High school sports

Catch the last train to CIF-SS

BOLSA GRANDE COULD MAKE HISTORY … Matador QB Ethan Nguyen ready to take the snap in game vs. Rancho Alamitos. If Bolsa wins Friday night against Loara it will mean a winning season for the first time in years and a likely playoff spot (Orange County Tribune photograph),

For most of the high school football teams in our West Orange County area, this weekend will be the end of the season.

League play will wrap up and the CIF playoff spots and pairings will be announced on Sunday.

But until then, there’s still a fair amount of titles to be decided  and drama to unfold.

In the Garden Grove League, for example, Rancho Alamitos and Los Amigos are each 3-1 and tied for the lead. If the Lobos (7-2) defeat the La Quinta Aztecs (2-7), as expected, they’d clinch at least a tie for the flag. Rancho (8-1) has a tougher assignment in Santiago (6-3). If both win, we’ll have co-champs.

Just as intriguing is the saga of Bolsa Grande. The Matadors are 5-4 overall and 2-2 in league. With a win over Loara, it would mean the first winning season for the Mats in recent memory and a likely CIF-SS playoff spot.

In the Empire League Pacifica (3-6, 1-3) has a chance to finish in a  tie for third – and a potential playoff spot – if it can defeat Tustin (2-7, 2-2).

The Orange Coast League has the biggest showdown, with Orange visiting Santa Ana on Friday. Both teams are 7-2 overall and 5-0 in league play. This is one of the oldest rivalries in Orange County. They first met in 1916, with the Panthers winning 3-0.

Edison and Corona del Mar are each 3-1 and have a lock on a playoff spot, but the winner will get second place in the Sunset League and at least a 50-50 chance of getting a home game in the first round.

As a general rule, six-team or seven-team leagues will get three playoff entries; eight-team leagues will get four. Unlike other sports, the creation of playoff divisions isn’t decided until after the last regular season game.

Here’s the schedule for this week’s games. As always, times, locations, etc. as subject to change without notice, so call the schools to make sure. All games, unless otherwise noted, are scheduled to commence at 7 p.m.

THURSDAY

Loara (3-6, 1-3) at Bolsa Grande (5-4, 2-2)

Los Amigos (7-2, 3-1) at La Quinta (2-7, 1-3)

FRIDAY

Marina (1-8, 6-2) at Garden Grove (8-1, 2-0)

Pacifica (3-6, 1-3) at Tustin (2-7, 2-2)

Orange (7-2, 5-0) at Santa Ana (7-2, 5-0)

Rancho Alamitos (8-1, 3-1) at Santiago (6-3, 2-2)

Newport Harbor (5-4, 1-3) at Huntington Beach (5-4, 1-3)

Edison (8-1, 3-1) at Corona del Mar (7-2, 3-1)

Godinez (1-8, 0-2) at Westminster (8-1, 1-1)

Laguna Beach (1-8, 0-2) at Ocean View (2-7, 1-1)

Anaheim (3-6, 3-1) at Western (7-1, 3-0)

Magnolia (2-8, 1-3) at Savanna (2-8, 1-2)

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