With the season in the last week, there are plenty of playoff berths up for grabs. In fact, some of these playoff scenarios are enough to make a sane man’s head spin. So here is a team-by-team breakdown of what each team in the area needs to get that playoff berth, starting with the San Andreas League.

1. Colton (5-3 overall, 3-0 league)
There isn’t much to say here, as the Yellowjackets clinched the SAL championship with a victory over Arroyo Valley last week. Even if Colton was shocked by San Bernardino Friday, the worst it can do is finish tied with Arroyo and/or Cajon with a 3-1 league record. Having beaten both the Hawks and the Cowboys, Colton is the top SAL seed no matter what.

2. Arroyo Valley (5-2-1, 2-1)
It would take a perfect storm of unfortunate incidents to deprive the Hawks at this point. First, the Hawks have to lose to Pacific, who is on a 19-game losing streak. Then, San Gorgonio would have to beat Cajon and San Bernardino would have to upset Colton. Then Arroyo would have to be on the short-end of a four-team coin-flip for two spots. Even if they lose, Colton loses and Cajon wins, Arroyo would win a head-to-head tie-breaker with San Bernardino.
Basically, I have a better chance of wooing Jessica Biel away from Justin Timberlake than the Hawks do in missing the playoffs. Arroyo can notch the No. 2 seed with a win and a Cajon loss or a win and a coin-flip victory over a winning Cajon team. At worst, its a No. 3 seed. Considering it was 2-8 last year, I think Arroyo is fine with that.

3. Cajon (3-5, 2-1)
It’s pretty simple for Cajon – it wins over San G, it’s in. It would be the No. 2 seed if Arroyo Valley loses or if it wins a coin-flip with the Hawks, who the Cowboys didn’t play due to the fire cancellations.
It gets much more complicated if the Cowboys lose to the Spartans. Should Cajon lose and Arroyo Valley and Colton win, Cajon would be left out, as San G would grab the third-seed. If either Arroyo lost, there would be a three-way coin flip between the Hawks, Cowboys and Spartans for the final two spots. If Colton lost, there would be a three-way flip between Cajon, San G, and San Bernardino for one spot. If both Arroyo and Colton lose, there’s a bonanza of coin flippage between Arroyo, Cajon, San G and San Berdoo for two spots.
Basically, Cajon should listen to Al Davis (if he’s still alive) and just win baby!

4. San Gorgonio (2-6, 1-2)
It gets simpler with the Spartans, as they have to win to have any playoff chance. If San G beats Cajon and the status quo is played out (i.e. Colton and Arroyo Valley win as expected) the Spartans qualify for the playoffs as the No. 3 seed. However, if there is any sort of randomness, then the coin-flipping begins. The Spartans would either be in a three-way shoot with Arroyo and Cajon (if Arroyo loses) for two spots, a three-way shoot with Cajon and San Berdoo (if Colton loses) for one spot or a four-way bonanza with Arroyo, Cajon and San Berdoo for two spots (if both Arroyo and Colton kick the bucket).
More than likely, it will be Cajon and San G for the playoffs.

5. San Bernardino (4-4, 1-2)
The Cardinals have a better overall record but due to matchups, have less of a shot than San G of making the playoffs due to matchups. Not only do the Cardinals have to beat Colton – a taller order than Yao Ming – but they need some help. They need San G to beat Cajon, along with upsetting Colton, and then have to take their chances with either a four-way coin flip with Arroyo, Cajon and San G for two spots or a three-way flipper with Cajon and San G for one. Either way, it doesn’t look good, but at least your saying there’s still a chance.

6. Pacific (0-8, 0-3)
Unless a nasty virus of ineligiblities and forfeits hits the SAL in the next 24-36 hours, the Pirates have been eliminated. However, an upset over Arroyo could cause complete chaos depending on some of the other results.

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