Manny Alvarez of the Student Section Report is writing for OCVarsity about the high school student sections during the football season. The OCVarsity Football Student Section Rankings will be released Nov. 23, and for the second year in a row the O.C. champion will receive a championship banner. The banner will be presented at halftime of the Orange County All-Star Football game Feb. 5 at Newport Harbor School.

The high school football playoffs started last week, and teams needed their players to deliver in the clutch if they wanted to keep their seasons going.

It was the same way for the Orange County football student sections.

The El Modena Rowdy Rooters answered the challenge last week as the Vanguards hosted Pasadena in a first-round playoff game on Thursday, Nov. 3.

The Rowdy Rooters went with a “white out” theme and showed up prepared for the big matchup.

The game was a close one that came down to the wire, and El Modena pulled out a 15-13 victory to advance to the Division 3 quarterfinals.

The Crean Lutheran Blue Zone did a great job last week, but the Rowdy Rooters were a little rowdier and that is why they’re the OCVarsity Student Section of the Week.

“Coming out of Covid, rebuilding a sense of community and spirit has been a big focus at El Modena,” the Rowdy Rooters said in a statement. “This season has shown that we’ve done it. It’s hard to not be spirited with an undefeated team like ours. We love our boys and they appreciate us coming out every week to support their victories. We’re making history together.”

OTHER FINALISTS

Crean Lutheran Blue Zone: The Blue Zone went nuts and rushed the field to cheer with their Saints after they hung on for a 35-34 victory over Aliso Niguel.

Villa Park Black Pack: The Black Pack came ready for battle as their Spartans rolled past Murrieta Mesa with a 42-7 victory.

Edison MESS: The MESS came ready to cheer on their Chargers. Despite the tough 38-37 loss to Orange Lutheran, the MESS will be ready for the basketball season, where they dominate inside the gym.

San Juan Hills Stampede: The Stampede came ready to go and so did the Stallions in their 35-0 victory over Palm Desert.

JSerra Lion Nation: Lion Nation went on the road to cheer for their Lions as they defeated Santa Margarita 27-20.

Manny’s Forecast for the Quarterfinals

Let’s get Loco in the quarterfinal rivalry: Los Alamitos faces rival Long Beach Poly in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs and I expect the Los Al Locos to show up big for this one. The Long Beach Poly student section will also come out for this big battle!

Encore for the Blue Zone?: After rushing the field last week in the Saints one-point victory, the Blue Zone will look to rattle Vista del Lago, more so if they’re near the end zone as that is where they sit.

Time to cook in the Kitchen: The St. Margaret’s Kitchen will look to cook things up Friday when the Tartans host South Pasadena. It’s going to be very weird in the stands.

The Tribe will prepare for battle: Canyon takes on Etiwanda for a home game. I expect the Canyon Tribe to try and rattle Etiwanda as they look to see the Comanches move on to the semifinals.

Stampede looking to roll on Friday: San Juan Hills host Orange and I expect the Stampede to be ready to crush Orange.

Manny’s Prediction for the Quarterfinals

No prediction needed as the Student Section of the Week has come to a close at OCVarsity. We now prepare for the OCVarsity Top 40 Student Section Rankings that will be published Nov. 23. Now is the time to make your case for a top spot in the rankings. The No. 1 section will receive the OCVarsity Student Section championship banner at the OC All-Star Game.