SCORECARD: COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS FROM FIRST ROUND OF SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

Loara quarterback Archie Lappin went into Friday’s game having completed 62.8% of his passes, which exceeds the school record of 57% by Dean Lappin in 1971. Dean Lappin is a Saxon coach and Archie’s father.

HAPPY TO BE HERE

Friday night’s playoff game between Foothill and Cypress marked Cypress’ first postseason appearance since 1980. Despite the final score--a 48-14 victory for Foothill--Cypress Coach Ted Hovorka said he was just happy to see the Centurions reach the playoffs.

“We haven’t been in the playoffs for a long time and our kids are excited to be here,” he said. “We just want to make a good showing because this is something good for Cypress.”

THEY’RE HURTING

The coaching staff at Los Alamitos probably won’t bring it up, but the Griffins have endured one of their most injury-filled seasons in recent years. When cornerback/receiver Ife Ohalete had to miss Friday’s game because of an injured thigh, he became the 12th starter to be sidelined at least one game.

FORKED TONGUE

Rancho Alamitos discovered when setting up for Friday’s Division VIII playoff game that using the public address system at Bolsa Grande High would be impossible. The outlet where the system is normally plugged in was under water.

Athletic Director/PA announcer Dan Rankin improvised, with a little help from cheerleader Jennie Westergaard. Rankin made his announcements with a cheerleading megaphone.

The set-up worked pretty well, if you were on the home side. As Rankin announced shortly before game time, “Because Bellflower cannot hear us, any announcements will be totally biased.”

BACK IN THE SADDLE

Valencia Coach Mike Marrujo has his team back in familiar territory after the Tigers beat Saddleback, 12-8, in the first round of the Division V playoffs Friday.

Last season, Valencia missed the playoffs for the first time in Marrujo’s 16-year tenure at the school.

Marrujo has led the Tigers to three section and 11 league titles, compiling a 148-46-6 record.

The playoff road for the Orange League champions, however, won’t be easy. Next up is second-seeded Santa Margarita, a 51-6 winner over El Modena.

ON THE RECORD

‘Two losses in a row. You certainly don’t expect to be at this point after the way we started. But that’s the risk you take when you play this game.’

--Steve Breshnahan, Laguna Hills coach, after the Hawks were eliminated from the playoffs by a 17-13 loss to Pacifica.

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HOW TOP 10 FARED

Results of games involving teams in the Orange County Sportswriters’ Poll:

1. Mater Dei (11-0) defeated Long Beach Jordan (5-6), 48-21.

2. Servite (10-1) defeated Western (5-6), 50-7.

3. Santa Margarita (10-1) defeated El Modena (4-7), 51-6.

4. Los Alamitos (9-2) lost to Long Beach Poly (9-1-1), 22-16.

5. Aliso Niguel (11-0) defeated Pomona Ganesha (5-6), 28-6.

6. Esperanza (8-3) lost to Redlands (9-2), 6-0.

7. Laguna Hills (9-2) lost to Pacifica (8-3), 17-13.

8. Newport Harbor (10-1) defeated Anaheim (5-6), 29-6.

9. Capistrano Valley (8-3) defeated Long Beach Wilson (8-3), 23-17.

10. Rancho Alamitos (11-0) defeated Bellflower (5-6), 50-21.

Week’s Best

RUSHING

1. Scott Nemeth

Aliso Niguel vs. Pomona Ganesha

187 yards in 29 carries

*

2. Leo Kosi

Rancho Alamitos vs. Bellflower

183 yards in 32 carries

*

3. Billy Newman

Santa Margarita vs. El Modena

175 yards in 11 carries

*

4. Kyion Grayes

Troy vs. Los Amigos

150 yards in 21 carries

*

5. Brian McDonald

Buena Park vs. South Hills

141 yards in 29 carries

*

PASSING

1. Greg Cicero

Servite vs. Western

17 of 19, 285 yards

*

2. Mike Lamar

Fountain Valley vs. Bishop Amat

17 of 32, 283 yards

*

3. Tom Lindow

Trabuco Hills vs. St. John Bosco

15 of 29, 228 yards

*

4. Tyler Lang

Foothill vs. Cypress

9 of 10, 222 yards

*

5. Nick Stremick

Mater Dei vs. Long Beach Jordan

11 of 18, 211 yards