LA HABRA — It had been four seasons since La Habra opened the CIF-SS football playoffs with an Orange County opponent.

La Habra coach Frank Mazzotta mentioned how much he was looking forward to facing an OC team, and then his team delivered a convincing 41-7 victory over El Modena in a Division 4 first-round game Friday night at La Habra High.

The Highlanders (8-3) will host Cathedral of Los Angeles in the second round next week. The Phantoms beat Western 40-21 on Friday.

La Habra running back Kevika Mata’Utia- Martinez runs the ball into the end zone for score against El Modena in round one of the CIF-SS Division 4 playoffs in La Habra on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

El Modena wide receiver Samuel Jackett, center, can’t hang onto a pass as

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