SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PREVIEWS : Big Bear Is Heir Apparent in Division X

Last year’s Southern Section Division X champion, Southern California Christian, now competes in the new Division XI.

That makes top-seeded Big Bear (10-0), the De Anza League champion, the heir apparent in Division X. But little about the Bears will be readily apparent to their playoff opponents. Big Bear uses several offensive formations and is as comfortable running the option with quarterback Mike Benson or throwing on first down to receiver Chris Winslow.

Benson, who also kicks for the Bears, scored 138 points, rushed for more than 700 yards and threw for 940. Running back Mike Hejl contributed 900 yards on the ground.

Second-seeded Bishop (8-2) features a running attack led by Rick Solesbee (554 yards) and Hans Conder (475 yards, 10 touchdowns). Olympic League champion Brethren Christian (7-3), led by quarterback Reggie Davis, is seeded fourth.

Davis passed for 1,093 yards and nine touchdowns and added seven rushing touchdowns for the Warriors, who host at-large entrant Malibu Kilpatrick (6-4) Friday at Artesia High School. Olympic League runner-up Whittier Christian (7-3), led by Orange County rushing leader Aaron Meschuk, plays host to Yucca Valley (6-4) in the first round. Meschuk rushed for 1,862 yards in 247 carries.

Bishop (8-2) is second-seeded and Los Angeles Murphy is No. 3.

In Division XI:

In an eight-team division, the unbeaten, top-seeded team is king.

Temecula Linfield (9-0), winner of three consecutive Arrowhead League championships, is the overwhelming favorite to win the first Southern Section Division XI title. The division, made up of the smallest schools in the Southern Section, features only eight teams, as opposed to the 16-team brackets in other divisions.

In Linfield’s case, it probably wouldn’t matter if the Division XI bracket had 108 teams. The Lions rolled through the regular season, including a 55-6 league victory over Southern California Christian, last year’s Division X champion.

The feeling among observers at the Southern Section playoff pairings meeting Sunday was that Linfield’s team bus would have to break down to prevent the Lions from winning the title. And since Linfield has a home game against at-large entrant Trona (5-5) in the first round, the Lions have plenty of time to make sure to change the oil.

Linfield is led by quarterback Richard Hunter and running back Jimmy Kemmis. Against SCC Oct. 24, the Lions showed typical balance with Kemmis rushing for 153 yards and two touchdowns and Hunter passing for two touchdowns.

SCC (5-5), which finished third in the Arrowhead League, was without injured top rusher Mike Jacot for the latter part of the season. Jacot, who rushed for 794 yards in five regular-season games, averaging 7.9 yards per carry, is expected back for the playoffs.

The Flames meet third-seeded Mammoth at Bishop High School Saturday in the first round.

Anza Hamilton (7-2), the second-place team in the Arrowhead League, is seeded second. Templeton is seeded fourth.

Division XI at a Glance

Defending champion--New division.

Top teams--Temecula Linfield (9-0), Anza Hamilton (7-2), Mammoth (6-3), Templeton (8-2).

Dark horse--Southern California Christian (5-5).

Top players--Mike Felton, quarterback, SCC; Richard Hunter, quarterback, Linfield; Mike Jacot, running back, SCC; Jimmy Kemmis, running back, Linfield; Ron Wood, running back, SCC.

Best draw--Linfield. The Lions play host to Trona, an at-large entry which must travel from the Ridgecrest area for the first round.

Worst draw--Trona (5-5). Not only do the Tornadoes have a long trip to Temecula, but they must face the division’s overwhelming favorite.

Notes--Jacot, the Division X player of the year last season, has seen little action since being injured in a 54-6 loss to Hamilton Oct. 17. After three weeks off, it’s uncertain how productive he will be in the playoffs. Linfield has won three consecutive Arrowhead League titles.