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The transformation of Pacifica’s football program under coach Kyle Murphy continues.

The Mariners and their second-year coach defeated host Brentwood 27-23 in the CIF-SS Division 10 quarterfinals Friday to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2007.

Wide receiver/safety Armando Torres caught two touchdowns from James Anema to help lead Pacifica (7-5).

Next week, Pacifica will be the visiting team against top-seeded St. Anthony (7-5) in the semifinals.

St. Anthony defeated Shadow Hills 20-13 in another quarterfinal Friday.

Last season, Pacifica finished 3-7 for the second consecutive campaign and missed the playoffs.

“(I) feel very proud,” Murphy said. “Proud of the team and their perseverance.”

The Mariners signaled their postseason run by capturing the Omicron League title.

In Division 11:

Portola 14, Santa Paula 10: The visiting Bulldogs (6-6) rallied in the second half in Ventura County to reach their first semifinal in program history.

Santa Paula led 3-0 at halftime but Portola quarterback Nash Luper tossed two touchdowns in the second half to help lead the comeback.

Luper connected with tight end Anthony Riccardi in the third quarter and sophomore wide receiver Blaise Williams in the fourth.

Portola coach Peter Abe also credited the Bulldogs’ defense for playing “stout” and the offensive line for blocking for running backs Diego Reyna and Timothy Grettenberg.

In the first round of the playoff, Portola knocked off top-seeded and host Don Lugo 31-20.

Portola, the runner-up to Pacifica in the Omicron League, plays host to Baldwin Park (7-5) in the semifinals next week.

Baldwin Park defeated host Big Bear 28-21 in the snow in another quarterfinal on Friday.

In Division 13:

Anaheim 24, Arrowhead Christian 19: The fourth-seeded Colonists (10-2) and first-year coach Gus Martinez held off the Eagles (5-6) at Glover Stadium to reach their first semifinal since 2021.

Anaheim led 24-0 going into the fourth quarter before Arrowhead Christian scored 19 points in the final period.

Next week in the semifinals, Anaheim will be at top-seeded Gahr (7-5), which defeated Artesia 34-7 in another quarterfinal on Friday.

In Division 14:

Ganesha 43, Century 42: The visiting Centurions (7-4) narrowly missed their first trip to the semifinals after notching their first playoff win since 1992 in the first round.

— Dan Albano

In Division 3:

Loyola 23, Crean Lutheran 20, OT: Crean Lutheran made a field goal in overtime but allowed a game-winning touchdown in a road loss to Loyola.

Connor Stephens made two field goals for Crean Lutheran. The Saints had two rushing touchdowns.

In Division 8:

St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy 23, Segerstrom 22: Segerstrom had the ball with a chance to win the game in the final two minutes, but St. Pius X forced an interception to end the Jaguars’ season.

Segerstrom (8-4) had three rushing touchdowns in the loss. Noah Tagaloa, Cristian Ramos and  Nicholas Cervantes ran for touchdowns for the Jaguars.

Salesian 20, Irvine 10: Irvine led in the fourth quarter, but Salesian scored two touchdowns in the quarter to beat the Vaqueros at Irvine High.

Khoa Bui threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Deacon Moss in the second quarter for Irvine (7-5). Moss made a field goal early in the fourth quarter to give Irvine a 10-7 lead.

Bui threw for over 140 yards with a touchdown. Irvine’s defense forced two turnovers and shut out Salesian in the first half.

Lancaster 25, Beckman 17: Beckman had two rushing touchdowns and scored 14 second-half points in a road loss to Lancaster.

Beckman (10-2) trailed 22-3 at halftime. The Patriots were co-champs in the Lambda League this season.

In Division 9:

Quartz Hill 55, Sonora 34: Sonora had four rushing touchdowns in the first half of a high-scoring loss to Quartz Hill.

Anthony Abad and Olin Morales Hyder had rushing touchdowns for Sonora (7-5). Tucker Hunnicutt threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to Brady Ackerman.

Sonora trailed 41-34 at halftime and was shut out in the second half.

— Michael Huntley

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