playoff

SOCAL REGIONAL BOWL GAMES

FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE

DIVISION 1-AA

Los Alamitos (12-2) vs. San Diego Cathedral Catholic (10-2) at Long Beach City College, 7:30 p.m.

DIVISION 2-AA

La Habra (11-3) at Bakersfield Christian (12-0), 7:30 p.m.

DIVISION 3-AA

Ventura (11-2) at Arroyo Grande (9-4), 7:30 p.m.

DIVISION 4-AA

Immanuel Reedley (13-0) at Barstow (10-3), 7:30 p.m.

DIVISION 5-AA

El Cajon Christian (7-7) at Cerritos Valley Christian (11-3), 7:30 p.m.

DIVISION 6-AA

Valley View (9-5) at Valley Center (7-6), 7:30 p.m.

DIVISION 7-AA

San Fernando (5-8) vs. Woodbridge (6-8) at Irvine University, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE

DIVISION 1-A

Oxnard Pacifica (14-0) at Granite Hills (10-3), 7 p.m.

DIVISION 2-A

Rio Hondo Prep (14-0) vs. Santa Fe Christian (13-0) at Carlsbad, 7 p.m.

DIVISION 3-A

Delano Kennedy (11-3) at Carson (10-3), 6 p.m.

DIVISION 4-A

Hillcrest (8-5) vs. Beckman (9-4) at Tustin, 6 p.m.

DIVISION 5-A

Bishop Union (11-3) at South Gate (11-3), 6 p.m.

DIVISION 6-A

San Diego Morse (9-4) vs. Grace (11-3) at Moorpark College, 6 p.m.

DIVISION 7-A

Santee (10-4) at South El Monte (10-4), 6 p.m.

Note: Winners advance to state bowl championships Dec. 12-13 at Saddleback College, Fullerton High and Buena Park High.

STATE BOWL CHAMPIONSHIPS

SATURDAY, DEC. 13

At Saddleback College

OPEN DIVISION

Santa Margarita (10-3) vs. Concord De la Salle (12-0), 8 p.m.

A look at The Times’ top 25 boys’ basketball rankings for the Southland after Week 2.

Rk. School (Rec.); Comment; ranking last week

1. SIERRA CANYON (4-0): Brandon McCoy is a dunk machine this season; 1

2. SANTA MARGARITA (6-0): Six-foot-eight Drew Anderson has improved offensive firepower; 2

3. REDONDO UNION (3-0): Showdown with Crespi coming on Saturday; 3

4. ST. JOHN BOSCO (2-0): Christian Collins is the player to watch; 4

5. HARVARD-WESTLAKE (4-1): Texas commit Joe Sterling is delivering; 5

6. SHERMAN OAKS NOTRE DAME (3-1): Knights still not at full strength; 6

7. CRESPI (4-0): Games against Village Christian, JSerra, Redondo Union; 7

8. CORONA CENTENNIAL (5-1): Huskies lose 60-56 in Tennessee; 8

9. JSERRA (5-1): Big game for Jaden Bailes vs. Oak Hills; 11

10. FAIRMONT PREP (5-1): Carlsbad hands Huskies their first defeat; 9

11. CREAN LUTHERAN (4-1): Good win over St. Bernard; 13

12. DAMIEN (6-1): Lost to St. Bernard 53-51; 10

13. SAN GABRIEL ACADEMY (0-2): Tough schedule continues with Redondo Union on Wednesday; 12

14. ETIWANDA (4-0): Eagles are soaring early; 18

15. ROLLING HILLS PREP (5-0): Nick Welch Jr. is performing well; 14

16. LA MIRADA (1-2): Face Harvard-Westlake on Tuesday at Redondo Union; 15

17. EASTVALE ROOSEVELT (3-1): Lost in overtime to La Mirada; 16

18. CORONA DEL MAR (2-0): Impressive win over Orange Lutheran; NR

19. CHAMINADE (7-0): Brycen Butler wins tournament MVP honor; NR

20. ARCADIA (3-1): Fell to St. Francis; 20

21. PASADENA (3-1): League play begins with Arcadia on Dec. 10; 21

22. CROSSROADS (5-0): Showdown at Corona Centennial on Saturday; 22

23. LA HABRA (5-1): 71-47 win over Cerritos; 24

24. LONG BEACH POLY (1-1): Face Windward on Tuesday; 25

25. VILLAGE CHRISTIAN (3-0): Freshman Will Conroy is impressive; NR

It’s championship week in the high school football playoffs.

Here’s a look at top matchups on Friday and Saturday:

Southern Section

FRIDAY

DIVISION 1

Santa Margarita (9-3) vs. Corona Centennial (11-1) at the Rose Bowl, 7 p.m.

The last team standing will be the one able to execute on offense in a showcase of two aggressive, physically tough defenses. Santa Margarita has an advantage with versatile linebacker Dash Fifita and a defensive line second to none. Coach Carson Palmer twice played in the Rose Bowl as a player for USC. Centennial must find a way to run the ball or quarterback Dominick Catalano will have a long night. The pick: Santa Margarita.

DIVISION 3

Oxnard Pacifica (13-0) at Palos Verdes (10-3), 7 p.m.

Pacifica’s speed will cause Palos Verdes problems, especially if quarterback Taylor Lee can get the ball to his playmakers. Any team with quarterback Ryan Rakowski will not go down easily, but Rakowski suffered a broken thumb last week. Backup Giorgio Di Mascio has shown he can fill in when needed. The pick: Pacifica.

SATURDAY

DIVISION 2

Los Alamitos (11-2) at San Clemente (9-4), 7 p.m.

No team has turned around its season quicker than San Clemente, which has gone from unranked to playing in the championship game with a five-game winning streak. And the teams they’ve beaten were good — Los Alamitos, Edison, Beaumont, Vista Murrieta and Leuzinger. Defense has been key. Patrick Norman leads the team with 109 tackles. The Tritons will have to make sure Los Alamitos running backs Lenny Ibarra and Kamden Tillis are held in check. The pick: San Clemente.

DIVISION 5

Rio Hondo Prep (13-0) at Redondo Union (9-4), 7 p.m.

With a student population of just 150, Rio Hondo Prep faces its toughest challenge yet going for a 17th championship. Coach Mark Carson has schemes and strategies taught to players once they arrive in seventh grade. Running back Noah Penunuri (1,203 yards, 22 touchdowns) is recovering from an ankle injury. Redondo Union, with a student body of nearly 3,000, is in its first title game since 1944. Quarterback Cole Leinart is the son of Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart. The pick: Rio Hondo Prep.

City Section

FRIDAY

DIVISION III

Hawkins (10-2) vs. Santee (9-4) at Birmingham, 2 p.m.

It’s been a long road back for Hawkins after the program hit rock bottom in 2016 with forfeits, the firing of the coaching staff and an exodus of players during a season that ended up 0-13. Coach Ronald Coltress has stayed the course. Senior Jamarieah Wallace is closing in on 900 yards rushing. Santee’s Darnell Miller gets the chance to put on a show. He has rushed for more than 3,000 yards and 31 touchdowns. The pick: Santee.

DIVISION II

San Fernando (10-3) vs. Cleveland (5-8) at Birmingham, 6 p.m.

Everything changed when Cleveland quarterback Domenik Fuentes came back from an injury in Week 1 to lead the Cavaliers in the playoffs. San Fernando’s Julian Sarzo has passed for 1,500 yards. The pick: Cleveland.

SATURDAY

DIVISION I

Marquez (11-2) vs. South Gate (10-3), at L.A. Southwest College, 2 p.m.

It will be the passing of South Gate quarterback Michael Gonzalez vs. the all-around game of junior Elyjah Staples, perhaps the top college prospect in the City Section. He gets sacks, catches passes and makes plays. The pick: Marquez.

OPEN DIVISION

Crenshaw (10-1) vs. Carson (8-3) at L.A. Southwest College, 6 p.m.

These two defenses have given up a combined 14 points in the playoffs. As impressive as Crenshaw has been, Carson has reached another level behind quarterback Chris Fields III. Crenshaw’s speed on defense and resiliency should make for a defensive battle. The pick: Carson.

A look at The Times’ top 25 boys’ basketball rankings for the Southland after Week 1.

Rk. School (Rec.); Comment; ranking last week

1. SIERRA CANYON (2-0): Brandon McCoy gets nine dunks in season debut; 1

2. SANTA MARGARITA (3-0): Brayden Kyman made five threes at Pauley Pavilion; 2

3. REDONDO UNION (2-0): Seahawks take down nationally ranked Arizona Sunnyslope; 6

4. ST. JOHN BOSCO (2-0): Christian Collins scores 37 points in win over Harvard-Westlake; 5

5. HARVARD-WESTLAKE (1-1): Wolverines suffer two-point loss to St. John Bosco; 3

6. SHERMAN OAKS NOTRE DAME (2-1): NaVorro Bowman scores 34 points at Pauley Pavilion; 4

7. CRESPI (2-0): New players making great progress early in the season; 7

8. CORONA CENTENNIAL: (3-0). High-scoring Huskies are back after scoring 100 points vs. Los Alamitos; 9

9. FAIRMONT PREP (4-0): Four straight wins to start season; 10

10. DAMIEN (4-0): Zaire Rasshan makes nine threes in Sunny Hills tournament title game; 15

11. JSERRA (4-1): Point guard Earl Bryson did well at Pauley Pavilion against No. 1 Sierra Canyon; 11

12. SAN GABRIEL ACADEMY 0-1): Gave Harvard-Westlake a scare in opener; 16

13. CREAN LUTHERAN (2-1): Took down Campbell Hall, came close to Redondo Union; NR

14. ROLLING HILLS PREP (1-0): Plays in Da Vinci tournament this week; 12

15 LA MIRADA (0-1): Plays at Roosevelt on Friday; 13

16. EASTVALE ROOSEVELT (3-0): Freshman Travis Walton Jr. is off to impressive start; NR

17. WINDWARD (0-0): Wildcats open season Monday vs. Knight; 14

18. ETIWANDA (3-0): Talented group of sophomores; 22

19. ORANGE LUTHERAN (4-1): New coach Nate Klitzing is already working his magic; NR

20. ARCADIA (2-0): Play at St. Francis on Wednesday; 19

21. PASADENA (0-0): Open season on Wednesday; 20

22. CROSSROADS (3-0): Evan Willis debuts with 20-point performance; 21

23. MATER DEI (0-1): Lots of work ahead for Monarchs; 8

24. LA HABRA (4-1): Plays at Cerritos on Tuesday; 18

25. LONG BEACH POLY (0-1): Put up good fight vs. Roosevelt; 24

EUGENE, Ore. — The last time he made it here, to the doorstep of the College Football Playoff, Lincoln Riley could only watch as USC’s hopes slipped away with a single hamstring tweak. Without its Heisman-winning quarterback healthy, USC fell painfully short, left to wonder over frustrating seasons that followed what might have been.

It would take Riley nearly three years — and plenty of ups and downs in between — to return to that same place with USC, only to have the door slammed shut once again, this time in a 42-27 loss to No. 7 Oregon.

With its playoff hopes dashed by a third defeat, barring an unlikely sequence of events, USC (9-3) appears to be heading to a second-tier bowl game, while the Ducks are one of three Big Ten teams likely to host a home playoff matchup. That’s an especially bitter pill to swallow, considering the progress Riley has trumpeted this season, four years into his tenure at USC.

“This is USC — the standard here is incredibly high,” Riley said. “We’ve won a bunch of games this year. The ones we haven’t won, we’re right there.”

It was a familiar refrain from Riley, who has lost all five of his games against top-10 teams as USC’s coach. But the Trojans’ losses this season each left little doubt about how and why they’d fallen short. At Illinois, it was penalties and costly mistakes. At Notre Dame, a bone-headed play call and ill-timed turnovers did them in.

Against Oregon (10-1), it was more of the same lapses in discipline. Except this time, the back-breaking mistakes came largely on special teams. The most glaring of which Riley would look back on as the turning point Saturday.

It was just a few minutes into the second quarter. Tied 14-14, USC had sputtered short of midfield. So the Trojans punted away to Oregon’s Malik Benson.

The punt flew on a line drive to Benson, who found the edge and flew past USC’s last line of defense, 85 yards untouched into the end zone. The return’s impact would only reverberate from there.

“Obviously, it was a huge, huge play in the game,” Riley said. “You definitely don’t want to give them something like that.”

You certainly wouldn’t want to let those missteps snowball either. But that’s precisely what happened as quarterback Jayden Maiava faced heavy pressure on a third down on USC’s ensuing possession and threw a prayer into traffic. Oregon intercepted the pass.

USC’s defense would hold initially, and Oregon sent a field-goal attempt off the goalpost. Had the Trojans taken over from there, what followed could have altered the path of USC’s season — and the college football season writ large.

But in trying to block the field goal, linebacker Desman Stephens leaped over the Ducks’ line and was flagged for a 15-yard penalty. Riley said that Stephens “just kind of panicked a little bit.” Three plays later, Oregon punched in a touchdown to take a lead it would never relinquish.

“We’re playing good enough right now that we’re a sequence like that [away] from beating anybody,” Riley said. “That’s just how it feels.”

USC wide receiver Makai Lemon attempts to hurdle Oregon defensive backs Dillon Thieneman (31) and Jadon Canady, right, during the first half Saturday.

(Lydia Ely / Associated Press)

The series of special teams mistakes ultimately sunk USC, yet it was hardly the only error the Trojans made in that aspect of the game. USC also missed a field goal, kicked a kickoff out of bounds and was called for catch interference.

Other mistakes made matters worse. The Trojans were called for eight penalties for 103 yards, the fourth time this season they’ve been penalized that much.

The Trojans’ defense certainly didn’t help matters, in spite of assurances that it had ironed out its issues over three standout, second-half performances. Against Oregon, though, that progress was tough to spot, as USC gave up 436 yards, just shy of a season-worst mark.

The loss wasn’t for a lack of effort from its passing attack. After a questionable performance on the road in each of USC’s first four trips, quarterback Jayden Maiava hit big throws to keep the Trojans alive. Seven of his 25 completions went for 15 yards or more. He finished with 306 yards and three touchdowns, while freshman Tanook Hines (141) and fellow wideout Ja’Kobi Lane (108) turned in standout performances.

With its rushing attack unable to move the ball, the passing game was all that really worked for USC.

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava looks toward the scoreboard in the second half of a 42-27 loss to Oregon on Saturday.

(Lydia Ely / Associated Press)

King Miller had been stellar in the five weeks since being thrust into the lead role in USC’s backfield. But the Trojan walk-on was totally neutralized by Oregon’s stout defensive front. He rushed for just 30 yards, the longest of his 15 carries going for just five yards. The Trojans managed just 52 yards on the ground total, their fewest since a November 2023 loss to UCLA.

“We didn’t run the ball nearly as well as we have or nearly as well as we expected to,” Riley said.

After USC coaches reiterated all week the importance of starting fast, USC did make an immediate statement. On its first drive, USC marched down the field, and Maiava found Makai Lemon on an eight-yard swing pass that he took into the end zone.

But while USC’s running game struggled, Oregon faced little resistance, racking up 179 rushing yards and three scores.

At the start of the second quarter, Maiava found Lemon again on a swing pass in the backfield, only for Lemon to throw the ball on a double pass. Waiting for the pass was Hines, who leaped for an acrobatic 24-yard touchdown in traffic.

The fireworks didn’t stop there. But the special teams gaffes would change the tenor of the game, as Oregon opened up a 28-14 lead by halftime.

Just before the half, USC drove to the 10-yard line with seconds remaining, only for kicker Ryon Sayeri to clank a 27-yard field goal attempt off the goalpost.

A third-quarter interception from Kennedy Urlacher, one of two USC reserves starting at safety, gave the Trojans some life. But there would be no stalwart second-half stand from USC’s defense, like it managed the last three weeks. Nor could its electric offense climb back in time.

As the final seconds ticked away, there was only the realization that, once again, its hopes of a special season had been dashed right on the doorstep.

Before he took the reins at USC, Lincoln Riley had a reputation as something of a road warrior. It wasn’t until his third season at Oklahoma that Riley’s team had lost a true road game with him as head coach. During five years with the Sooners, he won 17 of 21 on the road.

But four years into his tenure as the Trojans’ coach, Riley’s once-sterling road reputation feels like a relic of a past life. Until USC won at Nebraska earlier this month, Riley hadn’t beaten a team on the road that finished better than .500 since November 2022, when his Trojans toppled UCLA at the Rose Bowl. Otherwise, outside of L.A., USC’s only road victory against a quality team under Riley came against Oregon State … in his fourth game leading the Trojans.

Never have the stakes been so high for Riley than they are this week, as No. 15 USC heads to No. 8 Oregon with its College Football Playoff hopes hinging on a huge road victory. Still, it’s hard to ignore how starkly different Riley’s Trojans have looked when challenged away from home.

USC has been the best offense in college football when inside the Coliseum. But in four road games, USC is averaging 18 fewer points and two fewer yards per attempt on offense. Its red zone touchdown rate plummets 25%, while its third-down conversion rate drops 16% on the road. Simply put, by any measure, Riley’s offense has been much worse away from home this season.

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava throws a pass during a win over Iowa on Nov. 15 at the Coliseum.

(Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times)

That disparity starts at quarterback. At home, Jayden Maiava has been one of the best quarterbacks in all of college football this season. The junior has completed 74% of his passes at home and averaged 10.7 yards per attempt at the Coliseum, both of which rank top 10 in the nation. He’s accounted for 18 total touchdowns to just two turnovers at home, while his quarterback rating puts him in the rarefied air of Heisman contenders such as Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Ohio State’s Julian Sayin.

That version of Maiava, however, has yet to take his show on the road. In five true road games as the Trojans’ starting quarterback, Maiava has completed fewer than 57% of his passes. His average yards per attempt tumbles nearly three yards. He’s committed more turnovers and been sacked more often.

USC can’t afford for that to be the case Saturday, if it hopes to hold onto its Playoff hopes. But while recent history might be against his Trojans, Riley reminded this week that he’s not new to contending like this late in November.

“This is what I’m used to, man,” RIley said. “It’s good to be right there again, no question.

”… This is the time of year that I enjoy most.”

Here’s what to watch as USC clashes with Oregon on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. PST (CBS, Paramount+):

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS WATER POLO

SOCAL REGIONALS

THURSDAY’S RESULTS

SEMIFINALS

DIVISION I

#1 Newport Harbor 12, #5 Oaks Christian 7

#3 San Diego Cathedral 10, #2 La Jolla 9

DIVISION II

#1 Bishop’s 19, #4 Carlsbad 6

#2 Santana 24, #3 Capistrano Valley 10

DIVISION III

#1 Temecula Valley 12, #5 Cleveland 7

#2 Charter Oak 16, #3 Mar Vista 14

SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE

FINALS

At Mt. San Antonio College

DIVISION I

#3 San Diego Cathedral (25-5) vs. #1 Newport Harbor (30-1), 4 p.m.

DIVISION II

#2 Santana (27-4) vs. #1 Bishop’s (17-15), 2:30 p.m.

DIVISION III

#2 Charter Oak (18-11) vs. Temecula Valley (16-11), 1 p.m.

With Northern Ireland two games away from qualification for the 2026 World Cup, manager Michael O’Neill has told his players not to “waste this opportunity”.

It’s certainly not a straightforward path to North America as O’Neill’s side travel to Italy for their play-off semi-final on 26 March and, should they stun the Azzurri, they will then travel to either Wales of Bosnia-Herzegovina five days later for a winner-takes-all final.

Italy have not qualified for a World Cup since the 2014 edition in Brazil, with Northern Ireland absent from the big dance since 1986 when it was last held in Mexico – one of the three host nations next year alongside Canada and the USA.

Although O’Neill’s side has a young age profile, the Northern Ireland manager has no fears his side can rise to the challenge in the play-off and, despite defeats away by Germany and Slovakia in the group phase, feels his side showed enough on the road to suggest they can spring the surprise.

“It’s difficult to win away in international football and that is something this team still has to develop, but I take a lot of encouragement from the performances in Cologne and Slovakia where we were challenged and were missing key players in those games,” he said.

“We still gave a really good account of ourselves and were in the game in Germany for 70, 75 minutes. We were in the game in Slovakia right to the end and felt a little big aggrieved by the nature of that result.

“We have to make the game as difficult as possible for Italy and it will be difficult for them with the expectation they carry into the game.

“If we can add to that with how we play the game and the level of our performance, then who knows. We have an opportunity to go to a World Cup and we have to do everything possible to try to take it. What I will say to them [players] is ‘don’t waste the opportunity.'”

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS WATER POLO

SOCAL REGIONALS
TUESDAY’S RESULTS
First Round

DIVISION I
#1 Newport Harbor 18, #8 Mater Dei 9
#4 Corona del Mar 10, #5 Oaks Christian 6
#3 San Diego Cathedral 15, #6 Mira Costa 10
#2 La Jolla 15, #7 Loyola 12

DIVISION 2
#1 Bishop’s 25, #8 Bonita 8
#4 Carlsbad 15, #5 Torrey Pines 13
#3 Capistrano Valley 15, #6 Oceanside 14
#2 Santana 18, #7 Damien 11

DIVISION 3
#1 Temecula Valley 16, #8 Granada Hills 9
#5 Cleveland 13, #4 Fontana 6
#3 Mar Vista 14, #6 Eagle Rock 8
#2 Charter Oak 20, #7 Palisades 11

THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE
(Games at 5 p.m. unless noted)
SEMIFINALS

DIVISION I
#4 Corona del Mar at #1 Newport Harbor
#3 San Diego Cathedral at #2 La Jolla, 4 p.m.

DIVISION II
#4 Carlsbad at #1 Bishop’s
#3 Capistrano Valley at #2 Santana

DIVISION III
#5 Cleveland at #1 Temecula Valley
#3 Mar Vista at #2 Charter Oak

Note: Finals (all divisions) Nov. 22 at higher seeds.

Shortly before Monday afternoon’s City Section Division I quarterfinal football game between host Eagle Rock and Dorsey was set to begin in the pouring rain, referee Patrick Riley ruled the middle of the grass field unsafe.

City Section Commissioner Vicky Lagos was in attendance and acted quickly to get the contest, scheduled to begin at 4 p.m., moved to an alternate site, which turned out to be Contreras Learning Complex — seven and a half miles away in downtown Los Angeles. When all was said and done, Dorsey moved on to the semifinals after a dominant 26-0 shutout.

“When the referees ruled the field unplayable we immediately called Sotomayor and Contreras because they have turf fields and are the closest in proximity to Eagle Rock,” Lagos said. “We had to arrange busing and we’re thankful to the officials — it was the same crew that was going to do the game Friday. If we couldn’t find a facility [today] then we would’ve had to play the game tomorrow.”

The game was supposed to be played Friday night along with the full slate of City Section contests, but it was postponed until Monday afternoon after a transformer problem left the school without power.

Dorsey wide receiver Stafon Johnson runs with the ball during a City Section Division I playoff win over Eagle Rock on Monday night.

(Craig Weston)

“We were told at 3:45 that we weren’t going to be able to play,” said Dorsey coach Stafon Johnson, a Dorsey alum who played at USC from 2006-09. My main concern at that point was whichever team wins would have a short turnaround for the next game.”

When the game finally kicked off at 6:45 p.m. the rain was still pouring. Eleventh-seeded Dorsey controlled the tempo from the start, marching 65 yards in five plays on its first possession, which ended on a five-yard run by Mahkai McCluster.

Nathan Schiebler fumbled on the second play of Eagle Rock’s first possession and defensive lineman Draysean Mixson recovered for Dorsey at the Eagles’ 47. Jamell Edmond capped the Dons’ ensuing drive with an 11-yard sweep and Deuce Johnson caught the two-point conversion pass to make it 14-0 late in the first quarter.

“We were ready to get down and dirty in the mud,” Dorsey quarterback Elijah McDaniel said after rushing for 120 yards and engineering all four of his team’s scoring drives. “We wanted to play [at Eagle Rock]. We wanted to play Friday even but the longer we had to wait the more time it gave us to prepare.”

Liam Pasten, one of the best passers in the City, completed only three of seven attempts for 22 yards in the first half and finished seven for 24 for 53 yards. Even as the rain subsided in the second half, the third-seeded Eagles (8-4) could not get their offense on track.

“I had 100% attendance at practice Saturday in the rain,” Johnson said. “This is the first time all year we’ve been fully loaded. This is Jamell’s first game back and he made a significant impact. That team averages over 40 points a game and we give them full credit. We just wanted to play … we didn’t care where it was.”

Edmond finished with 87 yards in 10 carries.

De Anthony Young-Jones scored on a two-yard run to increase the lead to 20-0 late in the third quarter and Jaziel Hernandez-Cruz closed the scoring with a one-yard run with 3:48 left in the fourth quarter. The 11th-seeded Dons (7-5) will be on the road again in the semifinals against No. 2 South Gate, a game that has been pushed back to Saturday.

Eagle Rock players did not get a chance to play one last time at Don Mengel Field. In February, construction is scheduled to begin on the school’s new synthetic turf field, eight-lane rubber track and scoreboard.

Follow the build-up, analysis, and live text commentary of the CAF playoffs final for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE

(Games at 7 p.m. unless noted)

CITY SECTION

Semifinals

OPEN DIVISION

#5 Garfield at #1 Carson

#6 Crenshaw at #2 Birmingham

DIVISION I

#5 Marquez at #1 Venice

#11 Dorsey or #3 Eagle Rock at #2 South Gate

DIVISION II

#4 Fairfax at #1 Cleveland

#6 L.A. Marshall at #2 San Fernando

DIVISION III

#5 Contreras at #1 Santee

#3 L.A. Wilson at #2 Hawkins

SOUTHERN SECTION

Semifinals

DIVISION I

Santa Margarita vs. Orange Lutheran at Orange Coast College

Mater Dei at Corona Centennial

DIVISION 2

Los Alamitos at Murrieta Valley

San Clemente at Leuzinger

DIVISION 3

Oxnard Pacifica at Chino Hills

Edison at Palos Verdes

DIVISION 4

San Jacinto vs. Villa Park at El Modena

La Habra at Oaks Christian

DIVISION 5

Redondo Union at Loyola

La Serna at Rio Hondo Prep

DIVISION 6

St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy at Eastvale Roosevelt

Ventura at Agoura

DIVISION 7

Palm Springs at Barstow

Saugus at Apple Valley

DIVISION 8

Palm Desert at Beckman

Irvine at Brea Olinda

DIVISION 9

Hesperia at Ramona

Cerritos Valley Christian at San Dimas

DIVISION 10

Santa Monica at Tahquitz

Garden Grove Pacifica at Hillcrest

DIVISION 11

Baldwin Park at Western Christian

South Pasadena at Valley View

DIVISION 12

Grace at Coachella Valley

Bellflower at Santa Paula

DIVISION 13

Woodbridge at Saddleback

Montebello at La Puente

DIVISION 14

Miller at South El Monte

Pioneer at Anaheim

8-MAN

Semifinals

DIVISION 1

Chadwick at Flintridge Prep

Faith Baptist at Wildomar Cornerstone Christian

DIVISION 2

Calvary Baptist at Cate

Hesperia Christian at Lancaster Baptist

SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE

8-MAN

CITY SECTION

At Birmingham High

Finals

#2 Animo Robinson vs. #4 East Valley or #1 Sherman Oaks CES, 5 p.m.

They were battered, they were bruised, they were soaking wet and covered in stereotypes.

They’re not tough enough. They’re not resilient enough. They’re not Big Ten-enough.

Late in the second quarter Saturday afternoon at the Coliseum, a USC football team fighting for a playoff berth was crumbling beneath the weight of its worst national perception.

It was wilting under the weather and the weight of a team from Iowa.

Then, with big swings from a deep strength that few thought a Lincoln Riley team possessed, everything changed.

It’s raining wins, hallelujah.

Trailing 21-7, the Trojans got muddy and chilly and just plain mean, winning the line of scrimmage, winning the battle of skill, and eventually winning the game 26-21.

Yeah, afterward, that was Riley dancing in a downpour.

And, yes, USC is still in the national championship hunt, needing wins in its final two games at Oregon and against UCLA to qualify for the College Football Playoff.

Few will believe they can beat sixth-ranked and one-loss Oregon in Eugene. But then again, few believed they would survive Iowa after the Hawkeyes took that big second-quarter lead.

During the last 10 years, Iowa had an 83-5 record when leading by eight points or more. Translated, this is a program that knows how to protect a lead, and the Trojans were seemingly cooked.

But Makai Lemon made 153 yards worth of spectacular catches, King Miller ran for 83 bruising clock-killing yards, Jahkeem Stewart made a game-changing interception, Jayden Maiava held it together with a touchdown pass and no turnovers, and the game essentially appropriately ended with USC just being stronger.

On a fourth-down pass in the final minute, Kennedy Urlacher shoved Kaden Wetjen out of bounds as he was making a grab deep in Trojan territory.

No catch, game over, and in the end, the Trojans were as hearty as that section of fans that witnessed the game shirtless.

The afternoon started with groundskeepers drying the field with leaf blowers, the first rainy game at the Coliseum in nine years.

USC coach Lincoln Riley celebrates with wide receiver Prince Strachan during the second half of a 26-21 comeback win over Iowa at the Coliseum on Saturday.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

But for USC under Riley, it felt the same, a late-season game requiring the sort of grimy toughness that his Trojans had yet to show.

Blew five fourth-quarter leads last season. Blew four of their last five games two seasons ago. Blew the Pac-12 championship game and a shot at the playoffs three seasons ago.

It looked like they were going to blow it again.

Iowa took the opening kickoff and drove 69 yards in seven plays in a bruising drive punctuated by a fourth-down, two-yard touchdown pass from Mark Gronowski to Dayton Howard in the back of the end zone.

Yes, the FBS’s 133rd ranked passing offense — out of 136 teams — had just scored on a pass play.

And Iowa was just getting started.

After stopping the Trojans’ Miller on a fourth-down run around just inside Iowa territory — a terrible Riley call against the nation’s best fourth-down defense — the Hawkeyes drove 45 yards in nine plays to score on a Gronowski one-yard push to take a 14-0 lead.

The Trojans came back while finally finding their groove, driving 74 yards on 11 plays featuring a leaping catch by Ja’Kobi Lane and ending with a one-yard touchdown run out of the wildcat formation by Bryan Jackson.

So USC had the momentum? Not so fast.

USC defensive tackle Jide Abasiri holds up the ball while celebrating with cornerback Decarlos Nicholson during the second half of the Trojans’ win Saturday over Iowa.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

Iowa took the possession and pounded and pounded and nine plays and 75 yards later scored on a five-yard, trick-play pass from receiver Reece Vander Zee to Gronowski.

That gave Iowa a 21-7 lead that was shortened only by a Ryon Sayeri 40-yard field goal after a dropped pass and penalty stopped the Trojans.

USC took the ball at the start of the third quarter and seemed to be destined for a touchdown after a leaping sideline catch by Lemon. But a holding call against Lane ruined a long run by Miller, two failed pass plays stalled the drive, and the Trojans had to settle for a 29-yard field goal by Sayeri to close the gap to 21-13.

After the Trojans defense stiffened, the offense went back on a roll, using another leaping grab by Lemon — this one for 35 yards — to set up a 12-yard TD pass between three defenders to Lemon. Maiava overthrew Lemon on the two-point conversion attempt, but this time, the Trojans didn’t blow the momentum.

On Iowa’s next possession, with 1:52 left in the period, the powerful freshman Stewart grabbed a deflected pass for an interception to give the Trojans the ball on the Iowa 40-yard line.

From there, Maiava drove them 40 yards in six plays on a possession that was assisted by a pass interference penalty and gave them an eventual 26-21 lead after Jackson’s one-yard touchdown run.

It was a lead they never lost.

It is a season that still matters.

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

CITY SECTION

Quarterfinals

OPEN DIVISION

#1 Carson 27, #8 King/Drew 2

#5 Garfield 42, #4 Palisades 21

#6 Crenshaw 30, #3 San Pedro 0

#2 Birmingham 49, #7 Granada Hills Kennedy 20

DIVISION I

#1 Venice 35, #8 Franklin 8

#5 Marquez 47, #13 Van Nuys 7

#11 Dorsey at #3 Eagle Rock, postponed until Monday

#2 South Gate 32, #7 Gardena 24 (OT)

DIVISION II

#1 Cleveland 42, #9 North Hollywood 0

#4 Fairfax 27, #5 L.A. University 18

#6 L.A. Marshall 17, #14 Chatsworth 12

#2 San Fernando 18, #10 Arleta 14

DIVISION III

#5 Contreras 20, #4 Jefferson 14

#3 LA Wilson 33, #11 Chavez 20

#2 Hawkins 18, #7 Roybal 15

8-MAN

Semifinals

#4 East Valley at #1 Sherman Oaks CES, postponed

#2 Anino Robinson 16, #3 TEACH Tech 6

SOUTHERN SECTION

Quarterfinals

DIVISION I

Orange Lutheran 20, St. John Bosco 19

Santa Margarita 21, Sierra Canyon 9

Mater Dei 20, Mission Viejo 0

Corona Centennial 41, Servite 6

DIVISION 2

Murrieta Valley 26, Rancho Cucamonga 6

Los Alamitos 35, San Juan Hills 10

San Clemente 32, Vista Murrieta 7

Leuzinger 19, Chaparral 16

DIVISION 3

Oxnard Pacifica 28, Bishop Amat 7

Chino Hills 54, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 26

Palos Verdes 14, Dana Hills 13

Edison 9, Inglewood 7

DIVISION 4

Charter Oak 21, San Jacinto 14

Villa Park 30, Great Oak 6

Oaks Christian 28, Paraclete 14

La Habra 13, Cathedral 7

DIVISION 5

Redondo Union 14, St. Paul 13

Loyola 21, Bonita 14

La Serna 10, Aliso Niguel 7

Rio Hondo Prep 28, Troy 0

DIVISION 6

Eastvale Roosevelt 14, Burbank 13

St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy 31, Upland 28

Agoura 27, Orange Vista 26

Ventura 35, Moorpark 28

DIVISION 7

Palm Springs 22, Hart 21

Barstow 34, La Canada 6

Apple Valley 28, Victor Valley 20

Saugus 28, Calabasas 27

DIVISION 8

Palm Desert 46, Patriot 33

Beckman 30, Fullerton 13

Irvine 14, Quartz Hill 0

Brea Olinda 41, St. Monica 28

DIVISION 9

Ramona 48, Cerritos 22

Hesperia 21, Norte Vista 7

Cerritos Valley Christian 10, Warren 7

San Dimas 28, Riverside Poly 8

DIVISION 10

Tahquitz 38, Oak Park 33

Santa Monica 14, Brentwood 13

Garden Grove Pacifica 13, Liberty 7

Hillcrest 27, St. Margaret’s 13

DIVISION 11

Western Christian 21, El Monte 14

Baldwin Park 48, Shadow Hills 10

Valley View 28, Gahr 21

South Pasadena 41, Palmdale 7

DIVISION 12

Grace 41, Yucca Valley 28

Coachella Valley 49, Perris 14

Bellflower 13, Colton 12

Santa Paula 21, Arroyo Valley 14

DIVISION 13

Saddleback 28, Santa Rosa Academy 11

Woodbridge 23, Buena Park 16

La Puente 50, Viewpoint 28

Montebello 27, Linfield Christian 25

DIVISION 14

South El Monte 14, Indian Springs 7

Miller 25, Ontario 20

Anaheim 13, Alhambra 6

Pioneer 14, Trinity Classical Academy 6

8-MAN

Quarterfinals

DIVISION 1

Sage Hill 58, Chadwick 49

Faith Baptist 50, California School for the Deaf Riverside 6

DIVISION 2

Hesperia Christian 40, Lancaster Desert Christian 0

With heavy rain expected this weekend, the chance for high school football players in Los Angeles to run, tackle and enjoy playing in the mud is more than possible. There’s eight City Section teams hosting playoff games Friday night with grass fields that have little grass left.

That means fun times ahead.

“It’s not going to be pretty,” Venice coach Angelo Gasca said of his field’s condition for a game against Franklin.

The coaches might not like mud, but Gasca said his players are excited.

“Everyone is looking forward to it,” Gasca said.

San Pedro, Venice, Eagle Rock, Cleveland, San Fernando, Santee, Jefferson and Wilson have either not changed their fields into all-weather turf or chose to keep grass. Eagle Rock next season is switching to all-weather, so coach Andy Moran might have a final home game in the mud against Dorsey.

San Pedro lost to Eagle Rock in the rain in 2022. Pirates coach Corey Walsh has not forgotten. He prepared with wet footballs in practice this week for Friday’s game against Crenshaw.

“We’re super excited,” he said.

The people who aren’t excited are the bus drivers who will have to clean their buses; fans who will break out umbrellas, plastic hats and boots; parents who will have to clean uniforms; sportswriters trying to keep stats with no covering.

Yes, Southern California is not used to playing high school football in the rain. One of the most famous games was Servite beating Edison 16-6 in the 2009 Pac-5 championship game at Angels Stadium. The lead sentence in the Los Angeles Times story was, “Playing in conditions more suitable for sea gulls and ducks.”

Look for ducks and mud on Friday night.

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

CIF SOCAL REGIONALS
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
First Round

OPEN DIVISION
#1 Sierra Canyon d. #8 Mira Costa, 25-23, 23-25, 25-17, 25-19
#5 Marymount d. #4 San Diego Cathedral, 26-24, 25-20, 25-9
#3 Torrey Pines d. #6 San Juan Hills, 25-15, 25-22, 25-6
#2 Mater Dei d. #7 Redondo Union, 29-27, 25-19, 25-21

THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE
(Matches at 6 p.m. unless noted)
Quarterfinals

DIVISION I
#9 Long Beach Poly at #1 Harvard-Westlake
#12 Bishop Montgomery at #4 West Ranch
#6 Coronado at #3 Santa Margarita
#10 Bakersfield Centennial at #2 Temecula Valley, 5 p.m.

DIVISION II
#9 Arroyo Valley at # 1 Liberty, 5 p.m.
#13 Ventura at #12 La Canada
#6 Scripps Ranch at #3 Cypress
#15 Dana Hills at #7 Carlsbad

DIVISION III
#8 Royal at #1 Academy of Our Lady of Peace
#5 Patrick Henry at #4 Santa Fe Christian
#6 Ontario Christian at #3 Mission Vista
#7 Chadwick at #2 Frontier, 5:30 p.m.

DIVISION IV
#8 Grant at #1 Nipomo
#13 West Valley vs. #12 Capistrano Valley Christian at Capistrano Valley
#5 LA University at #3 Granada Hills
#10 Rock Academy at #2 Mammoth

DIVISION V
#8 Panorama at #1 East Valley
#5 Artesia at #4 Elsinore
#11 Nogales at #3 O’Farrell Charter
#10 South El Monte at #2 Morro Bay, 5 p.m.

Note: Semifinals (all divisions) Nov. 15 at higher seeds; Finals (all divisions) Nov. 18 at higher seeds.

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS

SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Semifinals

DIVISION 1
Corona del Mar 13, Mater Dei 5
Portola 9, Mira Costa 9 (Portola wins on games 68-67)

DIVISION 2
Calabasas 10, Woodbridge 8
Harvard-Westlake 15, Crean Lutheran 3

DIVISION 3
Temple City 11, Whitney 7
Flintridge Prep 9, Campbell Hall 9 (Flintridge Prep wins on games)

DIVISION 4
Oaks Christian 11, Pasadena Poly 7
Agoura 12, Torrance 6

DIVISION 5
Valencia 10, Burbank 8
Lakewood St. Joseph 10, Cerritos 8

DIVISION 6
Villa Park 10, Flintridge Sacred Heart 8
Village Christian 13, Saugus 5

DIVISION 7
Laguna Hills at Malibu
Oakwood 11, Segerstrom 7

DIVISION 8
Bishop Diego 10, Tahquitz 8
Garden Grove Santiago 10, Oxnard 8

MONDAY’S SCHEDULE
FINALS
At University of Redlands

DIVISION 1
Portola vs. Corona Del Mar, 3:15 p.m.

DIVISION 2
Calabasas vs. Harvard-Westlake, 3 p.m.

DIVISION 3
Flintridge Prep vs. Temple City, 12 p.m.

DIVISION 4
Oaks Christian vs. Agoura, 12:15 p.m.

At The Claremont Club

DIVISION 5
Valencia vs. Lakewood St. Joseph, 11 a.m.

DIVISION 6
Villa Park vs. Village Christian, 11:10 a.m.

DIVISION 7
Malibu / Laguna Hills vs. Oakwood, 1:30 p.m.

DIVISION 8
Bishop Diego vs. Garden Grove Santiago, 1:40 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

CIF SOCAL REGIONALS
TUESDAY’S RESULTS
First Round

DIVISION I
#1 Harvard-Westlake d. #16 Santa Barbara San Marcos, 25-16, 25-13, 25-16
#9 Long Beach Poly d. #8 San Luis Obispo, 25-22, 25-19, 25-13
#12 Bishop Montgomery d. #5 La Jolla Country Day, 25-23, 25-19, 25-16
#4 West Ranch d. #13 Redlands, 25-19, 21-25, 25-14, 25-13
#3 Santa Margarita d. #14 San Diego San Marcos, 23-25, 25-15, 28-26, 25-15
#6 Coronado d. #11 JSerra, 25-12, 25-20, 25-18
#10 Bakersfield Centennial d. #7 Bishop’s, 19-25, 25-23, 21-25, 25-22, 15-12
32 Temecula Valley d. #15 Orange Lutheran, 25-23, 20-25, 25-17, 27-25

DIVISION II
#1 Liberty d. #16 Oak Park, 24-26, 25-12, 25-23, 25-12
#9 Arroyo Grande d. #8 Flintridge Prep, 25-15, 14-25, 23-25, 25-20, 15-10
#12 La Canada d. #5 Christian, 12-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-19
#13 Ventura d. #4 Santa Ana Foothill, 26-28, 25-15, 20-25, 25-0, 15-11
#3 Cypress d. #14 Venice, 25-15, 25-15, 25-22
#6 Scripps Ranch d. #11 St. Margaret’s, 25-27, 25-22, 25-20, 25-20
#7 Carlsbad d. #10 Palisades, 25-11, 25-18, 23-25, 25-23
#15 Dana Hills d. #2 Westview, 25-14, 25-19, 25-10

DIVISION III
#1 Academy of Our Lady of Peace d. #16 Arrowhead Christian, 25-11, 25-11, 25-16
#8 Royal d. #9 Garces Memorial, 23-25, 25-9, 25-22, 25-18
#5 Patrick Henry d. #12 Cleveland, 25-17, 25-17, 25-13
#4 Santa Fe Christian d. #13 El Camino Real, 25-17, 25-21, 25-19
#3 Mission Vista d. #14 Taft, 25-21, 25-22, 25-18
#6 Ontario Christian d. #11 Santa Barbara, 25-12, 25-19, 25-22
#7 Chadwick d. #10 Eagle Rock, 16-25, 22-25, 25-17, 25-17, 15-6
32 Frontier d. #15 Wiseburn Da Vinci, 25-22, 25-20, 25-16

DIVISION IV
#1 Nipomo, bye
#8 Grant d. #9 Oceanside El Camino, 25-7, 25-10, 25-16
#12 Capistrano Valley Christian d. #5 Chatsworth, 16-25, 25-16, 26-24, 20-25, 15-13
#13 West Valley d. #4 Olympian, 18-25, 25-14, 25-20, 20-25, 15-10
#3 Granada Hills d. #14 Cate, 25-17, 25-18, 25-20
#5 LA University d. #11 Garden Grove Pacifica, 25-22, 19-25, 25-22, 25-18
#10 Rock Academy d. #7 Granada Hills Kennedy, 14-25, 25-10, 20-25, 25-13, 15-12
#2 Mammoth d. #15 CAMS, 25-21, 25-18, 25-13

DIVISION V
#1 East Valley, bye
#8 Panorama d. #9 Loma Linda Academy, 25-20, 21-25, 25-13, 30-28
#5 Artesia d. #12 South East, 25-8, 25-6, 25-9
#4 Elsinore d. #13 Legacy, 25-9, 25-20, 25-18
#3 O’Farrell Charter d. #14 Moreno Valley, 25-20, 25-19, 25-20
#11 Nogales at #6 Schurr, 19-25, 29-27, 25-12, 14-25, 15-9
#10 South El Monte d. #7 Foothill Tech, 25-20, 15-25, 25-22, 16-25, 15-12
#2 Morro Bay d. #15 Anaheim, 25-6, 25-10, 25-11

WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE
First Round

OPEN DIVISION
#8 Mira Costa at #1 Sierra Canyon
#5 Marymount at #4 San Diego Cathedral
#6 San Juan Hills at #3 Torrey Pines
#7 Redondo Union at #2 Mater Dei

Note: Quarterfinals (Divisions I-V) Nov. 13 at higher seeds; Semifinals (all divisions) Nov. 15 at higher seeds; Finals (all divisions) Nov. 18 at higher seeds.

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS WATER POLO PLAYOFFS

TUESDAY’S RESULTS

SOUTHERN SECTION

Semifinals

DIVISION 2

Damien 22, Los Alamitos 19

Capistrano Valley 10, Redondo Union 9

DIVISION 3

Glendora vs. Bonita at Las Flores Park

Temecula Valley 9, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 8

DIVISION 4

Charter Oak 11, Buena Park 10

Liberty 13, Culver City 11

DIVISION 5

Fontana 20, Westminster 8

Baldwin Park 12, Montebello 7

CITY SECTION

MONDAY’S RESULTS
Semifinals

DIVISION I
#1 Granada Hills 14, #4 Venice 4
#3 Palisades 15, #2 Birmingham 12

WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE
CITY SECTION FINALS
At Valley College

DIVISION I
#3 Palisades vs. #1 Granada Hills, 5 p.m.

OPEN DIVISION
#2 Eagle Rock vs. #1 Cleveland, 7 p.m.

SOUTHERN SECTION
Semifinals

OPEN DIVISION
At Woolett Aquatics Center
#6 Mira Costa vs. #1 Newport Harbor, 4:30 p.m.
#4 Oaks Christian vs. #3 Corona Del Mar, 7:30 p.m.

DIVISION 1
Dos Pueblos vs. Loyola, 6 p.m.
Mater Dei at Harvard-Westlake, 3 p.m.

Note: Finals (all divisions) Nov. 15 at Mt. San Antonio College (times TBA).

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS

SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS

WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE

(Matches at 2 p.m. unless noted)

Semifinals

DIVISION 1
Mater Dei at Corona del Mar
Mira Costa at Portola

DIVISION 2
Calabasas at Woodbridge
Harvard-Westlake at Crean Lutheran

DIVISION 3
Temple City at Whitney
Campbell Hall at Flintridge Prep

DIVISION 4
Pasadena Poly at Oaks Christian
Agoura at Torrance

DIVISION 5
Burbank at Valencia
Cerritos at Lakewood St. Joseph

DIVISION 6
Flintridge Sacred Heart at Villa Park
Village Christian at Saugus

DIVISION 7
Laguna Hills at Malibu
Oakwood at Segerstrom

DIVISION 8
Bishop Diego at Tahquitz
Oxnard at Garden Grove Santiago

Note: Finals (Divisions 1-4) Nov. 17 at University of Redlands; Finals (Divisions 5-8) Nov. 17 at The Claremont Club.