UPDATE, Dec. 20:

St. Bernard’s Academy won the State Championship last night 28-21 against Saddleback Valley Christian High School in Laguna Hills. Way to go Crusaders!

Photos from St Bernard’s Facebook page.

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Photos provided by St. Bernard’s. Community members gather to send off the St. Bernard’s football team.

St. Bernard’s High School is headed to the CIF Division V-A State championship for the first time in school history.

After posting an impressive 9-1 regular season record, coach Matt Tomlin led his team to playoff victories against Middletown, Ferndale, Berea Christian and Fall River High Schools. The Crusaders historic season will come to an end this Saturday as it takes on Saddleback Valley Christian High School for the state championship in Laguna Hills.

Principal Paul Shanahan said the California Interscholastic Federation expanded the state championships round to include smaller schools this year. St Bernard’s capitalized.

“We have this window of opportunity that hasn’t really existed before,” Shanahan said. “I’m so proud of how hard these students have worked. It has been enjoyable to watch.”

The school’s Associated Students and local law enforcement threw a surprise parade for the boys in green this morning as a final sendoff before they took off for Southern California.

Shanahan said this is an opportunity for some of his students to experience a big city for the first time.

“It will be a memory they can keep forever,” Shanahan said. “Our kids will be telling stories to their grandchildren about this adventure.”

The game will be played on Saturday at 6 p.m. Click this link for live game updates.