GOLD MINE GALLERY: ORANGE LUTHERAN AT ST. BONAVENTURE (VENTURA)

All photos by Lorenzo Reyna:

GOLD MINE PLAYOFF BATTLES

Centennial wide receiver Javon McKinley gets his sidelines energized with the ball in his hand. The Corona-based powerhouse has its eyes set on a state championship. But standing in the way for the Huskies is West Hills-Chaminade in the first round of the CIF PAC-5 playoffs, which starts on Friday, Nov. 13 (photo credit: Max Preps). 

One team’s high school football season will continue, while another will turn in its equipment starting next Monday.

It's now playoff time in the Golden State and Cali Gold Mine has pinpointed five key battles worth attending from the Central Valley to the Inland Empire.

Some of these first round battles sound like a pairing that normally happens when it’s time to crown a section champion. Nevertheless, here’s the contests worth watching under the lights this weekend:

EDISON (FRESNO) AT BAKERSFIELD

Here’s a battle that sounds more like a duel for the Central Section Division I crown. But both the Tigers and Drillers dealt with a youth movement, plus offensive lapses for the early portion of 2015-16.

Now, both teams are red-hot, as they've won three of their last five games.

Edison has highly-wanted defensive tackle Leveel Tatum III, who is currently getting courted by several Mountain West schools. Bakersfield High’s Jakell Tomlin is the Drillers’ main weapon on offense.

ST. JOSEPH (SANTA MARIA) AT ATASCADERO

In this 805 battle of two 8-2 squads, it’s speed (St. Joseph) against power (Atascadero).

The Knights have underrated dual-threat quarterback Blake Jaeckels, who has 29 combined touchdowns including 22 through the air. Joe Guzman leads the ground game with 885 yards and 12 touchdowns. C.J. Cole is a fast riser for SJ’s 2017 class after leading the way with 47 catches, 773 yards and nine touchdowns.

The Greyhounds will bring two powerhouse running backs to wear down the Knights, as Marc Martin (1,114 yards) and R.J. Reusche (880 yards) double as hard-nosed 6-foot-1 backs.

ORANGE LUTHERAN AT ST. BONAVENTURE (VENTURA)

Running and throwing threats at quarterback highlight this televised battle in Ventura County, which will be seen on Fox Sports West.

Orange Lutheran has senior L.J. Northington, who has 20 combined touchdowns (10 throwing and 10 rushing) for the 5-5 Lancers. St. Bonnie used the arm and legs of Darius Vines to ride into the playoffs with a 7-3 record.

The Seraphs have two intriguing boulders in the trenches: emerging 2017 offensive tackle Casey Roddick and defensive tackle Noah Bitow, who landed his first scholarship pledge from Adams State this week.

RIO MESA (OXNARD) AT CALABASAS

The Spartans and Coyotes will meet in one of the more highly-anticipated rematches in the CIF Southern Section Western Division bracket.

The last contest saw top-seeded Calabasas escape with a 13-10 victory at Oxnard. Rio Mesa was without its top wide receiving playmaker Steve Houston, who is currently verbally committed to Washington State. San Diego State commit Jon Lenard was doing the aerial damage with six catches for 134 yards and one touchdown in the last contest.

Also on this field will be some highly-courted athletes on Calabasas’ side, including linebacker Alec Stevenson, wideouts Darnay Holmes and Keyshawn Johnson Jr. and quarterback Tristan Gebbia, who has 11 reported offers including Syracuse, West Virginia and Alabama.

CHAMINADE (WEST HILLS) AT CENTENNIAL (CORONA)

State-ranked teams will go at it in this PAC-5 playoffs opener, as Chaminade (No. 13) will look to play spoiler against Centennial (No. 1) and its quest to win a state championship.

The Eagles have prolific sophomore T.J. Pledger, who finished the regular season with 1,227 yards and 24 touchdowns. The Huskies are stockpiled with talent, as six players in the 2016 class have already given a verbal pledge to a four-year school: Cam Bynum (Cal), Daniel Juarez (Cal), J.J. Taylor (Arizona), Kentrell Love (Washington), Desmond Williams (Boise State) and Chacho Ulloa (Stanford).

The Huskies aren’t done yet on the recruiting trail. Wide receiver Javon McKinley – who holds 23 reported offers – is next to join his aforementioned teammates at the next level.

RISING STAR WATCH: JOSHUA KEITH

Joshua Keith provided some explosive plays for Etiwanda High this past season. He just may be one of the best kept secrets in the Inland Empire (photo contributed). 

There wasn’t much highlights for Etiwanda High football this season, as the Eagles fell to 3-7 this past year including a 1-4 mark in the Baseline League.

But the best highlight on 13500 Victoria Ave. wore No. 13 and blazed through secondaries.

Joshua Keith got fans jumping out of their seats and defensive coordinators chastising their defensive backs - by putting together a solid senior campaign that saw the 6-foot, 185-pound Keith blow past defenses with his reported 4.4 40-yard dash time.

Could this be one of the best sleepers in the talent-heavy Inland Empire? Time to weigh in:

WHAT TO LIKE: He has an explosive get-off after the ball is snapped and is already in front of his defender in three seconds. Once he gets past an aggressive man defender, he shows a wicked second gear with his speed that gets him to stretch receiving plays 20 to 50 yards down the field. Doesn’t jog when he runs his routes and goes full speed. Has caught passes with two or three defenders surrounding him, then zig zags his way to the end zone. Shows good concentration when defenders are making contact with him and fighting for the ball. Has adjusted very nicely to the deep passes that requires him stepping in front of his defender and attempt a diving catch. One of the best in the I.E. at executing the stop-and-go route.

WHAT TO BUILD ON: Most of his biggest receptions came against defenders playing off of him instead of press man situations. Will need to see more of his ability to fight off jams at the line of scrimmage. Even though he’s a willing run blocker, he was seldom seen planting his shoulders and burying his opponent to the turf.

OVERALL: With 38 catches, 557 yards and five touchdowns in eight games, Keith rarely was given the football at Etiwanda. It’s too bad considering how much of a playmaker he was for the Eagles. Still, he has enough tools to perhaps get on board with an NCAA Division II program or maybe a Football Championship Subdivision school. 

NOW COMES THE FUN PART, SORTING OUT THE CIF SOUTHERN SECTION NORTHERN DIVISION III BRACKET

Arroyo Grande scatback Matthew Sill looks for an opening down the right sidelines during the Eagles' 24-10 win over Atascadero on Oct. 30. The Eagles - the reigning PAC-5 champs at 9-1 and 4-0 in league play - could land the No. 2 seed when the seedings are unveiled for the CIF Southern Section Northern Division III playoffs on Sunday, Nov. 8 (photo by Lorenzo Reyna). 

Three 10-0 teams stand on top of the CIF Southern Section Northern Division III pedestal.

However, only one gets crowned the No. 1 seed come Sunday, Nov. 8.

Camarillo, Palmdale and Bishop Diego (Santa Barbara) are all that’s left from the ranks of the unbeaten. And all three will be heading into a group of death that features the reigning section champion (Paso Robles), former section title holders  (Lompoc, Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, etc.) and teams ending the year on a hot streak (Lompoc and AG).

It’s time to sort out this cabinet of goodies for this division, which one year ago produced a state playoff qualifier in the Paso Robles Bearcats. Here’s who I believe deserves the No. 1 and which teams could challenge for the title:

NO. 1 SEED: CAMARILLO

The case: Victories over state ranked Arroyo Grande and Calabasas, plus wins over Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Paso Robles and St. Bonaventure (Ventura).

I don’t see how or why the Scorpions won’t land the No. 1 seed. What more do the Scorps have to do? Drop 80 on an opponent and impress the College Football Playoff committee?

This team has toppled opponents featuring college-ready talent, particularly Calabasas, St. Bonnie, T.O and Newbury Park; all of which has multiple NCAA Division I prospects or commits on its roster.

It’s been a solid reversal for Camarillo. One season ago, the Scorps needed a miracle Hail Mary from Jake Constantine and Frankie Tostado to seal an at-large berth at 6-4. But now, Camarillo has positioned itself to be the No. 1.

NO. 2 SEED: ARROYO GRANDE

The case: Victories over Lompoc, Independence (Bakersfield), St. Joseph (Santa Maria) and Atascadero. Plus the outright PAC-5 championship.

Arroyo Grande’s last lost was against the projected No. 1 seed. Since then, the Eagles have been red-hot with a power running game and takeaway machine on defense.

If things go the way it’s projected, the bracket could pit another playoff matchup between the Eagles and the next team highlighted…

NO. 3 SEED: LOMPOC

The case: Victories over Santa Ynez and St. Joseph and the outright Los Padres League title.

Lompoc had a 41.1 rating according to Max Preps during the week of Nov. 7, giving the Braves the third-highest rating among the Northern Division III field. However, the downside for the Braves is their 12.5 strength of schedule rating, which placed them at 12^th.

Lompoc’s season opening loss to AG likely puts the LPL champs at the No. 3 slot, which could mean rematches against projected No. 15 seeds Righetti (Santa Maria) or Pioneer Valley (Santa Maria) in the bottom half of the bracket.

NO. 4 SEED: THOUSAND OAKS

The case: Victories over Ventura (Channel League champion) and Newbury Park.

This spot could come down to the Lancers and Atascadero, which defeated PR 31-14 plus owns a better league record than T.O. at 3-1 in the PAC-5. St. Joseph should also be in the mix for the four spot with its 8-2 record.

But once again, there’s the strength of schedule argument.

Thousand Oaks ranked higher than both Atascadero and St. Joseph in that category with a 22.4 score. The season opening win over Ventura and season finale victory over Newbury Park looks great on T.O’s application for a higher seed.

WHERE DOES THE OTHER 10-0 TEAMS STAND?

Bishop Diego has never had a perfect regular season under 12-year head coach Tom Crawford. Yet, even with the 10-0 mark, the Cardinals could wind up no higher than the No. 6 seed.

Two gleaming wins for the Cards is the 43-20 thumping of Immanuel (Reedley), which got awarded the No. 1 seed in the Central Section’s Division V bracket and the narrow 29-21 victory over Santa Fe Christian, which went 9-1.

But Mission Prep (San Luis Obispo) was the only other non-losing team that got defeated by the Cards…and the Royals play in the lower Northwest XI field.

As for Palmdale, the Falcons mainly flew past teams in the desert region. The speed of the 805 scene could be vastly different. A No. 7 seed could be in the works.

THE NON-UNBEATENS THAT COULD MAKE A RUN

Lompoc became a different team following its 34-28 defeat at AG. Arroyo Grande renewed itself following its 27-13 home loss to Camarillo.

Both teams have since won a combined 16 straight games – and are looking poised for another deep playoff run.

They win on defense and a committee of backs. The key for both will be winning through the air when needed. But one of these teams could challenge CGM’s pick for the NDIII crown Camarillo for the title game.

THE PERFECT STING: CAMARILLO COMPLETES 10-0 REGULAR SEASON, NOW WAITS ON PROJECTED NO. 1 SEED

Camarillo defenders Brett Herron and Anthony Feldstott (No. 51) help bring down Royal running back Diego Reynoso while Collin Kirksey (No. 1) and Joseph Hunt surround the stop. Camarillo sealed its first-ever 10-0 regular season with a 49-21 romp of the Highlanders, which also solidified the Camino League title (photo by Lorenzo Reyna). 

One year ago, Camarillo was the team on the outside looking in, as the Scorpions needed an at-large berth to qualify for the playoffs.

Now, the Scorpions are in the school record books for completing the first-ever undefeated varsity football regular season on Mission Oaks Blvd – and awaiting word on if the No. 1 seed in the CIF Southern Section Northern Division III bracket belongs to them.

The 49-21 trouncing of Royal (Simi Valley) at Carl Thompson Field on Friday, Nov. 6 sealed the Camino League championship and 10-0 mark for Camarillo. The playoff fate of the Scorps will rest in the hands of the CIF Southern Section committee, as playoff seeds are unveiled on Sunday, Nov. 8.

Elijah Alexander – who gave the Scorps their most electric plays through two interceptions, two catches that stretched 40 and 38 yards and a 52-yard gain on a fly sweep run during Camarillo’s opening drive – described Camarillo High’s historic night as a “speechless” moment.

Said Alexander: “This is the first time the school has ever done this (go undefeated). It feels so good. I love these boys. It feels amazing to come back from the season we had last year to this remarkable season and making history here.”

Colby Stevens, who went three ways as a bruising running back, underneath receiving target and run-stuffing safety, was another Scorpion who was at a loss for words.

“I’m definitely speechless,” Stevens said. “My team has worked very hard and we definitely deserve it. We knew this team was going to be special because we all grew up together.”

The Scorpions scored first after Alexander’s sweep run led to a 6-yard touchdown pass from Jake Constantine to Wyatt Zambri. A two-point conversion try made it 8-0. Constantine then showed his flair for evading defenders and firing the long ball, as he shed past two Highlander defenders before zipping his throw to Desmond Clancy on an 18-yard strike. The next play saw Constantine find Alexander one-on-one with his defender in the left corner of the goal line, with the versatile senior coming down with the 17-yard touchdown and the 14-0 lead.

Royal (4-6), though, wasn’t going to check out of the game right away. This was the same team that had all of its losses decided by two touchdowns or less, including a near upset of Newbury Park (44-37 defeat) last week.

Quarterback Matt Sciumbato gave Camarillo fits with his arm and legs by engineering a long drive that culminated in a Daniel Henderson 1-yard touchdown run and the lead cutting to 14-7.

Constantine, though, marched Camarillo down the field with its two-minute offense and ended the drive by scrambling down the left side and then barreling past two Royal defenders for the 12-yard touchdown.

Constantine combined for five touchdowns, including four through the air and two that went to Frankie Tostado in the second half (8 and 1-yard scores) to seal Cam’s flawless regular season, plus possible top seed.

“It feels great knowing that this time, we don’t have to play the No. 1 seed on the road,” Constantine said. “They (the No. 16 seed) now comes to us.”

GOLD MINE GAME OF THE WEEK: ROYAL (SIMI VALLEY) AT CAMARILLO

Camarillo slot receiver/return man Ryan Muscarella should see plenty of touches as the Scorpions go for regular season perfection, as 9-0 Cam takes on upset-minded Royal of Simi Valley on Friday, Nov. 6 (photo by Lorenzo Reyna). 

Camarillo High football has won in three ways: blowout wins, defensive battles and last second heroics.

Now, the 9-0 Scorpions are one victory away from regular season perfection.

Standing in the way is 4-5 Royal of Simi Valley. The Highlanders have lost four of their last five games, but all five losses have been by a margin of 14 points or less.

Here’s a breakdown:

ABOUT THE SCORPIONS: Jake Constantine, the Scorpion front line and Frankie Tostado ensured that Camarillo wasn’t going to go down in defeat during the final seconds of the Oct. 30 road game at Thousand Oaks.

Constantine, from the Lancers’ 35-yard line and with excellent protection from his front five, lobbed an air ball that hung in the air for five seconds before falling into the palms of a double covered Tostado, who came down with the catch and sealed the heart-pounding 49-45 victory.

Tostado is one of four weapons at Constantine’s disposal in the air attack. Colby Stevens helped provide some clutch catches during the final drive of the TO game. Tight end Desmond Clancy and slot receiver Ryan Muscarella have stretched the field with the ball in their hands all season long as well.

Camarillo has won the last two games without top rusher Isaiah Otis, who’s expected to return from a knee injury for the playoffs but has been successfully replaced by Aaron Lamb, who has 215 yards and four touchdowns in the last two games.

Defensively, Camarillo has been without top tackler Brett Triebold, but Brett Herron and Collin Kirksey picks up the slack at linebacker. Tostado serves as Camarillo’s shutdown ace and was credited for limiting Nevada commit Kevin Howell’s big plays last week.

ABOUT THE HIGHLANDERS: Like the Scorps, Royal prefers to do its damage in the sky, with a passing attack that’s averaging 249.7 yards per game.

Quarterback Matt Sciumbato drives the offense. The senior has 2,247 yards, 23 touchdowns and seven interceptions through nine games. His best outing was a 440-yard, five touchdown evening in the 44-37 loss to Newbury Park last week.

Royal has four receivers with 22 catches or more and a combined 16 touchdowns. Ryan Pench is the go-to-guy with 35 catches, 626 yards and seven touchdowns; all team highs. Cesar Magdaleno is second on the Highlanders with 33 receptions, 480 yards and three scores.

Defensively, 6-foot-2, 165-pound Ryan Hoffenberg is Royal’s top playmaker with five interceptions.

BEST MATCHUP: Frankie Tostado versus Ryan Hoffenberg. These two towers will likely cross paths on both sides of the ball, with one trying to take the ball from the other.

DON’T SLEEP ON: Aaron Lamb. He may not have Otis’ breakaway speed, but Lamb brings power and a hard-nosed mentality to the Scorpion offense.

GAME INFORMATION: Kickoff is 7 p.m. It’s also the Scorps’ senior night and Homecoming game.

UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA GETS A VERBAL PLEDGE FROM AN UNDERRATED LOS ANGELES REGION STAR

Charter Oak (Covina) athlete Dareon Nash ended his recruiting process on Tuesday, Nov. 3, by verbally committing to the University of Montana. Nash said the positive treatment he received at Missoula sold him (photo contributed). 

Charter Oak of Covina athlete Dareon Nash was in awe of the atmosphere that he saw during his visit to Missoula, MT – which convinced him to accept the University of Montana’s football scholarship pledge after verbally committing to the Grizzlies on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Nash, who mainly drew Football Championship Subdivision interest and held his other offers from Northern Arizona, Eastern Washington and the University of San Diego, said that Montana immediately sold him before he took his Oct. 2015 visit to the campus.

“From the moment coach and I talked about my visit and then when I actually saw the flight reservations, I knew they really did care about me because they didn't wait until the end of the season for my trip - and that made an impression on me,” Nash said. “Then, once I arrived in Montana, you could just feel the difference in the people and their relationships with the players and the passion for their football team. There's no professional sports in Montana and so from meeting the head coach, to the student section recognizing my face on the Jumbotron while chanting my name, or spending time with the coaches and players whether we were meeting or just hanging out all felt like family.”

The Class of 2016 prospect is currently second in three separate receiving categories for the 8-1 Chargers. He has 39 catches for 412 yards and six touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound target has hauled in 129 catches for 1,678 yards and 20 touchdowns during his three-year varsity career.

Nash added that Montana’s coaching staff and players made him feel like a wanted piece to their puzzle.

“I've always wanted to go someplace where they wanted me as much as I wanted them,” Nash said. “Now I can go in there and they expect me to compete right away.”

Nash, who also has one interception and four pass breakups on defense through nine games this season, said he’s hopeful that he can contribute immediately to the Big Sky program.

“I'm used to playing three sides of the ball, but ultimately I anticipate being a playmaker for them on offense,” Nash said. “I love to work and compete so I'm looking forward to the challenge and anxious for this next chapter in my life. My mom, sisters and I always had this dream about me earning my college degree and playing college football, so I feel like I've done good on our promise to each other and I will always stay humble through it all.”