Defending champion Fullerton and runner-up American River named top seeds for CCCAA football playoffs
CCCAA Football Championship Bracket
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Defending state champion Fullerton College and runner-up American River College have been named the top regional seeds for the upcoming California Community College Athletic Association football playoffs which get underway on Saturday with sights set on the state title game at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento on Dec. 9.
Fullerton (10-0), which is riding a 16-game winning streak going back to last season, will host fourth-seeded Saddleback (8-2) in one Southern California Football Association semifinal matchup while second-seeded Riverside City (9-1) will host third-seeded Ventura (8-2) in the other. American River (9-1) has been victorious in five consecutive games and will host fourth-seeded Laney (8-2) in one Northern California Football Conference semi with second-seeded College of San Mateo (9-1) hosting third-seeded College of the Siskyous (8-2) in the other.
Regional championship games will take place on Nov. 25, two weeks prior to the state championship game.
Fullerton went 5-0 to win the Southern League title and will be facing league-mate Saddleback, which was 4-1 in the Southern, for the second time at home this season. The Hornets previously beat the Gauchos, 56-35, on Oct. 21. Similarily, Riverside and Ventura will be meeting up for the second time this year on the Tigers' home field after also squaring off Sept. 23 with RCC winning, 42-34. Riverside won the Central League banner while Ventura was 5-0 to claim the Northern League.
American River (NorCal League), San Mateo (Bay 6 League) and Laney (Valley League) were each a perfect 5-0 to capture their respective league championships while Siskikyous was 4-1 in the NorCal to place second. Neither of the NCFC first-round games are rematches from this season.
Each of the league champions received an automatic berth to the playoffs while Saddleback and Siskiyous were both at-large selections. Games will be announced later if not listed below.
CCCAA FOOTBALL STATE PLAYOFF PAIRINGS
Southern California Football Association (Nov. 18)
No. 4 seed Saddleback (8-2) at No. 1 seed Fullerton (10-0) at Whittier College, 1 p.m.
No. 3 seed Ventura (8-2) at No. 2 seed Riverside City (9-1), 6 p.m.
Northern California Football Conference (Nov. 18)
No. 4 seed Laney (9-1) at No. 1 seed American River (9-1), 6 p.m.
No. 3 seed College of the Siskiyous (8-2) at No. 2 College of San Mateo (9-1), Noon
• Higher seeds will host regional finals on Nov. 25
• CCCAA State Championship game is Dec. 9 at Hughes Stadium (Sacramento, Calif.)
CCCAA BOWL GAME SCHEDULE
SCFA
Western State Bowl (Nov. 18)
Mt. San Antonio (8-2) at College of the Canyons (8-2), 6 p.m.
Patriotic Bowl (Nov. 18)
Bakersfield (7-3) at Long Beach (7-3), 4 p.m.
Beach Bowl (Nov. 18)
Palomar (5-5) at El Camino (5-5), 2 p.m.
American Championship Bowl (Nov. 18)
Southwestern (8-2) at Allan Hancock (8-2), 4 p.m. at Santa Maria High School, 4 p.m.
Southern California Bowl (Nov. 18)
Santa Ana (7-3) at San Diego Mesa (8-2), 6 p.m.
NCFC
American Division Championship Bowl (Nov. 18)
Monterey Peninsula (7-3) at Shasta (6-3), 3 p.m.
Capital City Bowl (Nov. 18)
City College of San Francisco (7-3) at Sacramento City (8-2), 1 p.m.
State Center Bowl (Nov. 18)
Butte (5-5) at Fresno CIty (7-3), 3 p.m.
J.C. Gridiron Classic Bowl (Nov. 18)
Diablo Valley (5-5) at Modesto (5-5), 3 p.m.
Living Breath Bowl (Nov. 25)
Los Medanos (8-2) at Merced (9-1) at Salinas, Calif., 1 p.m.