Defense has been a major key in Santa Barbara’s CIF run

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Star quarterback Deacon Hill and the offense make the headlines but the other side of the ball is a major reason why Santa Barbara High School will play for a CIF-SS Division 8 championship versus Sunny Hills of Fullerton.

Santa Barbara's talented linebackers led by John Valencia and Charlie Figueroa fly to the football and have done a great job of stopping the run along with defensive lineman Noah Wood and Joshua Rosales.

The Golden Tornado shutout Gahr in their first round win and they held Palmdale scoreless in the first half and allowed just 15 points in that semifinal victory.

Santa Barbara will need a good defensive performance against the offensive-minded Sunny Hills Lancers.

The title game is Saturday, November 30 at 7pm from San Marcos High School.