Southern California high school league winners have tough time in playoffs

Winning a league title is supposed to be a precursor to a deep playoff run. In theory, at least.

That scenario didn’t pan out for 24 Southland high school football teams that won at least a share of a league title only to lose in the first round of the playoffs.

Some of the losses weren’t all that surprising. Bay League champion Manhattan Beach Mira Costa lost, 27-17, to Moorpark of the very competitive Marmonte League in the Northern Division.

But other defeats qualified as head-scratchers. Los Alamitos, which won the traditionally tough Sunset League, lost to Encino Crespi, 28-14, in the Pac-5 Division. Moore League champion Long Beach Poly was a straggler on offense throughout a 26-10 loss to Santa Ana Mater Dei, which finished third in the Trinity League.

Citrus Belt League champion Redlands East Valley suffered a 21-16 loss to Etiwanda, part of a playoff wipeout for the Citrus Belt in which the league’s teams went three-and-out in the first round.

Etiwanda took control early in the fourth quarter when defensive end Chima Nduka caused a fumble that cornerback Salih Johnwell picked up and returned 100 yards for a touchdown. It was a momentous triumph for the Eagles, who had finished in third place in the Baseline League in what was supposed to be a rebuilding season.

“Just making it into the playoffs was huge for us,� Etiwanda Coach Stephen Bryce said Saturday. “Our kids have done a great job of exceeding our expectations.�

The Eagles’ triumph set up a quarterfinal rematch Friday at Ontario Chaffey High against Chino Hills, which defeated Etiwanda, 35-14, last season in a Central Division quarterfinal.

League of its own

The Marmonte League reaffirmed its status as one of the best in Southern California when its teams won all five of their first-round games.

“The top five teams are really tough,� said Westlake Village Oaks Christian Coach Bill Redell, whose Lions defeated Saugus, 34-8.

The league is assured of at least one loss Friday, only because Oaks Christian must play at Marmonte rival Thousand Oaks. The Lions pulled out a 28-26 victory when the teams played last month.

“I was hoping we wouldn’t have to meet a league opponent until the semifinals,� Redell said. “But if you have five teams in the playoffs, you’re more apt than not to meet somebody� before that.

Other leagues that went unbeaten in the first round: Pacific Coast (4-0), Los Padres (4-0), Trinity (3-0), Baseline (3-0), Olympic (3-0), Prep (3-0) and East Valley (2-0).

A notch above

Upland prevailed in the only matchup of defending division champions.

The Highlanders, who had won the Central Division title last season, held off Temecula Chaparral, 40-35, in an Inland Division first-round game. Donta Abron Jr. rushed for 176 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score early in the third quarter.

Upset special

Azusa was the only top-seeded team not to survive the first round. The Aztecs lost to Sun Valley Village Christian, 31-24, in the Mid-Valley Division when Cayden Boyd scored on a two-yard run with 58 seconds left.

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