O.C. League preview: Trinity

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Defending champions: Servite, Orange Lutheran

How it shakes out: It should come down to Mater Dei (5-0) and Orange Lutheran (5-0), the county’s – and perhaps the Southland’s -- two most balanced teams. Mater Dei has the edge because junior quarterback Matt Barkley (No. 5 pictured left) is looking more and more like one of the best passers in county history, but the Lancers, last season’s Pac-5 Division champion, may have the best defense.

Servite (4-1) and Santa Margarita (3-2) are dangerous enough to win if someone gets caught looking ahead; Servite is ranked No. 11 in the Southland, and Santa Margarita has been in and out of The Times’ rankings.

It’s a physical league and regarded by many as the state’s best. One telling note: After top-ranked Mater Dei plays JSerra (2-3) this week, it will meet Santa Margarita, St. John Bosco (2-3), third-ranked Orange Lutheran and Servite in consecutive weeks. Whew!

- Martin Henderson