Prep Review : Eight Races Go Down to the Final Week

Nine weeks ago, there were more than a few football coaches who predicted their league races would “come down to the last week of the season.”

As trite as that may have sounded, it has turned out to be accurate in virtually every league in Orange County. The Sea View League appears to be the only one in which playoff spots are not at stake in this, the final week of the regular season.

The following is a look at each league’s playoff picture, along with the teams or events that have emerged as the biggest surprises of 1985:

ANGELUS LEAGUE The Big Game--What else? Servite vs. Mater Dei. Both are 3-1 and the winner will likely finish second behind Bishop Amat. The Friars suffered their first loss of the season last Friday with a 26-21 setback to Bishop Amat. Mater Dei has survived with defense. The Monarchs are in a position to finish second, despite being outscored, 69-67, in league play.

The Surprise--If Bishop Amat can close with a win at “The Pit” at St. Paul Friday, the Lancers will have finished unbeaten in perhaps the most competitive league in the CIF Southern Section.

CENTURY LEAGUE The Big Game--Villa Park vs. Santa Ana for the league’s third playoff spot. The teams are tied for third at 4-2 behind Foothill (6-0) and El Modena (5-1).

The Surprise--Foothill upseting El Modena on Oct. 10, and going on to an unbeaten league season. The Knights have given up only 26 points in league play. They finish with Orange (0-6) in what, mercifully, is the Panthers’ last Century League game. Orange will move into a new league next fall.

EMPIRE LEAGUE The Big Game--There are two. El Dorado (4-2) plays Los Alamitos (5-1) and Loara (4-2) meets Esperanza (4-2). A Griffin victory would eliminate the Golden Hawks and will make the Saxon-Aztec game the decider for the third playoff spot. Pacifica (5-1) figures to clinch the league title with a win over Kennedy (2-4).

The Surprise--Los Alamitos’ fast start and emergence as a contender for the league title.

FREEWAY LEAGUE The Big Game--Sonora vs. Fullerton, the only game which matches teams still in contention for playoff spots. The Raiders, Indians, Troy and Sunny Hills enter the final week tied for second at 2-2 behind unbeaten La Habra. The Lancers would be eliminated with a loss to the Highlanders. The Warriors figure to finish with a win over Buena Park (0-4), meaning the Sonora-Fullerton winner would grab the league’s third spot.

The Surprise--Fullerton contending, despite losing nearly all of last year’s Central Conference championship team to graduation.

GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE The Big Game--Santiago vs. Los Amigos in what should decide third place. The teams enter the game tied for third at 2-2 behind La Quinta (4-0) and Bolsa Grande (Bolsa Grande?), which is 3-1.

The Surprise--Yes, Bolsa Grande. Santiago’s fast start in nonleague play was surprising, but not nearly as much as the Matadors’ upsets over the Lobos and Cavaliers. Had they been successful on a two-point conversion late in their league opener against La Quinta, the Matadors might be playing for the title this week against Rancho Alamitos.

ORANGE LEAGUE The Big Game--Western vs. Brea-Olinda for second place. The teams are tied with Valencia for first at 3-1. Valencia already has its upset loss out of its system and should close with a win over Anaheim.

The Surprise--Western’s win over Valencia two weeks ago still qualifies as the biggest upset of the 1985 season.

SEA VIEW LEAGUE The Big Game--Realistically, there isn’t one. If things go according to form: Newport Harbor will beat rival Corona del Mar to finish 7-0 in the league, Saddleback will finish second at 6-1 with a victory over Laguna Beach and Woodbridge will beat University to finish third at 5-2.

The Surprise--Woodbridge, which a local newspaper listed as a 65-1 shot to win the league title. A win Friday and this alleged longshot finishes with an overall record of 7-3. Honorable mention goes to Laguna Beach as the league’s most improved team.

SOUTH COAST LEAGUE The Big Game--Mission Viejo vs. Irvine. Diablo Coach Bill Crow agrees with opposing coaches who have said this is the best team he’s had in recent years. Yet Mission Viejo (3-1-1) could find itself eliminated from the playoffs with a loss to the Vaqueros. Dana Hills (3-2) is close behind and should finish with a victory win over winless Laguna Hills. El Toro (4-1) can clinch the league title with a win over San Clemente. Capistrano Valley (4-1-1) has completed its league schedule.

The Surprise--Dana Hills. It seems as if each of the past five seasons has been the one in which the Dolphins were expected to “turn the corner” and make a move on the league’s traditional front-runners. That didn’t happen until this season.

SUNSET LEAGUE The Big Game--Marina vs. Edison for the league championship. The Vikings (4-0) can win the title outright for the first time under Coach Dave Thompson. The Chargers, the preseason favorites, have won three straight since opening league play with a stunning loss to Westminster. The Lions (2-2) need a win over Ocean View to clinch third place.

The Surprise--Fountain Valley’s failure to make the playoffs for the first time since 1974.