Heritage, Paloma Valley both start CIF playoffs at home

James Phillips races through the defense for big yardage in Heritage's win over Paloma Valley last week. Photo by Kristi Jo Aguirre

They are placed in different divisions for the CIF playoffs, but Sunbelt League rivals Heritage and Paloma Valley high schools will both be at home Friday for first-round football postseason match-ups.

Heritage (9-1) will play host to La Mirada (5-5) in a Division 2 game set for a 7 p.m. kickoff in Marion Ashley Stadium. The visiting Matadores bounced back to win their last four games after losing their league opener to Mayfair. They are not ranked in Division 2. Heritage is ranked second and received the No. 2 playoff seeding.

The Patriots are coming off a 41-38 win over Paloma Valley in the Menifee Bowl, thus winning the league title at 5-0. Heritage has never lost a Sunbelt League game in eight seasons. If the Patriots beat La Mirada, they advance to the second round to play the winner of the game between Calabasas and Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks.

In Division 4, sixth-ranked Paloma Valley (8-2) will be at home against San Jacinto (7-3), which is also a second-place finisher in its league. The Tigers are not ranked. That game also will begin at 7 p.m.

If the Wildcats win that game, they will advance to the second round to face the winner of the game between Yucaipa and La Quinta.

Paloma Valley wide receiver Koale Schroeder picks up yardage after the catch last week. Photo by Kristi Jo Aguirre