HS FOOTBALL: Westlake ready to make playoff impact

There is no argument about the Marmonte League being the strongest in the Southern Section Northern Division. The top three teams, Westlake, Oaks Christian and St. Bonaventure, are the top three playoff seeds, as pairings were released Sunday.

Westlake (10-0), hoping eventually to reach a final for the third year in a row, opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday against visiting Eastside (4-6), an opponent that enters with a three-game losing streak.

"I think maybe being No. 1, you have a better run to the title, plus a home game, and that's important," Westlake coach Jim Benkert said. "But I looked at our half of the bracket, and it has all the league champions."

Westlake could play at Hart in the quarterfinals in what could be a compelling second-round matchup, as Hart made the playoffs as the an at-large entry after nearly missing out for the second in a year row after 21 consecutive playoff appearances.

"I have a lot of respect for Hart and coach Mike Herrington's accomplishments," Benkert said. "Whomever they prepare for, I'm sure they'll play a whale of a game."

LONELY AT THE TOP

As the only Serra League team from the San Fernando Valley to make the playoffs, Alemany is by itself in the Pac-5, the Southern Section's top division. The fourth-seeded Warriors (8-2) open against visiting St. John Bosco from the tough Trinity League.

"St. John Bosco is a good football team. They're very good," Alemany coach Dean Herrington said. "At this point, they're all good. We have our work cut out for us."

Alemany has made it to the semifinals or better or in each of the past three seasons, but it's been 25 years since a San Fernando Valley program has won a title in the section's highest division.

"Playoff time is always fun," Herrington said.

Through the years beginning at Hart, where Herrington had a long, successful run as an offensive coordinator, the coach has been known to install innovative trick plays for the playoffs. This year, he is being coy.

"Trick plays are the furthest thing from my mind," he said. "Well, maybe a few new wrinkles."

LOOKING AT THE OTHER DIVISIONS

In the Western Division, Chaminade is No. 3, and the Eagles could face high-scoring Camarillo in the second round.

In the East Valley Division, Sierra Canyon is seeded No. 1, and if the Trailblazers can win the title, they almost certainly will earn a CIF State Div. IV Bowl berth. Defending champion Paraclete is seeded No. 2.

In the Northest Division, at-large entry Viewpoint qualified for the playoffs for only the second time since moving up from eight-man football in 2004. The reward? A long trip to top-seeded Bishop, the defending section champion.