As usual, it’s more than just a game for Garfield and Roosevelt

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On the eve of the 73rd meeting between Garfield and Roosevelt, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Friday at East Los Angeles College, both coaches will remind their teams of what the game means outside of the historic rivalry.

It will probably take a victory over the Bulldogs and another next week over South Gate for Roosevelt (4-4, 1-3) to earn one of the 16 slots in the Invitational playoff bracket.

‘We know once you get into the playoffs, anything can happen,’ Rough Riders Coach Javier Cid said. ‘Our priority is to win this game. But getting into the playoffs is more important.’

Garfield Coach Lorenzo Hernandez is pretty sure his team will reach the playoffs. The only question is where it will be seeded. The Bulldogs (6-2,3-1), who finish their season next week against Bell, have only lost to Jordan in league play. But Jordan is being investigated by the City Section office for possibly using an ineligible player. If the Eastern League title drops into Garfield’s lap, the Bulldogs could earn one of the top four Invitational seeds.

‘I think we’re in our own little position regardless of whether we finish first or second,’ Hernandez said. ‘We’ve just got to win out; that’s our bottom line.’

-- Mike Terry

-- Image from www.udel.edu