Clark Livingston, the former Orange Lutheran quarterback who transferred to La Habra during the summer and was denied eligibility by the CIF-Southern Section office, received word today that he has been granted an appeal hearing by the CIF State office. The hearing is scheduled for Oct. 25 at CIF-SS headquarters in Los Alamitos.
The hearing will be conducted by state officials, but CIF-SS director of communications Thom Simmons said CIF-SS commissioner Rod Wigod,and the assistant commissioner who handled the original eligibility request will sit in on the hearing, but only to offer testimony to state officials as part of the hearing process.
“I’m happy,” said Scott Livingston, Clark’s father. “All we ever wanted was an opportunity to be heard. We’re grateful for this opportunity.”

BUENA PARK – What was expected to be a promising season for the Pioneer High School football team turned into a nightmare Thursday.
Sunny Hills’ Kalil Bushala rushed for 258 yards and two touchdowns and the host Lancers rolled to a 35-6 victory over the Titans in a nonleague game at Buena Park High.
Pioneer, picked fifth in the area to begin the season, slipped to 0-3. Tony Botello led the Titans with 78 yards rushing.
Sunny Hills, also getting two touchdown passes from quarterback Matt Larsen, improved to 1-2.

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Above: La Habra lines up against a top foe again this week.

WHITTIER DAILY NEWS RANKINGS
FOOTBALL
1. La Habra (2-1) – If you didn’t think the Highlanders were the best in the area before last week, there’s not argument now after La Habra went toe-to-toe with Servite, arguably the top team in the state, losing 24-16. It doesn’t get any easier for the Highlanders, who face Pac-5 ranked teams Orange Lutheran and St. John Bosco in the coming weeks.
2. St. Paul (2-0) – The Swordsmen have taken care of business, beating La Mirada (24-7) and Norwalk (48-6). We get a nice barometer this week when they travel to Garfield, which made things difficult for Bishop Amat before losing, 14-0.
3. La Serna (3-0) – Sure, the Lancers three opponents are a combined 2-6-1, but last week’s 21-20 revenge game over Bonita should open some eyes – this is a very good football team.
4. Montebello (2-1) – We’re buying the Oilers, who very easily could be 3-0, sans a 29-22 loss to Arroyo in the final seconds.
5. Santa Fe (1-2) – It’s hard to get a read on the Chiefs, whose two losses are against the top team in Arizona (Hamilton, of Chandler) and one the top teams in the Pac-5 (St. John Bosco). I still think they can challenge La Serna in the Del Rio League, but they might enter the league slate 2-3 with games against Esperanza and Charter Oak next on the docket.
Others: 6. Cantwell Sacred Heart (1-1), 7. Whittier Christian (1-2), 8. California (1-1), 9. La Mirada (0-3), 10. El Rancho (2-1), 11. Whittier (2-0), 12. Pioneer (0-2), 13. Schurr (0-2).

CIF-SS Football Polls
Mid-Valley Division
1. Maranatha (3-0), 2. Arroyo (3-0), 3. Monrovia (1-1), 4. Covina (2-1), 5. Village Christian (2-1), 6. San Dimas (2-1), 7. La Puente (2-0), 8. Montebello (2-1), 9. Whittier Christian (1-2), 10. Pomona (2-1). Others: Alhambra (3-0) 30; South Pasadena (1-1).
Steve’s take: Montebello and Whittier Christian are in good spots. Monrovia and Covina are still the best two teams in the division, but you have to give credit to Maranatha for taking care of business. Monrovia and Covina have losses to upper-division teams, but in Monrovia’s case, they didn’t play well, either.
Southeast Division
1. West Covina (2-1), 2. La Serna (3-0), 3. Arcadia (1-1), 4. Los Altos (3-0), 5. Bonita (1-2), 6. Muir (2-1), 7. Mayfair (1-2), 8. Rowland (2-1), 9. El Rancho (2-1). 10. Santa Fe (1-2). Others: Whittier (2-0), Diamond Bar (2-1), Bellflower (2-1), Glenn (2-1), California (1-1), Crescenta Valley (1-1), Diamond Ranch (0-3).
Steve’s take: I get why West Covina is No. 1. They are the 2010 champs and played upper-division teams the past two weeks, losing to Loyola and beating South Hills. But I thought they should have dropped after losing to Loyola, 35-7. You reward teams who step up and punish teams who don’t play well. La Serna is probably in the best spot, because of the former, I would have the Lancers No. 1. Neither El Rancho or Santa Fe have lived up to expectations. I give credit for Santa Fe for playing top competition, but you also have to play well.
Southwest Division
1. La Habra (2-1), 2. Villa Park (3-0), 3. Tustin (1-2), 4. Yorba Linda (3-0), 5. Laguna Hills (2-0), 5. Cypress (2-1), 7. El Toro (2-1), 8. Brea Olinda (3-0), 9. Fullerton (2-1). 10. Aliso Niguel (3-0). Others: Troy (2-0), El Dorado (1-2), Western (2-1), Esperanza (2-1), Foothill (1-2).
Steve’s take: La Habra is the best team in the division and did nothing to dispute that despite losing to Servite last week. It will be interesting to see what happens the next two weeks if the Highlanders drop one or both games against Orange Lutheran and St. John Bosco.
Western Division
1. Chaminade (2-0), 2. St. Paul (2-0), 3. Arroyo Grande (2-1), 4. Serra (2-1), 5. St. Francis (2-0), 6. St. Joseph/Santa Maria (1-1), 7. Culver City (2-0), 8. Dominguez (1-2), 9. Atascadero (2-1), 10. Ventura (3-0). Others: Gahr (3-0), Cathedral (2-0), Righetti (2-1), Paso Robles (1-1).
Steve’s take: One thing is clear: There are very good odds that a team from the Mission League will win this division, with four teams in the top 10, including the top 2. St. Paul is in a good spot, but league play is going to be a war.