The Southern California News Group had photographers at the CIF State football championship games Saturday, the biggest games of the 2023 season.
Take a look at the great plays, dramatic moments and postgame celebrations.
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The Mater Dei football team celebrate with the CIF State Open Division football championship trophy in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 9, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Mater Dei players take a team photo with their CIF State Open Division football championship trophy in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 9, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Mater Dei wide receiver Marcus Harris, left, beats Serra’s Jaden Green to make the over-the-shoulder catch deep in Serra territory in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 9, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Mater Dei tight end Mark Bowman starts celebrating as he crosses the goal line to score a touchdown against Serra in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 9, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Mater Dei tight end Mark Bowman, right, celebrates with wide receiver Marcus Harris after scoring a touchdown against Serra in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 9, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Mater Dei outside linebacker Ramere Davis, left, celebrates with cornerback Daryus Dixson, right after winning the CIF State Open Division football championship against Serra of San Mateo in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 9, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Mater Dei coach Frank McManus, left, holds the CIF State Open Division football championship trophy in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 9, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Mater Dei defensive lineman Zeus Venegas, right, sacks Serra quarterback Maealiuaki Smith in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 9, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Mater Dei defensive back CJ Lavender, left, and safety Therman Williams, right, celebrate after winning the CIF State Open Division football championship against Serra of San Mateo in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 9, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Mater Dei wide receiver Marcus Harris scores a touchdown on a pass play against Serra in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 9, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Serra wide receiver Kyon Loud, left, misses an opportunity as the ball lands incomplete against Mater Dei in the CIF State Open Division football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 9, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Acalanes players and coaches celebrate after they defeated Birmingham in the CIF State Division 3-AA championship on Dec. 9, 2023 in Mission Viejo, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
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Birmingam’s Kingston Tisdell #10 takes a knee during the final moments of the game. Acalanes defeated Birmingham in the CIF State Division 3-AA championship on Dec. 9, 2023 in Mission Viejo, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
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Birmingham quarterback Kingston Tisdell passes the ball in the second half against Acalanes in the CIF State Division 3-AA championship on Dec. 9, 2023 in Mission Viejo, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
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Acalanes’ Niko White gets around Birmingham’s Peyton Waters in the second half of the CIF State Division 3-AA championship on Dec. 9, 2023 in Mission Viejo, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
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Birmingham’s Ronnell Hewitt gets past Acalanes defenders in the second half of the CIF State Division 3-AA championship on Dec. 9, 2023 in Mission Viejo, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
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Acalanes’ Niko White #18 can’t a pass while being covered by Birmingham’s Jomar Adams #7 during the CIF State Division 3-AA championship on Dec. 9, 2023 in Mission Viejo, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
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Birmingham #17 runs after a catch against Acalanes tin the first half. Acalanes defeated Birmingham in the CIF Division 3-AA state championship on Dec. 9, 2023 in Mission Viejo, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
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Birmingham’s #1 Dredon Fowles scores a Touchdown against Acalanes in the first half. Acalanes defeated Birmingham in the CIF Division 3-AA state championship on Dec. 9, 2023 in Mission Viejo, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
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Birmingham’s Ronnell Hewitt holds onto the shirt of teammate Abraham Higuera #59 as he scores on a 2-point conversion against Acalanes in the CIF State Division 3-AA championship on Dec. 9, 2023 in Mission Viejo, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
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Birmingham’s Devyn Jackson #12 catches a pass against Acalanes’ Gavin Bender #7 in the first half of the CIF State Division 3-AA championship on Dec. 9, 2023 in Mission Viejo, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
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Birmingham’s Dredon Fowles gets past Acalanes’ Paul Kuhner and Brody Greenfield #45 to score a touchdown in the first quarter of the CIF State Division 3-AA championship on Dec. 9, 2023 in Mission Viejo, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
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Birmingham’s Javen Hall is chased by Acalanes’ Jack Giorgianni during the CIF State Division 3-AA championship on Dec. 9, 2023 in Mission Viejo, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
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Woodland Christian junior Devin Herrera (1) picks up some yards in his team’s 23-13 victory over Banning in the CIF State Div. 5-A championship game on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at El Camino College in Torrance. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Banning junior Steven Perez (1) makes a reception during the CIF State Div. 5-A championship game against Woodland Christian on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at El Camino College in Torrance. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Banning junior running back Jordan Villanueva (24) runs with the ball in the CIF State Div. 5-A championship game against Woodland Christian on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at El Camino College in Torrance. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Woodland Christian’s Carter Lang (11) picks up yards during the CIF State Div. 5-A championship game against Banning on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at El Camino College in Torrance. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Woodland Christian junior Devin Herrera (1) helped lead his team to a 23-13 victory over Banning in the CIF State Div. 5-A championship game on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at El Camino College in Torrance. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Banning junior running back Jordan Villanueva (24) takes a handoff in the CIF State Div. 5-A championship game against Woodland Christian on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at El Camino College in Torrance. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Woodland Christian quarterback Gabe Sanchez (5) throws a pass during his team’s 23-13 victory over Banning in the CIF State Div. 5-A championship game on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at El Camino College in Torrance. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Banning sophomore running back Kamari Westley (21) carries the ball in the CIF State Div. 5-A championship game against Woodland Christian on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at El Camino College in Torrance. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Banning junior Steven Perez (1) scores a touchdown in the opening minutes of the CIF State Div. 5-A championship game against Woodland Christian on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at El Camino College in Torrance. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Woodland Christian junior Devin Herrera (1), left, and his teammates celebrate as time runs out in their 23-13 victory over Banning in the CIF State Div. 5-A championship game on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at El Camino College in Torrance. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Dejected Banning players and coaches walk off the field following a 23-13 loss to Woodland Christian in the CIF State Div. 5-A championship game on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at El Camino College in Torrance. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Woodland Christian head coach Mike Paschke raises the trophy after his club defeated Banning 23-13 in the CIF State Div. 5-A championship game on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at El Camino College in Torrance. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Marin Catholic running back Charles Williams rushes the ball during the Wildcats’ CIF State Championship final against Mayfair on December 9, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
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Mayfair quarterback Jeremiah Calvin throws the ball during the Monsoons’ CIF State Championship final against Marin Catholic on December 9, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
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Marin Catholic quarterback Peter Macaulay breaks through tackles as he rushes the ball during the Wildcats’ CIF State Championship final against Mayfair on December 9, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
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Marin Catholic running back Jarred Geissberger rushes the ball during the Wildcats’ CIF State Championship final against Mayfair on December 9, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
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Marin Catholic quarterback Peter Macaulay breaks through tackles as he rushes the ball during the Wildcats’ CIF State Championship final against Mayfair on December 9, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
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The Mayfair and Marin Catholic linesmen square off during their CIF State Championship final on December 9, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
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Mayfair running back Louis Johnson dives down for a first down after making a catch during the Monsoons’ CIF State Championship final against Marin Catholic on December 9, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)