Regional bowl games: CIF Southern, City vs. San Diego Section preview

A quick look at the six regional bowl games that will see the CIF Southern Section and City Section take on San Diego Section programs

There are six CIF State regional bowl games this weekend that will see teams from the Southern and City Section take on San Diego Section teams.

Here’s a quick look at each game and what you need to know about each matchup from SBLive’s Tarek Fattal and Bodie DeSilva. 

Fattal covers the Southern and City Section teams and DeSilva is an expert in the San Diego Section.

Granite Hills at Mission Viejo

Game info: Division 1-AA, Friday, 7 p.m.

Mission Viejo (11-3): The Diablos are representing the Southern Section as the Division 2 winners, topping Servite 34-15 last week. Mission Viejo has a potent passing attack led by a two-QB system with Luke Fahey and Draiden Trudeau — each of which has thrown for more than 1,200 yards this season. Sophomore wideout Vance Spafford has 1,429 yards and 20 touchdown receptions.

Granite Hills (12-0): The reigning D2-A state champions enter Friday as winners of 21 straight games, the longest current streak in California. The Eagles beat Lincoln 27-26 for the San Diego Section Open Division title two weeks ago and are led by junior running backs Max Turner and Pablo Jackson as well as freshman quarterback Zach Benitez.

St. Bonaventure vs. St. Augustine

Game info: Division 1-A at Mesa College, Saturday, 7 p.m.

St. Bonaventure (11-3): The Seraphs won the CIF Southern Section Division 3 title, beating Warren 24-21 thanks to field goal in the final minute. It marked the program’s first CIF crown since 2008. Junior running back Koen Glover is the motor of the offense, rushing for more than 1,000 yards this season and scoring 13 touchdowns.

St. Augustine (10-4): The Saints have won seven of their past eight games, most recently shutting out Mission Hills 13-0 for the San Diego Section Division 1 title. St. Augustine has five players with 300 or more rushing yards this season led by freshmen Honor Fa'alave-Johnson and William Flores. 39 of the Saints 54 touchdowns this season have been scored by underclassmen.

Birmingham at Del Norte

Game info: Division 3-AA, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Birmingham (11-2): The Patriots won their fourth straight City Section Open Division crown, and second over Garfield, but have yet to win a CIF State title in those four seasons. Birmingham is led by Washington-bound wideout Peyton Waters and standout sophomore running back Ronnell Hewitt.

Del Norte (11-2): The Nighthawks reached double digit wins for the first time in school history and won the San Diego Division 2 championship under first-year head coach Nick Barnett. Junior receiver Ty Olsen is among the section leaders with 71 catches for 1,248 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Mt. Miguel vs. Mayfair

Game info: Division 3-A at Ron Yary Stadium, Saturday, 6 p.m.

Mayfair (11-3): The Monsoons won the CIF Southern Section Division 7 title in a tight victory over El Dorado. Mayfair is led by junior QB Jeremiah Calvin (2,529 yards, 27 TDs) and sophomore wideout Chaz Gilbreath (60 receptions, 1,069 yards, 11 TDs).

Mt. Miguel (12-1): Mount Miguel has scored 35 points or more in all 12 wins this season and have limited opponents to less than 10 points per game. They flew by Chula Vista 35-14 in the San Diego Section Division 4 championship game thanks to five touchdown passes from senior quarterback Matthew Barton who now has 47 on the season.

La Jolla Country Day at Banning

Game info: Division 5-A, Saturday, 7 p.m.

Banning (8-6): The Pilots won the City Section Division I title after finishing 5th in the Marine League. Banning has four plays with more than 100 tackles: Steven Perez (134), Pedro Ibanez (117), Kody Galloway (114) and Andrew Joya (109). Robert Guerrero has 14 rushing touchdowns.

La Jolla Country Day (11-3): La Jolla Country Day scored a section championship record 73 points in Saturday's win over Grossmont. Navy commit Jaden Mangini led the way with six touchdown passes and four rushing touchdowns, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards on the season. The Torreys reached the state title in 2016, falling to McClymonds 20-17.

St. Monica at Sweetwater

Game info: Division 6-A, Saturday, 6 p.m.

St. Monica (11-3): The Mariners are led by a tandem of freshmen on offense in QB Joshua Barnes and running back Elijah Wilson, which combined for 38 touchdowns this season.

St. Monica won the CIF Southern Section Division 13 title with a 28-21 win over Walnut.

Sweetwater (7-6): Sweetwater beat Vincent Memorial for the San Diego Section Division 5 titles two weeks ago, capturing the championship for the first time since 2013. The Red Devils run-heavy offense features three backs with more than 1,000 yards led by senior Xavier Crews (1,382 rushing yards, 17 touchdowns).

(Feature photo by Justin Fine)