Division 7 post week 7, pre-week 8

[gvgrizzlyfan]

The Northview Vikings (7-0, 2-0) of Covina and the Valle Vista League, are ranked #1 in the calpreps.com ratings, #2 in the CIFss poll. They had an easy time of it against one of the Valle Vista downtrodden, beating Baldwin Park (1-6, 0-2) 49-0. Things will get tougher for the rest of league play, but not so much that there should be any concern about making playoffs. In a worst case scenario, the Vikings could lose 2 of 3, but are unlikely to do even that. But one win would still be enough to lock up a Division 7 playoff spot.

Next week's opponent, the Covina Colts (4-3, 1-1) might be good enough to make the upset, but they certainly won't be favored against Northview. The Vikings have not given up more than 14 points to any team in any one game this year and that was only in the first game of the year. That Viking defense will have its best test so far this year as the Colts have not been held to less than 27 points in any one game. Calpreps.com projection: Northview 44-27

#2 by calpreps.com is the Culver City Centaurs (5-2, 1-1). The CIFss has them as #5. They have won 1 league game that they needed to win and lost the game last week that they were expected to lose, to the Lawndale Cardinals (5-2, 2-0) by 27-34. The next two weeks are crucial games in which the Centaurs may be heavily favored but are the ones that have the potential for upset. Next Friday, the Centaurs have the El Segundo Eagles (4-3, 1-1) at home. The Eagles, now ranked #20 in Division 7, have had their struggles this year, sustaining a devastating 28-41 league loss to Hawthorne in the opening week. Now they must win at least 1 of their last 3 to even get wild card consideration and 2 of 3 to get back into a possible playoff spot.

The Centaurs are heavily favored but this has become somewhat of a rivalry game and the Eagles do still possess a very talented QB Matt Romero who has thrown for almost 1,000 yards this season and can run the ball very well. He has the most rushing TD's on the team and I suspect that he will have the green light to run whenever he wants with the playoff situation getting so desperate for the Eagles. Calpreps projection: Culver City 52-14. I believe it will be closer.

#3 are the San Jacinto Tigers (7-0, 2-0) of the Mountain Pass League. They are #1 in the CIFss D-7 poll. The Tigers had an easy 49-0 win over league doormat, the West Valley Mustangs (1-6, 0-2) of Hemet, last week. The week before was a bit of a scare in their league opener against Beaumont (4-3, 0-2). They won by a score of just 22-16. While the Tigers should be able to win at least 1 of their last three, only 1 more win would affect their opening round playoff positioning. Next week's opponent, Hemet (4-3, 1-1) rates as just slightly tougher than Beaumont. Still, the calpreps projection: San Jacinto 38-13

#4 are the Citrus Valley Blackhawks (6-1, 2-0) of Redlands and the Citrus Belt League. They are #3 in the CIFss poll. The Blackhawks have already won the two league games that they were expected to, but now face a tough threesome of games in which they are significant underdogs in 2 of them and only slight favorites in the final regular season game against Yucaipa (4-3, 1-1).

Their 6 wins so far should allow them to qualify for playoff consideration as a wild card entrant even if they cannot win the necessary game against Yucaipa to lock up third place and a guaranteed playoff spot. Coming from the tough Citrus Belt league should carry significant weight in any decision about wild card playoff selections. A win against Yucaipa allows the Blackhawks to guarantee their own playoff destiny. As for this week, Citrus Valley hosts Cajon (6-1, 2-0). projection: Cajon (San Bernardino, CA) 46-19

#5 are the Millikan Rams (4-2, 2-1) who had a bye last week. The Rams have already won their two games that were the most dangerous challenge that could have upset their playoff hopes. They should be able to win at least 2 of their remaining three and be assured of no less than a third place finish and a guaranteed playoff spot. However, a win against Wilson (5-3, 3-1) could get them second place in the Moore League and a better playoff spot. But first they play Cabrillo (2-5, 1-2) of Long Beach. Projection: Millikan 38-3.

#6 are the Valencia Tigers (6-1, 2-0) of Placentia and the Empire League. They beat Tustin (2-5, 1-1) 27-7 last week. The Tigers are likely to cruise through the rest of Empire League play with only fellow Division 7 opponent Pacifica (4-3, 2-0) of Garden Grove offering any resistance. As for this week, the Tigers face lowly Kennedy (2-5, 0-2) of La Palma. Projection: Valencia (Placentia, CA) 35-0

#7 are the Warren Bears (4-3, 1-1) of Downey. They gave quite the challenge to highly rated Paramount (3-4, 2-0) before losing 21-24 last week. This week they face the one remaining team with any sort of chance of upsetting them, the Gahr Gladiators (3-4, 2-0). But Gahr is still a heavy underdog. projection: Warren (Downey, CA) 44-26

 

[gvgrizzlyfan]

#8 are the Crescenta Valley Falcons (6-1, 3-1). They suffered a somewhat surprising 45-23 defeat last week by the Burbank Bulldogs (4-3, 3-1). The Falcons were favored in that contest, but the Bulldogs have been a tough game for the Falcons ever since Burbank moved into the Pacific League. The Falcons committed 6 turnovers to just 1 for the Bulldogs. It is hard to win games against decent teams when you turn the ball over that much. 4 of them were interceptions.

Things were looking a little more positive prior to the loss to Burbank, but the Falcons will win at least 2 of their last three and have plenty of wins for a wild card playoff eligibility. The way to avoid that scenario is to win all of their last three, but the league finale against Arcadia (5-2, 4-0) will be a tough but attainable challenge. This Friday, the Falcons have it easy against the Glendale Nitros(1-6, 0-4). projection: Crescenta Valley (La Crescenta, CA) 62-0

#9 are the Notre Dame Titans (5-2, 0-0) of Riverside. They play in the 4 team Sunbelt League so they were just finishing up their non-league schedule last week with a 36-32 win over Valley View (2-5). The Titans are the favorites in the Sunbelt and even if they slip up against Temescal Canyon (2-4) this Friday, they are not likely to lose to either of their remaining two league opponents. Projection for this Friday, Notre Dame (Riverside, CA) wins 34-27.

 

[gvgrizzlyfan]

#10 are the Sunny Hills Lancers (5-2, 1-1). They lost 56-14 to their Freeway League bullies, La Habra (3-4, 2-0) last weekend, but there does not appear to be any teams left that should present a significant challenge to Sunny Hills. If the Lancers can take care of business and avoid any upset for the next couple of weeks they will finish in second with a guaranteed playoff entry. But first, they must face Fullerton (3-4, 1-1). Not a horrible team, but one they are expected to beat. projection: Lancers 38-19

#11 are the Grand Terrace Titans (4-3, 2-0). The Titans easily dispensed with the second of the Sunkist League doormats, the Fontana Steelers (0-7, 0-2) 36-0 last Friday. Things get tougher now in league but still favor the Titans. This Friday, the Titans travel to face the Colton Yellowjackets (4-3, 2-0). It could be close. A good one to watch perhaps. projection: Grand Terrace (CA) 28-21.

#12 are the Santa Barbara Dons (4-3, 1-1). They were shockingly upset last week by league opponent and Division 7 challenger, the Santa Ynez Pirates (4-3, 1-1), by a score of 28-10. It looks like a wild finish will take place in the Channel League as there will be 3 teams capable of getting to second or third place in the 6 team league, but 1 of the 3 will be left out of a guaranteed playoff spot, hoping for a wild card at-large entry. This Saturday, the Dons will face the Channel League favorites, Lompoc (5-2, 2-0). projection: Lompoc (CA) 35-17

#13 are the Pacifica Mariners (4-3, 2-0) of Garden Grove. The Mariners easily dispensed with lowly Crean Lutheran (4-3, 0-2) last weekend by a score of 40-13. The next two games will be tough, but the odds still favor the Mariners wrapping up one of the top three spots in the Empire League and advancing to the playoffs. This Thursday they go on the road in an important and challenging game against Tustin (2-5, 1-1). projection: Pacifica (Garden Grove, CA) 28-27

#14 are the Santa Ynez Pirates (4-3, 1-1). We previously mentioned their big upset 28-10 victory over Santa Barbara. The Pirates have it easy this week against lowly Cabrillo (0-7, 0-2) of Lompoc. projection: Santa Ynez (CA) 38-0. But a win against Dos Pueblos (4-3, 1-1) the following week would make playoff possibilities a lot more solid.

#15 are the Elsinore Tigers (3-4, 0-0). Like the Notre Dame Titans, they play in the 4 team Sunbelt League but they are in a much more precarious situation. They start league play this week, but only project to a third place finish which will not get them a playoff spot and they are not likely to achieve the .500 record required to be eligible for an at-large playoff entry. The Tigers must first avoid the upset by Arlington (0-7): projection: Elsinore (Wildomar, CA) 35-21, then must find a way to either beat the Titans or, more likely, Temescal Canyon in the last regular season game.

#16 are the Newport Harbor Sailors (3-3-1, 0-2). They play in the extremely tough Sunset League and unfortunately project to finish last. It would be absolutely shocking to see them win their last three to get playoff eligible. They are not likely to win even one with just one of them being an outside chance of an upset. The Sailors season will be over when the regular concludes. This Thursday, they face Edison (3-4, 1-1) projection: Edison (Huntington Beach, CA) 41-3.

#17 are the La Quinta Blackhawks (3-4, 2-0). The Blackhawks were projected to finish last in the Desert Empire League but have already pulled off two upsets including last week's 27-10 win over Shadow Hills (5-2, 0-2). If the Blackhawks can pull off one more upset victory, and two of those teams look like reasonable upset victims, then they will lock down a playoff spot. If not, it will be heartbreak and no playoffs. Unfortunately, this Friday does not expect to be one of those games that they can upset the opponent as they are facing the league favorites, Palm Desert (7-0, 2-0) projection: Palm Desert (CA) 28-10.

#18 are the Troy Warriors (3-4, 2-0) of Fullerton. The Warriors have gotten their 2 league wins against the lowest ranked teams in the league including their 49-39 victory over Buena Park (2-5, 0-2) last weekend. Things get tougher from here on and they really only stand a chance, actually slight favorites, in the last game of the season against Fullerton (3-4, 1-1) but if they can win that game, they will make the playoffs. If they lose it, they will be out because they have not achieved the necessary 5 wins. As for this Friday, they face league favorite, La Habra (3-4, 2-0) projection: La Habra (CA) 49-7

#19 are the Buena Bulldogs (3-4, 2-0). This team looked dead on arrival before the start of league play, but an easy opponent to start league plus an upset victory last week over Rio Mesa (4-3, 1-1) by a score of 24-6, suddenly has Buena in position to control their own playoff destiny. They face a beatable opponent this week in Ventura (0-7, 0-2) but are somehow projected as slight underdogs. projection: Ventura (CA) 27-21. If Buena wins, the only way I can see them getting excluded from the playoffs is if #'s 1-14, & 17 & 18 all capture guaranteed playoff spots. If Buena loses this Friday, almost all hope is lost as their last two opponents are far superior.

#20 are the El Segundo Eagles (4-3, 1-1). They dug themselves a big hole when they lost their Ocean League opener to Hawthorne 28-41. The only way back into the playoffs is to upset the Culver City Centaurs (5-2, 1-1) this Friday. No small task: projection: Culver City (CA) 52-14. And then they still have to come back and beat Santa Monica (3-4, 1-1) in the last game of the season. Santa Monica has already beaten Hawthorne. I would call this one of a couple of trap games for the Centaurs in that if they don't take the Eagles seriously enough and have a bad turnover game, they could find themselves scrambling to stay ahead of the Eagles in the game and in the standings. The Eagles are the last team I see that has any chance of getting into the Division 7 playoffs.