Oaks Christian hopes to regroup to begin playoffs
Oaks Christian is hoping to start its playoff journey healthier than it ended its league season.
The Lions have learned to work without some key players ahead of their home game against Chaparral on Friday at 7 p.m. in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs.
“We’re gonna go back to practice, we’re gonna regroup, we’re gonna get it back and we’re gonna get this D2 championship,” Lions defensive lineman Hayden Lowe said.
Oaks Christian won its first undefeated Marmonte League championship since 2018 last week when it beat St. Bonaventure, which was previously unbeaten in league play. The Lions relied on their defense throughout the game and scored only one touchdown in the 13-10 victory.
Receiver Justice Williams, a Washington commit, and running back Deshonne Redeaux, a four-star recruit, and three starting offensive linemen did not play in the game due to injury.
“Any time you lose people on the line, it kind of stagnates you a little bit, playing with young 10th graders first time in a game like this,” coach Charlie Collins said. “So sometimes it can be overwhelming. But you know, that’s why we play the game.”
Williams is expected to be back for today’s game against Chaparral, but Redeaux’s return date is unclear. The Lions still have a consistent running back to rely on in McKenzie Parks, who has scored 12 touchdowns this season and has received increased carries in the past two games.
In addition to Williams, Chase Farrell (Stanford commit) has served Oaks Christian well at receiver with a touchdown in all but three games this season. He scored the only touchdown in the league championship game, hauling in a 36-yard pass from quarterback Nate Bennett (Baylor commit).
“We’ve been working the past two weeks without them,” Farrell said. “And we’ve been working in practice. Coach has been writing up stuff for all of us so we can all be that same powerful offense even though we’re missing those key players.”
Lowe also missed three games due to injury before returning against St. Bonaventure. The Lions defense has given up 16 points or fewer in the past six games.
Chaparral of Temecula is coming off a 59-57 win over Roosevelt to tie for second place in the Big West Upper League. Junior quarterback Dash Beierly is at the helm of the offense and has thrown for 1,966 yards and 17 touchdowns this season.
Receiver Blake Lowe had five receptions for 117 yards against Roosevelt and running back Jayne Venable rushed for 115 yards on 22 carries.
The winner of tonight’s game will advance to the quarterfinals to play the winner of the firstround matchup between Mission Viejo and Palos Verdes.
“You can’t ever complain about a win,” Collins said after beating St. Bonaventure. “But we had a bunch of guys hurt and just get through that and try to get healthy for the playoffs, that’s gonna be the big challenge.”