A tie with ramifications

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It’s kind of odd that Placentia Valencia and Western tied, 21-21, and what happened to them in the Southern Division ranking. Valencia moved from No. 3 to No. 2 this week. Western moved from No. 8 to No. 6.

But why aren’t they ranked right next to each other? It appears they are equal. In fact, it was Western that had a two-touchdown lead, and Western that had the chance to win the game with a 29-yard field goal with two seconds left.

“In 12 years, I’ve never been able to figure out CIF rankings,” Western Coach Toby Howell said. “If something like that was at the end of the year, it would be a bigger deal.”

Laguna Hills is ranked atop the Southern Division, while Anaheim, Cypress and University are sandwiched between Valencia and Western.

Kennedy, manhandled by Inland power Vista Murrieta, tumbled from No. 2 to No. 7. If El Dorado, ranked No. 1 in the Southwest Division, beats Valencia this week, it will be interesting to see where Valencia winds up in next week’s poll.

- Martin Henderson