One of the more common football clichés is games “fought in the trenches,” but Friday night’s CIF-Southern Section Division 8 semifinal game between the Wildcats and the visiting Irvine High School was indeed contested in trench-like conditions — a slippery mud field saturated from a week of heavy rain.

Overcoming both the Vaqueros, and the mud, varsity football advanced to the section championship game with a 28-12 win in Wildcat Stadium Nov. 21. 

It’s the Wildcats’ first title appearance since 2018, when they fell to San Gorgonio High School, 27-17, in the Division 9 final. 

Despite the slow start, Nicholson noted the team’s composure. “We didn’t hang our heads because we know mistakes happen and we knew one play could change the whole momentum of the game,” Nicholson said, “and that’s exactly what happened.”

The slippery conditions began to take a toll on Irvine’s players. On the ensuing kickoff, Cohen Senkbile (‘26) recovered a fumble deep in Vaquero territory. Nicholson capitalized on the turnover with a five-yard TD run, his first of three scores, and Colby Thuman (’27) converted the point after attempt, increasing the Wildcats’ lead to 14-6.

The Vaqueros’ next drive was again plagued by a turnover when Irvine quarterback Sina Saferzadeh (‘26) attempted to pitch the ball to a teammate who slipped in the mud. The ball ricocheted off the running back’s helmet and onto the ground, where linebacker Chris Bradish (‘26) fell on it.

Nicholson attributed Irvine’s turnovers — two lost fumbles and an interception —  to the churned-up field. “[The mud] slowed everyone down and made it harder to plant and cut on the grass,” Nicholson said. 

Bradish noted that because the Vaqueros’ home field is synthetic turf, they were not prepared for a natural grass field saturated with rain. “We are used to the mud on a field, while Irvine isn’t,” Bradish said. 

In fact, between the condition of the field and watching Vaquero’s game film, the Wildcat defense anticipated a fumble-filled contest. 

“We were working on forcing fumbles all practice because in previous games they fumbled a lot,” Nick Davis (‘27), linebacker, said. “We knew if we forced turnovers we would win.”

Conversely, the Wildcats adapted, turning the soggy conditions to their advantage.

Nicholson appeared unphased by the mud when he squeezed past an end zone pylon to score a seven-yard touchdown, extending the Wildcats’ lead to 21-6 at halftime. 

“I think even with the mud I was still able to do what I could do best, which is outrunning defenders and scoring touchdowns,” Nicholson, who ran for a game-high 117 yards on 17 carries, said. 

A slick ball and muddy playing field meant a Wildcat offense committed to the ground game. Running back Kolotolu Liti (‘26) was also a force on the ground, running for 100 yards and a TD on 24 carries.

Nicholson attempted just three passes. However, the receivers and tight ends played a pivotal role in the game.

“Our receivers and the rest of the offense had to step up as blockers on Friday,” Nicholson said. “The receivers were selfless in the win, and were a huge part of our success in the run game.”

The Wildcats’ defense was just as dominant.

Constant pressure from the defensive line and linebackers Santana and Davis stifled Saferzadeh, who came into the game averaging 68 rushing yards but repeatedly failed to break free for first downs. 

Early in the fourth quarter Irvine scored, closing the gap to 28-12, but that brief burst of momentum was short-lived when Davis had a highlight reel-worthy, leaping one-handed interception.

At the final whistle, mud-stained players left the sidelines and crowded the 50-yard line to celebrate their tenth victory of the season, and their ticket to a section championship. 

With the win, the 10-3 Wildcats will face Beckman High School of Irvine for the Division 8 championship at Wildcat Stadium Nov. 28. 

Beckman, also 10-3, won the Lambda League, and won their semifinal contest, 28-14, on the road against Palm Desert High School. 

BOHS will need to account for Beckman’s senior running back, Makhi Czaykowski, who has racked up 1523 rushing yards and 24 TDs this season, and senior quarterback Noah Nam, who has thrown for 2196 yards and 22 TDs.

With only one game remaining in a season that began in Wildcat Stadium 14 weeks ago, varsity football is ready to leave it all on the home field one more time for their first championship title in 24 years.

“We’ll just stay humble and confident and bring Brea the ring we deserve,” wide receiver Jio Kang (‘27) said.