Huge opportunity awaits Central Valley Christian, Mission Oak and Strathmore this weekend

It is a big weekend for the Central Valley Christian, Mission Oak and the Strathmore high school football teams.

All three teams will bus to Southern California in hopes of winning the California Interscholastic Federation state championships on Saturday.

Central Valley Christian (14-1) will face Los Gatos for the Division 2-A title at Pasadena City College. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Mission Oak (10-5) will also play in Pasadena and face Palma (10-4) at 3 p.m.

Strathmore (11-4) will try to win its second state title when they face Bell Gardens (10-5) at 11 a.m. in Pasadena.

▪ CVC got to the state title game after defeating Simi Valley 55-38.

The Cavaliers were one again led by Fresno State-commit Bryson Donelson.

Donelson opened the game with a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

He finished the game with three rushing touchdowns, including a 74-yard touchdown in the first quarter that gave CVC a 13-7 lead before an extra point was made.

Cavaliers quarterback Brent Kroeze said they’re looking forward to playing in the state title game.

“It finally did set in,” he said of the state championship game. “It’s been something that I’ve dreamed of doing with this group of boys since we were little kids, and that we’ve been given the chance to play for a state title is such a great feeling.”

▪ Mission Oak advanced after a 30-14 win over Rio Hondo Prep.

Kenny Jackson returned an 95-yards opening kickoff for a touchdown en route to a win.

Ethan Rodriguez and Isaiah Rivera also scored touchdowns for the Hawks.

The Hawks are trying for their first state title.

▪ Strathmore had big plays in its win over Lincoln-San Francisco last week.

Roman Hernandez had an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown for the Spartans.

Jacob Poole also took over for the Spartans when he had three rushing touchdowns, the longest going for 60 yards for a 33-15 lead in the fourth quarter.

Blackwell led his Strathmore team to a state title in 2017 after defeating Orange 31-29 in Division 6-AA.

Schedule

OPEN DIVISION

Saturday

Serra, San Mateo (12-0) vs. Mater Dei (12-1), 8 p.m. at Saddleback College

DIVISION 1–AA

Friday

De La Salle (11-2) vs. Mission Viejo (12-3) on Friday, Dec. 8 at 8:00 p.m. at Saddleback College

DIVISION 1–A

Saturday

Folsom (12-2) vs.St. Bonaventure (12-3), 3:30 p.m. at Saddleback College

DIVISION 2–AA

Friday

Grant (12-2) vs. La Serna (12-3), 4 p.m. at Saddleback College

DIVISION 2–A

Saturday

Los Gatos (12-2) vs. Central Valley Christian (14-1, 7 p.m. at Pasadena City College

DIVISION 3–AA

Saturday

Acalanes (10-4) vs. Birmingham (12-2), 11:30 a.m. at Saddleback College

DIVISION 3–A

Saturday

Marin Catholic (13-1) vs. Mayfair (12-3), 7 p.m. at El Camino College

DIVISION 4–AA

Friday

Soquel (12-2) vs. Jurupa Hills (9-6), 8 p.m. at Pasadena City College

DIVISION 4–A

Saturday

Palma (10-4) vs. Mission Oak (10-5), 3 p.m. at Pasadena City College

DIVISION 5–AA

Friday

Pleasant Valley (10-3) vs. Ramona, Riverside (10-5), 8 p.m. at El Camino College

DIVISION 5–A

Saturday

Woodland Christian (14-0) vs. Banning (9-6), 3 p.m. at El Camino College

DIVISION 6–AA

Friday

St. Vincent de Paul (12-2) vs. Wasco (9-5), 4 p.m. at Pasadena City College

DIVISION 6–A

Saturday

Colusa (13-0) vs. Sweetwater (8-6), 11 a.m. at El Camino College

DIVISION 7–AA

Friday

Ferndale (10-4) vs. Fairfax (10-4), 4 p.m. at El Camino College

DIVISION 7–A

Saturday

Strathmore (11-4) vs. Bell Gardens (10-5), 11 a.m. at Pasadena City College