Eastlake HIgh School head football coach John McFadden issued one short but telling sentence following the Titans' 59-37 semifinal victory against the visiting Grossmont Foothillers on Friday: "We're going to the E!"
The "E" as in Escondido High School.
It will be there on Friday, Nov. 30, that second-seeded Eastlake will battle top-seeded Mission Hills for the Division I championship title. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
The Titans will be seeking their second CIF title in school history after last making a successful trip to the division finals in 2009.
Eastlake is 9-3 this season; Mission Hills is 10-2.
The Grizzles topped fourth-seeded San Pasqual, 42-17, on Friday to advance.
The top-seeded Olympian Eagles, however, will not be playing in Saturday's Division III championship game after suffering a 20-7 upset victory at the hands of the fourth-seeded Lincoln Hornets on Friday.
The host Eagles saw their perfect season end at 11-1 against a bigger and athletic Lincoln team. The Hornets (9-3) beat Olympian at its own game -- defense -- in avenging a 21-14 setback in late September.
Lincoln recorded seven sacks and two interceptions to clip the Eagles' wings in the rematch. The Hornets will face third-seeded Ramona (8-4) in the Division III championship game on Saturday, Dec. 1, at 3:30 p.m.
Ramona routed visiting Serra, 56-7, in Friday's other Division III semifinal.
Meanwhile, second-seeded Francis Parker will be led by a complement of South Bay players when the Lancers (8-4) take on top-seeded Santa Fe Christian (9-3) in Friday's Division V title game, also at Escondido High School. Kick-off for that Coastal League rematch is set for 3:30 p.m.
Parker quarterback Gabe Harrington, an Eastlake resident, tossed a pair of touchdowns to teammate Hank Childs in overtime as the host Lancers shaded third-seeded Christian, 27-24, in an exciting double-overtime contest played in dense fog.
Harrington passed for 196 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-10 quarterfinal victory against Bishop's on Nov. 16.
In other division finals set for next weekend:
Top-seeded Oceanside (11-1) will face third-seeded Poway (10-2) for the Division II championship. Kick-off is Saturday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m.
Top-seeded St. Augustine (11-1) will face second-seeded Madison (11-1) in the Division IV title game. That game is set for an 11:30 a.m. kick-off on Saturday, Dec. 1.
Oceanside had to rally to avoid an upset loss to visiting Valhalla, winning 31-28, while Poway produced the shocker of the semifinals with its 21-7 victory against a powerhouse Helix squad playing on its home turf. The defending state bowl champion Highlanders, who picked up a forfeit win from Cathedral Catholic, entered Friday's semifinal 10-0 on the season.
St. Augustine eliminated fourth-seeded Valley Center, 38-21, while Madison crushed visiting Brawley, 35-18, in semifinal action on Friday.
SFC overpowered Horizon Christian, 49-35, in a Division V semifinal.
For full details, pick up Friday's print edition of The Star-News.
#1 Eagles denied but #2 Titans to play for CIF football championship
Phillip Brents | Sat, Nov 24 2012 05:01 PM
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