Pac-5 Division playoffs feature seven private schools and Centennial

Those who want to separate the private and public schools almost have their way in the Pac-5 Division, where there’s seven private schools left and one public school, Corona Centennial.

Yes, Centennial must make it through the private-school gantlet to win it all. First up is Orange Lutheran on Friday night at Orange Coast College. The other quarterfinals have Mater Dei at Gardena Serra, Oaks Christian at Bishop Amat and St. John Bosco at Loyola.

Next season, after an expected change in how teams are placed in playoff divisions, there should be more public-school representation in the strongest division of the Southern Section.

But don’t worry about Centennial being intimidated at the task at hand. The Huskies won Pac-5 last season in their first attempt, beating Serra, Mater Dei, Bishop Amat and St. John Bosco.

It’s a big challenge but the reward at the end is worth it.

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