SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — The Valencia Vikings are preparing for their biggest game in school history, and that's not hyperbole. Under the direction of head coach Larry Muir, the Vikings are preparing for the CIF Regional Championship after Muir led the team to its first-ever CIF Southern Section title last week.  

"To see the joy in people's faces, it's overwhelming," Muir said.

It's been a long time coming for the coach and his program. They've made the playoffs 15 out of the last 17 years but never came out on top — that is until this season. It's a journey fulfilled for Muir.

"All the people and the families that put so much time and effort into the program over all these years," Muir explained. "So, I was thinking so much about all the alumni and the families, and also this team itself."

One of those players is star receiver Duhron Goodman, who made huge defensive and special team plays in the sectional title game. He helped his team make history.

"It really hasn't hit me yet," Goodman said. "I'm still celebrating over winning the CIF but right now, we're still focused on winning states." 

As coach Muir gets his team set for a state title run, he's using the success as another teaching lesson.

"That's what life is. Life is you keep going in the direction that you're going to have opportunities in front of you. What's the next opportunity? Whatever it is that you accomplish, which is awesome and that's part of the journey," said the coach. "But there’s gonna be the next opportunity. The next opportunity is being the first team in history to win a state playoff game.”

On Saturday, Valencia will face Scripps Ranch from San Diego in the CIF Regional Championship.