Aliso Niguel Will Test La Mirada’s Defense

As a wild-card team, Aliso Niguel couldn’t ask for a better spot. The Wolverines play third-seeded La Mirada in the first round. Mayfair’s Mike Williams rushed for 202 yards against La Mirada in its regular-season finale.

“Williams and [Newport Harbor’s Andre Stewart] are outstanding, and our guy is within that range,” Aliso Niguel Coach Joe Wood said of his running back, Iman Nikzad. “There’s reason for us to be optimistic.” Aliso Niguel lost Friday to No. 2 Newport Harbor, 14-7. Nikzad has 16 touchdowns--eight from 61 yards or more. . . .

Williams rushed for 1,758 yards and scored 43 touchdowns, including nine on kick returns and three after interceptions. . . .

Top-seeded Mayfair ended La Mirada’s eight-year reign as Suburban League champion. . . .

A Sea View League team has won a section title every year since 1991. Newport Harbor won the title in ’94. . . .

After 17 games without a loss, defending champion Woodbridge (5-5, 0-4) lost five of six and missed the playoffs. . . .

The best game of the first round is Laguna Hills against Loara at Glover Stadium. It marks Laguna Hills’ return to the playoffs for the first time since its 56-14 victory over La Mirada in the 1997 title game. The Hawks would have gone last year as the Pacific Coast League champions but didn’t qualify when they had to forfeit three victories for using an ineligible player. . . .

Villa Park’s Marquis Colvin (27 touchdowns, 164 points) is the county’s leading scorer in the division, followed by Tustin’s Branden Malcom (21, 146) and Stewart (19, 114).