The CIF NorCal regional finals are crucial as teams vie for a chance to compete in the state finals scheduled for December 12-13. The matches will take place at various venues, with Saddleback College in Mission Viejo hosting the top divisions. Two teams from each region will compete in the Open Division, featuring De La Salle of Concord and Santa Margarita from the South.
Riordan vs. Folsom: A High-Stakes Matchup
This Friday at 7:30 p.m., the Riordan Crusaders, boasting a 12-0 record, will face Folsom, who holds a 12-1 record. This game marks the inaugural meeting between these two programs. The match has significant implications, particularly in determining the State Player of the Year. Key players include Riordan’s quarterback Michael Mitchell and Folsom’s quarterback Ryder Lyons.
- Michael Mitchell: A Stanford commit, Mitchell has over 10,000 passing yards and completed 68% of his passes this season.
- Ryder Lyons: A BYU commit, Lyons leads with a 76% completion rate, 34 touchdowns, and 14 rushing touchdowns.
Folsom has secured five state titles, while this is Riordan’s first appearance in the NorCal finals.
Other Notable Matchups
- Serra vs. St. Mary’s: Serra (8-5) will take on St. Mary’s (11-2) in another exciting game. The teams have faced each other previously, with Serra winning the last encounter.
- Monte Vista at St. Ignatius: Both teams have faced challenges this season but look to capitalize on their recent successes.
- Sutter vs. Ferndale: Sutter (12-1) will meet unbeaten Ferndale (13-0) in a rematch highlighted by Sutter’s coach being an alum of Ferndale.
The CIF NorCal finals promise thrilling matchups across the board. Fans can catch all the action on the NFHS Network.
Upcoming Playoff Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | Riordan vs. Folsom | 7:30 p.m. |
| Friday | Serra vs. St. Mary’s | 7:30 p.m. |
| Saturday | Central East vs. Pittsburg | 6:00 p.m. |
As the playoffs advance, the excitement builds, and teams prepare for their final challenges. Stay tuned for more updates and analyses from El-Balad as the CIF NorCal finals unfold.
