DRL still dominates Southeast Division poll (but how long can they last?)
A trio of La Habra defenders close on a South Hills ball carrier earlier this season.
The Highlanders are ranked No. 1 in this week's CIF-SS, Southeast Division poll.
Six area schools, including five of the six Del Rio League programs, are ranked among the top 10 teams in this week’s CIF Southern Section, Southeast Division football poll.
The DRL has a 23-7 preleague record, and that’s nice for the locals, but their acknowledgment in the polls may be short-lived.
The DRL’s dominance of the division, in terms of the polls, is bound to suffer now that league play begins Friday.
During preseason interviews the DRL coaches invariably speak of the league balance, and how difficult it will be, but in recent seasons, their comments were based more on optimism than reality, as Santa Fe took the inside post and two, sometimes three others settled into a battle for second and third places.
This season, it is a bonafide, wide-open race for top honors. That means the intraleague schedule will result in DRL teams eventually knocking each other out of the rankings.
Hopefully, the pollsters will recognize that come playoff time.
“I can’t remember this kind of balance among the teams,” Santa Fe’s Jack Mahlstede said. “Every team in the league has improved over last year except us.”
Perhaps true, but the league’s most veteran coach could have added the Chiefs are getting better each week.
Many observers of the area’s football agree that in most instances, a down year for the six-time defending league champion Chiefs is at least as good as many teams’ good years.
La Habra (5-0), ranked No. 2 in the Southeast Division the past two weeks, moves into the No. 1 slot by virtue of a 49-31 victory over Villa Park, combined with former No. 1 Troy’s stunning 43-42 loss to Garden Grove Pacifica.
California (5-0) moved up a spot to second place and La Serna (4-1), No. 5 last week, jumps to No. 3.
Troy (4-1)hangs on at No. 4, and Santa Fe (3-2), a 13-11 winner over Downey, moves up three spots to No. 5.
Whittier (5-0) and Pioneer (4-1), among those receiving votes but unranked last week, jumped to Nos. 8 and 9, respectively, this week.
Three other local programs are among the top 10 teams in their respective divisions.
St. Paul (4-1) is stuck at No. 5 in the Western Division for the third consective week after defeating El Rancho, 35-0.
Cantwell Sacred Heart (4-2), dropped three spots to No. 8 in the Mid-Valley division after losing a non-league game to Don Bosco Tech, 35-21.
Whittier Christian (2-3), continued to slide with its third consecutive loss, 43-21 to Whittier, to No. 10 in the Northeast Division. All of the Heralds’ losses have been to unbeaten teams that are ranked No. 8 or better in higher divisions.
Just thinking: Which of the DRL teams figures best to retain a spot in the final Top 10? And why?
Murray,
What a great game. Wouldn't you agree? La Habra made some mistakes in the red zone, but was able to bounce back and generate some drives. Derrick Coleman is definitely a horse and the Swaney QB-WR combo was tough to beat. La Habra may see Troy again. Lastly, WOW was La Habra PHYSICAL!!!!
Yo, Joe:
Why Troy-La Habra?
La Habra is a Daily News school just like those in the DRL. This game will most likely determine the Freeway League championship, with the rest of the league season mainly preparation for the CIF playoffs.
Granted, this week's DRL matchups would be a solid Game of the Week, but with the obvious parity among those teams this year, any of the games will be candidates for Game of the Week every week.
Game of the week
i know that La Habra is in the whittier daily area but im just saying it would have been better to see one of the DRL games as the game of the week because all of the DRL teams are in the Whittier area and Troy isnt
good call on the game of the week
Joe,
Murray probably made LH-Troy the game of the week, because La Habra's enrollment covers parts of Whittier Area. I believe that east of Santa Gertrudes is LH High. Whitter Daily News circulation.
In reviewing the pre-season schedule and outcome, I dont think any of the Del Rio league teams stands out. When it comes to the biggest victories for each of these schools, none really says very much...
1. California-Biggest victory so far is a 20-7 win over a mediocre Schurr team. Many project this win as "Big" ONLY because Schurr is the defending CIF champion. Mark my words Schurr doesnt make the playoffs this year. The three representatives for the Almont league will be Bell Gardens, San Gabriel and Alhambra.
2. La Serna-Biggest win this year was a 28-12 victory over Norwalk. Norwalk is 4-2 this year, they beat Montebello by 25, however the oilers are 0-5, Norwalk plays in a weak league, so kind of difficult to gauge this one.
3. Whittier-Biggest victory was the double ot win over Bell Gardens. This is the only victory they have achieved so far against a team with a winning record. This victory looks even bigger, given BG's victory over Santa Fe. However, the victory was in week 1, and most teams improve significantly over the duration of the season.
4. El Rancho-Biggest victory was against Montebello. Not saying much given the oilers are 0-5. They are much improved over last year, but still have a long way to go.
5. Santa Fe-Biggest victory was to Palos Verde peninsula, who beat Bell Gardens. However, they arent a .500 team so far this year, so difficult to gauge. Theyre victory over Downey doesnt say much, given Downey is 1-4 this year, their only victory coming against a mediocre Schurr team.
6. Pioneer-Biggest victory was a win over 2-3 Ontario. They also beat South El Monte, but the Eagles are only 1-4 so far this year. Although they did have an impressive win over Alhambra.
Bottom line is that one of the Del Rio league teams is a major force YET. There is sooo much parity in the league this season that NO TEAM has a clear cut path to the league championship. Santa Fe has won the last six years, an amazing feat. In my opinion, based on that fact alone, they should be considered favorites...
My projection...
1. Santa Fe
2. La Serna
3. California
4. El Rancho
5. Whittier
6. Pioneer
Good luck to all teams!
If can make one statement, PLEASE REMEMBER these are kids !!!!! its ok to be homer for your school just as I am, but when you start to single out kids, its wrong it don't matter what school they are from if a kid had a bad game they don't the whole community to call him out for it, treat these kids as your own think if it was kid who was being bad mouthed. and if a school did good and had a great game let them know (La Serna made me eat my words) good luck to DRL teams be safe.
GO Chiefs!!!!!!
Which of the DRL teams figures best to retain a spot in the final Top 10? And why?
That's a good question. Given the relative parity in the DRL this year, it a good bet that none will go unbeaten in league and a better bet that the DRL will have Co-Champions.
Santa Fe making No. 5 this week, ahead of at least six teams with better records, reflects holdover sentiments at best, by the voters who may be refusing to see a dying dynasty. El Rancho may give those voters clearer vision on Friday night.
All things considered, at least two DRL teams will appear in the final poll, maybe three. The Chiefs and Dons won't be among them. Whittier and Pioneer will.
DRL Football: http://pioneer-hs.com/drl
dashman7,
Well put. I may have to agree.
Murray
With all this talk about the DRL, why dont you have one of those games as the game of the week instead of the La Habra and Troy, sure these are the top 2 teams in the division but you mainly cover the DRL. You should have the Whittier La Serna or the Pioneer Cal game as the game of the week
I still think that SF will come out on top of the DRL because coach Malhstede will get them playing now, at the right time... this is so sad for everyone in the DRL... supposed to be a down year and they still can't beat SF...
HS Football Fan let's not talk about other coaches, because if it wasn't for that coach at Pioneer my life would have been different. But now to the Point.
ALL TEAMS BEWARE! THERE ARE NO MORE HOMECOMING GAMES FOR WHITTIER. Pick WHITTEIER for H/C and watch what will happen. That coaching staff at WHITTIER has brought that school back to the promise land. WHITTIER has risen from the valley of the dead and are now ready to make a statement on the league AGAIN! WHITTIER has had great coaches starting from Vic Lopez,Zeller, and Mike Fitch. Coach Scott has paid the price of down seasons and now the turn around of this program is becoming a reality. All need to remember this "Any coach can can be successful when times are good but can a coach still be enthused and stick around when times are hard. Coach Scott and one of his assistance where there at WHITTIER when times where GREAT. You could not of kicked us around in the day's of Iron Mike Fitch. Coach Scott took over and had some down years, but now that the program actually is making a change for the better, WHITTIER is a fluke. Some of the Coaches out there got there first coaching job at WHITTIER under Coach Mike Fitch, and Coach Walter Scott. So just to say this last statement and I'm out. WHITTIER always and will still continue to play anyone out there who wants a GAME, we can't relive the past but always no WHITTIER HIGH is the name sake of the city and we CARDINALS have PRIDE Win or Loose. Roger Murrary would you go do research on the Old WHITMONT League and the Del Rio League(93) and push out through the Media that we have good football being played in the area by all school's so that some of the bigger name schools or Leagues give us a shot to compete with them.
DeVaughn Egans "92
Finally! Now watch how the season turn's out! TALK IS CHEAP and WHITTIER is ready to play so DEL RIO League Opponent's STANDBY.
DeVaughn Egans "92
Great article murray about the DRL.
I agree with your comment about SF still being as good as everyone else in a down year for the established longtime DRL power. Although I believe they still have to get better in order to beat the other teams bc the others got better due to their experience last year and SF is learining now and they will get better...it will be interesting...
I think that Cal Hi will retain the highest in the polls. This does not mean they will win league by themselves. I still firmly believe that there will be a tie somehow this year atop the DRL. Cal Hi will retain that high spot just based on overall victories since they they had a successful preseason.
I expect La Habra to beat Troy this week and stay #1 all year.
As far as St. Paul I fully expect them to finish the year as high as #2 or #3. They should be Bishop Amat this week and hopefully they compete well against one of states best teams in Crespi...Since they played some tough teams like Servite, Bishop, and Crespi in preseason I believe that this year SP has the team to win the Mission League.
Typical polls, I have watched a lot of high school football this year teams like Charter Oak, Servite, Orange Lutheran, Mater Dei, and St. Paul. It is sad to say that St. Paul will not move up in ranking because of the strength of schedule this year, I think SP is one of the elite group of football programs in LA County. All of the opponents they have faced this year, with the exception of Servite, have not played very good football. I would like to see St. Paul vs. Bishop Amat as the game of the week. All HSFootball players be safe and good luck Friday night.
Murray,
La Habra's victory was 56-13 over Brea Olinda in week 5. The Villa Park win was in week 4.
La Habra's move to number one comes after the drubbing of Brea Olinda. The trouncing of Villa Park was two weeks ago. It dosen't matter who you put at 2-10 it will be La Habra in the end anyway. Good Luck to all of the DRL teams but the road to the Championship goes through La Habra. All the weapons and a defense to match. This Fridays game will be tough but we will show that paper to the south that the Highlanders deserve a consideration for the top 10. No respect from the Orange County Paper and no respect on this blog either. Everybody wants to talk about every other team beside La Habra. You will see that we have a team of boys that are tough and ready to take on all comers. Good Luck to every team in the Southeast division and pray that no one get seriously hurt.