PREP NOTES

Bad teams, man: The most frustrating aspect to this whole who’s No. 1 deal is trying to get a handle on who has been more impressive in nonleague play: No. 1 Esperanza or No. 2 Los Alamitos?

To be sure, each has rolled through the first five games unbeaten, but let’s take a closer look at the opposition.

When Travis Kirschke, Esperanza’s all-county lineman, opined last Friday night, “Not to bag on anyone, but we haven’t really played anyone good until tonight,” he wasn’t kidding.

Talk about a parade of stiffs.

Esperanza’s first four opponents--Santa Ana, Santa Ana Valley, St. John Bosco and Long Beach Jordan--have a combined record of 3-16-1. Sunny Hills, which lost to the Aztecs, 42-0, Friday, is 4-1, raised the mark to 7-17-1.

But let’s not hear any smug comments from the Los Alamitos camp. The Griffins’ five opponents--Marina, Fountain Valley, Villa Park, Torrance Bishop Montgomery and Lakewood--are a less than overwhelming 14-9-2.

Thankfully, it will all be settled soon.

You might want to look into buying tickets now. The game of the season is Oct. 30 at Valencia High, whose stadium seats approximately 5,300.