Division 7 post week 8, pre-week 9

[gvgrizzlyfan]

#1 (according to calpreps.com) is still the Northview Vikings (8-0, 3-0) of Covina. They beat the Covina Colts (4-4, 1-2) 33-12 in Valle Vista League play. Northview will likely go undefeated in the regular season and has a fairly easy game next week against Rowland (4-4, 1-2) before the regular season ending showdown for the Valle Vista League championship against San Dimas (7-1, 3-0).

While Covina's league record would make you think they are in jeopardy of missing a guaranteed playoff spot for Division 9, that will not be the case as they are facing the two Valle Vista bottom feeders in their last two games, who don't stand a chance of an upset without a serious roster depletion for Covina. I expect Northview will get the #1 or 2 seed in the Division 7 playoffs, IF they beat San Dimas in week 10. The Vikings defense still has not given up more than 14 points in any one contest this year.

#2 are the San Jacinto Tigers (8-0, 3-0), #1 in the CIFss poll for D-7. The Tigers had to come from behind last week to beat the Hemet Bulldogs (4-4, 1-2). Hemet led 7-0 after 1 quarter but the Tigers tied it up in the second, took the lead in the third and put the game away in the 4th quarter with their third TD. The Tiger defense was led by 6-4, 240lb defensive end Kaleb Hervey, a beast of a player. The D intercepted 3 Hemet passes.

Tiger sophomore QB Kajiya Hollowayane grabbed the highlights with 255 yards passing and 62 rushing, going 18 of 26. Two of the catches were TD receptions by Hervey who had 177 of those reception yards, including one that went for 90 yards, on 6 catches. The Tigers will host the Citrus Hill Hawks (8-0, 3-0) this week. The #2 ranked team in Division 3 according to the CIFss poll. This game will decide the Mountain Pass League championship. The game is rated a toss-up.

#3 are the Culver City Centaurs (6-2, 2-1). They beat the El Segundo Eagles (4-4, 1-2), 28-0 by scoring 3 first quarter TD's and 1 in the second quarter before the lightning came and ended up cancelling the rest of the game. They next travel to face their one remaining dangerous league opponent, the Hawthorne Cougars (5-3, 2-1). Hawthorne beat Beverly Hills 21-0 in another game that was likely called early due to dangerous lightning strikes. A Culver City win will give them a better playoff position while the loser could find themselves in a tie breaker situation to determine who will be the playoff guaranteed third place league finisher.

#4 are the Citrus Valley Blackhawks (6-2, 2-1). The Blackhawks suffered their first Citrus Belt League loss of the year to a very tough Cajon team (7-1, 3-0). Cajon is the #1 ranked team in Division 3 according to calpreps.com. Now the Blackhawks have to come back and face the Redlands East Valley (5-3, 2-1) Wildcats. The Wildcats are favored by 2 TD's. If the Blackhawks lose to the Wildcats, then the final game against the Yucaipa Thunderbirds (5-3, 2-1) is vital and it projects to a very close game. If the Blackhawks lose both games, they will have to hope for an at-large playoff selection.

 

[gvgrizzlyfan]

#5 are the Warren Bears (5-3, 2-1) of Downey. They took care of business last week, beating Gahr (3-5, 2-1) 48-14 in a game the Bears needed to insure they get a guaranteed playoff spot with a top 3 finish in the San Gabriel Valley League. They are currently in a 3 way tie for second with Gahr and Downey (4-4, 2-1) and the Bears travel to face Downey in a game rated as a toss-up. This is a game I would recommend for high school football fans in the area. But, even if the Bears lose to Downey, they are assured of a win in week 10 against Dominguez (2-6, 0-3), dropping them no lower than 3rd place. Gahr is likely to lose their last two against Paramount (4-4, 3-0) and Downey, dropping them out of the top three in league.

#6 are the Valencia Tigers (8-1, 4-0) who played the Pacifica Mariners (4-5, 2-2) tonight, beating them 26-7. The Tigers have not given up more than 20 points in any one game this year. Both of these teams are playing in Division 7 and the Tigers have locked up a playoff spot. But the Mariners situation is a bit precarious. Pacifica, ranked 18th in D-7, is likely to finish in a 3 way tie for second place with Tustin (3-6, 2-2) and Cypress (5-4, 3-1) with each team having lost to one of the others. I don't know how they do their tie breakers. Pacifica should be able to garner a 5th win in their last game against Kennedy (2-6, 0-3) of La Palma and be eligible for an at-large playoff selection under a worst case scenario.

#7 are the Millikan Rams (5-2, 3-1) of Long Beach. They routed lowly Cabrillo (2-6, 1-3) of Long Beach last week by a score of 47-6 but this week is the battle for second place in the Moore League as they host Wilson (5-3, 3-1) of Long Beach. But even the loser of the game will still likely end up with a guaranteed playoff spot from a top three finish in League as neither is expected to lose in week 10. The Rams are favored by three. This is another recommended game for high school football fans.

#8 are the Notre Dame Titans (6-2, 1-0) of Riverside who beat the Temescal Canyon Titans (2-5, 0-1) by a score of 37-21 in the battle of the Titans. In the 4 team Sunbelt league, the win for Notre Dame was crucial not only because of a small league, but also because TC was their highest rated league opponent. Now Notre Dame is all but a lock to get a guaranteed playoff spot in D-7.

The next game is against Elsinore (4-4, 1-0) and will determine the Sunbelt League championship. Elsinore was the next highest rated team in the Sunbelt League after TC, but still projects to give Notre Dame a fight in what projects as a 35-27 victory for Notre Dame. When the projection is that close though, you wanna play that game to see if the oddsmakers knew what they were talking about.

#9 are the Grand Terrace Titans (5-3, 3-0). Last week the Titans beat Colton (4-4, 2-1) 34-0 in a stunningly dominant win. Grand Terrace has a chance to lock up a guaranteed playoff spot if they can beat Summit (3-5, 1-2) this week. The Titans are projected as solid favorites. A loss to Summit could push the Titans into a at-large playoff selection scenario.

#10 are the Sunny Hills Lancers (6-2, 2-1). They beat Fullerton (3-5, 1-2) 35-7 last Saturday. This week they have the battle for second place in the Freeway League with Troy (3-5, 2-1) of Fullerton. The Lancers are 2 TD favorites over Troy, a fellow Division 7 participant. Troy is rated 16th in Division 7. If they can win one of their last 2, they too should be able to achieve a guaranteed playoff spot by finishing in third in a 6 team league. Troy faces Fullerton in the last game of the regular season.