Portola players and coaches pose after winning the CIF-SS Division 11 football championship game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Portola defeated El Rancho 31-14. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia, Contributing Photographer)
Portola’s defensive back Malachi Moore (26) tackles El Rancho’s running back Phoenix Navarro (34) as he runs the ball during the CIF-SS Division 11 football championship game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Portola defeated El Rancho 31-14. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia, Contributing Photographer)
Portola head coach Adrian Medrano talks to a referee during the CIF-SS Division 11 football championship game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Portola defeated El Rancho 31-14. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia, Contributing Photographer)
Portola’s wide receiver Malachi Moore (26) runs the ball during the CIF-SS Division 11 football championship game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Portola defeated El Rancho 31-14. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia, Contributing Photographer)
Portola’s offensive lineman Ezekiel Abundis (71) poses as he celebrates winning the CIF-SS Division 11 football championship game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Portola defeated El Rancho 31-14. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia, Contributing Photographer)
Portola players listen to head coach Adrian Medrano after winning the CIF-SS Division 11 football championship game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Portola defeated El Rancho 31-14. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia, Contributing Photographer)
Portola players and fans celebrate after winning the CIF-SS Division 11 football championship game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Portola defeated El Rancho 31-14. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia, Contributing Photographer)
Portola’s quarterback Nash Luper (3) celebrates with his team after winning the CIF-SS Division 11 football championship game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Portola defeated El Rancho 31-14. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia, Contributing Photographer)
El Rancho’s head coach Peter Abe poses with the finalists trophy after losing the CIF-SS Division 11 football championship game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Portola defeated El Rancho 31-14. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia, Contributing Photographer)
Portola head coach Adrian Medrano celebrates with the trophy after winning the CIF-SS Division 11 football championship game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Portola defeated El Rancho 31-14. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia, Contributing Photographer)
Portola players celebrate after winning the CIF-SS Division 11 football championship game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Portola defeated El Rancho 31-14. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia, Contributing Photographer)
Portola’s running back Diego Reyna (5) carries the ball during the CIF-SS Division 11 football championship game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Portola defeated El Rancho 31-14. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia, Contributing Photographer)
El Rancho’s wide receiver Giovani Montenegro (23) carries the ball for a touchdown as Portola’s linebacker Sami Tawfik (19) tackles him during the CIF-SS Division 11 football championship game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Portola defeated El Rancho 31-14. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia, Contributing Photographer)
Portola’s wide receiver Connor Williams (4) carries wide receiver Logan Warren (7) as they celebrate winning the CIF-SS Division 11 football championship game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Portola defeated El Rancho 31-14. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia, Contributing Photographer)
El Rancho’s defensive tackle Diego Diaz (18) runs the ball during the CIF-SS Division 11 football championship game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Portola defeated El Rancho 31-14. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia, Contributing Photographer)
Portola’s defensive back Joshua Whang (22) tackles El Rancho’s wide receiver Andrew Guerrero (6) out of bounds during the CIF-SS Division 11 football championship game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Portola defeated El Rancho 31-14. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia, Contributing Photographer)
Portola’s students high five tight end Anthony Riccardi (23) after winning the semifinals of the CIF-SS Division 11 football playoffs at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia, Contributing Photographer)
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Portola players and coaches pose after winning the CIF-SS Division 11 football championship game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Portola defeated El Rancho 31-14. (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia, Contributing Photographer)
IRVINE — The El Rancho football team had the entire city behind it in the CIF Southern Section Division 11 Championship game vs. Portola on Friday night. The Dons were seeking their first championship since 1968, and their first outright title since 1966.
El Rancho left it all on the field but was unable to come out on top as Portola stormed out to a 17-7 lead in the third quarter and didn’t look back. The Bulldogs held on to win 31–14 to claim the CIF Southern Section Division 11 title.
El Rancho head coach Adrian Medrano said despite the loss, he’s proud of everything his team has accomplished, including rallying the community around the program.
“It means everything. You get chills talking about it. Our kids really care, our community really cares. Our guys played hard throughout the course of the season, battled some adversity,” Medrano said. “Really proud of our football team, really proud of our program, and really proud of our community.”
El Rancho running back Phoenix Navarro ran for over 120 yards in the loss. Navarro said he is proud of the growth his team has shown dating back to its two-win season last year.
“It’s an honor and I love this team, love everybody on it, and everybody worked hard to get here. Bouncing back from a 2–8 season, it’s incredible. But getting here and falling short, it’s not a great feeling,”
Dons quarterback Ryan Dominguez said it was a sight to behold as the El Rancho faithful packed the stands despite being on the road.
“Not a seat empty. … Our whole city came out to support. It’s just been love the whole ride everywhere we go,” said Dominguez. “We came up short here but all we can say is thank you for the support and love throughout the whole ride.”
The Dons came out swinging to start. Medrano showed off the confidence he had in his team right away, electing to go for it on fourth down twice on the opening drive.
It was a slow start in the first half for El Rancho’s offense. The Dons continually found themselves behind the chains on third and fourth down across multiple drives. They wouldn’t get inside the red zone until midway through the second quarter.
Portola jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the second quarter and El Rancho’s offense promptly responded.
They pieced together their best drive of the game up to that point, but came up empty as they turned the ball over on downs for the second time in the game.
Medrano said the lack of points on drives inside Portola territory hurt.
“I’d like to get back a few of those few drives where we came inside the 30 and came with zero points,” Medrano said.
With 26 seconds left in the first half, the Dons scored their first touchdown as Jonathan Medina Jr. rumbled in a 2-yard carry to give El Rancho some life heading into the half.
Portola answered with a drive that lasted more than eight minutes to begin the second half, which gave the Bulldogs a 17-7 lead.
Another quick touchdown by Portola, and all of a sudden, El Rancho went from a three point deficit at the half, to being down 24-7 heading into the fourth quarter.
Dominguez found El Rancho tight end Giovani Montenegro for a quick touchdown to cut the deficit back to 10 points.
However, disaster struck for El Rancho as Portola intercepted two passes in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
