City Football : League Championships, Playoff Berths Are on the Line

On this, the final weekend of the regular season, four of eight City football leagues have games involving first- and second-place teams.

Headlining the list is the Pacific League game Saturday night between Wilmington Banning and Carson, both unbeaten in four league games. The Times’ No. 1- and 2-ranked teams, respectively, they will play at East Los Angeles College.

Reseda (5-1) is at University (5-1) in the Pac-8 League and Palisades (3-0-1) is at Manual Arts (4-0) in the Crosstown League this afternoon, and Chatsworth (3-1) is at Woodland Hills Taft (3-1) tonight in the Sunset League.

In addition to league titles, most playoff teams should be determined by Saturday night. The first round of the playoffs will begin Nov. 21.

In the 4-A Division, the first four teams in both the Pacific and Valley leagues qualify.

In the 3-A, the first two teams from the Crosstown, Freeway and Sunset leagues advance. Two at-large teams will be selected to fill out the eight-team bracket.

In the 2-A Division, the Eastern and Northern Leagues each are guaranteed two teams, and the City’s largest league, the Pac-8, will get three berths. One at-large team will also be named.

Here is a capsule look at each division, by league. All games are tonight unless indicated:

4-A DIVISION: PACIFIC--Carson (4-0) and Banning (4-0) play for the title Saturday night at East Los Angeles College. If Crenshaw (2-2) beats Dorsey (1-3) at Jackie Robinson Stadium, Dorsey and Gardena (1-3) would probably tie for fourth, forcing a California tie-breaker to determine the final playoff team. VALLEY--Woodland Hills El Camino Real (0-3) must defeat Granada Hills to have a chance of tying San Fernando (1-2) and forcing a playoff for the final spot.

3-A DIVISION: CROSSTOWN--Palisades (3-0-1) is at Manual Arts (4-0) this afternoon in the title game. Hamilton (2-2) needs a win against visiting Fairfax (1-3) to contend for an at-large berth. FREEWAY--League champion Garfield (4-0) plays Franklin (2-2) at Wilson High. Locke (2-2) is at Narbonne (1-3) this afternoon, and Wilson is at San Pedro (1-3) in games to sort out second place. SUNSET--Winner of Chatsworth-Taft game will advance. Canoga Park (3-1) needs a win at Monroe (1-3) to be assured of a playoff spot.

2-A DIVISION: EASTERN--League champion Los Angeles (3-0-1) plays host to Roosevelt (2-2) this afternoon. Winner of Bell (2-1-1) at Huntington Park (3-1) game will also qualify. NORTHERN--Eagle Rock (3-0-1), assured of a playoff berth, plays Marshall (2-2) Saturday night at Glendale High. Lincoln (3-1) needs at least a tie with Verdugo Hills (1-3) to be sure of making playoffs.