El Toro Stands in Irvine’s Way of Playoffs

Irvine High School’s football team could reach the Southern Conference playoffs for the first time since 1983 with victories in its last two games. But standing in the way is ninth-ranked El Toro, which visits Irvine tonight in a South Coast League game at 7:30.

A victory would put the Vaqueros (4-4, 1-2) in a position to claim the league’s third playoff spot by beating San Clemente in next week’s season finale. It would be Irvine’s first appearance in the playoffs since it was a member of the Sea View League.

The Chargers (5-3, 1-2), who are coming off a 22-21 loss to No. 1-ranked Capistrano Valley, are almost assured a playoff spot.

“If we win just one of the next two games, we will still get into the playoffs as the wild-card team,” El Toro Coach Bob Johnson said. “You look at the strength of our league, with three teams (Capistrano Valley, El Toro and Mission Viejo) ranked in the top five all year, and that two of our losses came when our quarterback (Bret Johnson) was hurt, I don’t think the committee will have to adjourn too long to decide that one.”

Irvine Coach Terry Henigan agrees.

“If El Toro ends up in fourth place, I can’t imagine anything that could happen where they wouldn’t get the wild card,” Henigan said. “If we end up in fourth, I can’t see any way we could get the wild card because of our record. Although, I will match our schedule against anyone else.”

The Vaqueros defeated Saddleback and Villa Park, both of which are headed for the playoffs, in nonleague games this season. They also beat Westminster, which is still in contention for a playoff spot.

But to reach the playoffs, even as a third-place team, Irvine had to beat Mission Viejo, Capistrano Valley or El Toro. All three have been ranked among the top 10 in both the Orange County and Southern Conference polls.

The Vaqueros lost to Capistrano Valley, 31-23, and Mission Viejo, 21-6.

“We have a lot of players back this year, so we had hoped to be competitive,” Henigan said. “We’ve played Mission Viejo and Capo tough. However, when you’re 4-4, you’re 4-4. It doesn’t matter who you’ve played tough.”

Johnson sees it a little differently. “Irvine was tied, 17-17, against Capo with six minutes to go in the game and they got beat in the rain by Mission Viejo,” he said. “It takes a very good team to play that well against teams like Capo and Mission.”

In another feature game:

Rancho Alamitos (4-4, 2-3) vs. Kennedy (2-5-1, 2-2-1) at Western HS: A Kennedy victory will keep the Irish in the running for third place in the Garden Grove League and a Central Conference playoff berth. Rancho Alamitos Coach Mark Miller believes his team can reach the playoffs as the wild-card team with victories in the final two games.