El Dorado Football Secures CIF-SS Playoff Berth With 41-0 Win Over Irvine

The El Dorado football program entered Thursday night's regular-season finale with a clear objective: secure a postseason slot. The Golden Hawks achieved that goal at Valencia High by defeating Irvine 41-0, a result that locked in at least second place in the Foxtrot League.

The victory marks the team's fourth straight win and cements their status as a CIF-SS playoff participant for the first time since the 2024 season. The Golden Hawks enter the postseason with an 8-2 overall record and a 4-1 mark in league play. Their only league defeat occurred earlier in the schedule against the undefeated Orange High, who currently hold the first-place seed.

Offensive production was distributed among multiple players, with quarterback Hudson Shaddow leading the passing attack. Shaddow completed 13 of 15 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Justin Karg was the primary target, catching eight passes for 187 yards and two scores. Mason Shackleton and Brock Whitten also added touchdown receptions, while Darius Selway provided ground support with 91 rushing yards.

Defensive performance dictated the game's flow, as the Golden Hawks forced three turnovers. Linebacker Micah Cavalluzzi was central to the defensive effort, recording five tackles for loss. The unit also benefited from special teams play when Bryce Vinson blocked a punt and Cavalluzzi recovered the ball in the end zone. Darian Njoku added a pick-six to the total of three takeaways.

Head coach Zack LaMonda noted that the defense's ability to limit the opponent's ground game was a key strategic element. He pointed to the effectiveness of linebacker Seamus Hoffman in disrupting the run, describing the team's approach as a "bend don't break" mentality. Irvine's only substantial offensive threat came on their opening drive, which ended with a fumble on fourth down recovered by Christian Boyce.

LaMonda, who won the Orange County Register Coach of the Year award in 2023, emphasized the value of extending the season for the current roster. He expressed a desire for the senior class to have additional practice and game experiences before their final year. The coaching staff views the depth of the junior and sophomore classes as a long-term asset for the program's future competitive standing.

The CIF-SS playoffs begin next week. El Dorado will await their specific matchup schedule following the conclusion of the regular season. The team will prepare for the postseason with the same weekly focus on incremental improvement that characterized their final regular-season stretch.