Hacienda League title, CIF title... what's the difference?

"West Covina is the league favorite again, in my opinion," Diamond Bar coach Ryan Maine said. "The rest of the league could have plenty of upsets. It's the type of league where you go into every game uncomfortable."

Bonita (2-2), which began the season ranked second in the Southeast Division, has climbed back to No. 4 after dropping a pair of early games.

The Bearcats are leaning on a defense allowing 20 points per game and the offense is improving under sophomore quarterback Tanner Diebold, who threw for 288 yards and five touchdowns in his last outing. Bonita's Garrett Horine, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound force in the secondary, is one of the most dynamic players in the league as evidenced by four touchdown catches last week.

"We had a few more seniors solidified in their spots at this time last year," Bonita coach Eric Podley said. "But we're getting better each game."

Diamond Ranch brought the most championship game experience to the Hacienda League, having reached the Southeast Division title game in 2008 and 2009. The Panthers season uncharacteristically ended in the first round of the playoffs last season and their junior quarterback elected not to return to the team in order to focus on his baseball career. As usual, Diamond Ranch (1-3) isn't carrying a shiny record into league play and is accordingly difficult to get a read on. The Panthers' three losses are to teams with a combined 9-2 mark.

Diamond Bar (2-2) is hoping to get healthy in order to end a seven-year playoff drought with the help of the league's most talented quarterback in 6-foot-4 senior Henry Omana, who has thrown for 752 yards and nine touchdowns.