JSerra

HIGH SCHOOL FLAG FOOTBALL

SOUTHERN SECTION FINALS

Saturday at El Modena High

DIVISION 1
JSerra (27-0) vs. Orange Lutheran (24-2), 7 p.m.

DIVISION 2
Corona del Mar (17-14) vs. Westlake (17-6), 5 p.m.

DIVISION 3
La Serna (17-11-1) vs. Eastvale Roosevelt (14-10), 3 p.m.

DIVISION 4
West Ranch (17-3) vs. Riverside Poly (19-11), 9 a.m.

DIVISION 5
Castaic (15-10) vs. Anaheim (15-10), 1 p.m.

DIVISION 6
Adelanto (14-6) vs. Bishop Alemany (10-11), 11 a.m.

It’s a badge of honor to be called a surfer dude. There are plenty on the Laguna Beach High football team, led by their 6-foot-4 junior quarterback Jack Hurst.

Surfer dudes are fearless, agile and stay calm under pressure when there’s an approaching wave. They have good timing, great instincts and enjoy moments of serenity while gliding on a board waiting to test themselves against a wave.

Hurst has to avoid tacklers, so when a wave suddenly appears it’s good practice making quick decisions just like he does in football.

“I do surf a little bit. Don’t know about good. Being on the water is time to be calm for me,” he said.

Hurst has put together a breakthrough junior season after being a two-year understudy to Jackson Kollock, who is now at Minnesota. Hurst has passed for 2,560 yards and 41 touchdowns with four interceptions this season.

“I was sitting behind Jackson and waiting for my moment and my chance,” Hurst said. “We helped each other. It was great walking that journey with him.”

He’d get mop-up duty and learn from Kollock. Both have strong arms but Hurst is more of a drop-back passer.

“Jack’s improvement has been astounding,” coach John Shanahan said. “He turns 17 later this month. How quickly he processes coverages is great. He’s got lot of savvy in him.”

Laguna Beach is a true neighborhood team at 26 players strong, having gone 9-1. The Breakers have drawn Sherman Oaks Notre Dame in a Southern Section Division 3 playoff opener on Friday at Notre Dame.

Hurst is one of the first players to have joined Laguna Beach when it started a seventh-grade team trying to keep local players from leaving. There’s one middle school in the district. The same coaches and same players have followed Hurst through, so the camaraderie and chemistry is an important advantage for overcoming lack of depth.

“It’s been the same kids and same coaches since we were young,” Hurst said. “We’re all very close and play as a team.”

His top target, junior Brady Stringham, has caught 17 touchdown passes. “He’s in the right spot at the right time,” Hurst said.

Notre Dame coach Evan Yabu said of Hurst, “He’s accurate. He’s as sharp as a tack.”

There are few coaching staffs more impressive than the one put together by Shanahan. John Selbe (Cypress), Scott McKnight (JSerra), Mike Milner (El Toro, Fountain Valley) and Mark Flippin (El Toro) are former head coaches. Mike Walcott was defensive coordinator at JSerra. David Ricci coached at Tesoro and Capistrano Valley.

“Once you hear the resume, it’s wow,” Hurst said. “They know some football.”

It’s a reunion of sorts for Laguna Beach. Last season, the Breakers faced Notre Dame quarterback Wyatt Brown when he was playing for Santa Monica. Laguna Beach won 21-9. Brown has passed for 1,504 yards and 13 touchdowns and run for 912 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Laguna Beach and Hurst will need a collective effort on Friday night from his best football buddies.

“I really like that everyone is competing, whether in surfing or skateboading,” Hurst said.

If someone is using surfer lingo after the game — stoked! — you’ll know it was a good night for the Breakers.

A look at the top 25 high school football teams in the Southland at the end of the regular season:

Rk. School (record) result; Next game; last week ranking

1. SIERRA CANYON (10-0) def. Loyola, 52-3; D1 vs. Santa Margarita, Nov. 14; 2

2. ST. JOHN BOSCO (9-1) lost to Mater Dei, 36-31; D1 vs. Orange Lutheran, Nov. 14; 1

3. CORONA CENTENNIAL (9-1) def. Chaparral, 60-29; D1 vs. Servite, Nov. 14; 3

4. MATER DEI (7-2) def. St. John Bosco, 36-31; D1 vs. Mission Viejo at Santa Ana Staidum, Nov. 14; 6

5. MISSION VIEJO (9-1) def. Los Alamitos, 76-49; D1 vs. Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium Stadium, Nov. 14; 4

6 SANTA MARGARITA (7-3) def. JSerra, 41-14; D1 at Sierra Canyon, Nov. 14; 5

7. SERVITE (6-4) def. Orange Lutheran, 30-28; D1 at Corona Centennial, Nov. 14; 8

8. ORANGE LUTHERAN (2-8*) lost to Servite, 30-28; D1 at St. John Bosco, Nov. 14; 9

9. LOS ALAMITOS (8-2) lost to Mission Viejo, 76-49; D2 vs. Yorba Linda, Friday; 7

10. OXNARD PACIFICA (10-0) def. Bishop Diego, 46-33; D3 vs. Oak Hills, Friday; 11

11. LEUZINGER (8-1) def. Lawndale, 45-10; D2, at Crean Lutheran, Friday; 12

12. MURRIETA VALLEY (7-3) def. Eastvale Roosevelt, 48-13; D2 vs. Corona del Mar, Friday; 14

13. SAN JUAN HILLS (1-9^) def. Tesoro, 41-7; D2 vs. Downey, Friday; 15

14. BEAUMONT (7-2) def. Redlands East Valley, 43-6; D2 at San Clemente, Friday; 16

15. DOWNEY (9-1) def. Dominguez, 34-0; D2 at San Juan Hills, Friday; 17

16. CREAN LUTHERAN (10-0) def. Laguna Hills, 50-7; D2, vs. Leuzinger, Fridays; 18

17. RANCHO CUCAMONGA (7-3) def. Chino Hills, 31-24; D2 vs. Tustin, Friday; 19

18. VISTA MURRIETA (7-3) lost to Norco, 17-7; D2, vs. Damien, Friday; 13

19. VALENCIA (9-1) def Castaic, 63-0; D3 vs. Palos Verdes, Friday 21

20. DAMIEN (8-2) def. Ayala, 35-13; D2 at Vista Murrieta, Friday; 22

21. AQUINAS (9-1) def. Village Christian, 42-12; D3 at Dana Hills, Friday; 23

22. YORBA LINDA (9-1); def. Corona del Mar, 35-28; D2 at Los Alamitos, Friday; NR

23. CORONA DEL MAR (9-1) lost to Yorba Linda, 35-28; D2 at Murrieta Valley, Friday; 10

24. CHINO HILLS (7-3) lost to Rancho Cucamonga, 31-24; D3 vs. Mira Costa, Friday; 20

25. PALOS VERDES (7-3) def. Mira Costa, 18-15; D3 at Valencia, Friday; NR

*-two forfeits / ^-nine forfeits

A look at how the top 25 high school football teams in the Southland fared this week:

Rk. School (record) result; Next game

A look at the top 25 high school football teams in the Southland:

1. ST. JOHN BOSCO (9-0) vs. Mater Dei, Friday; Southern Section playoffs

2. SIERRA CANYON (9-0) at Loyola, Friday; Southern Section playoffs

3. CORONA CENTENNIAL (9-1) def. Chaparral, 60-29; Southern Section playoffs

4. MISSION VIEJO (9-1) def. Los Alamitos, 76-49; Southern Section playoffs

5. SANTA MARGARITA (6-3) at JSerra, Friday; Southern Section playoffs

6. MATER DEI (7-2) at St. John Bosco, Friday; Southern Section playoffs

7. LOS ALAMITOS (8-2) lost to Mission Viejo, 76-49; Southern Section playoffs

8. SERVITE (5-4) vs. Orange Lutheran, Friday; Southern Section playoffs

9. ORANGE LUTHERAN (2-7*) vs. Servite, Friday; Southern Section playoffs

10. CORONA DEL MAR (9-1) lost to Yorba Linda, 35-28; Southern Section playoffs

11. OXNARD PACIFICA (9-0) at Bishop Diego, Friday; Southern Section playoffs

12. LEUZINGER (8-1) def. Lawndale, 45-10; Southern Section playoffs

13. VISTA MURRIETA (7-3) lost to Norco, 17-7; Southern Section playoffs

14. MURRIETA VALLEY (7-3) def. Eastvale Roosevelt, 48-13; Southern Section playoffs

15. SAN JUAN HILLS (8-2) def. Tesoro, 41-7; Southern Section playoffs

16. BEAUMONT (7-2) def. Redlands East Valley, 43-6; Southern Section playoffs

17. DOWNEY (8-1) at Dominguez, Thursday; Southern Section playoffs

18. CREAN LUTHERAN (10-0) def. Laguna Hills, 50-7; Southern Section playoffs

19. RANCHO CUCAMONGA (7-3) def. Chino Hills, 31-24; Southern Section playoffs

20. CHINO HILLS (7-3) lost to Rancho Cucamonga, 31-24; Southern Section playoffs

21. VALENCIA (8-1) at Castaic, Friday; Southern Section playoffs

22. DAMIEN (8-2) def. Ayala, 35-13; Southern Section playoffs

23. AQUINAS (8-1) vs. Village Christian, Friday; Southern Section playoffs

24. CHAPARRAL (5-5) lost to Corona Centennial, 60-29; Southern Section playoffs

25. CHAMINADE (5-4) at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Friday; Southern Section playoffs

*-two forfeit losses

A look at the top 25 high school football teams in the Southland:

Rk. School (record) result; Next game; last week ranking

1. ST. JOHN BOSCO (8-0) def. Santa Margarita, 27-14; vs. Servite, Friday; 1

2. SIERRA CANYON (8-0) def. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 45-10; at Bishop Amat, Friday; 2

3. CORONA CENTENNIAL (6-1) def. Murrieta Valley, 48-20; at Norco, Thursday; 3

4. MISSION VIEJO (7-1) def. San Clemente, 34-16; vs. Edison at Huntington Beach, Friday; 4

5. SANTA MARGARITA (5-3) lost to St. John Bosco, 27-14; vs. Orange Lutheran at Trabuco Hills, Friday; 5

6. MATER DEI (5-2) def. Servite, 29-19; vs. JSerra at Santa Ana Stadium, Friday; 6

7. LOS ALAMITOS (8-0) def. Edison, 41-22; at San Clemente, Friday; 7

8. SERVITE (5-3) lost to Mater Dei, 29-19; at St. John Bosco, next Friday; 8

9. ORANGE LUTHERAN (4-4) def. JSerra, 63-24; vs. Santa Margarita at Trabuco Hills, Friday; 9

10. CORONA DEL MAR (8-0) def. Villa Park, 21-3; at Tesoro, Friday; 10

11. MURRIETA VALLEY (6-2) lost to Corona Centennial, 48-20; at Vista Murrieta, Friday; 11

12. OXNARD PACIFICA (8-0) def. Camarillo, 42-6; vs. Simi Valley, Friday; 12

13. DAMIEN (7-1) def. Upland, 35-14; at Chino Hills, Friday; 13

14. LEUZINGER (6-1) def. Culver City, 47-7; vs. Mira Costa, Friday; 14

15. SAN JUAN HILLS (7-2) def. Newport Harbor, 47-10; vs. Villa Park, Friday; 15

16. BEAUMONT (5-2) def. Yucaipa, 57-10; at Citrus Valley, Friday; 16

17. VISTA MURRIETA (6-2) def. Eastvale Roosevelt, 42-0; vs. Murrieta Valley, Friday; 17

18. DOWNEY (7-1) def. Paramount, 48-9; vs. Warren, Friday; 19

19. CREAN LUTHERAN (8-0) def. La Habra, 56-21; vs. Huntington Beach, Friday; 21

20. RANCHO CUCAMONGA (4-4) def. Ayala, 41-0; vs. Etiwanda, next Friday; 22

21. EDISON (5-3) lost to Los Alamitos, 41-22; vs. Mission Viejo, Friday; 20

22. JSERRA (3-5) lost to Orange Lutheran, 63-23; vs. Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium, Friday; 18

23. VALENCIA (7-1) def. Golden Valley, 35-7; vs. Hart, Friday; 23

24. AQUINAS (7-1) def. Heritage Christian, 49-7; vs. Capistrano Valley Christian, Friday; 24

25. CHAPARRAL (4-4) def. Norco, 56-28; vs. Eastvale Roosevelt, Thursday; NR

A look at how the top 25 high school football teams in the Southland fared this week:

Rk. School (record) result; Next game

1. ST. JOHN BOSCO (7-0) def. Orange Lutheran, 48-0; vs. Santa Margarita at Trabuco Hills, next Friday

2. SIERRA CANYON (7-0) def. Chaminade, 45-14; vs. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, next Friday

3. CORONA CENTENNIAL (5-1) def. Vista Murrieta, 63-14; at Murrieta Valley, next Friday

4. MATER DEI (5-2) lost to Santa Margarita, 7-6; vs. Servite at Santa Ana Stadium, Oct. 18

5. MISSION VIEJO (6-1) did not play; vs. San Clemente, next Friday

6. SANTA MARGARITA (5-2) def. Mater Dei, 7-6; vs. St. John Bosco at Trabuco Hills, next Friday

7. LOS ALAMITOS (7-0) did not play; vs. Edison at SoFi Stadium, Thursday

8. ORANGE LUTHERAN (3-4) lost St. John Bosco, 48-0; vs. JSerra at Saddleback Coll., next Friday

9. CORONA DEL MAR (6-0) vs. Newport Harbor, Saturday; at Villa Park, next Friday

10. SERVITE (5-2) def. JSerra, 43-26; vs. Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium, next Friday

11. BEAUMONT (5-2) lost to Cajon, 25-23; vs. Yucaipa, next Friday

12. OXNARD PACIFICA (6-0) vs. St. Bonaventure, Friday; at Camarillo, next Friday

13. MURRIETA VALLEY (6-1) def. Chaparral, 56-42; vs. Corona Centennial, next Friday

14. VISTA MURRIETA (5-2) lost to Corona Centennial, 63-14; at Eastvale Roosevelt, next Friday

15. DAMIEN (6-1) def. Etiwanda, 49-31; vs. Upland, Thursday

16. SAN JUAN HILLS (5-2) def. Yorba Linda, 41-17; at Newport Harbor, next Friday

17. JSERRA (3-4) lost to Servite, 43-26; vs. Orange Lutheran at Saddleback Coll., next Friday

18. GARDENA SERRA (3-4) lost to Loyola, 13-10; vs. Chaminade, next Friday

19. DOWNEY (6-1) def. La Mirada, 67-7; at Paramount, next Friday

20. YORBA LINDA (5-2) lost to San Juan Hills, 41-17; vs. Tesoro, next Friday

21. LEUZINGER (5-1) def. Palos Verdes, 40-14; vs. Culver City, next Friday

22. EDISON (5-2) did not play; vs. Los Alamitos at SoFi Stadium, Oct. 16

23. PALOS VERDES (4-3) lost to Leuzinger, 40-14; at Lawndale, next Friday

24. CREAN LUTHERAN (7-0) def. El Dorado, 50-7; vs. La Habra, next Friday

25. SHERMAN OAKS NOTRE DAME (4-3) lost to Bishop Amat, 36-29; at Sierra Canyon, next Friday

A look at the top 25 high school football teams in the Southland:

Rk. School (record) result; Next game; last week ranking

1. ST. JOHN BOSCO (6-0) def. JSerra, 70-21; vs. Orange Lutheran at Orange Coast Coll., Friday; 1

2. SIERRA CANYON (6-0) def. Gardena Serra, 30-0; vs. Chaminade, Friday; 2

3. CORONA CENTENNIAL (4-1) def. Eastvale Roosevelt, 62-20; vs. Vista Murrieta, Friday; 3

4. MATER DEI (5-1) def. Orange Lutheran, 25-10; vs. Santa Margarita at Santa Ana Stadium, Friday; 4

5. MISSION VIEJO (6-1) def. Long Beach Poly, 56-7; vs. San Clemente, Oct. 17; 5

6. SANTA MARGARITA (4-2) def. Servite, 17-7; vs. Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium, Friday; 6

7. LOS ALAMITOS (7-0) did not play; vs. Edison at SoFi Stadium, Oct. 16; 7

8. ORANGE LUTHERAN (3-3) lost to Mater Dei, 25-10; vs. St. John Bosco at Orange Coast Coll., Friday; 8

9. CORONA DEL MAR (6-0) def. San Juan Hills, 33-10; vs. Newport Harbor, Saturday; 17

10. SERVITE (4-2) lost to Santa Margarita, 17-7; vs. JSerra at Cerritos College, Friday; 10

11. BEAUMONT (5-1) def. Redlands, 58-0; at Cajon, Friday; 13

12. OXNARD PACIFICA (6-0) def. Oaks Christian, 17-13; vs. St. Bonaventure, Friday; 18

13. MURRIETA VALLEY (5-1) def. Norco, 55-45; vs. Chaparral, Friday; 19

14. VISTA MURRIETA (5-1) lost to Chaparral, 28-20; at Corona Centennial, Friday; 9

15. DAMIEN (5-1) lost to Rancho Cucamonga, 24-22; at Etiwanda, Friday; 11

16. SAN JUAN HILLS (4-2) lost to Corona del Mar, 33-10; vs. Yorba Linda, Friday; 12

17. JSERRA (3-3) lost to St. John Bosco, 70-21; vs. Servite at Cerritos College, Friday; 14

18. GARDENA SERRA (3-3) lost to Sierra Canyon, 33-0; vs. Loyola at SoFi Stadium, Thursday; 15

19. DOWNEY (5-1) def. Mayfair, 33-14; vs. La Mirada, Friday; 16

20. YORBA LINDA (5-1) def. Villa Park; 28-7; at San Juan Hills, Friday; 20

21. LEUZINGER (5-1) def. Inglewood, 43-32; vs. Palos Verdes at SoFi Stadium, Friday ; 21

22. EDISON (5-2) def. Summit, 21-10; vs. Los Alamitos at SoFi Stadium, Oct. 16; 22

23. PALOS VERDES (4-2) def. Culver City, 48-7; vs. Leuzinger at SoFi Stadium, Friday; 23

24. CREAN LUTHERAN (6-0) def. 40-14); at El Dorado, Friday; 24

25. SHERMAN OAKS NOTRE DAME (4-2) def. Loyola, 35-10; at Bishop Amat, Friday; 25

It’s the game of the year in high school flag football.

On Tuesday at 5:45 p.m. at Orange Lutheran, the unbeaten Lancers (18-0) take on unbeaten JSerra (19-0) in a game that should attract a large crowd and produce a memorable matchup.

Orange Lutheran and quarterback Makena Cook are the defending Division 1 flag football champions. JSerra, bolstered by a group of talented freshmen, have been surging and preparing for this showdown. Freshman quarterback Katie Meier and freshman receiver Ava Irwin get to test themselves on a big stage.

No Southern Section team has come closer than 14 points when playing JSerra. Orange Lutheran’s toughest game was an overtime win over Dos Pueblos, which hasn’t lost since.

There will be a rematch on Oct. 9 at JSerra and perhaps a third meeting in the playoffs.

But this game should do wonders for flag football as some of the top athletes in the sport show their passion and talent.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email [email protected].

A look at the top 25 high school football teams in the Southland:

Rk. School (record) result; Next game; last week ranking

A look at how the top 25 high school football teams in the Southland fared this week:

1. ST. JOHN BOSCO (5-0) did not play; at JSerra, Friday; 1

2. SIERRA CANYON (5-0) did not play; vs. Gardena Serra, Friday; 2

3. CORONA CENTENNIAL (4-1) did not play; vs. Eastvale Roosevelt, Thursday; 3

4. MATER DEI (4-1) did not play; vs. Orange Lutheran at Orange Coast College, Friday; 4

5. MISSION VIEJO (5-1) def. Chaparral, 36-21; vs. Long Beach Poly, Friday; 5

6. SANTA MARGARITA (3-2) lost to Bishop Gorman, 14-0;, at Servite, Friday; 6

7. LOS ALAMITOS (7-0) def. Calabasas, 48-21; vs. Edison at SoFi Stadium, Oct. 16; 7

8. ORANGE LUTHERAN (3-2) did not play; vs. Mater Dei at Orange Coast College, Friday; 8

9. VISTA MURRIETA (5-0) def. Oceanside El Camino, 38-12; at Chaparral, Friday; 9

10. SERVITE (4-1) def. St. Paul, 49-18; vs. Santa Margarita at Santa Ana Stadium, Friday; 10

11. DAMIEN (5-0) did not play; vs. Rancho Cucamonga, Friday; 11

12. SAN JUAN HILLS (4-1) did not play; at Corona del Mar, Friday; 13

13. BEAUMONT (4-1) did not play; vs. Redlands, Friday; 14

14. JSERRA (3-2) did not play; vs. St. John Bosco, Friday; 15

15. GARDENA SERRA (3-2) did not play; at Sierra Canyon, Friday; 16

16. DOWNEY (4-1) did not play; at Mayfair, Friday; 17

17. CORONA DEL MAR (5-0) def. Trabuco Hills, 35-13; vs. San Juan Hills, Friday; 18

18. OXNARD PACIFICA (5-0) def. L.A. Hamilton, 42-14; vs. Oaks Christian, Friday; 19

19. MURRIETA VALLEY (4-1) def. San Clemente, 26-14; at Norco, Friday; 20

20. YORBA LINDA (4-1) did not play; at Villa Park; Friday; 21

21. LEUZINGER (4-1) def. Hawthorne, 59-6; at Inglewood, Friday; 22

22. EDISON (4-2) lost to La Serna, 23-21; vs. Summit, Thursday; 12

23. PALOS VERDES (3-2) did not play; vs. Culver City, Friday; 23

24. CREAN LUTHERAN (5-0) did not play; at Foothill, Saturday; 24

25. SHERMAN OAKS NOTRE DAME (3-2) def. Culver City 57-14, vs. Loyola, Friday; 25

Kickers have been making long field goals look routine at the college and NFL level. Now they’re becoming the same in high school football.

Noah Thayer, a senior at JSerra, has booted field goals from 55 and 54 yards this season, made a game-winning 31-yard field goal against Oak Hills and is 16 for 16 on PATs.

There’s lots of kickers this season with the ability to try long field goals, but they must first get the permission from their coach. JSerra coach Victor Santa Cruz said Thayer has his complete confidence.

“It’s an easy decision when you have a weapon like Noah,” Santa Cruz said. “It’s exciting to have him. He’s been developing since he was a freshman. He’s just a confident kid.”

Thayer said he gained strength and muscle in the offseason, going from 5-feet-8, 140 pounds to 5-9, 165 to help him increase his distance on kicks. He’s missed field goals from 60 and 55 yards.

Other long field goals this season include a 50-yarder from Mel Huerta of Lawndale, a 49-yarder from Nico Talbott of Mira Costa and a 49-yarder from Ishaan Kedia of Portola.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email [email protected].

A look at the top 25 high school football teams in the Southland:

Rk. School (record) result; Next game; last week ranking

1. ST. JOHN BOSCO (5-0) def. Honolulu St. Louis, 49-20; at JSerra, Oct. 3; 1

2. SIERRA CANYON (5-0) def. Orange Lutheran, 41-9; vs. Gardena Serra, Oct. 3; 2

3. CORONA CENTENNIAL (4-1) def. Rancho Cucamonga, 42-14; vs. Eastvale Roosevelt, Oct. 2; 4

4. MATER DEI (4-1) def. Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, 27-24; vs. Orange Lutheran at Orange Coast Coll., Oct. 3; 5

5. MISSION VIEJO (4-1) lost to Chattanooga (Tenn.) McCallie, 25-14; at Chaparral, Friday; 3

6. SANTA MARGARITA (3-1) did not play; vs. Bishop Gorman at Trabuco Hills, Saturday; 6

7. LOS ALAMITOS (6-0) def. El Cajon Granite Hills, 49-42; at Calabasas, Friday; 8

8. ORANGE LUTHERAN (3-2) lost to Sierra Canyon, 41-9; vs. Mater Dei, Oct. 3; 7

9. VISTA MURRIETA (4-0) def. Beaumont, 21-14; at Oceanside El Camino, Friday; 9

10. SERVITE (3-1) did not play; at St. Paul, Friday; 11

11. DAMIEN (5-0) def. Salesian, 40-18; vs. Rancho Cucamonga, Oct. 3; 12

12. EDISON (4-1) def. Fountain Valley, 34-0; at La Serna, Friday; 13

13. SAN JUAN HILLS (3-1) def. Mira Costa, 38-28; at Corona del Mar, Oct. 3; 15

14. BEAUMONT (4-1) lost Vista Murrieta, 21-14; vs. Redlands, Oct. 3; 14

15. JSERRA (3-2) def. Leuzinger, 39-35; vs. St. John Bosco, Oct. 3; 19

16. GARDENA SERRA (3-2) def. Oaks Christian, 19-10; at Sierra Canyon, Oct. 3; 16

17. DOWNEY (4-1) def. Inglewood, 21-20; at Mayfair, Oct. 3; 17

18. CORONA DEL MAR (4-0) did not play; at Trabuco Hills, Friday; 18

19. OXNARD PACIFICA (5-0) def. Bishop Montgomery, forfeit; vs. Oaks Christian, Oct. 3; 20

20. MURRIETA VALLEY (3-1) def. Riverside King, 49-7; at San Clemente, Friday; 22

21. YORBA LINDA (4-1) lost to Tustin, 21-7; at Villa Park, Oct. 3; 10

22. LEUZINGER (3-1) lost to JSerra, 39-35; at Hawthorne, Friday; 21

23. PALOS VERDES (3-2) def. Wilmington Banning, 52-0; vs. Culver City, Oct. 3; 23

24. CREAN LUTHERAN (5-0) def. La Serna, 38-14; at Foothill, Oct. 4; 24

25. SHERMAN OAKS NOTRE DAME (2-2) idle; at Culver City, Friday; NR

A look at the top 25 high school football teams in the Southland:

Rk. School (record) result; Next game; last week ranking

1. St. John Bosco (4-0) def. San Mateo Serra, 42-0; vs. Honolulu St. Louis, Friday; 2

2. Sierra Canyon (4-0) def. Downey, 49-7; vs. Orange Lutheran at Orange Coast College, Thursday; 3

3. Mission Viejo (4-0) def. San Diego Lincoln, 34-24; at Chattanooga (Tenn.) McCallie, Friday; 4

4. Corona Centennial (3-1) def. Mater Dei, 43-36; at Rancho Cucamonga, Friday; 7

5. Mater Dei (3-1) lost to Corona Centennial, 43-36; at Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, Friday; 1

6. Santa Margarita (3-1) def. Oaks Christian, 44-14; vs. Bishop Gorman, Sept. 27; 5

7. Orange Lutheran (3-1) def. Gardena Serra, 35-14; vs. Sierra Canyon at Orange Coast College, Thursday; 6

8. Los Alamitos (5-0) def. St. Paul, 48-14; vs. El Cajon Granite Hills, Friday; 8

9. Vista Murrieta (3-0) def. Bishop Amat, 29-10; vs. Beaumont, Friday; 9

10. Yorba Linda (4-0) def. Esperanza, 35-7; vs. Tustin, Friday; 10

11. Servite (3-1) def. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 29-23; at St. Paul, Sept. 26; 12

12. Damien (4-0) def. Tustin, 24-7; at Salesian, Friday; 14

13. Edison (3-1) def. Palos Verdes, 21-20; at Fountain Valley, Friday; 15

14. Beaumont (4-0) def. Chaminade, 27-14; at Vista Murrieta, Friday; 16

15. San Juan Hills (2-1) lost to Rockwall (Texas) Rockwall-Heath, 36-24; at Mira Costa, Friday; 11

16. Gardena Serra (2-2) lost to Orange Lutheran, 35-14; vs. Oaks Christian, Friday; 13

17. Downey (3-1) lost to Sierra Canyon, 49-7; vs. Inglewood, Friday; 17

18. Corona del Mar (4-0) def. Charter Oak, 28-21; at Trabuco Hills, Sept. 26; 18

19. JSerra (2-2) def. Oak Hills, 24-21; vs. Leuzinger, Friday; 19

20. Oxnard Pacifica (4-0) def. Rio Mesa, 56-6; vs. Oaks Christian, Oct. 3; 20

21. Leuzinger (3-0) idle; at JSerra, Friday; 21

22. Murrieta Valley (2-1) def. King, 56-6; vs. Riverside King, Friday; 23

23. Palos Verdes (2-2) lost to Edison, 21-20; vs. Wilmington Banning, Friday; 22

24. Crean Lutheran (4-0) def. El Modena, 34-0; vs. La Serna, Friday; NR

25. Mira Costa (3-0) def. La Habra, 35-33; vs. San Juan Hills, Friday; NR

Watching 6-foot-6, 220-pound Connor Ohl of Newport Harbor High play water polo is similar to a Great White Shark sighting. You’re stunned and in awe.

He’s water polo’s version of a speeding dolphin in the pool, able to accelerate so fast with his long arms and powerful legs that few can stay with him. He won the Southern Section Division 1 50-yard freestyle title last spring and broke 20 seconds in a league meet (19.79), so beware to those who think he’s not as fast as advertised.

Then comes his size and strength. He could be a football player because physicality comes naturally. Being the youngest of three water polo playing brothers, it was sink or swim in the Ohl household growing up in Greenwich, Conn. One brother plays for Stanford, where Connor will soon join him. Another plays at Princeton.

Connor moved to Orange County last year for his junior season so he could be part of what he calls “the water polo hub of America.”

This past summer, he was the youngest player on the USA junior national team that earned a silver medal at the under-20 world championships in Croatia.

“It was such a crazy experience,” he said.

First there was playing the host team in front of screaming fans in an indoor pool. “Oh my God, It was so loud,” he said. “They had drummers. You couldn’t hear yourself think.”

Then there was playing Serbia, known for its physicality. He was a boy going against men. “It’s insane,” he said. “Some are built like refrigerators.”

What Ohl learned from his international experience will help him immensely during a high school season in which Newport Harbor is the defending Southern Section champion and heavily favored to win again. The Sailors are off to a 6-0 start.

Ben Liechty, Peter Castillo, Connor Ohl and Gavin Appeldorn, from left, represented Newport Harbor at the Under-20 World Championships in Croatia.

(Courtesy of Newport Harbor water polo)

“Going from high school water polo to the junior level is like night and day,” he said. “These juniors have been playing basically their whole life — Spain, Hungary, Croatia. They worship water polo. It’s made me a lot more physical. Coming back to high school, it’s made me more confident to defend and control people with my strength and size.”

With the arrival of the Anderson brothers, Tyler and Sean, from JSerra, Newport Harbor starts out as perhaps the best team in the country.

“We could be a football team with as big as we are in water polo,” Ohl said.

Corona del Mar, JSerra, Oaks Christian and Harvard-Westlake hope to offer resistance.

Ohl is the latest Southern California product who can’t wait to represent the USA in the Olympic Games, which happen to be coming to Los Angeles in 2028. The Dodd brothers, Ryder and Chase, from JSerra and Huntington Beach, played in the 2024 Olympic Games.

It will be one of the toughest teams to make because of the experience and depth with so many players back from 2024.

“My chances are as good as anyone else,” Ohl said. “That’s my dream. I just want to represent my country at the Olympics.”

Meanwhile, if you want to see someone who can swim as fast as a fish, check out a Newport Harbor water polo match. That’s Connor Ohl, the speeding bullet.

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

CITY SECTION

Bernstein 25, Chatsworth 6

L.A. Wilson 56, Hollywood 0

Lincoln 27, Torres 0

Panorama 58, Bernstein 0

Panorama 55, Chatsworth 0

Santee 6, L.A. University 0

South East 13, Angelou 6

SOUTHERN SECTION

Channel Islands 32, Hueneme 6

Los Alamitos 47, Katella 0

Newport Beach Pacifica Christian 34, Whitney 0

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 24, Burbank Burroughs 0

St. Francis 47, Redlands Adventist Academy 0

Trabuco Hills 26, Sage Hill 13

Villa Park 15, Capistrano Valley 0

Windward 39, YULA 0

INTERSECTIONAL

Cleveland 7, Brentwood 6

Compton d. LA Jordan, forfeit

LA Wilson 35, Sacred Heart of Jesus 0

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

SOUTHERN SECTION

Arlington 6, Norte Vista 0

Bonita 46, Keppel 0

Bonita 26, La Serna 6

Bonita d. Keppel, forfeit

Camarillo 26, Corona Del Mar 6

Camarillo 26, Linfield Christian 0

Corona 14, Canyon Springs 12

Corona 14, Serrano 0

Corona Centennial 20, Capistrano Valley 0

Corona Centennial 19, Linfield Christian 12

Covina 34, El Monte 6

Edison 41, La Habra 0

El Rancho 25, Norwalk 0

El Toro 40, Capistrano Valley 0

El Toro 20, El Dorado 6

Glendora 27, San Gabriel 7

JSerra 35, Classical Academy 0

JSerra 25, Edison 0

La Serna 22, Keppel 0

La Sierra 25, Valley View 7

Mission Viejo 12, Santa Ana Foothill 6

Newport Harbor 33, Fairmont Prep 0

Newport Harbor 14, Santa Margarita 12

Rancho Cucamonga 12, South Hills 6

Redlands East Valley 25, Cypress 12

San Dimas 13, Don Lugo 12

San Juan Hills 6, Mission Viejo 0

Santa Ana Foothill 7, El Dorado 6

Santa Margarita 33, Redlands East Valley 7

St. Lucy’s 14, Azusa 12

Tesoro 53, Fairmont Prep 6

Tesoro 26, Rosary 6

Torrey Pines 21, Corona del Mar 6

Torrey Pines 19, San Juan Hills 0

INTERSECTIONAL

Merced 44, Rancho Cucamonga 20

Merced 32, South Hills 12

A look at the top 25 high school football teams in the Southland:

Rk. School (record) result; Next game; last week ranking

1. MATER DEI (2-0) def. Bishop Montgomery, forfeit; vs. Kahuku (Hawaii), Friday; 1

2. ST. JOHN BOSCO (2-0) def. El Paso (Texas) Eastwood, 66-7; vs. Baltimore St. Frances Academy, Friday; 2

3. SIERRA CANYON (2-0) def. Oaks Christian, 63-0; vs. Honolulu Punahou, Saturday; 4

4. ORANGE LUTHERAN (2-0) def. Rancho Cucamonga, 27-24; at Chandler (Ariz.) Basha, Friday; 3

5. MISSION VIEJO (2-0) def. St. Paul, 58-14; vs. Folsom, Friday; 6

6. SANTA MARGARITA (1-1) def. Corona Centennial, 33-27 (OT); at Highland, Friday; 7

7. CORONA CENTENNIAL (1-1) lost to Santa Margarita, 33-27 (OT); vs. South Jordan (Utah) Bingham, Saturday; 5

8. GARDENA SERRA (2-0) def. Hamilton, 47-0; vs. Los Alamitos, Friday; 8

9. VISTA MURRIETA (2-0) def. Murrieta Mesa, 35-17; vs. Bishop Amat, Sept. 12; 10

10. YORBA LINDA (2-0) def. Edison, 21-17; at San Jacinto, Thursday; 11

11. SAN JUAN HILLS (1-0) def. Eastvale Roosevelt, 41-0; vs. Chino Hills, Friday; 13

12. SERVITE (1-1) def. Murrieta Valley, 56-35; vs. Chaminade, Friday; 17

13. DAMIEN (2-0) def. JSerra, 34-31; vs. St. Paul, Friday; 19

14. EDISON (1-1) lost to Yorba Linda, 21-17; vs. Lakewood, Friday; 12

15. LOS ALAMITOS (3-0) def. Narbonne, 48-0; at Gardena Serra, Friday; 15

16. BEAUMONT (2-0) def. Cathedral, 52-31; vs. Summit, Friday; NR

17. VALENCIA (2-0) def. Chaminade, 34-20; vs. Bishop Amat, Friday; NR

18. DOWNEY (2-0) def. Orange Vista, 35-34; vs. Long Beach Millikan, Friday; 20

19. CORONA DEL MAR (2-0) def. Santa Barbara, 28-27; vs. Lakewood (Colo.) Green Mountain, Saturday; 18

20. CATHEDRAL (1-1) lost to Beaumont, 52-31; vs. River Ridge (La.) Curtis Christian, Friday; 9

21. OXNARD PACIFICA (2-0) def. Oxnard, 62-0; vs. Newbury Park, Friday; 21

22. LEUZINGER (2-0) def. Palmdale, 61-0; vs. Bishop Montgomery, Friday; 22

23. PALOS VERDES (1-1) def. Aiea Na Alii (Hawaii), 47-6; vs. Carson, Friday; 25

24. JSERRA (0-2) lost to Damien, 34-31; at Honolulu Kamehameha, Friday; 16

25. CHAMINADE (1-1) lost to Valencia, 34-20; at Servite, Friday; 14

A look at the top 25 high school football teams in the Southland:

Rk. School (record) result; Next game; last week ranking

1. Mater Dei (1-0) def. Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Aquinas, 26-23; vs. Bishop Montgomery, Friday; 1

2. St. John Bosco (1-0) def. Bradenton (Fla.) Manatee, 31-0; vs. El Paso (Texas) Eastwood, Friday; 2

3. Orange Lutheran (1-0) def. Miami Northwestern, 17-13; vs. Rancho Cucamonga, Friday; 3

4. Sierra Canyon (1-0) def. JSerra, 35-0; at Oaks Christian, Friday 4

5. Corona Centennial (1-0) def. Servite, 42-14; at Santa Margarita, Thursday; 5

6. Mission Viejo (1-0) def. Santa Margarita, 7-3; at St. Paul, Aug. 29; 6

7. Santa Margarita (0-1) lost to Mission Viejo, 7-3; vs. Corona Centennial, Thursday; 7

8. Gardena Serra (1-0) def. Palos Verdes, 26-0; at Hamilton, Thursday; 8

9. Cathedral (1-0) def. Loyola, 36-14; at Beaumont, Thursday; 11

10. Vista Murrieta (1-0) def. Great Oak, 41-25; vs. Murrieta Mesa, Friday; 13

11. Yorba Linda (1-0) def. Mayfair, 41-6; at Edison, Thursday; 14

12. Edison (1-0) def. Clovis West, 20-13; vs. Yorba Linda, Thursday; 15

13. San Juan Hills (0-0) def Chaparral, 38-33; at Eastvale Roosevelt, Thursday; 16

14. Chaminade (1-0) def. Oaks Christian, 42-27; vs. Valencia, Friday; NR

15. Los Alamitos (2-0) def. Kapolei, 34-31; at Narbonne, Friday; NR

16. JSerra (0-1) lost to Serra Canyon, 35-0; vs. Damien, Friday; 12

17. Servite (0-1) lost to Corona Centennial, 42-14; vs. Murrieta Valley, Friday; 9

18. Corona Del Mar (1-0) def. Rancho Verde, 41-6; at Santa Barbara, Friday; 20

19. Damien (1-0) def. Aquinas, 20-13; at JSerra, Aug. 29; 21

20. Downey (1-0) def. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 24-21; at Orange Vista, Friday; 23

21. Oxnard Pacifica (1-0) def. West Ranch, 59-17; at Oxnard, Friday; 25

22. Leuzinger (1-0) def. Long Beach Poly, 14-3; vs. Palmdale, Friday; NR

23. Long Beach Millikan (2-0) def. Newbury Park, 49-20; vs. Loyola, Friday; NR

24. Oaks Christian (0-1) lost to Chaminade, 42-27; vs. Sierra Canyon, Friday; 17

25. Palos Verdes (0-1) lost to Gardena Serra, 26-0; vs. Aiea Na Alii (Hawaii), Friday; 22

A look at how the top 25 high school football teams in the Southland fared this week:

Rk. School (record) result; Next game

1. Mater Dei (0-0) at Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Aquinas, Saturday; vs. Bishop Montgomery, Aug. 29

2. St. John Bosco (1-0) def. Bradenton (Fla.) Manatee, 31-0; vs. El Paso (Texas) Eastwood, Aug. 29

3. Orange Lutheran (0-0) at Miami Northwestern, Saturday; vs. Rancho Cucamonga, Aug. 29

4. Sierra Canyon (1-0) def. JSerra, 35-0; at Oaks Christian, Aug. 29

5. Corona Centennial (1-0) def. Servite, 42-14; at Santa Margarita, Thursday

6. Mission Viejo (1-0) def. Santa Margarita, 7-3; at St. Paul, Aug. 29

7. Santa Margarita (0-1) lost to Mission Viejo, 7-3; vs. Corona Centennial, Thursday

8. Gardena Serra (1-0) def. Palos Verdes, 26-0; at Hamilton, Thursday

9. Servite (0-1) lost to Corona Centennial, 42-14; vs. Murrieta Valley, Aug. 29

10. Newbury Park (0-2) lost to Millikan, 49-20; vs. Arroyo Grande, Aug. 29

11. Cathedral (1-0) def. Loyola, 36-14; at Beaumont, Thursday

12. JSerra (0-1) lost to Serra Canyon, 35-0; vs. Damien, Aug. 29

13. Vista Murrieta (1-0) def. Great Oak, 41-25; vs. Murrieta Mesa, Aug. 29

14. Yorba Linda (1-0) def. Mayfair, 41-6; at Edison, Thursday

15. Edison (1-0) def. Clovis West, 20-13; vs. Yorba Linda, Thursday

16. San Juan Hills (0-0) vs. Chaparral (no score reported); at Eastvale Roosevelt, Thursday

17. Oaks Christian (0-1) lost to Chaminade, 42-27; vs. Valencia, Aug. 29

18. Inglewood (0-2) lost to Fresno Central East, 41-12; vs. St. Bonaventure, Sept. 5

19. Chaparral (0-0) at San Juan Hills (no score reported); at San Clemente, Sept. 5

20. Corona Del Mar (1-0) def. Rancho Verde, 41-6; at Santa Barbara, Aug. 29

21. Damien (1-0) def. Aquinas, 20-13; at JSerra, Aug. 29

22. Palos Verdes (0-1) lost to Gardena Serra, 26-0; vs. Aiea Na Alii (Hawaii), Aug. 29

23. Downey (1-0) def. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 24-21; at Orange Vista, Aug. 29

24. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (0-1) lost to Downey, 24-21; at Bishop Alemany, Aug. 29

25. Oxnard Pacifica (1-0) def. West Ranch, 59-17; at Oxnard, Aug. 29

Marina won the Southern Section Division 3 softball championship with an 8-1 win over Westlake in Irvine on Friday.

Aviana Valbuena had three hits and four RBIs. Sister Mia Valbuena struck out 13 with one walk.

Marina improved to 19-13.

Los Alamitos won the Division 2 championship with a 3-0 win over JSerra that took 10 innings. Cienna Kowaleski hit a two-run home run in the 10th to end a great pitching duel.

JSerra’s Liliana Escobar struck out 16. Los Alamitos’ Jaliane Brooks threw all 10 innings, striking out five.

In Division 6, Irvine University defeated Rio Hondo Prep 4-1. In Division 7, Rancho Mirage defeated Culver City 7-3.

With the bases loaded and her team down by one run in the seventh inning, JuJu Brower stood in the batter’s box for El Modena in a Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinal playoff game Wednesday. Her team was trying to rally against one of the hottest softball teams, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.

Brower hadn’t been fully cleared by her doctors to play catcher because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in August suffered while playing flag football. She had been cleared to hit, something she was doing for four weeks. Then came her most important at-bat of the season. She delivered a two-run single up the middle to help El Modena come away with a 6-4 victory and advance to Saturday’s semifinals against Temescal Canyon.

“It means a lot,” Brower said of her hit and the comeback. She had to go through months of rehab just to get back on the field, from stretching to leg exercises.

El Modena started the game with consecutive home runs by Kaitlyn Galasso and Kylie Tafua. After that, Notre Dame pitcher Aliyah Garcia threw five consecutive scoreless innings to help the Knights take a 4-2 lead going into the seventh. Charley Tapia had a home run and triple.

But the fifth inning was the key moment for the Knights. They had the bases loaded and none out against No. 2 pitcher Ashley Driskill. She got a 1-2-3 double play, then a flyout to end the threat.

Then El Modena scored four runs in the top of the seventh to take the lead and eliminate the Knights, Monica Garcia had a run-scoring single to support Brower’s hit. Notre Dame had been hitting home runs in bunches during playoff wins over Orange Lutheran and El Segundo.

El Modena coach Bobby Calderon praised Brower. for her dedication to make it back to the field this season. “For her to come through at that moment shows how much she believes in our team,” he said.

Norco 9, Chino Hills 1: Ashley Duran had three hits for the top-seeded Cougars, who will play Ayala on Saturday in the other Division 1 semifinal.

JSerra 7, Palos Verdes 1: Melia Munoz had a two-run home run and Annabel Raftery had four hits to lead JSerra in Division 2. JSerra will play Great Oak in the semifinals.

Santa Margarita 2, Ganesha 1: Sawyer Denser pitched the Eagles into the Division 2 semifinals. She struck out eight. Sofia Zavarella had a solo home run. Santa Margarita will play Los Alamitos, a 7-1 winner over La Serna.

Baseball

Carson 4, Taft 2: Xavier Allen hit a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the 11th inning to enable the Colts to advance to Saturday’s 10 a.m. City Section Division I championship game at Dodger Stadium.