"Interest in the CIF Open Division state championship football game has diminished during an eight-game Northern California losing streak dominated by Mater Dei and St. John Bosco. Every time De La Salle or San Mateo Serra has shown up via bus or plane, the result has been the same. Not since 2015 has a Southern California team lost in the top division."
"Coach Justin Alumbaugh insists there are signs his program is capable of ending the streak. "I thought we had a chance last year," he said, referring to a 37-15 loss to Mater Dei. "Mater Dei was incredible. But if we played a near-perfect game . . . we closed the gap. I liked our team last year and I like our team this year.""
Interest in the CIF Open Division state championship has diminished during an eight-game Northern California losing streak dominated by Mater Dei and St. John Bosco. Northern California teams have repeatedly lost when De La Salle or San Mateo Serra traveled to face Southern California opponents. De La Salle (12-0) will face Southern Section Division 1 champion Santa Margarita (10-3) in the Open Division final on Dec. 13 at Saddleback College. Coach Justin Alumbaugh believes his program can end the streak after narrowing the margin in last year's 37-15 loss to Mater Dei. Santa Margarita advanced by improving through the Southern Section playoffs and finished with a 42-7 victory over Corona Centennial. De La Salle will have a 22-day layoff before the final.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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