Great finish for regular season ending
Wow, How 'bout them finishes on the final day/night of area high school football?!
in most cases, teams that needed to step up did so in impessive fashion:
St. Paul, needing a victory to collect one of the four-team Mission League's two automatic berths, stunned favored St. Francis, 21-9, behind a hard-working defense and an offensive line that made life easier for the Swordsmen's small but honest running backs.
Whittier, needing a victory to make the CIF Southern Section's postseason tournament, rose to the occasion behind its potent ground attack that totaled 345 yards to defeat La Serna, which also needed a win to clinch the berth, 31-10. La Serna's 7-3 record still might get the Lancers an at-large invite.
Whittier Christian, assured of a playoff berth but not willing to settle for second place in the Alpha League, rolled over previously unbeaten (in league) Maranatha, 20-6, to claim a share of the league title.
Congrats to all.
12 Comments
Leave a comment
About this blog
Roger Murray is the prep sports editor for the Whittier Daily News.
to delrio alumn-the criteria for choosing an at large team is th best record among 4th place teams gets in-this year all the other 4th place teams had records like 4-6 and 3-7. unfortunately strength of schedule is not really taken into consideration or LS would never make it as a wild card.
LOVESHSFOOTBALL:
Yeah man I gotta agree with you on that one. After watching the WHS-LS game, I'd say that Pioneer (4-5-1) is more deserving of the playoffs than La Serna (7-3). At least they'll man up and hit. After the game, I could only describe LS with one word: SOFT.
Whittier physically dominated the game on both sides of the ball. Potts was shut down while Garcia/Enriquez/Rodriguez ran up, around, and through the La Serna 'D'. If Whittier can keep blocking and tackling like they did, I wouldn't be suprised at all if they upset Westminster. And with a gamebreaker like Garcia, the Cards have a real good shot.
As for La Serna, be happy your in, you'll be out by Saturday.
i wanna wish whittier high luck this coming friday on their first round playoff game vs westminister ..
good game this past friday vs la serna..
la serna didnt have the power to hold the four horse man.
great job by the whittier "d".
A little of the subject, But why don't you post the areas top 5 teams and change the poll to areas best linebackers and areas best defensive lineman? St paul did a great job and I think that they have a real good shot to go deep in the playoffs
Regarding the At-Large selection process. All leagues that have 5 or 6 teams are guaranteed 3 entries into the CIF Playoffs. By action of the CIF-SS Council, At-Large entries should be filled in all brackets for all sports. This is so there will not be any byes in the playoffs. An At-Large entry form is mailed to all league coordinators so they may decide if their league wants to submit an At-Large entry. The form was to be mailed to the CIF office by 10:00a.m. Saturday 11/11/06. The football At-Large selection committee met on Saturday to determine the best qualified teams not previously quaranteed a berth in the playoffs. This information is available on the CIF-SS Homepage dated 11/25/06 under the heading 11-Man Football Playoff Bulletin. If you scroll down to "Filling of Playoff Byes" it will give you a more detailed explanation of the process and what information is used to determine who is the more qualified team.
well another typical la serna football season-schedule weak teams in preseason to build up a winning record, fall apart during league play and back into the playoffs-thank god for the wild card-enjoy your winning record while you get your butts whipped by Troy-if you want to build a program and if you ever want to compete for a league title play competetive teams in the preseason!
Hey Coach Scott and Staff, great job this year. I know everybody didn't think you guys can do it,and you showed them. You and your staff showed alot of class this year. Good luck on Friday. I hope to see the Cardinals in the second round!!!! Go Cardinals.
Not only was Friday night's game exciting at SPHS but it was Homecoming, a packed stadium, a car and cash giveaways and GREAT GAME EXECUTION!
SP SWORDSMEN are young, determined and played as a team that have proven to prevail! So exciting, so awesome to see the new headcoach's vision be seen! I was skeptical for awhile about all the changes but SEEING IS BELIEVING!!!! and no matter where the playoffs take us, ST. PAUL be proud to have come this far! As an Alumnist, I support and honor every one of you!
SPHS Class of '82.
Whittier played a great game last Friday night. La Serna couldn't stop the run. Coach Scott and Coaching stuff great job and good luck.
OK, all you Del Rio teams. It is now "put up or shut up" time. No more of this "we are better of you because stuff". You either win or you go home.
My first rounds picks for this division:
Top Bracket
La Serna at Troy (1) - Troy
Rosemead at Saddleback - Saddleback
Orange at Alhambra - Orange
Fullerton at Santa Fe (4) - Santa Fe
Bottom bracket
Arroyo at La Habra (3)- La Habra
Bell Gardens at California - Cal Hi
Schurr at South El Monte - South El Monte
Whittier at Westminster (2) - Westminster
I'm looking forward to a Cal Hi - La Habra matchup. If all goes as I think it'll be a Troy - La Habra rematch in the final.
im not too knowledgable about the at-large selection process, so maybe somebody who does know could fill me in. how do they go about approving teams for the at-large spots? more specifically, does it factor in strength of schedule (la serna)?
You are right it was a great and memorable night for the Swordsmen. Alot of heart and pride led them to a victory. A new head coach, young team but alot of determination. Go St. Paul.