Football: Final push to influence playoff seedings

It’s week 10 in the high school football season, the final opportunity to make a push to gain a playoff berth or improve playoff seeedings.

In the Southern Section, No. 1-ranked Corona Centennial (9-0, 4-0) will play host to Norco (8-1, 4-0) to decide the Big VIII League championship on Thursday night. A Centennial win should lock up the No. 1 seed for the Pac-5 Division playoffs.

On Friday night in the Marmonte League, it will be the return of Coach Jim Benkert to Westlake when his unbeaten Oaks Christian team (9-0, 2-0) takes on host Westlake (7-2, 1-1), which needs a win to cause a possible three-way tie for first place with St. Bonaventure (6-3, 1-1).

In the Trinity League, St. John Bosco (9-0, 4-0), Mater Dei (7-2, 2-2) and Orange Lutheran (5-4, 2-2) will be trying to finish as the top three teams. Servite (4-5, 2-2), JSerra (6-3, 1-2) and Santa Margarita (5-4, 1-2) would need to pull off upsets to break into the top three.

In the Mission League, Serra (8-1, 5-0) gets to play its annual game against Chaminade (6-3, 3-2) at Chaminade. In past years, Chaminade Coach Ed Croson has been known to save some plays for a likely playoff matchup against Serra. That won’t be the case this time. He says he’s using everything and the “kitchen sink.” Loyola (8-1, 4-1) will play host to Bishop Amat (7-2, 4-1) in a game for second place.

In the City Section, Sylmar (7-2, 5-0) plays at Canoga Park (6-3, 5-0) to decide the Valley Mission League. Garfield (7-2, 5-0) plays host to South Gate (8-1, 5-0) to decide the Eastern League title. Los Angeles (9-0, 4-0) plays host to Hawkins (8-1, 3-1) in the Coliseum League. Dorsey will play at Crenshaw in their annual rivalry game.

In the West Valley League, Birmingham (6-3, 4-0) plays at improving El Camino Real (5-4, 3-1).

Here’s the link to Southern Section rankings from last week. The playoff pairings will be announced next Sunday. The City Section pairings will be announced on Saturday.

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