Football: Corona Centennial is facing another private-school gantlet

A year ago, Corona Centennial won its first Pac-5 Division football championship in its first appearance by making it through a private-school gantlet.

It’s looking like the Huskies will be facing a similar challenge over the next four weeks.

Last season, victories over Gardena Serra, Santa Ana Mater Dei, La Puente Bishoip Amat and St. John Bosco gave them the Pac-5 championship. Then came a loss to De La Salle in the CIF state championship Open Division bowl game.

In this season’s playoffs that begin on Friday, Centennial opens against Chaminade, from the same Mission League as Serra came from last season. Then comes a matchup against Orange Lutheran or St. Bonaventure, followed likely by a game against Mater Dei or Serra in the semifinals. And probably waiting in the final is St. John Bosco.

So all fans who like the public schools over the private schools, Centennial is your team. With a roster of more than 110 players, the Huskies have the depth to give it a good try.

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