Playoffs: Talk your smack or cry me a river …

La Mirada stunned by Salesian — It happens every year to somebody … just didn’t think it would be the Matadores. A 9-1 regular season was followed by a stunning first-round loss to Salesian in the Southeast Division. The Mats hadn’t played in a close game in quite a while, so maybe it caught then off guard tonight to be in a nail biter.

Bishop Amat gets elusive Pac-5 win — The “Amat doesn’t belong in the Pac-5” argument is now technically over. Lancer believers can wave this win over Lakewood like a shiny wand. I still believe the best indicator of whether a team belongs in a division, especially the upper divisions of the Southern Section, is whether they have a realistic chance of winning a title. Amat can prove that point next week vs. JSerra. Also, what can you say about Ryder Ruiz? He’s been outstanding! Not easy to follow in his brother’s footsteps. And what a job by Amat’s coaching staff to get him ready like this. Just outstanding all around.

St. Francis wins, but loses — The word out of St. Francis is that QB Jeremiah Martin is out for the remainder of the season with a broken collarbone. If that’s true, then Monrovia transfer Miles Bryant will likely start next week vs. La Serna. Terrible blow for Martin, who was simply excellent in his first varsity season as the starter. And a terrible blow for the Knights, who still have a shot at the Southeast Division title, just not as good as before.

Bonita quiets own fans, upsets Kaiser — Chalk one up for Bearcats head coach Adrian Medrano, who often takes unwarranted verbal abuse from fans but delivered in a big way tonight. Now, the Bearcats get a doable second round game vs. West Covina in a rematch of the 2010 Southeast Division final. MEDRANO!