Southern California football roundup, scores: La Serna tops Orange Vista to claim program's first regional title

A roundup of the regional finals on Friday night, highlighted by La Serna's victory over Orange Vista

Berths to the CIF State championships next week are up for grabs Friday and Saturday night.

• For coverage of Saturday's regional finals, CLICK HERE.

One of the top games Friday was the CIF State Division 2-AA SoCal Regional final between Orange Vista and La Serna, each led by standouts Sire Gaines and CJ Ceron, respectively.

La Serna was down double-digits twice before taking the lead late in the fourth quarter for good to claim the 2-AA regional crown with a 50-32 win over Orange Vista at Cal High in Whittier.

It is La Serna's first regional championship in program history.

La Serna will play for the CIF State 2-AA title next weekend against Grant High of Sacramento. The location, time and day are not yet determined; however, the CIF State office announced the games will be on Dec. 8 and 9 at Saddleback College, El Camino College and Pasadena College.

The Lancers trailed 19-7 at halftime and 32-22 in the second half before quarterback CJ Ceron orchestrated multiple touchdown drives to lead the comeback.

No drive was more spectacular than Ceron's 84-yard run that setup an Owen Long touchdown to create a 43-32 lead with three minutes to play. Ceron later scampered for another touchdown with less than a minute to go to ice the win.

"I'm so grateful to La Serna and God for putting me here," Ceron said after the game.

This impressive 84-yard run by CJ Ceron is the dagger for La Serna. The Lancers were down double digits twice in this game, 19-7 and 32-22.

Now @LSHS_Football is up 43-32 late in the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/JDg8w5LAnq

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) December 2, 2023

Ceron finished with three touchdowns, two passing and one rushing. Owen Long scored two touchdowns, one defensive and one rushing.

Orange Vista's star senior Sire Gaines scored two first-half touchdowns to anchor the Coyotes' 19-7 halftime lead, but had to leave the game due to injury in the third quarter. Orange Vista junior wide receiver Dionte West picked up the slack in the second half, scoring two long-yardage touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to keep the Lancers at bay.

Gaines, an Arizona State commit, finished the game with seven carries for 114 yards and two scores. He compiled 986 yards rushing in the postseason alone.

Mission Viejo beats Granite Hills in CIF State D1-AA regional final

Birmingham 30, Del Norte 28 – 3AA

Birmingham won the program's first regional championship on a miraculous finish.

Kingston Tisdell threw the ball to Peyton Waters with no time left, which deflected off Waters' fingers and into the hands of Devyn Jackson, who ran into the endzone to win the game in walk-off fashion.

Watch: Birmingham beats Del Norte on final play

The four-time defending Open Division City champions will play in the CIF State final next weekend against Acalanes of Lafayette.

Jurupa Hills 41, Matilda Torres 14 – 4AA

Jurupa Hills will play Soquel High, winners over Casa Roble 42-14, in the CIF title game next weekend.

Ramona 21, Torrance 16– 5AA

Sincere Tolbert scored two touchdowns to anchor Ramona in the victory. Ramona will play Pleasant Valley in the CIF State final next week after beating Miramonte 31-12 Friday night.

Wasco 7, Cerritos 6 – 6AA

Defense, defense, defense.

Cerritos led at halftime 6-0 and was held scoreless in the second half. Wasco scored its lone touchdown late in the third quarter, which proved to be the game-winning score.

Final: Wasco 7, Cerritos 6 in the CIF Southern Regional Division 6-AA championship game. This was Wasco’s game-winning touchdown. Wasco advances to the state championship game. pic.twitter.com/h3YnSikNkQ

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) December 2, 2023

Wasco will take on St. Vincent of Petaluma in the CIF State title game after beating Palo Alto 28-26.