Final week of high school regular season football.
There’s still a lot of the line for area teams, even if nothing more than the pride of finishing.
Thursday’s games:
Pioneer at California: Visiting Titans would love to be the ones to burst Cal’s bubble. Condors still harbor hopes for a share of the league title (with a little help from The Ranch).
El Rancho vs. Santa Fe: Host Chiefs can’t afford to blink in this one. Are the Dons really the southland’s best 0-9 team?
Fullerton at La Habra: Some of the luster taken off this one with the Highlanders’ loss to Troy which most likely determined the Freeway League champion. Fullerton, the league’s biggest disappointment this season, could wipe away some of that image by beating the Highlanders and taking second place from them.
Bell Gardens at Montebello Visiting Lancers still smarting from stunning loss to Schurr last week, but could gain a share of the Almont League title with a win and help from Alhambra upsetting Schurr. Spartans just a win away from its fourth consecutive league championship.
Schurr vs. Alhambra: No secret here for the Spartans: Victory equals an outright crown; A loss means sharing it.
Friday’s games:
Cantwell Sacred Heart at Verbum Dei: Visiting Cardinals need so swallow hard, get a victory for a piece of the three-way tie for second, then hope to be lucky in the tie breaker.
La Serna vs. Whittier: Simply put, the winner gets third place and the league’s last automatic playoff berth. The loser goes home and sits on pins and needles waiting for the playoff pairings to be announced Sunday.
St. Francis at St. Paul: St. Paul needs a win to ensure going to the playoffs. Same for St. Francis, but the Golden Knights could probably receive an at-large berth if they lose. It would be a shot in the dark for St. Paul if the Swordsmen lose.
Maranatha vs. Whittier Christian: Both teams are assured of continuing in the postseason, but only Maranatha ensured of going in as at least a co-champion. A Heralds’ victory would erase some of that bad taste left from disappointing loss to Brentwood last week.
Pick ’em as you see ’em.
