Division 7 post week 9, pre-week 10

[gvgrizzlyfan]

The Northview Vikings (9-0, 4-0) continue to be the top ranked team in Division 7 according to calpreps.com. They easily dispensed with the Rowland Raiders (4-5, 1-3) in their Valle Vista league game by a score of 45-0. Next week they will play the toughest team they have faced all year in the San Dimas Saints (8-1, 4-0), and this game will determine the Valle Vista League championship. The good news for the loser of next week's game is that they will both likely have a game the following Friday in the playoffs despite the results this Friday. These teams will finish first and second in league and both will likely get selections for the playoffs. San Dimas is rated #2 in Division 8 according to calpreps.com ratings. Obviously a highly recommended game for competitive entertainment value.

The Culver City Centaurs (7-2, 3-1) are rated #2 by calpreps.com. The Centaurs dominated the Hawthorne Cougars (5-4, 2-2) by a score of 62-14 to lock up any doubt about them making the playoffs. They still are mathematically challenged to stay in second in the Ocean League but that is just on paper as the Beverly Hills Normans (2-7, 0-4) stand no chance of defeating the Centaurs.

#3 are the Citrus Valley Blackhawks (6-3, 2-2) who suffered through their second consecutive Citrus Belt League loss, this time to powerhouse Redlands East Valley (6-3, 3-1) by a score of 49-14. The Blackhawks are currently in a third place tie with the Yucaipa Thunderbirds (5-4, 2-2). Both teams have achieved the 5 win minimum to apply for an at-large playoff berth but only the winner of their final league game, against each other, can claim guaranteed playoff eligibility. Another highly recommended Valle Vista game for the final week of the season. The loser could find themselves unable to garner a playoff spot.

#4 are the San Jacinto Tigers (8-1, 3-1). The Tigers lost to Mountain Pass league favorites, Citrus Hill (9-0, 4-0) by a score of 21-13. This weekend the Tigers face a much easier opponent, the Tahquits Titans (6-3, 1-3). Calpreps.com is projecting a 44-7 victory for the Tigers which would be a very good thing for them because it allows them to lock up sole posession of 2nd place and guaranteed playoff eligibility in Division 7.

 

[gvgrizzlyfan]

#5 are the Warren Bears (6-3, 3-1) of Downey. The Bears all but locked up sole possession of second place in the San Gabriel Valley League with their 48-28 victory over Downey (4-5, 2-2) last week. Warren should have an easy final game victory over struggling Dominguez (3-6, 1-3) and easily get a playoff spot in Division 7.

#6 are the Millikan Rams (6-2, 4-1) of Long Beach. Millikan accomplished a similar feat to what Warren did last week when the Rams beat a good Wilson (5-4, 3-2) of Long Beach team to all but lock up second place in the Moore League as they face an easy game against Jordan (3-6, 0-5) of Long Beach. The Rams are all but a lock to be in the Division 7 playoffs.

#7 are the Valencia Tigers (8-1, 4-0) who beat league and Division 7 opponents Pacifica (4-5, 2-2) of Garden Grove 26-7 last week. The Tigers cannot finish worse than a tie for first as they face the Cypress Centurions (5-4, 3-1). Valencia is favored by 19 points but Cypress should come in motivated as a win will improve their playoff prospects and positioning substantially. If Cypress loses, they could fall into a 3 way tie for 2nd place and who knows which one of those likely three, including D-7 Pacifica, could end up being the odd man out in playoff selection.

 

[gvgrizzlyfan]

#8 are the Notre Dame Titans (7-2, 2-0) of Riverside. They beat the last remaining challenging Sunbelt League opponent, Elsinore (4-5, 1-1), another Division 7 team, by a score of 70-56 last week. Now they have the easy Sunbelt League game against Arlington (0-9, 0-2) which should allow them to get some rest for their starters before the playoff push because the Titans are all but locked into the Division 7 playoffs. Elsinore, currently ranked 13th in D-7, has a much more precarious path to the playoffs. They must beat a decent Temescal Canyon (3-5, 1-1) squad next week. The winner is guaranteed playoff eligibility by finishing 2nd in the 4 team Sunbelt league, while the loser probably will not even be eligible for the playoffs because they will not have achieved a .500 or better record.

#9 are the Sunny Hills Lancers (7-2, 3-1). They were able to squeeze by Troy (3-6, 2-2) 21-14 in a key Freeway League and Division 7 pre-playoff positioning match-up. Sunny Hills is solidly positioned to take 2cnd place in the Freeway League and earn guaranteed playoff eligibility for D-7 as they face lowly Sonora (2-7, 1-3) in the final game of the regular season. Meanwhile Troy, 17th ranked in D-7, currently holds third place in the Freeway League by itself, but must hold off Fullerton (3-6, 1-3). If Fullerton wins, it would be hard to explain how you could still give Troy the third place guaranteed playoff eligibility spot and Troy will not be playoff eligible without a win.

#10 are the Grand Terrace Titans (6-3, 4-0). They beat Summit (3-6, 1-3) 27-15 last week and are on a collision course to host Kaiser (8-1, 4-0) to conclude their regular season. Only the pride of being Sunkist League champions will be at stake as both teams have already locked themselves into the playoff eligibility guaranteed 1st & 2nd place finishes in the Sunkist League. The winner should receive a good playoff selection. So there are things to motivate them to play well.

#11 are the Crescenta Valley Falcons (8-1, 5-1). The Falcons were able to lock up a playoff eligible spot with a forfeit win against troubled Hoover (0-6, 1-8). Currently the Falcons are tied for second with Burbank (6-3, 5-1), but Burbank has what should be a much easier game against a struggling Burroughs (2-7, 2-4) of Burbank. The Falcons have a big challenge this week as they face Pacific League front-runner Arcadia (7-2, 6-0). A win ties them for first in which they might get the nod as the first place team, for beating Arcadia. However, if they lose the Falcons will be relegated to third place in the Pacific League and have to hope that they can get selected after any 1st and 2nd place teams take their playoff spots.

#12 are the Santa Barbara Dons (5-4, 2-2). They got the easy 44-12 victory over Cabrillo (0-9, 0-4) of Lompoc last week. They are currently tied for third with Santa Ynez (5-4, 2-2). The Dons lost to Santa Ynez earlier this year. The Dons had a tough game tonight against currently 2nd place Dos Pueblos (6-3, 3-1). According to Mike Klan of KEYT, the Dons have won 24-7. He claims that gives the Dons 2nd place in the Channel League but the calpreps.com standings don't seem to necessarily show it that way. Unless Santa Ynez falls on its face against lowly San Marcos (2-7, 1-3), I see a 3 way tie for second place. Now perhaps predetermined factors, Channel league internal agreements, allows for it to now be determined that the Dons are second, but Santa Ynez might have an objection to that.
Santa Ynez is ranked 14th in Division 7 and if things play out the way that Mike Klan says they will, then Santa Ynez will have to apply as an at-large and wait and see if things shake out in a way that will get them into the playoffs.

We talked about #13 Elsinore earlier in the discussion about #8.

We just talked about the #14 Santa Ynez Pirates. They had the opportunity to control their own destiny last week but lost to Dos Pueblos 35-28.

#15 are the LaQuinta Blackhawks (5-4, 3-1). They are currently in sole possession of 2nd place in the Desert Empire League after a tight 14-7 victory over Palm Springs last week. But LaQuinta faces a challenging final league game against Xavier Prep (4-5, 2-2). A LaQuinta win and they are a guaranteed eligible and likely participant in the Division 7 playoffs. A loss and things could get complicated as there could be a three way tie for second place. I do not know the details on how teams are selected when it comes down to these league tie situations.

#16 are the Newport Harbor Sailors(3-5-1, 0-4). They should not be playoff eligible even if they manage to pull off the minor upset against fellow cellar dweller, the Fountain Valley Barons (4-5, 0-4) in the tough Sunset League.

#17 Troy was mentioned earlier in this thread.

#18 Pacifica of Garden Grove was mentioned earlier when talking about #7 Valencia of Placentia.

#19 are the El Segundo Eagles (4-5, 1-3), who still have a shot at getting playoff eligible if they can beat a tough opponent, the Santa Monica Vikings (4-5, 2-2). A win gives them 2 possibilities as either the selection as the third place team (if they are selected as the third place team ahead of 3rd place finishers the Vikings and Hawthorne 5-4, 2-2) all at 2-3 in league), or as an at-large selection.

#20 are the St. Anthony Saints (3-7, 2-2). They have finished their season currently in third place in the 5 team Del Rey League. They would have to finish 2nd to potentially get a playoff selection and they have already lost to second place Harvard-Westlake (5-4, 2-1) who should easily win against lowly LaSalle (0-9, 0-3). I think that means that they are already eliminated from playoff eligibility.

#21 are the Buena Bulldogs (3-6, 2-2). They are currently tied for third in the Pacific View League with the Ventura Cougars (2-7, 2-2) but are not likely to beat their final opponent, the Pacifica Tritons (8-1, 3-1). The good news is that Ventura should not win their game either against league powerhouse Oxnard (7-2, 4-0). To complicate the situation more and to confuse the possibilities is the fact that Rio Mesa (4-5, 1-3) is likely to win their game against Channel Islands (1-8, 0-4) causing a three way tie for third place. If Buena can somehow get designated as the third place team for playoff purposes, they have a chance at sneaking into the playoffs ahead of a few teams that might have to hope for an at-large entry.

#22 Thousand Oaks (0-9, 0-3) has been officially eliminated from playoff eligibility

#23 Buena Park (3-6, 1-3) might still be mathematically alive for playoff eligibility, but they play Freeway League powerhouse LaHabra (6-3, 4-0) who is projected to win 56-0.

#24 is the final team in Division 7, La Salle (0-9, 0-3) and they too have been officially eliminated from playoff eligibility consideration.