2019 Week 10: Playoffs Next as First Season Nears End

The 18 San Diego Section leagues put a wrap on the regular season this week and most of their members will take a breath and await playoff seedings, which will be determined on Saturday.

Championships have been won in several circuits.

AVOCADO

Champion Carlsbad (6-0, 8-1 overall) is getting ready for a nonleague test with Vista and a possible shot in the four-team Open Division playoffs.

CENTRAL

Champion Serra (4-0, 7-2) has a nonleague encounter with Patrick Henry and awaiting its seeding in the Division IV playoffs.

CITRUS

San Diego Jewish Academy (5-0, 7-0) will meet Ocean League runner-up San Pasqual Academy in an eight-man, semifinal round, winner advancing to championship game against Foothills Christian-Ocean View Christian survivor

CITY

Scripps Ranch (3-0, 9-0), setting all kinds of records with its best season since the school opened in 1993, could lose  to Mission Bay (not likely) and would be tied for first if San Diego (2-1, 6-2) beats Kearny (probable).  However, the Falcons own  a 34-6 win over the Cavers.

COASTAL

The Bishop’s (3-0, 9-0), averaging 56 points a game, must get past tough, old rival Santa Fe Christian (2-1, 6-3), and Santa Fe holds a 16-11-1 lead in the series, which dates to the eight-man game in 1988.

EASTERN

La Jolla (3-0, 5-4) can clinch by defeating defending champion Christian (2-1, 5-4) and the Vikings can erase the memory of a 49-0 loss to the Patriots in 2018.

GROSSMONT HILLS

Helix (3-0, 8-1) is a substantial favorite, according to all scientific equations, but the Highlanders can’t dismiss fast-closing Steele Canyon (3-0, 9-0), which forced a three-way tie for the title in 2018 with a 22-21 victory over the Highlanders and get them at home.

GROSSMONT VALLEY

Beat West Hills and the 3-0, 5-4 Monte Vista Monarchs of coach Ron Hamamoto have their fifth straight win and second title in three years.  Lose and Monte Vista could be tied if Santana bests El Cajon Valley, but the Monarchs whipped the Sultans, 37-10.

IMPERIAL VALLEY

El Centro Central (4-0, 7-2) and Brawley (4-0, 7-2) are at it again, battling for the league championship and possession of The Bell, which has rung for the winner since 1944. The Wildcats lead the series since then, 49-27-2, although the rivalry goes back to 1921.

MANZANITA

Calexico Vincent Memorial (3-0, 6-3) clinches with a win over Mountain Empire and also holds a 23-16 verdict over Holtville, which could tie if Vincent loses (doubtful) and the Vikings beat Calipatria (expected).

METRO MESA

Eastlake has clinched at 4-0 and 5-5.  Paco Silva is 4-1 as coach John McFadden’s replacement.  McFadden is on mandated leave.

METRO PACIFIC

Castle Park, 2-0 and 9-0, and Montgomery, 2-0 and 8-1, will vie with Helix-Steele Canyon in this week’s most intriguing matchup.

METRO SOUTH BAY

Hilltop is in driver’s seat at 2-0 and 8-1 but must get by Mar Vista, or shaere the crown with the Mariners.

OCEAN

Ocean View Christian (5-1, 6-2), enjoying its best season since a 7-3 campaign in 2015, meets Foothills Christian (6-0, 9-0) and 35-6 since 2016, in the second  eight-man semifinal.

PACIFIC

La Jolla Country Day, 3-0 and 7-2, will play Parker, 3-0 and 4-5, will decide things.

PALOMAR

Vista, 5-0 and 7-2 with a forfeit loss in its opening game, has clinched, having beaten Rancho Bernardo, 37-20, last week.

VALLEY

It’s an intra-city battle, with San Pasqual (4-0, 8-1), trying to clinch against Escondido. (3-1, 5-3). An Eagles loss could lead to a three-way finish at the top, with Valley Center (3-1, 4-4) also in picture.

WESTERN

Cathedral (3-0, 8-1) is a heavy favorite to beat Lincoln, which would prevent St. Augustine, a 44-38 loser to the Dons, from getting a share of first.