Southern California high school league winners have tough time in playoffs

Winning a league title is supposed to be a precursor to a deep playoff run. In theory, at least.

That scenario didn’t pan out for 24 Southland high school football teams that won at least a share of a league title only to lose in the first round of the playoffs.

Some of the losses weren’t all that surprising. Bay League champion Manhattan Beach Mira Costa lost, 27-17, to Moorpark of the very competitive Marmonte League in the Northern Division.

But other defeats qualified as head-scratchers. Los Alamitos, which won the traditionally tough Sunset League, lost to Encino Crespi, 28-14, in the Pac-5 Division. Moore League champion Long Beach Poly was a straggler on offense throughout a 26-10 loss to Santa Ana Mater Dei, which finished third in the Trinity League.

Citrus Belt League champion Redlands East Valley suffered a 21-16 loss to Etiwanda, part of a playoff wipeout for the Citrus Belt in which the league’s teams went three-and-out in the first round.

Etiwanda took control early in the fourth quarter when defensive end Chima Nduka caused a fumble that cornerback Salih Johnwell picked up and returned 100 yards for a touchdown. It was a momentous triumph for the Eagles, who had finished in third place in the Baseline League in what was supposed to be a rebuilding season.

“Just making it into the playoffs was huge for us,” Etiwanda Coach Stephen Bryce said Saturday. “Our kids have done a great job of exceeding our expectations.”

The Eagles’ triumph set up a quarterfinal rematch Friday at Ontario Chaffey High against Chino Hills, which defeated Etiwanda, 35-14, last season in a Central Division quarterfinal.

League of its own

The Marmonte League reaffirmed its status as one of the best in Southern California when its teams won all five of their first-round games.

“The top five teams are really tough,” said Westlake Village Oaks Christian Coach Bill Redell, whose Lions defeated Saugus, 34-8.

The league is assured of at least one loss Friday, only because Oaks Christian must play at Marmonte rival Thousand Oaks. The Lions pulled out a 28-26 victory when the teams played last month.

“I was hoping we wouldn’t have to meet a league opponent until the semifinals,” Redell said. “But if you have five teams in the playoffs, you’re more apt than not to meet somebody” before that.

Other leagues that went unbeaten in the first round: Pacific Coast (4-0), Los Padres (4-0), Trinity (3-0), Baseline (3-0), Olympic (3-0), Prep (3-0) and East Valley (2-0).

A notch above

Upland prevailed in the only matchup of defending division champions.

The Highlanders, who had won the Central Division title last season, held off Temecula Chaparral, 40-35, in an Inland Division first-round game. Donta Abron Jr. rushed for 176 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score early in the third quarter.

Upset special

Azusa was the only top-seeded team not to survive the first round. The Aztecs lost to Sun Valley Village Christian, 31-24, in the Mid-Valley Division when Cayden Boyd scored on a two-yard run with 58 seconds left.

ben.bolch@latimes.com