The Cerritos Varsity Football team won their first-ever CIF Championship Title against Yucca Valley with a final score of 19-13 Saturday evening. Their determination until the very end led them to victory at Artesia’s home stadium.

In the first quarter, both teams played hard with the score staying stagnant at 0-0. During the second quarter, things began to pick up and the pressure was on as Yucca scored a touchdown and field goal moving the score to 0-7. The game began to turn around when number 20, Diego Martinez who just come off from an injury intercepted the catch, giving the ball back to Cerritos during the 3rd quarter, 2nd half leading to a touchdown making the touch 6-13.

Players Gabriel Gaudi, #21, and Jeremiah Bagaygay, #30, were both amazing on the defensive and helped the team come back. With the Dons down 6 and Yucca up to 13, number 1 Dikshanta Adhikari, #1, scored a touchdown bringing the score to 12 and Moises Mendoza, #35, made the field goal, tying both teams up 13-13 making the game completely turn around. The final touchdown was scored by Bagaygay, bringing the score to 19-13 and securing the CIF Division 12 championship title. The field gate was opened and family and friends rushed onto the field to congratulate the team. The energy was high, tears were shed, and it was a beautiful night for Cerritos Football!

With tensions being high due to such a close game the players on the sidelines said words of encouragement to their teammates on the field. “Never give up, never what?” “Never back down!” Chanted various teammates. Paula Quesada, a member of sports medicine, remarked “We have been here all season to help and support the team and we have never lost hope. To be here for the finals and to see them work so hard is a full circle moment.”

The team now moves on to the CIF State Events which will be held at Gahr High School’s Rants Stadium. Show your support for the team this Friday night, Dec. 1, 2023, at 7:30 pm against Wasco High School.