Lightning Football News...

The #4 ranked Lightning (7-4, 5-0) are going to the CIF 8-Man Divisional Championships for the 5th time in the last 8 years! The Lightning will be playing the #2 ranked Desert Chapel Eagles (11-0, 5-0) of Palm Springs. The Eagles defeated the #3 ranked North County Christian Crusaders by a score of 42-38 to earn the right to play in the championship. The Lightning defeated the #1 ranked Big Pine Warriors by a score of 56-24 to earn their spot as well.

Desert Chapel is no stranger to the divisional playoffs having been there three previous times in 2002, 2004 and 2005 winning the Championship in 2004 and 2005. This year will be their 4th appearance in 7 years. The Lightning will be attempting back to back wins having won the CIF 8-Man Division I championship in 2007. The Lightning lead the series between the two schools 3-0 having 45-pointed the Eagles in all three games. The last time they played was in 2006 where the Lightning won 74-28 setting a school scoring record. But this year should be a well balanced game.

Desert Chapel comes into the game averaging 54.3 pts per game on offense while only allowing 15.5 pts per game on defense. The Eagles QB Keaton Hernandez has passed for 1634 yds and 28 TDs. AJ McKay is their #1 RB and he has rushed for 1040 yds and 17 TDs while their top receiver Corey Smith has 1049 yds and 14 TD's. These are certainly impressive numbers on offense however it is important to note that seven of the teams the Eagles beat have a winning record of 24-45 collectively, with all but one below 500.

Joshua Springs comes into the game averaging 35.8 pts per game on offense while allowing 28.1 on defense. The Lightning QB Zack Ontiveros took over in the third game of the season and has passed for 1117 yds and 20 TDs. Cole Roberts is the Lightning's #1 RB and has rushed for 1656 yds and 18 TDs while their top receiver is Josh Leichtner who has 509 yds and 14 TDs. These numbers may not be as impressive as the Eagles but nine of the eleven teams the Lightning have played have been ranked in the top 10 in Divisions I and II. The eleven teams that the Lightning have played have a winning record of 81-33 collectively; certainly a much stronger schedule than the Eagles.

This CIF 8-Man Division II Championship will certainly be an exciting one as these two schools, rich with football tradition, face off on the gridiron. There will be fans from all over Southern California packed into the smaller field at Desert Chapel. So, good seats will go fast. Bringing lawn chairs is a good bet. The game will be played Friday, December 5th. The game will start at 7:00PM. A Lightning caravan will be leaving the school at 5:30PM.

Please call the school office at 760-365-3599 for more information.