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San Jacinto football coach Aric Galliano will never take a championship game appearance for granted.
Galliano first guided the Tigers to the CIF Southern Section finals in 2018, which was his fourth season in charge of the program. And Galliano recalled some words spoken by former Mater Dei football coach Bruce Rollinson at the section luncheon that year.
“It’s really hard to get back to this room and be one of the teams lucky enough to be playing for a title every year,” Galliano said.
Galliano has been fortunate to bring two more teams to the annual luncheon that honors teams that have advanced to the finals.
San Jacinto claimed the program’s first section championship in 2022 with a 42-15 win over Orange in the Division 6 title game. The Tigers seek another Saturday, when they square off with La Habra for the Division 4 title at HCN Bank Stadium in Menifee.
“We’ve played a really tough schedule this season, and it hasn’t always been easy,” Galliano said. “It’s just a testament to these kids and their hard work that we’re back in this position. … No matter what happens, they never give up. They just keep battling.”
San Jacinto was 3-3 entering Mountain Pass League play, but the Tigers bring a seven-game win streak into Saturday’s game. The Tigers have won two playoff games in overtime, and the combined margin of victory in their three playoff wins is six points.
The Tigers are led on offense by sophomore quarterback Josue Estrada (19 touchdown passes) and senior running back Jomini Ransom (14 touchdown runs). Receivers Jordan Bernard and Daishaun Davis have combined to catch 15 touchdown passes.
The defense is led by senior linebacker Damere Coleman (91 tackles) and senior safety Jeremiah Brown (10 pass breakups).
RAMONA EYES ANOTHER TITLE
Like San Jacinto, Ramona has advanced to the section finals for the third time within the past decade.
Ramona was the Division 13 runner-up in 2019, but the Rams claimed the Division 11 championship and went on to capture a state title in 2023. Ramona travels to Cerritos Valley Christian for this year’s Division 9 championship game Saturday evening.
The Rams took down top-seeded Silverado in the first round of the playoffs and rolled past their opponents the next two weeks.
“I believe we are peaking at the right time, and that is something that this team and the 2023 team really have in common,” said Ken Mushinskie, who has been coaching the Rams for nine seasons. “They’re having fun and just playing good, hard football.”
The offense is led by junior quarterback Jesus Gonzalez (1,904 yards, 22 touchdowns) and senior running back Lorenzo Sims (1,980 rushing yards and 29 total touchdowns). Junior Isaac Mata is the top receiving target and has hauled in 10 touchdowns.
The defense received a major boost about a month ago when senior linebacker and captain Troy Long returned from an injury.
“He’s still not quite 100%, but his presence alone has been beneficial,” Mushinskie said of Long, who was sidelined five games.
Senior linebacker Luis Mena IV leads the team with 132 tackles, and senior defensive back Michael White has five interceptions.
VALLEY VIEW FINDS PLAYOFF FORM
Valley View lost the final two games of the regular season to Riverside Poly and Hillcrest, not an ideal way to enter the playoffs.
But the Eagles have returned to form and reached the section finals for the first time since winning the Division 11 title in 2016. Valley View will host Baldwin Park in this year’s Division 11 championship game Saturday night.
“The kids bought into what I was looking to do right away,” said Eric Martinez, who took over the program last year. “The support has been amazing, from the community to the school district and administration. “It’s been fun, and hopefully we can finish it off.”
Valley View avenged last season’s playoff loss when it knocked off South Pasadena 28-21 last week in the Division 11 semifinals.
“It’s taken a while for everyone to get used to each other, but I think everyone feels comfortable this season,” Martinez explained.
Senior quarterback Jesse Vega is the dual-threat playmaker. He has passed for 1,488 yards and 16 touchdowns and also leads the team with 1,069 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground. Vega has had a role in 33 of the team’s 37 offensive touchdowns.
Receivers Alex Ramirez and Damien Randin have combined to catch 12 of those touchdown passes from Vega this season.
The defense is led by sophomore linebacker Bronson Pulu (80 tackles) and senior defensive back Justin Settle (10 pass breakups).
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