By Stephen Ramirez
La Mirada High School’s road to repeat has included seven consecutive wins with a running clock, a quarterfinal scare and a dominant win in the semifinals.But now comes the Matadores’ biggest test — Edison, which visits La Mirada tonight for the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 title. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The game will be televised on Prime Ticket on tape delay, beginning at 8 p.m.La Mirada (11-2), which won the Southeast Division title en route to a CIF State Division III-AA championship last season, is seeking its fourth section crown and is in the title round for the 11th time. Edison is seeking its sixth CIF-SS title.
The winner advances to next week’s regional bowls.

“It always feels better (to do it again),” said La Mirada coach Mike Moschetti, whose Matadores have won 10 consecutive games since losing to Division 1 finalists St. John Bosco and Mater Dei in consecutive weeks in September. “This is the goal, this is the dream to get to this point in the season. Our kids have done a great job. We’re just really grateful and humbled that we’re here.”
But Moschetti also knows the task at hand won’t be an easy one.
Edison (11-2) has been equally as impressive reaching the finals. The Chargers have won eight consecutive games since a loss to Mater Dei in late September. They have advanced with three solid wins in the playoffs, including a 38-21 victory over Freeway champion Buena Park in the quarterfinals.
Edison features quarterback Griffin O’Connor, who has thrown for 2,985 yards and 33 touchdowns, and running back Jack Carmichael, who has rushed for 845 yards and 10 touchdowns. Kenny Carmichael leads the defense with 85 tackles and 15 sacks.
“(Edison has a) physical offensive line, playmakers at the skilled positions,” Moschetti said. “The quarterback battles, the defense plays really hard. We’re going to have to play our best football game to have a chance to win it this week.”
The same challenge is in store for Edison. La Mirada, sans having to rally for a 32-31 win over La Serna in the quarterfinals, has looked nearly unstoppable since losing to Mater Dei in late September. The Matadores dominated Division 2 finalist San Clemente (43-14) before winning seven consecutive games with a running clock. They beat Los Alamitos 36-20 in the semifinals last week.
“(La Mirada is a) great team,” said Edison coach Dave White, who is retiring at the end of this season after 31 years at the Huntington Beach school. “We have our hands full. They have so many great players and they are well-coached. They don’t have any weaknesses.
“You just have to try and play your ‘A’ game. They are going to get big plays. You just have to limit them.”
La Mirada is led by senior quarterback Tristan Meyer, who has thrown for 2,208 yards and 35 touchdowns. The Matadores also feature receiver/returner Elijah Hicks, who had a 66-yard punt return for a touchdown vs. Paso Robles in the first round, and an 82-yard kickoff return for a score against La Serna. He has 24 receptions for 419 yards and five touchdowns. Hicks also has five interceptions.
Running backs Nick Hernandez, who is still nursing sore ribs, and Anthony Melendez have combined to rush for 1,224 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Both teams played Los Alamitos, with La Mirada scoring a 16-point win last week and Edison beating the Griffins 17-9 in October.
“We won it last year, so now we have a big target on our back now,” Meyer said. “We just have to go out and play our game. Hopefully, it comes out well.”