Football: Crespi makes Pac-5 playoffs over JSerra

First-year Crespi Coach Troy Thomas was confident his team deserved a Pac-5 Division at-large playoff berth despite a 4-6 record. He cited the fact the Celts’ only losses were to teams that won league championships, and that Crespi finished third in the Serra League.

And sure enough, the selection committee announced Saturday that Crespi and Orange Lutheran (7-3) had been given the two at-large berths. JSerra (7-3), the fifth-place finisher in the Trinity League, was left out.

Crespi players were at school on Saturday night watching video and preparing for next week’s playoffs when Thomas informed them their season would continue at least another week. The Celts are expected to get back several injured players who missed Friday’s loss against Alemany.

For Thomas, making the playoffs is a big deal. Last season, Crespi failed to gain an at-large berth despite an 8-2 record.

The Celts’ strength of schedule and league victories over Bishop Amat and Loyola were key. The fact Loyola had the closest game this season to Trinity champion St. John Bosco might have helped the Celts.

It was a tough decision for JSerra, trying to make the Pac-5 playoffs for the first time. JSerra had wins over Servite and Santa Margarita. But Santa Margarita lost to Bishop Amat, a team Crespi defeated.

Eric.sondheimer@latimes.com