UPDATE: Russell Sekona returned from injury to lead the Leuzinger Olympians to a stunning 34-17 victory over Crean Lutheran in the CIF-Southern Section Division 2 playoffs on Friday night. The sophomore quarterback, who fractured his hand on October 9, showcased his resilience and skill in a high-stakes matchup that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Sekona’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. Despite missing weeks of practice due to his injury, he completed 21 of 30 passes for 297 yards and threw four touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to connect with teammates Mason Miller and Journee Tonga. Leuzinger head coach Jason Miller praised Sekona’s bravery, stating, “For a high school kid to come off a fracture in his throwing hand and lead his team to the playoff win on the road against an undefeated team, that’s a first for me.”
The game was a physical battle, with Sekona taking multiple hits against a formidable Crean Lutheran defense. Coach Miller noted, “He was hit probably eight times; that was a hard-hitting team, with Division 1 athletes all across the front seven.” However, Sekona’s determination shone through as he led crucial conversions on third-and-long and fourth downs, proving vital in the face of a tough defensive line.
Looking ahead, Leuzinger will host Chaparral in the quarterfinals next Friday, a match that promises to be just as thrilling. Fans are eager to see if Sekona can continue his impressive form and lead his team further into the playoffs.
In other playoff news, the Inglewood Sentinels secured their spot in the next round, defeating Capistrano Valley 40-16 with a strong rushing game. The Sentinels, now 6-5, will face Edison at Coleman Stadium next Friday.
Meanwhile, Palos Verdes pulled off a remarkable comeback against Valencia, overcoming a 27-7 deficit to win 42-34. Quarterback Ryan Rakowski was a standout performer, completing 14 of 20 passes for 129 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 92 yards. The Sea Kings will next host Dana Hills on their home field.
As the CIF-SS playoffs progress, six South Bay teams faced elimination, often by narrow margins. Torrance, Mira Costa, El Segundo, and North Torrance all lost by just a score, showcasing the intense competition in this year’s playoffs.
In a concerning incident, Mary Star’s Christian Magana was taken to the hospital during their playoff game against Brea Olinda. Fortunately, coach Tyler Sestich confirmed he received medical clearance and is now in good health.
Finally, the L.A. City Section Open Division playoffs are set to kick off next Friday, with top-seed Carson hosting No. 8 King/Drew, and third-seeded San Pedro facing No. 6 Crenshaw. Fans are anticipating a thrilling start to the playoffs as teams vie for championship glory.
Stay tuned for more updates on all playoff action as it unfolds!
