Patriots, Wildcats both home again for football playoffs

James Phillips crosses the goal line for a touchdown during Heritage's first-round playoff win. Photo by Amber Garcia

Heritage and Paloma Valley high schools will both be at home again Friday night for their second-round CIF football playoff games.

Heritage (10-1) will play host to Calabasas (10-1) in a Division 2 game at 7 p.m. The Patriots are coming off a 55-21 victory over La Mirada in their first-round game. Calabasas defeated Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, 30-7.

Patriots quarterback Devan Freedland had one of his biggest games as a passer last week, throwing for five touchdowns. He now has 23 touchdown passes and more than 1,500 yards passing this season. Heritage's balanced running attack continues to produce as well. Sherod White leads Heritage rushers with more than 1,300 yards this season, while James Phillips and Ika Tuatala also have played consistently for big yardage.

Calabasas quarterback Jaden Casey has passed for 3,214 yards and 31 touchdowns, posing a big threat to the Heritage defense. Junior running back Keithan Gooden is the Coyotes' leading running back with 588 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns.

Paloma Valley (9-2) will be at home for a 7 p.m. game against Yucaipa (10-1) in Division 5. The Wildcats scored a 49-8 win over San Jacinto in the first round, while Yucaipa beat La Quinta, 43-10.

The Wildcats are led by senior quarterback Chance Nolan, who passed for 385 yards and 5 touchdowns last week. He has passed for 3,161 yards and 35 touchdowns this season. He also is the team's leading rusher with 606 yards, although teammates Tyler Tinahui and Tyrese Tillman are both over 300 yards.

Yucaipa's Thunderbirds are led by quarterback Keo McChesney, who has passed for 2,080 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Paloma Valley High's Wildcats will look for more defensive plays like this in their next game Friday night. Photo by Kristi Jo Aguirre