The CIF playoffs begin this week and there are many talented players who are red hot entering the postseason. TeamFB7 highlights some players to watch across many divisions in the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
The regular season is over and players have been turning in dominant performances since August. But the playoffs are where players get remembered for big moments in big games.
X-Factors to Watch in the CIF-Southern Section Playoffs
Here are some of the players who will make a difference in the coming weeks as their teams vie for a CIF Southern Section championship. You can read up on our biggest matchups to watch in the CIF Southern Section playoffs here.
Division 1
Aydan Steen, LB, Santa Margarita
Aydan Steen leads Santa Margarita in tackles with 74 and has 18 for a loss, 8 sacks and a blocked punt. He is a serious contender for Trinity League Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman which is unheard of. Steen has sideline-to-sideline speed and is equally effective as a run stopper and as a pass rusher.
Marcus Fakatou, DL, Sierra Canyon
Marcus Fakatou has 46 tackles, 3 sacks and 17 hurries for Sierra Canyon with 2 forced fumbles. Sierra Canyon’s defensive line is loaded but Fakatou is where offensive lines slide their protections, and he can create pressure from various spots on the defensive front.
Division 2
Michael “Kiko” Farinas, Chaparral
UCLA commit Michael “Kiko” Farinas leads Chaparral in receiving with 1,050 yards with 10 touchdowns and has rushed for 6 touchdowns. He is Chaparral’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. Farinas is the best slot receiver in the Southern Section and is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, who have to try to cover him with a nickel corner at all times.
Tahj Skinner, QB/DB, Notre Dame
Tahj Skinner throws for 160 yards per game with 21 touchdowns and leads Notre Dame’s defense with 70 tackles and 3 interceptions. If Notre Dame makes a run in a very tough Division 2 bracket, it will be because of Skinner’s performance on both sides of the ball.
Division 3
Jaxson Carper, QB, St. Bonaventure
Jaxson Carper throws for 177 yards per game with 18 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions. He was the MVP at the Under Armour Next camp this offseason and has visited UCLA and Arizona recently.
Division 4
DJ Mitchell, QB, La Habra
DJ Mitchell throws for 182 yards per game with 19 touchdowns and has rushed for 7 touchdowns this season. The Cal Poly commit led La Habra to a CIF championship last season.
Matix Frithsmith, RB, Hart
Matix Frithsmith has rushed for 1,391 yards with 25 touchdowns and has 4 receiving touchdowns for Hart this season. His field vision is among the best in the Southern Section and he can make tacklers miss down the field.
Division 5
Alifeleti Tuihalamaka, DL, Oaks Christian
Alifeleti Tuihalamaka has 86 tackles with 21 for a loss and 7.5 sacks for an Oaks Christian team that has won two of its last three games. The USC commit is the best defensive lineman in the division by a mile and will be a tough matchup for opposing offensive linemen. He recently earned an invitation to the Navy All-American Bowl.
Division 6
Dominik Hardy, QB, Calabasas
Dominik Hardy is one of the better dual-threat quarterbacks in Southern California. He throws for 238 yards per game with 20 touchdowns and has rushed for 733 yards with 11 touchdowns. Hardy has offers from UNLV and Southern and could be a steal for somebody late in the recruiting process.
Division 7
Zack Dickison, RB, Pacifica (Garden Grove)
Pacifica runs for 251 yards per game with 30 touchdowns and a lot of it is due to Zack Dickison. Dickison has rushed for 1,044 yards with 16 touchdowns and has a receiving touchdown. Pacifica’s head coach is Kyle Murphy, who was a star offensive lineman at Arizona State and is one of the better offensive line minds in the area.
Division 8
Kevin Cuba III, RB/LB, Bellflower
Kevin Cuba III has rushed for 1,055 yards with 12 touchdowns for Bellflower and is second on the team in tackles with 64. Bellflower has the talent to make a deep run in this division and is still one of the younger teams in the area.
Division 9
Koa Regalado, QB, Colton
Koa Regalado throws for 247 yards per game with 31 touchdowns and has rushed for 9 touchdowns this season. He is a four-year starter for Colton who has thrown for over 2,000 yards in every season and the perfect way to wrap his high school career is with a CIF championship.
