High School on Dec. 14 at 11 a.m.

The pick: Pioneer

— Fred Robledo