ANALYSIS: PLAYOFFS PROVIDE INTRIGUE.Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer Assuming Hart High (8-0, 4-0) remains unbeaten by defeating Saugus (6-3, 3-1) for the Foothill League football championship tonight at College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. , what lies ahead? For Hart to win its fourth consecutive Southern Section Division III
Division III (or DIII) is a division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the United States. championship, the Indians might be facing their toughest playoff competition since the title streak began. Bay League leader Mira Costa of Manhattan Beach Manhattan Beach, city (1990 pop. 32,063), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1912. It is a residential and beach community with an oil refinery and nearby factories that produce transportation and electrical equipment, computers, and pottery. , Pacific League frontrunner Crescenta Valley The Crescenta Valley is a small inland valley in Los Angeles County, California. Its name derives from its crescent-like shape, with the convex portion facing roughly northeast and the concave portion southwest. and Mission League power Notre Dame Notre Dame IPA: [nɔtʁ dam] is French for Our Lady, referring to the Virgin Mary. In the United States of America, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks are all undefeated heading into tonight's finales. Meanwhile, Foothill League rivals Valencia (7-2, 3-1) and Saugus are no slouches, and it wouldn't be surprising for Golden League representatives Palmdale (7-2, 4-0) or Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley (6-3, 4-0) to emerge. Hart coach Mike Herrington, pointing to the variation of football styles among potential opponents Crescenta Valley, Mira Costa and Notre Dame, believes the playoffs will be interesting. ``They're all so different,'' Herrington said. ``Crescenta Valley passes every down, Mira Costa is primarily a running team, and Notre Dame is a mixture with real solid defense.'' Crescenta Valley's Hudson Gossard is the state's leading passer with 2,769 yards and 25 touchdowns. A year ago, the Falcons gave Hart its most competitive playoff match, as Hart prevailed 28-23 in the second round. This season, Gossard against Hart quarterback Matt Moore (1,892 yards, 67 percent, 21 touchdowns) would be a fun and exciting matchup. < Mira Costa, which lost to Hart in the finals last season, returns junior two-way standout Michael Okwo Michael Okwo (born January 24, 1985 in Redondo Beach, California) is an American football linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the NFL. He was selected in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft. . A 6-1, 210-pounder, he has rushed for more than 1,000 yards, and he's a dynamic hitter at middle linebacker. Meanwhile, Notre Dame is ahead of Hart in the Southern Section rankings - the Knights are No. 1, Hart No. 2 - even though Hart is fourth in the Cal-Hi Sports state rankings and Notre Dame is 14th. As for the Foothill League contingents, Valencia has lost only to Hart and powerful Bishop Amat of La Puente La Puente (lä pwĕn`tē), city (1990 pop. 36,955), Los Angeles co., S Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles; laid out 1841, inc. 1956. Primarily residential, the city manufactures hardware, electronics, and paper products. . So the Vikings certainly are capable of making an impact. Then there's Saugus, which has played a difficult schedule. All three of its losses have been to opponents ranked among the Daily News top 10 at the time. ``I wouldn't be surprised if three Foothill League teams make the semifinals,'' said Herrington, whose Indians have not lost to Saugus since 1991. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Hart coach Mike Herrington believes as many as three Foothill League teams could make playoff semifinals. Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer |
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