WHITTIER DAILY NEWS FOOTBALL RANKINGS
1. La Mirada (6-2) — The Mats are rolling and breezing through the Suburban League. You can pencil them in as the CIF-SS Division 3 top seed, because they aren’t losing the rest of the regular season. I also don’t see them challenged until at least the division semifinals.
2. La Habra (4-3) — The Highlanders have ruled the Freeway for more than a decade, but Buena Park believes that’s its over. Is it? We find out Friday when La Habra travels to the land of Knotts Berry Farm. Will they enjoy the ride? I think so. The Freeway League belongs to the Highlanders until someone takes it away from them. I don’t think that time has come just yet.
3. La Serna (4-3) — The Lancers, after going 2-3 in a tough nonleague slate, are starting to flex their muscles, opening Del Rio League play with two blow-out wins. It gets a little more tougher in the next few weeks with games against El Rancho, Cal and Santa Fe, the latter of which could be a first-place showdown, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the blowouts continue.
4. Montebello (6-1) — The Oilers have been solid on defense all year and are still in first place in the Almont because of it following a 14-7 win over rival Schurr. There is still some work to be done, but I see a fourth league title in their future.
5. St. Paul (3-4) — The Swordsmen rebounded in a big way by routing Harvard-Westlake on the road. They will need a similar effort this week at La Salle. St. Paul also likely needs to win the next two weeks — Friday at La Salle and next week at Salesian — to make the postseason.
6. Santa Fe (3-4) — We heard good things about the Chiefs coming into the season. And after a slow start, they are starting to make an impact with a couple of close wins to begin the Del Rio League slate. Are they yet in La Serna’s class. But right now, they are looking good.
7. Whittier Christian (5-3) — The Heralds have been an offensive juggernaut all season, but their defense stepped up in a big way in last week’s win over Maranatha. Can they continue the trend? They’ll need it
8. Schurr (4-3) — The Spartans took Montebello to the wire before losing last week. They are still alive for a share of the league title, but will need to beat a fast-rising Bell Gardens in two weeks, then become fans of the Lancers in Week 10.
9. Whittier (3-4) — The Cardinals were dealt the task of opening Del Rio League play against the arguably the league’s top two teams. Now it’s all downhill, right? Not exactly, but don’t count these guys out yet.
10. El Rancho (2-5) — The Dons have improved under Adrian Medrano and are in the running for a playoff spot.
Others: 11. California (4-3), 12. Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary (2-5), 13. Pioneer (0-7), 14. Sonora (0-7).