CIF STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP BOWL GAME

SMALL SCHOOLS DIVISION GAME

HAMILTON UNION OF HAMILTON CITY (10-2) VS. ST. MARGARET’S (14-0)

HOME DEPOT CENTER, 4:30 p.m., PRIME TICKET

Outlook: The Braves captured the Northern Section’s Division III title on Nov. 26 but continued to practice in anticipation of being selected for the bowl game. Coach Mark Cooley’s squad practiced three times a week the first two weeks of December. Some of Hamilton’s players balanced the practices with participation in their respective winter sports. Six of the school’s 10 varsity basketball players are on the football team. The break also has allowed time for first-team all-section kicker Oscar Pineda to get healthier. Pineda was limited in the Northern Section playoffs because of a knee injury but Cooley expects him to be ready for the Tartans. Pineda holds Northern Section records for longest field goal (57 yards) and most career field goals (22). The Braves average just more than 200 yards rushing a game. They run a pro-style offense that features multiple formations. “Little bit of everything,” St. Margaret’s coach Harry Welch said. Hamilton averages 31.2 points a game but will face a quick St. Margaret’s defense that is allowing only 4.4 points. Hamilton appears to have a slight size advantage, but Cooley said he is concerned about the Tartans’ quickness. The Braves’ defense also has been stingy, allowing 7.9 points. The unit is led by linebacker Ryan Schimke, a 6-foot-2, 230-pounder middle linebacker who has made second-team all-section the past two seasons. St. Margaret’s defensive tackle Jeremy Baileys said Hamilton Union reminds him of the Tartans in the way it hustles. “They really like to play tough, hard football,” Welch said. “Their style of play is very similar to us. … They don’t take plays off.” The Tartans are averaging 48.7 points and have scored a single-season county record 683 points. They also are riding a county-record 42-game winning streak. Welch said standout freshman running back Matthew Duenes (groin) will probably not play. Duenes didn’t play in the East Valley Division final.

More of the breakdown:

• CIF state small schools leaders
• CIF State small schools analysis
• CIF State small schools projected lineups

Related posts:

• Fans’ choices for top football player, coach announced
• Fryer: How good is St. Margaret’s?
• Flash: Duenes ‘probably’ out for state bowl game
• St. Margaret’s foe Hamilton Union stayed focused during break

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