SOUTH EL MONTE — South El Monte coach Frank Gallardo stood at midfield and mulled over a “what if” question. What if someone told him in August his team would not only be playing for a CIF State championship but would be doing so after crushing a team with California’s leading rusher.

His answer: “Good wishful thinking.”

That scenario was no wish. It was reality. South El Monte dominated Santee of Los Angeles 56-7 in the CIF Southern California Regional Division 7-A championship game on Saturday night.

Gabriel Canchola #3 of the South El Monte Eagles runs for a touchdown against the Santee Falcons in the second half of a CIF State Division 7-AA Championship football game at South El Monte High School in South El Monte on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena S

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