After an exciting season with upsets and come-from-behind wins, five Santa Clarita Valley football teams will play in the first round of the playoffs.
Here’s a look at this week’s matchups:
Palos Verdes vs. Valencia
The Vikings won their third straight Foothill League title and carry their momentum throughout the regular season into the Division 3 CIF-SS playoffs.
Ever since the Vikings won the Division 5 Southern Section title in 2021, the team hasn’t advanced past the first round in the following years.
But this season, Valencia looks different.
With quarterback Brady Bretthauer and running back Brian Bonner, the Vikings have an explosive offense that has scored 441 points this season, the team’s second-highest total since 2021.
And with the offense clicking, the defense has allowed only 144 points from its opposition all year along with signature wins over Chaminade and Paraclete, two playoff teams this season.
As for this year, the Vikings host the Palos Verdes Sea Kings, the Bay League runners-up who accumulated a 7-3 overall record.
Facing off against Division 3 opponents won’t be easy for Valencia, but if the Vikings want to break their first-round rut, they’ll have the best opportunity they’ve had as they begin their playoff push at home.
Friday’s game between the Vikings and Palos Verdes kicks off at 7 p.m. at Valencia High School.
Mayfair vs. Hart
Following another Foothill League second-place finish, the Hart Hawks return to the postseason for the fourth straight year with a home game in the first round of the Division 7 playoffs.
Just like Valencia, the Hawks will look to advance past the first round following a defeat to Ranco Verde in 2024.
Unlike last season, the Hawks carry an unbeaten record at home into the playoffs, a turnaround from 2024 when the team went 4-3
This Friday, the Hawks will host the 4-6 Mayfair Monsoons from Lakewood. The Monsoons earned an automatic qualifier after finishing second in the Gateway League after beginning the season winless through the first six games.
But the Monsoons enter the postseason having won four out of their last five and will be a tough matchup at home for Hart.
Friday’s game between the Hawks and Mayfair kicks off at 7 p.m. at College of the Canyons.
Schurr vs. Saugus
The Centurions are back in the postseason.
Following three straight seasons with the team sitting at home following game 10, the Centurions will play in the Division 7 playoffs along with Hart.
Although both teams are in the same bracket, Hart and Saugus can’t face off unless both teams win their respective matchups and meet in the championship match.
The Centurions’ return to the postseason comes after a historical season for the team in which quarterback Jake Nuttall broke many school records alongside Landon Lattimore, who broke the record for most touchdown receptions in a game.
If there are two players who can lead Saugus to the promised land, it’s Nuttall and Lattimore, who in the week 10 win over Golden Valley led their team to a come-from-behind win.
On Friday, the Centurions will host the 7-3 Schurr Spartans, winners of the Almont League, who are expected to be a tough matchup for Saugus.
If the Centurions are to come out victorious on Friday, they’ll look to utilize home-field advantage as Saugus is undefeated in home games. However, this home game is not on their usual home field at COC: Friday’s game between the Centurions and Schurr will kick off at 7 p.m. at Canyon High School.
Gabrielino vs. Trinity
After losing the Cottonwood League championship game to Santa Rosa Academy, the Knights will look to bounce back in the Division 14 playoffs.
Just like the other SCV teams, the Knights will host a playoff game in the first round against the visiting 7-3 Gabrielino Eagles of San Gabriel.
Friday’s matchup will be tough for the Knights, as the team has lost multiple key players to season-ending injuries throughout the year.
Coach Dave Eastham, who took over at Trinity following Mike Parrinello’s retirement, has kept the team together after a 1-3 start to the season and is now in the postseason, a feat that looked unlikely in the first half of the year.
Friday’s game between the Knights and Gabrielino kicks off at 7 p.m. at Hart High School.
Public Safety Academy vs. SCCS
Although the Cardinals finished the season 2-7 overall, with a 2-2 record in the Heritage League, SCCS has earned an at-large bid into the eight-man Division 2 playoffs.
The regular season for the Cardinals wasn’t one the team expected going into the season after winning back-to-back league titles.
But in the first round, the Cardinals host the 4-3-1 Public Safety Academy Phoenix of San Bernardino.
The Cardinals enter the postseason winning two out of their last three and will look to carry that momentum into the playoffs for a first-round win.
Saturday’s game between the Cardinals and Phoenix kicks off at 5:30 p.m. at Hart High School.
