Friday Recap: Santa Fe rules Del Rio, beats La Serna; La Habra coasts and St. Paul’s playoff chances take a hit


There were those who thought Santa Fe High School football coach Jack Mahlstede was a little crazy to take on a nonleague schedule that featured one of the top teams in Arizona, and. three of the better units in the CIF-Southern Section.
But there was a reason for his madness and the Chiefs showed it
Friday night, getting 140 yards rushing and three touchdowns from Joey Davis to take a big step toward the Del Rio League title with a 23-8 victory over 2010 champ La Serna. The Chiefs can wrap up the title with wins over Pioneer and Whittier, which shocked California, 28-14. Elsewhere, La Habra coasted to a 42-7 victory over a Buena Park, which was supposed to be its toughest challenger in the Freeway League. Over at St. Paul, the Swordsmen’s playoff hopes took a hit with a 21-14 loss to Serra. Now St. Paul must beat St. Francis, a 31-14 loser to Chaminade, for what should be the final playoff spot from the Mission League.
Here’s a brief rundown of Friday’s games:
No. 1 La Habra 42, Buena Park 7 — The Highlanders are continuing their annual cakewalk through the Freeway League. At this point, there seems no stopping La Habra toward a fifth consecutive CIF-SS title.
Serra 21, No. 2 St. Paul 14 — The Swordsmen’s season now comes to next week’s home game against St. Francis, which will decide the final playoff slot from the Mission League.
Santa Fe 23, No. 3 La Serna 8 — Two words – Joey Davis, who rushed for a 140 yards to lead the Chiefs, who can now taste the Del Rio League title. Only Whittier and Pioneer are in the way. How far can the Chiefs go in the Souteast? I think they can go far.
Whittier 28, California 14 — This one was a shocker, which will make a mad scramble for the final two playoff slots from the Del Rio League, where La Serna is second with one loss and El Rancho, Cal, Whittier and Pioneer all tied for third with two losses.
El Rancho 31, Pioneer 13 — The Dons took care of business at home to stay in the playoff hunt, which will now be a mad scramble.
Schurr 27, Keppel 0 — The Spartans stay in the playoff hunt with an expected win. Next up is rival Montebello, which should be a defensive war.
Alhambra 7, Montebello 6 — The Oilers have one of the better defenses in the Almont, then there is Montebello’s offense.

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