PREP NOTES : No Room at the Top in Pacific Coast

Pacific Coast League football teams haven’t settled very much after four weeks of league play.

The league race is still a mess, with three teams--Estancia, Laguna Hills and Trabuco Hills--tied for the lead at 3-1. And Century, 6-3 and 2-2 in league, is in position for a Southern Section Division VII at-large playoff berth.

The league title will be settled Friday, with several playoff possibilities at stake for each team.

Because there are six leagues in Division VII instead of the customary five, only the top two teams will go to the playoffs as opposed to the traditional three teams. Four at-large berths also are awarded to Division VII teams with good overall records.

Here’s how the league race shapes up, according to Estancia Coach John Liebengood:

Estancia--The Eagles (6-2-1) can win the league title with a victory over Laguna Hills at Mission Viejo High School. Trabuco Hills could tie the Estancia at 4-1 with a victory over Costa Mesa, but Estancia would earn the league’s No. 1 playoff entry because the Eagles beat Trabuco Hills, 20-17, two weeks ago. If Estancia loses, it still has a chance at the playoffs as the league’s No. 2 entry or as an at-large team.

Laguna Hills--The Hawks (5-3-1) can spoil Estancia’s title hopes and help Trabuco Hills’ playoff chances. Victories by Trabuco Hills and Laguna Hills would leave each team with a 4-1 record. But Trabuco Hills would earn the No. 1 playoff entry because of a 34-21 victory over Laguna Hills three weeks ago. A loss to Estancia, paired with a Trabuco Hills victory, would leave Laguna Hills at 5-4-1 and hoping for an unlikely at-large berth.

Trabuco Hills--The Mustangs (4-4-1) don’t have much of a shot at an at-large berth, but they have a good chance of going to the playoffs as one of the league’s top two entries. Trabuco Hills is a heavy favorite over Costa Mesa (3-6, 1-3), and a victory would guarantee one of the top two spots. A loss to Costa Mesa would eliminate the Mustangs from the playoff race.

Century--Although not in contention for the league title or the No. 2 playoff entry, the Centurions’ strong overall record makes them a favorite for an at-large berth. Century should beat Laguna Beach (2-7, 0-4) Saturday night.

Liebengood, whose team won the Sea View League title two years ago before joining the Pacific Coast last season, said the close race has sparked interest in the league.

“This was the first year I can remember having 3,000 fans at our game against Costa Mesa (last week),” Liebengood said. “Usually we have only 1,000 or 1,200. This (playoff race) is what makes football interesting.”