St. Francis football looks to knock off No. 1 Lompoc

The following are previews of Friday’s local CIF Southern Section football games.

St. Francis at Lompoc, 7:30 p.m.: Even after completing its season with a convincing 34-14 Mission League home win against St. Paul on Friday, it appeared as though St. Francis would miss the playoffs for the first time since 2007. The Golden Knights finished 4-6 and took fifth in league.

When making their selections Sunday, the CIF office chose St. Francis as one of two teams to receive an at-large berth from the Western Division with St. Francis’ strength of schedule being a critical factor.

Now, St. Francis will make the 260-mile trek to face top-seeded Lompoc (10-0) in a first-round game.

St. Francis will turn to senior quarterback Jared Lebowitz, who has thrown for more than 2,500 yards and 22 touchdowns. Lebowitz will be flanked by wide receiver Tommy Scheper, who is closing in on 1,000 yards.

Lompoc, which won the Los Padres League title, has scored at least 30 points in nine of its contests. It is averaging 42.1 points per game.

The winner will take on Dos Pueblos or Culver City in a second-round game Nov. 16.

Flintridge Prep at Ribet Academy, 7:30 p.m.: Flintridge Prep will make its first trip to the postseason since 2008 after going 5-4 and finishing second in the Prep League. The Rebels will make the 12-mile trek to face Ribet Academy (9-1) in a Northeast Division first-round game.

It will mark the first playoff game for coach Antonio Harrison, who took over the program in 2010.

Ribet won the Arrowhead League championship after going 1-8 last season. The Frogs have won four games in a row and have score at least 30 points in a game six times and at least 50 points twice.

The Rebels will likely counter with a run-heavy offense, led by Stefan Smith and Kurt Kozacik. Both have each eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark this season.

The winner will meet top-seeded Mission Prep or Frazier Mountain in a second-round contest Nov. 16.