FRIDAY’S CIF-SS FOOTBALL PLAYOFF GAMES
The teams are listed by their spot in this week’s Press-Telegram Top 20 rankings.
(Games start at 7 p.m. unless noted.)
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 2 Long Beach Poly (6-4) at Norco (7-3)
Analysis: The No. 15-seeded Jackrabbits enter the Division 3 playoffs on a four-game win streak. They outscored their four Moore League opponents 199-0. Poly’s offense and defense have leveled up with sophomore quarterback Trevor Scott and senior defensive back Julius Johnson (UCLA commit) in the starting lineup. Norco is led by senior receiver Blake Wong, who is committed to BYU. Cougars senior quarterback Julian Medina is a well-respected signal caller, but he missed the end of the regular season with a knee injury. Poly’s momentum going into this game is undeniable. If the Jackrabbits can control the clock with a strong running game, led by senior Jeron Johnson II, they should upset the No. 2 seed and advance to the quarterfinals, where they would host the winner of Edison-Oak Hills.
Winner: Long Beach Poly
Newbury Park (6-4) at No. 3 Downey (6-4)
Analysis: Downey, with its balanced offense, will face Newbury Park, which relies on a strong passing game, in the Division 4 opener. The Vikings are led by sophomore quarterback Chase Watkins, who has completed 91 of 154 passes for 1,418 yards and 14 touchdowns and four interceptions in his first season as a starter. Panthers junior receiver Darrien Johnson has 59 catches for 775 yards and seven touchdowns. Downey’s ability to run the ball with juniors Max Acosta and Jayden Diaz, while sprinkling in Watkins as a dual threat, should be enough for it to advance to the quarterfinals.
Winner: Downey
Downey Vikings Jayden Diaz (10) runs with the ball during the second half of a prep football game against the La Serna Lancers at Downey High School in Downey on Friday, October 30, 2026. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)
Paloma Valley (7-3) at No. 5 La Mirada (7-3)
Analysis: The Matadores are on a two-game win streak going into the Division 7 playoffs. Senior running back Josiah Fregoso has stepped up, scoring on 60-yard touchdown runs in each of the last two games. Sophomore receiver Kaiden Wardlow is also a big play threat. Paloma Valley is led by junior quarterback Joshua Gonzales with 2,173 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and four interceptions. If La Mirada can keep Paloma Valley’s offense off balance, it should advance to the quarterfinals.
Winner: La Mirada
No. 6 Millikan (3-7) at La Cañada (8-2)
Analysis: Millikan is confident after a 42-0 victory over Wilson last week. Sophomore quarterback Jonah Tuaniga threw four touchdown passes, including two to junior receiver Aden Taufa. Junior running back Ryan Carter anchored the team’s offense with 153 rushing yards and one touchdown on 19 carries. Junior defensive lineman Aaden Muasau had three sacks. La Cañada is the higher seed and will have home field advantage. Spartans senior quarterback Joe Bell has 25 total touchdowns, including 15 rushing. If Millikan can contain La Cañada’s running game, it should advance to the quarterfinals.
Winner: Millikan
No. 8 Paramount (9-1) at San Dimas (8-2)
Analysis: The No. 16-seeded Pirates enter the Division 7 playoffs on an eight-game win streak and won the Mid-Cities League. Paramount junior quarterback Elijah Quinonez threw 30 touchdown passes, many to his top receivers, Mylan Williams, Davion Lancaster and Jerimiah Boyette. The team’s X-factor is freshman Nasir Boyette, who has seven rushing touchdowns. San Dimas is the No. 1 seed. The Saints are led by senior running back Jacob Gallegos, who has 965 yards of total offense and 11 touchdowns. Paramount has quiet confidence under first-year coach Malik James. If Paramount makes a postseason run, it will be another chapter in the program’s turnaround story after going 3-7 last season.
Winner: Paramount
No. 12 Valley Christian (6-3-1) at No. 10 Bellflower (7-3)
Analysis: Bellflower is hosting Valley Christian in a Division 8 opener. It is the Long Beach area’s only all-local game in the first round of the playoffs. The Buccaneers have won six of their last seven games. They averaged 43.5 points in their wins against Norwalk and Gahr to end the regular season. Valley Christian has averaged 59 points per game in its last two games, including a 71-68 loss to Heritage Christian on Oct. 30. Valley Christian senior quarterback Graham Lunzer has 50 total touchdowns and is not afraid to run the ball. Bellflower senior quarterback E’Lacion Saxton has thrown 34 touchdown passes. Bellflower’s running game is led by freshman running back Kevin Cuba III with 1,055 yards and 12 touchdowns. Bellflower’s X-factor is freshman receiver Keondre Smith with 78 catches for 1,446 yards and 13 touchdowns. Bellflower’s depth gives it the edge, but this could easily become a high-scoring shootout if the team’s defense does not match the offense’s output.
Winner: Bellflower
Bellflower Buccaneers wide receiver Keondre Smith (4) catches a pass against the Gahr Gladiators in the first half of a prep football game at Bellflower High School in Bellflower on Thursday, October 29, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Ramona (7-3) at No. 13 Compton (9-1)
Analysis: Compton won the inaugural Hub City League title, defeating playoff teams like Dominguez (Division 11) and Centennial (Division 14). Sacramento State commit Edward Rivera is the team’s most dynamic player with 1,708 all-purpose yards and 28 touchdowns. Compton must establish Rivera in the run and pass game early. Ramona’s strong running game features a trio of players — junior running back Cash Haran, senior running back Kasai Howard and senior quarterback Jesus Gonzalez. If Compton’s defense, which is led by senior linebacker Jay’Rome Norwood, is up to the task of stopping Ramona’s run game, it should earn the first postseason win at the school’s new stadium that opened last season.
Winner: Compton
Norte Vista (5-5) at No. 15 Gahr (6-3-1)
Analysis: Gahr is hosting a Division 10 opener after finishing third in the Mid-Cities League. The Gladiators are coming off a 42-0 loss to Bellflower. They began the season by tying Valley Christian 35-35 on Aug. 21. Then they beat Cerritos 7-3 on Aug. 28 and Artesia 31-3 on Sept. 4. The Gladiators’ success has been anchored by a strong running game, led by junior quarterback Branden Martinez. Norte Vista is led by junior running back DeMarcus Richardson, who has 927 yards of total offense and 10 touchdowns. If Gahr plays physically and runs the ball effectively, it should pull out a playoff victory at home.
Winner: Gahr
Pacific (7-3) at No. 18 Dominguez (6-4)
Analysis: Dominguez is hosting a Division 11 opener after finishing second in the Hub City League. The Dons are on a three-game win streak. Senior running back Darrell Frazier has run for 673 yards and seven touchdowns. Pacific is led by freshman quarterback Ray Mendez with 2,223 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and two interceptions. If Dominguez can stop Mendez from having a big game, it should pull off the win at home.
Winner: Dominguez
Heritage (6-3) at No. 20 Artesia (8-1)
Analysis: The Pioneers are on a six-game win streak going into the Division 12 playoffs. Artesia has been led by its defense, which has allowed only 8.2 points per game, including four shutouts. If they bring their A game, they are likely to make a postseason run.
Winner: Artesia
Pioneer (3-7) at No. 24 Centennial (5-5)
Analysis: The Apaches are on a three-game losing streak going into the Division 14 playoffs. The losses, to Cabrillo, Compton and Dominguez, should have them primed for a postseason run.
Winner: Centennial