High school football: Top photos from the CIF State championship games, Dec. 14
The high school football season went out with a bang Saturday night with its CIF State championship games.
With so much on the line, stadiums were filled with fans and teams battled each other to win the state titles.
Take a look at the Southern California News Group’s collection of images from those games. And check out the online High School Sports sections to see all of the stories, scores and more.
Edison’s football team celebrates their victory at the CIF State Division 1-A championship game between Edison High and Fresno Central High at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Pioneer players react after losing to Balboa in the CIF State Division 7-A football championship at Fullerton High School on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024. Balboa defeated Pioneer 55-27. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
St. Pius X-St. Matthias junior quarterback Jassi Williams (9) celebrates with Malik Brooks (77) after a first-quarter touchdown against Sonora High School in the CIF State Division 4-A championship game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Kayden Dixon-Wyatt #4 of Mater Dei scores a touchdown in the second quarter. Mater Dei played De La Salle in the CIF Open Division Championship game at Saddleback College on Dec. 4, 2024 in Mission Viejo CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Elias Har #9 of Rio Hondo Prep Kares drops a pass as Caleb Jones #6 of Vanden Kings defends in the first half of a CIF State Division 3-A championship football game at Long Beach City College in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. Vanden Kings won 42-41 in overtime. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham)
Pioneer’s Jose Rojas (4) catches the ball in the end zone under pressure from Balboa defenders in the CIF State Division 7-A football championship at Fullerton High School on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024. Balboa defeated Pioneer 55-27. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Elias Har #9 of Rio Hondo Prep Kares tackles Logan Bailey #7 of Vanden Kings in the first half of a CIF State Division 3-A championship football game at Long Beach City College in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. Vanden Kings won 42-41 in overtime. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham)
Mater Dei celebrates a turnover in the second quarter while playing De La Salle in the CIF Open Division Championship game at Saddleback College on Dec. 4, 2024 in Mission Viejo CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Edison’s Jake Minter (17) revels with teammates after the CIF State Division 1-A championship game between Edison High and Fresno Central High at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Palos Verdes senior Evan Aguirre raises the CIF State Division 2A championship trophy alongside teammates on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, after the Sea Kings topped Twelve Bridges from Northern California in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Gavin Honore #6 of Mater Dei celebrates as he scores a touchdown in the first quarter. Mater Dei played De La Salle in the CIF Open Division Championship game at Saddleback College on Dec. 4, 2024 in Mission Viejo CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Edison’s Jake Minter (17) celebrates game winning touchdown with teammates during the CIF State Division 1-A championship game between Edison High and Fresno Central High at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Marcus Harris #10 of Mater Dei and Mark Bowman #19 of Mater Dei celebrate a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Mater Dei played De La Salle in the CIF Open Division Championship game at Saddleback College on Dec. 4, 2024 in Mission Viejo CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Keitaro (kj) Davis #5 of Vanden Kings runs for yardage against Joshua Curtis #10 of Rio Hondo Prep Kares in the first half of a CIF State Division 3-A championship football game at Long Beach City College in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. Vanden Kings won 42-41 in overtime. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham)
Palos Verdes junior Ricky Martinez Jr. breaks free from Twelve Bridges senior Gavin Rappa on a fourth quarter run on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in the CIF State Division 2A championship game in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Edison’s Gavin Slaughter (7) breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Fresno Central’s EJ Morgan (1) during the CIF State Division 1-A championship game between Edison High and Fresno Central High at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Yanick Diaz #4 of Rio Hondo Prep Kares is consoled by a Vanden Kings coach after Vanden Kings defeated Rio Hondo Prep Kares 42-41 in overtime to win CIF State Division 3-A championship football game at Long Beach City College in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham)
St. Pius X-St. Matthias’ defenders stop Sonora High School’s Tommy Sutton (29) in the CIF State Division 4-A championship game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Ace Leutele #22 of Mater Dei leaps over a defender. Mater Dei played De La Salle in the CIF Open Division Championship game at Saddleback College on Dec. 4, 2024 in Mission Viejo CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Elias Har #9 of Rio Hondo Prep Kares drops a pass as Caleb Jones #6 of Vanden Kings defends in the first half of a CIF State Division 3-A championship football game at Long Beach City College in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. Vanden Kings won 42-41 in overtime. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham)
Edison’s Jake Minter (17) takes the game winning touchdown into the end zone during the CIF State Division 1-A championship game between Edison High and Fresno Central High at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Edison’s Jake Minter (17) takes the game winning touchdown into the end zone during the CIF State Division 1-A championship game between Edison High and Fresno Central High at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei celebrates their victory over De La Salle in the CIF Open Division Championship game at Saddleback College on Dec. 4, 2024 in Mission Viejo CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Edison’s Will Harrison (13) grabs Fresno Central’s Zeb White (4) during the CIF State Division 1-A championship game between Edison High and Fresno Central High at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Nathaniel Curtis #3 of Rio Hondo Prep Kares consoles teammate Elijah Gavia #56 of Rio Hondo Prep Kares after Vanden Kings defeated Rio Hondo Prep Kares 42-41 in overtime to win CIF State Division 3-A championship football game at Long Beach City College in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham)
Pioneer quarterback Amiri Resendiz (15) is pushed out of bounds as they play Balboa in the CIF State Division 7-A football championship at Fullerton High School on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024. Balboa defeated Pioneer 55-27. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Pioneer quarterback Amiri Resendiz (15) throws a pass under pressure from Balboa defenders in the CIF State Division 7-A football championship at Fullerton High School on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024. Balboa defeated Pioneer 55-27. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Nathaniel Curtis #3 of Rio Hondo Prep Kares runs for yardage against Jamarion Grace #3 of Vanden Kings in the first half of a CIF State Division 3-A championship football game at Long Beach City College in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. Vanden Kings won 42-41 in overtime. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham)
Noah Penunuri #31 of Rio Hondo Prep Kares runs for a touchdown past Jamarion Grace #3 of Vanden Kings in the first half of a CIF State Division 3-A championship football game at Long Beach City College in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. Vanden Kings won 42-41 in overtime. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham)
Arcata celebrates their win over Portola 27-21 at the end of the CIF State Division 6-AA championship football game Dec. 14, 2024, at Fullerton High. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Arcata’s Luke Lemke (10) takes the ball to the one yard line as Portola’s Maxwell Mapstone (10) takes him down in overtime during a CIF State Division 6-AA championship football game Dec. 14, 2024, at Fullerton High. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Portola’s Diego Reyna (5) grabs the ball after loosing control of it as Arcata tries to tackle in the forth quarter of a CIF State Division 6-AA championship football game Dec. 14, 2024, at Fullerton High. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Pioneer’s Steven Roman (9) is brought down by a Balboa defender in the CIF State Division 7-A football championship at Fullerton High School on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024. Balboa defeated Pioneer 55-27. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
St. Pius X-St. Matthias’ defenders stop Sonora High School quarterback Eli Ingalls (5) in the CIF State Division 4-A championship game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
St. Pius X-St. Matthias’ Jaylen Stokes (3) carries the ball against Sonora High School in the CIF State Division 4-A championship game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
St. Pius X-St. Matthias junior quarterback Jassi Williams (9) throws the ball against Sonora High School in the CIF State Division 4-A championship game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Portola’s Timothy Grettenberg (8) takes the ball up the middle against Portola during a CIF State Division 6-AA championship football game Dec. 14, 2024, at Fullerton High. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Arcata’s Luke Lemke (10) takes the ball down to the first yard line in the second half against Portola a CIF State Division 6-AA championship football game Dec. 14, 2024, at Fullerton High. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
St. Pius X-St. Matthias junior quarterback Jassi Williams (9) runs the ball for a first-quarter touchdown against Sonora High School in the CIF State Division 4-A championship game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
St. Pius X-St. Matthias loses 34:52 against Sonora High School in the CIF State Division 4-A championship game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Noah Penunuri #31 of Rio Hondo Prep Kares runs for a touchdown against the Vanden Kings in the fourth quarter of a CIF State Division 3-A championship football game at Long Beach City College in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. Vanden Kings won 42-41 in overtime. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham)
Edison’s Julius Gillick (9) battles for yardage during the CIF State Division 1-A championship game between Edison High and Fresno Central High at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Elias Har #9 of Rio Hondo Prep Kares drops a pass as Caleb Jones #6 of Vanden Kings defends in the first half of a CIF State Division 3-A championship football game at Long Beach City College in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. Vanden Kings won 42-41 in overtime. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham)
Arcata’s Luke Lemke (10) takes the ball down to the first yard line in the second half against Portola a CIF State Division 6-AA championship football game Dec. 14, 2024, at Fullerton High. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Pioneer players walk out for the coin flip act they play Balboa in the CIF State Division 7-A football championship at Fullerton High School on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024. Balboa defeated Pioneer 55-27. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Pioneer plays Balboa in the CIF State Division 7-A football championship at Fullerton High School on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024. Balboa defeated Pioneer 55-27. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Palos Verdes quarterback Ryan Rakowski gains 12 yards on an early run against Twelve Bridges on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in the CIF State Division 2A championship game in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Pioneer running back David Arellao (24) is brought down by a Balboa defender in the CIF State Division 7-A football championship at Fullerton High School on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024. Balboa defeated Pioneer 55-27. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Noah Penunuri #31 of Rio Hondo Prep Kares runs for a touchdown against the Vanden Kings in the fourth quarter of a CIF State Division 3-A championship football game at Long Beach City College in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. Vanden Kings won 42-41 in overtime. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham)
Edison’s Will Harrison (13) gets called for pass interference against Fresno Central’s Jareal Albert (19) during the CIF State Division 1-A championship game between Edison High and Fresno Central High at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Palos Verdes quarterback Ryan Rakowski sets to pass in the first quarter against Twelve Bridges on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in the CIF State Division 2A championship game in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
St. Pius X-St. Matthias’ defenders stop Sonora High School quarterback Eli Ingalls (5) in the CIF State Division 4-A championship game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Pioneer quarterback Amiri Resendiz (15) runs on a keeper as they play Balboa in the CIF State Division 7-A football championship at Fullerton High School on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024. Balboa defeated Pioneer 55-27. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Edison’s football team celebrates their victory at the CIF State Division 1-A championship game between Edison High and Fresno Central High at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Saturday Dec. 14, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
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