The Southern California News Group photographers were at the CIF State championship Friday, the biggest games of the 2023 season.
Take a look at the great plays, dramatic moments and postgame celebrations.
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Jayden Northrup #2 hugs teammate Owen Long #1 of La Serna after defeating Grant Union 21-19 to win the CIF State Division 2-AA football championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday December 8, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Mission Viejo center Ryan Karby holds up the CIF Division 1-AA state football championship trophy in Mission Viejo on Friday, December 8, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Isaiah Ramos #42 La Serna reacts after defeating Grant Union 21-19 to win the CIF State Division 2-AA football championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday December 8, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Ramona coach Ken Mushinskie holds up trophy after 35-7 win over Pleasant Valley in CIF 5-AA Football Bowl Championship game Friday December 8, 2023 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
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of La Serna of Grant Union in the second half of a CIF State Division 2-AA football championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday December 8, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jurupa Hills’ Damien Ortiz (11) loses the ball as he tries to shake off a tackle by Soquel’s Gabe Virgallito (21) during the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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Ramona running back Peter Mesa is slowed down by Pleasant Valley defender Tyvon Gammel during CIF 5-AA Football Bowl Championship game Friday December 8, 2023 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
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CJ Ceron #5 of La Serna celebrates after defeating Grant Union 21-19 to win the CIF State Division 2-AA football championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday December 8, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Head coach Andy George of La Serna missed his wife Jeanna after defeating Grant Union 21-19 to win the CIF State Division 2-AA football championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday December 8, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Ramona players hold up trophy after 37-7 win vs. Pleasant Valley CIF in 5-AA Football Bowl Championship game Friday December 8, 2023 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
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Mission Viejo middle linebacker Jack Matranga, right, hugs wide receiver Travis Anderson to celebrate winning the CIF Division 1-AA state football championship against De La Salle in Mission Viejo on Friday, December 8, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Mission Viejo wide receiver Phillip Bell pushes Jacob Dartez away as he gains big yardage in the CIF Division 1-AA state football championship in Mission Viejo on Friday, December 8, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Ramona’s Angel Barrios drops Pleasant Valley QB Joseph Garcia for a loss during CIF 5-AA Football Bowl Championship game Friday December 8, 2023 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
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Ramona corner Royce Mendoza with interception vs. Pleasant Valley in CIF 5-AA Football Bowl Championship game Friday December 8, 2023 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
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Owen Long #1 of La Serna catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown over Marquay King-johnson #4 of Grant Union in the fourth quarter of a CIF State Division 2-AA football championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday December 8, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Ramona QB Jeremiah Acosta head in hands takes in 35-7 win over Pleasant Valley in CIF 5-AA Football Bowl Championship game Friday December 8, 2023 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
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Mission Viejo quarterback Luke Fahey, center, reacts as the Diablos win the CIF Division 1-AA state football championship against De La Salle in Mission Viejo on Friday, December 8, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Ramona running back Sincere Tolbert breaks big run vs. Pleasant Valley in CIF 5-AA Football Bowl Championship game Friday December 8, 2023 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
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Mission Viejo center Ryan Karby (52) lifts an assistant coach as the Diablos celebrate winning the CIF Division 1-AA state football championship against De La Salle in Mission Viejo on Friday, December 8, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Head coach Andy George embraces Jayden Northrup #2 of La Serna after defeating Grant Union 21-19 to win the CIF State Division 2-AA football championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday December 8, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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of La Serna of Grant Union in the second half of a CIF State Division 2-AA football championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday December 8, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Owen Long #1 of La Serna catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown over Marquay King-johnson #4 of Grant Union in the fourth quarter of a CIF State Division 2-AA football championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday December 8, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jurupa Hills’ Daniel Maccharles (10) reaches out to tackle Soquel’s Tyreis Lundy (20) during the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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Jurupa Hills Arthur Gonzales embraces Isiah Lizzaraga (50) after their team lost to Soquel, 28-7, in the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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of La Serna of Grant Union of in the first half of a CIF State Division 2-AA football championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday December 8, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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of La Serna of Grant Union of in the first half of a CIF State Division 2-AA football championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday December 8, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jurupa Hills’ Jaylen Ephraim (2) is tackled from behind as he carries the ball against Soquel during the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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Owen Long #1 of La Serna catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown over Marquay King-johnson #4 of Grant Union in the fourth quarter of a CIF State Division 2-AA football championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday December 8, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Owen Long #1 of La Serna catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown over Marquay King-johnson #4 of Grant Union in the fourth quarter of a CIF State Division 2-AA football championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday December 8, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Owen Long #1 of La Serna reacts after catching a pass in the end zone for a touchdown over Marquay King-johnson (not pictured) of Grant Union in the fourth quarter of a CIF State Division 2-AA football championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday December 8, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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of La Serna of Grant Union of in the first half of a CIF State Division 2-AA football championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday December 8, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jurupa Hills’ Anthony Sanchez (54) and Malachi Reed (1) stand with rest of their team during the national anthem before taking on Soqeul in the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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Mission Viejo wide receiver Phillip Bell (1) makes the touchdown catch over De La Salle’s Anthony Dean to tie the score at 7 in the CIF Division 1-AA state football championship in Mission Viejo on Friday, December 8, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Jurupa Hills’ Caleb Ruiz (7) is sacked by Soquel’s Cade Petersen (5) during the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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Ramona receiver Royce Mendoza pulls in big reception near halftime vs. Pleasant Valley in CIF 5-AA Football Bowl Championship game Friday December 8, 2023 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
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Mission Viejo coach Chad Johnson reacts after the Diablos intercept a pass to clinch winning the CIF Division 1-AA state football championship against De La Salle in Mission Viejo on Friday, December 8, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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of La Serna of Grant Union of in the first half of a CIF State Division 2-AA football championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday December 8, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jurupa Hills’ Giovanni Medina (17) carries the ball against Soqeul during the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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Jurupa Hills’ Head Coach, Citos Marinez, right, tries to hype up his team before they take on Soquel in the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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Ramona’s Peter Mesa lowers shoulder on Pleasant Valley defender Demetrious Norwood on TD run in CIF 5-AA Football Bowl Championship game Friday December 8, 2023 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
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Jurupa Hills charges onto the field to take on Soquel in the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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of La Serna of Grant Union of in the first half of a CIF State Division 2-AA football championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday December 8, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Mission Viejo wide receiver Vance Spafford, center, makes the touchdown catch despite coverage by De La Salle defensive back Jayden Nicholas, left, and Jacob Dartez, right, in the CIF Division 1-AA state football championship in Mission Viejo on Friday, December 8, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Owen Long #1 of La Serna catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown over Marquay King-johnson #4 of Grant Union in the fourth quarter of a CIF State Division 2-AA football championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday December 8, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
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Jurupa Hills’ Caleb Ruiz (7) fires off a pass during the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game against Soquel at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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Soquel’s Head Coach, Dwight Lowery, lifts up the the CIF State Division 4-AA trophy as his team celebrates their 28-7 victory over Jurupa Hills at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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Mission Viejo wide receiver Phillip Bell, right, fights off De La Salle cornerback Jaden Jefferson after making a catch in the CIF Division 1-AA state football championship in Mission Viejo on Friday, December 8, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Jurupa Hills Head Coach, Citos Marinez, speaks to his team after they lost to Soquel, 28-7, in the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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De La Salle cornerback Jaden Jefferson slaps the ball away from Mission Viejo cornerback Dijon Lee jr. in the CIF Division 1-AA state football championship in Mission Viejo on Friday, December 8, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Mission Viejo coach Chad Johnson, right, celebrates with kicker Michael Salgado-Medina after winning the CIF Division 1-AA state football championship against De La Salle in Mission Viejo on Friday, December 8, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Ramona running back Peter Mesa celebrates TD just before halftime against Pleasant Valley CIF in 5-AA Football Bowl Championship game Friday December 8, 2023 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
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Mission Viejo running back Hinesward Lilomaiava leaves De La Salle defenders in his wake in the CIF Division 1-AA state football championship in Mission Viejo on Friday, December 8, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Jurupa Hills Head Coach, Citos Marinez, left, watches as Soquel celebrates after defeating his team, 28-7, in the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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Jurupa Hills’ Caleb Ruiz, left, fires off a pass during the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game against Soquel at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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De La Salle quarterback Toa Faavae is sacked by Mission Viejo defensive end Jaden Williams (9) in the CIF Division 1-AA state football championship in Mission Viejo on Friday, December 8, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Jurupa Hills’ Damien Ortiz (11) holds his head after fumbling the ball during the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game against Soquel at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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Ramona players pose for team picture. Pleasant Valley CIF 5-AA Football Bowl Championship game Friday December 8, 2023 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
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Ramona back Sincere Tolbert skips in for TD vs. Pleasant Valley in CIF 5-AA Football Bowl Championship game Friday December 8, 2023 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
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Ramona takes the field vs. Pleasant Valley in CIF 5-AA Football Bowl Championship game Friday December 8, 2023 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
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Jurupa Hills’ Derrick Pittman (15) charges through Soquel’s defense during the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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Ramona defenders stuff Pleasant Valley running back Azillion Boatwright during CIF 5-AA Football Bowl Championship game Friday December 8, 2023 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
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Ramona running back Peter Mesa cuts back on 13 yard TD run vs. Pleasant Valley in CIF 5-AA Football Bowl Championship game Friday December 8, 2023 at El Camino College (Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
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Jurupa Hills’ Durand Johnson (5) and Pablo Guerra (33) bring down Soquel’s Tyreis Lundy (20) during the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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Jurupa Hills’ Malachi Reed, right, breaks up a pass intended for Soquel’s Jordan Mccord, left, during the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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Jurupa Hills’ Derrick Pittman (15) carries the ball as he tries to shake off Soquel’s Jake Escalante during the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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Jurupa Hills’ Giovanni Medina (17) charges up the field during the CIF State Division 4-AA championship football game against Soquel at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)