BOLSA GRANDE is in the CIF-SS football playoffs for the first time in 34 years. Games start on Friday. Above (left to right) are Brandon Luna and Ethan Nguyen (Orange County Tribune photo by Jim Tortolano).
Nine area high school football teams will be in the first round of the CIF-SS playoffs starting on Friday.
The most surprising of those is Bolsa Grande. The Matadors (5-5) not only will be making their first playoff appearance in 34 years, they are seeded first in Division 14.
The Mats will host Duarte (5-5) at their home stadium.
The only other area team that’s seeded is Westminster (9-1), rated second in Division 11.
The most intriguing matchups of the opening round include the D-1 contest between Lutheran High of Orange and Edison. The Chargers have a better record at 9-1, but the Lancers are an at-large team from the super-tough Trinity League.
In D-6, Huntington Beach (5-5) will visit Orange (8-2) in the only contest featuring two teams from The Tribune coverage area.
Here are the pairings for football, as posted by the CIF-SS. All games are scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m.
Division 1
- Lutheran/Orange (6-4) at Edison (9-1)
Division 6
- Huntington Beach (5-5) at Orange (8-2)
Division 7
• Buena (5-5) at Western (8-1).
Division 9
- Moreno Valley (7-3) at Garden Grove (9-1)
Division 11
- Schurr (6-4) at Westminster (9-1)
Division 12
- Rancho Alamitos (9-1) at Valley Christian/Cerritos (3-7)
Division 13
- Arrowhead Christian (6-4) at Los Amigos (8-2)
Division 14
• Duarte (5-5) at Bolsa Grande (5-5).
