CIF State Division 4–A football bracket breakdown: Northview takes on Colony and Chico plays Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep

With section championships wrapped up all around the state, the CIF State football playoffs are finally here. 28 bowl games are being played throughout California this weekend, and SBLive is previewing every single one.

With section championships wrapped up all around the state, the CIF State football playoffs are finally here. 28 bowl games are being played throughout California this weekend, and SBLive is previewing every single one.

• CALIFORNIA STATE PLAYOFF BRACKETS

Here’s a complete preview of the Division 4-A Northern and Southern Region championships and state semifinals.

In the Northern matchup, Division 3 Central Coast Section winner Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep (6-7) hosts the Northern Section Division 2 winner Chico (9-3). In the Southern semifinal, Colony (8-6), the Southern Section Division 9 champion, will host the Southern Section Division 10 winner Northview (8-6). Both games will be played on Saturday at 6:00 p.m.

Chico vs. Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep breakdown

Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep started the year 0-5, but under head coach Barry McLaughlin the Fightin' Irish successfully turned their season around winning six of their last eight games to take home the Division 3 Central Coast Section title. None of Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep's three playoff games were close as the Fightin' Irish won each of them by at least three scores. They're red hot coming into this state bowl game matchup.

Chico earned the No. 2 seed in Division 2 of the Northern Section and beat No. 4 Foothill 27-3 in the championship game. Jaden Neugebauer had a crucial pick-six in that game and Saxon Farkas rushed for two touchdowns, including the game-winner on a 43-yard scamper.

The pick:Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep 35, Chico 7

Northview vs. Colony breakdown

Colony began the year 2-6, but the Titans rallied to win six games in a row including last week's Southern Section championship triumph against St. Margaret's 49-40. Colony entered the playoffs as an 11-seed. Bryce Strong was the player of the game for Colony in their championship win. He had an interception and touchdown runs of 89 and 42 yards.

Northview has a balanced offense, but in their 27-20 Southern Section title win over St. Anthony, the Vikings scored all three of their touchdowns on the ground. Senior Ronal Tebo Jr. rushed for two touchdowns and senior Cheo Medina scored the third. Tebo led Northview in tackles on defense with seven and Medina finished the game with 123 yards on the ground. Freshman kicker Joseph Gutierrez made all three PAT's and kicked two field goals for Northview in their win. He could be an x-factor on Saturday.

The pick: Colony 28, Northview 21