Civita Puts Canyon in Final

It has been difficult for quarterback Austin Civita of Canyon Country Canyon to receive the respect he deserves because he plays in the same community that already boasts two high-profile quarterbacks in Michael Herrick of Valencia, the state career passing leader, and Arizona-bound Tyler Lyon of Newhall Hart.

Civita, though, could be the one slipping a championship ring on his finger. On Saturday night, he completed 14 of 20 passes for 354 yards and four touchdowns as Canyon (12-1) defeated Valencia, 42-13, in a Southern Section Division II semifinal game.

The victory sends Canyon to its first championship game since 1988. It will be a rematch with Foothill League rival Hart (11-2) on Friday at the Home Depot Center in Carson. Canyon won, 16-14, in league play.

Civita, a 6-foot-2 senior, had touchdown passes of 76, 26, 31 and 40 yards. He was near flawless in the first half, passing for 257 yards and ending the half with a 31-yard touchdown pass to Mark Urbina to give Canyon a 28-13 halftime advantage.

“I’d say he’s the most underrated quarterback in Southern California,” Canyon Coach Harry Welch said.

It was the final game for Herrick, who completed 17 of 25 passes for 190 yards and one touchdown, giving him 11,002 yards passing. Valencia finishes 9-4.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Compton Dominguez 24, Rolling Hills Estates Peninsula 15 -- The Panthers took a 9-0 lead 25 seconds into the game on a safety on the opening kickoff and a 44-yard touchdown run by Eric Haynes on their first play from scrimmage, but the Dominguez defense took over from there, limiting Peninsula (11-2) to 139 total yards and eight first downs in a Division III semifinal at West Torrance High.

Dominguez (12-1) moves on to play three-time defending Division III champion Sherman Oaks Notre Dame at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Home Depot Center in Carson. It is a rematch of Notre Dame’s 38-21 victory in last year’s final.

Marvin Johnson, Brandon Johnson and Trea’von Darden combined for 224 rushing yards for the Dons. Cyrus Shahazian had 98 yards and a touchdown in 26 carries to lead Peninsula.

-- Peter Yoon

Moorpark 14, Ventura 7 -- Darrell Scott scored on a three-yard run with 35 seconds left to play at Ventura as Moorpark avenged an early-season loss to the Cougars and advanced to the Division IV championship game.

Scott ran 32 times for 175 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown run on Moorpark’s first play of the second half to give the Musketeers (10-3) a 7-0 lead.

Lee Mondol of Ventura (11-2) completed 11 of 25 passes for 150 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown pass to Robby Leigh with 7:56 left to play to tie the score at 7-7. Mondol also gained 42 yards in 15 carries, but the rest of the Cougars’ offense mustered only 27 yards on the ground.

-- Mayar Zokaei

Temescal Canyon 14, Corona Santiago 6 -- The host Titans forced four turnovers in the Division V semifinal and held second-seeded Santiago (9-4) without a touchdown to advance to their first championship game since 1998.

Chris Pesaniello, a 5-foot-10, 214-pound junior running back for third-seeded Temescal Canyon (12-1), rushed for 191 yards and two touchdowns in 43 carries, helping the Titans convert eight of 14 third-down opportunities.

-- Dan Arritt

Newport Harbor 28, Tustin 0 -- Ryan Rippon rushed for a game-high 300 yards in 30 carries to lead the visiting Sailors (10-3) to the Division VI championship game against Placentia Valencia on Friday.