Who would have thought that as we approach the midpoint of regular season play that such perennial playoff qualifiers as Bonita Vista, Mission Bay, Cathedral Catholic, Escondido, Serra and La Jolla high schools would have a combined record of 1-27?
Well, not many people, for sure.
But it’s true in this season of topsy-turvy pigskin fortunes. The 2010 high school season is turning out to be about as weird as the weather we’ve been having lately.
Bonita Vista dropped to 0-5 following last Friday’s 35-14 non-league loss at Mouat in Abbotsford, British Colombia, Canada. Mission Bay and Escondido are both 0-4 while La Jolla and Serra are both 0-5. Cathedral Catholic, the three-time defending Division III champion, is a meager 1-4 after falling, 24-22, to defending Division I champion Eastlake, also on Oct. 1.
Cathedral Catholic has played the toughest schedule thus far in the San Diego Section, so the Dons’ record is misleading. But those same Dons still have to contend with Mira Mesa, St. Augustine, Scripps Ranch and Lincoln in upcoming Eastern League play. Cathedral Catholic can either prove itself worthy of defending its division championship with an undefeated run through league play or finish with a sub-.500 record and throw itself on the mercy of the playoff selection committee.
Mission Bay coach Willie Matson described his team as being in “disarray” following a 28-14 loss to visiting Hilltop on Sept. 24 — this after winning last year’s Division IV title at Southwestern College. Both the Bucs and La Jolla Vikings are in serious danger of either not qualifying for this year’s Division IV playoffs or barely getting in.
Ditto for Serra in Division III.
Bonita Vista simply needs to start winning in a hurry or the same fate could befall the Barons in the Division II field. Bonita Vista hosts a Hilltop team sporting a 3-1 record Friday at SWC. Both teams are in must-win mode, as the Lancers also are contending for a Division II playoff berth. Considering that three power house programs have moved into the Division II ranks this season — La Costa Canyon, Steele Canyon and Rancho Bernardo — there simply might not be room for both South Bay teams.
The drive to the playoffs starts now.
Extra points
•Nine South County prep football teams have winning records.
•Eleven teams in the section remain undefeated, including four in Division I (Eastlake, Grossmont, Torrey Pines and Vista).
•Eleven teams in Division II have winning records, plus two more with .500 marks.
San Diego Section Playoff Ticker
Division I
Eastlake Titans 5-0
Otay Ranch Mustangs 2-3
Chula Vista Spartans 1-4
Sweetwater Red Devils 0-4
Division II
Hilltop Lancers 3-1
San Ysidro Cougars 1-4
Bonita Vista Barons 0-5
Division III
Castle Park 4-1
Montgomery Aztecs 3-1
Southwest Raiders 3-2
Mar Vista Mariners 1-3
Division IV
Olympian Eagles 3-1
Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders 1-4
Division V
Ocean View Christian Academy 4-0
CV Calvary Christian Academy 3-1
Eight-Man
Kuyper Prep 2-1
