Unbeaten, untied...unnoticed?
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For an example of the direct correlation between a team’s strength of schedule and its rankings and recognition -- or lack thereof -- just look at Redlands East Valley and Culver City.
Redlands East Valley (9-0) is a top-five team in the Southland and the state. Has been almost all season, thanks to early victories over Riverside North and Dominguez, currently ranked No. 12 and No. 14, respectively, in the Southland by The Times, along with decisions over well-regarded Colton and Miller.
Culver City (9-0) beat all the teams it should have, and responded to anticipated challenges from Crenshaw, Redondo and Santa Monica along the way, but all their opponents are unranked by The Times, and the Centaurs just climbed into our top 25 last week.
No matter how you slice it, though, these two schools are among the last ones in the Southland to remain unbeaten and untied, and Culver City isn’t the only team to have been somewhat overlooked while doing it.
With thanks to Eric Maddy, our master of leagues, lists and all things won and lost, the others in that dwindling crowd are listed below.
In the City Section, Eagle Rock (9-0) stands alone.
In the Southern Section, the ranks of the unbeaten/untied teams includes California (9-0), Citrus Hill (10-0), Hesperia (7-0), Irvine University (8-0), La Habra (8-0), Morro Bay (9-0); Paraclete (9-0); St. Margaret’s (8-0); Serrano (8-0); Saddleback Valley Christian (9-0); and Vista Murrieta (8-0).
Just in case you were wondering, as I was.
-- Lauren Peterson
-- Image from bmworacleracing.com