Sierra Canyon Faces Rival Paraclete in Section Football Championship

Just as everyone expected, it’s all come down to this: a football rematch between arch-rivals Sierra Canyon and Paraclete in the Southern Section East Valley Division championship at 7 p.m. Saturday at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster.

Sierra Canyon lost 14-7 last year to Paraclete, and this time the showdown is at Paraclete’s home field, where temperatures are expected to be in the 20s – not perfect football weather, but Sierra Canyon coach Jon Ellinghouse plans to do whatever it takes.

The visiting Trailblazers have already defeated Paraclete in the regular season by a score of 36-26, but on Saturday there is a lot more at stake.

“This is what we’ve been working for all year long. We’re excited, and we’re ready,” Ellinghouse said. “Obviously, the weather is something we can’t change, but we’re not playing the weather – we’re playing Paraclete.

A key issue could be how the cold weather affects Tyler Stewart, Sierra Canyon’s star quarterback. The senior has completed 61 percent of his passes for 2,114 yards and 31 touchdowns with just two interceptions, but Stewart rarely has been forced to perform under freezing conditions.

One thing about Stewart, a three-year starter – the kid is tough.

“It’s just another game,” he said with a shrug. “I don’t really care about the weather.”

A big difference between the schools is tradition. Paraclete (11-2), having won eight section titles in eight appearances, has one, while Sierra Canyon (13-0), competing in 11-man football for just the third season, does not. Not yet anyway, but you have to start somewhere, and Sierra Canyon is hoping to carve a football legacy beginning on Saturday.

Plus, there is a big added incentive: If Sierra Canyon, No. 1 in the CIF State Bowl Div. IV rankings, can pull off a win, the Trailblazers are a shoe-in for a state berth; Paraclete, a larger school that would compete in Div. III, would have a tougher time convincing the bowl committee because of the Spirits’ two losses, yet it would still be possible.

Some of Sierra Canyon’s other top players are running backs Xavier Menifield and Danny Jordan, offensive lineman Andrew Terry, receiver Preston White, tight end Brian Tucker, kicker Noah Zgrablich, linebacker William Young and defensive back Reggie Prince.

Menifield, who has rushed for 1,229 yards while averaging 12.4 yards per carry and scoring 26 touchdowns, had just two carries for 3 yards in the regular-season win over Paraclete; he was limited because of a concussion that night – going to the hospital in the first half – but Menifield is back at full strength, rushing for 141 yards and three touchdowns last week in a semifinal win over Bishop Diego.

Overall, Sierra Canyon averages 46 points and 402 yards while winning by an average of nearly 36 points. In fact, the Trailblazers’ 10-point win over Paraclete was the closest win this season.

Paraclete’s record is not as flashy, but the Spirits have played tougher nonleague competition, including an opening 7-6 loss to Serrano, which went 10-3 this season in a bigger division.

Paraclete’s Tyler Carvalho has completed 62 percent of his passes for 1,426 yards and 14 touchdowns. Running backs Antoyne Hutcherson (850 yards, 12 touchdowns) and Ryan Davis (789 yards, 14 touchdowns) are impact players, along with receiver/defensive back Braydon Maish (28 receptions, seven touchdowns) and linebacker Bryan Rodgers.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

SOUTHERN SECTION EAST VALLEY CHAMPIONSHIP

7 p.m. Saturday

Sierra Canyon (13-0) vs. Paraclete (11-2) at Antelope Valley College – In a rematch of last year’s East Valley championship, Sierra Canyon looks to avenge a loss over the eight-time section champion Spirits.