Football Playoff Previews: CV vs. Peninsula; St. Francis vs. Cajon; Prep vs. PAL Charter Academy

CRESCENTA VALLEY VS. PENINSULA

•WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday

•WHERE: Glendale High

•RECORDS: The Falcons are 10-0; the Panthers are 3-7

•LAST WEEK: Crescenta Valley defeated Arcadia, 39-0; Peninsula lost to Palos Verdes, 44-0

•OUTLOOK: Crescenta Valley begins the CIF Southern Section Division X playoffs as the top seed fresh off winning the Pacific League title for the first time since 2016. Now, the Falcons will look to win their first CIF championship since 2014. Crescenta Valley closed out the regular season Thursday with a convincing league home win against rival Arcadia to post its fifth unbeaten regular season in program history. Competing without starting quarterback Chase Center, who suffered an apparent leg/knee injury the previous game against Muir, Crescenta Valley (6-0 in league) turned to running back James Cho, who rushed for 138 yards and two touchdowns in 19 carries. Teammate Sebastian DeLeon scored two touchdowns. Reserve quarterback Brendon Pehar completed seven of 13 passes and tossed one touchdown to Deleon. The Falcons have yielded just 14 points in their last four games. Peninsula received an at-large berth after taking fourth in the Bay League. The Panthers went 2-3 in league and finished behind Palos Verdes, Mira Costa and Redondo Union. Peninsula has lost two games in a row, including its regular-season finale against Palos Verdes on Friday. The Panthers trailed, 37-0, at halftime. Crescenta Valley and Peninsula played two common opponents in Muir and Redondo Union. Crescenta Valley defeated Redondo Union (21-7) and Muir (28-14). By comparison, Peninsula lost to Muir (26-8) and fell to Redondo Union (17-14). The winner will meet Eisenhower or Big Bear in a quarterfinal game Nov. 15.

•SOMETHING INTERESTING: Crescenta Valley has lost four straight playoff contests. Crescenta Valley’s last postseason win came in 2014, when it registered a 21-14 victory against Downey in the CIF Southern Section Southeast Division championship game.

ST. FRANCIS VS. CAJON

•WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday

•WHERE: Cajon High

•RECORDS: The Golden Knights and the Cowboys are both 8-2

•LAST WEEK: St. Francis defeated Cathedral, 38-0; Cajon defeated Yucaipa, 41-0

•OUTLOOK: St. Francis concluded the regular season on a positive note by defeating visiting Cathedral on Friday to earn a share of the Angelus League championship. St. Francis split the crown with Cathedral and Crespi to win the league title for the first time since 2014 and earned an at-large berth into the CIF Southern Section Division III playoffs. The Golden Knights (2-1 in league) received a big effort from running back Kevin Armstead, who rushed for 185 yards and four touchdowns in 31 carries. Quarterback Jack Clougherty completed seven of 14 passes for 115 yards and one touchdown for the Golden Knights. St. Francis’ defense has been impressive, having posted two straight shutout wins against Salesian and Cathedral. Cajon will likely be an excellent test for St. Francis. Cajon won the Citris Belt League crown by one game over Citrus Valley. The Cowboys (5-0 in league) have won six games in a row, including their final regular season game against Yucaipa on Thursday. Quarterback Jonathan Calderon completed 14 of 18 passes for 210 yards and one touchdowns and receiver Larenzo McMillan had five receptions for 117 yards and one touchdown. The only common opponent that St. Francis and Cajon played was Cathedral. Cajon notched a 26-14 victory. The winner will take on top-seed Corona del Mar or Corona Santiago in a quarterfinal tilt Nov. 15.

•SOMETHING INTERESTING: St. Francis will compete in its first Division III postseason game since 2017, when it suffered a 44-42 defeat against Rancho Verde in the championship contest.

FLINTRIDGE PREP VS. PAL CHARTER ACADEMY

•WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Friday

•WHERE: Flintridge Prep

•RECORDS: The Rebels are 7-2; the Horns are 8-1

•LAST WEEK: Flintridge Prep lost to Chadwick, 34-28; Pal Charter defeated Maricopa, 50-0

•OUTLOOK: In CIF Southern Section Division I eight-man action, Flintridge Prep received an at-large berth following its league road loss against Chadwick on Friday. Flintridge Prep finished third in league (1-2) behind Windward and Chadwick and was one of 12 teams to get an at-large nod in the division. The Rebels, who have lost two of their last three contests, will look to get back on track after committing four turnovers against Chadwick. Flintridge Prep quarterback Max Gitlin completed 21 of 37 passes for 293 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. Receiver Ben Grable caught eight passes for 110 yards and three touchdowns. Like Flintridge Prep, PAL Academy picked up an at-large berth. The Horns are a freelance team and have averaged 53 points scored in their last two games. Flintridge Prep and PAL Academy played one common opponent during the season in Riverside County Educational Academy. Flintridge Prep defeated Riverside County Educational, 52-34, and PAL Academy won, 56-0. The winner will face Cate or Downey Calvary Chapel in a quarterfinal game Nov. 15.

•SOMETHING INTERESTING: Since moving to eight-man following the 2015 season, Flintridge Prep has qualified for the playoffs four straights seasons.