Whether they win or lose title, change is coming

Seniors head to state championships and a crossroads: Some will move up or move on.

- ERIC SONDHEIMER

ERIC SONDHEIMER Los Angeles Times VENTURA quarterback Derek Garcia said it's been an "awesome journey" being coached by his father, Tim.

Prepare for lots of tears this weekend at the CIF state championship football games in Orange County.

“No doubt,” Ventura High quarterback Derek Garcia said.

Seniors are playing in their final high school football games. Others will never play again unless it's intramural football. And others are heading off to college in a matter of days as scholarship athletes, so win or lose, change is coming, which will challenge emotions when reality sets in.

“It’s been a great feeling all week knowing this will be my final high school game because most of the time you go in it's up in the air,” Garcia said. “Win and you keep going or lose and you go home. It’s a great feeling we made it this far, and we're in the last possible game to play. We're ready to go.”