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Dan Albano reacts to Week 10 of the O.C. football season and answers readers questions going into the first round of the playoffs this week:
1. What is your opinion on teams forfeiting games and still being able to play in the playoffs?
The impact of forfeits was one of the hottest topics on Selection Sunday, and that’s a problem.
The focus going into the playoffs should be on the exciting matchups, and the teams and players having great seasons.
Same goes for the regular season, but that hasn’t been the case this fall starting with the Bishop Montgomery saga (more on that in a second).
I began to really wrestle with this question of consequences when O.C. found itself in the season-long, transfer narrative with Orange Lutheran forfeiting two games.
In the end, the forfeits didn’t affect the Lancers’ playoff path. The possibility of the forfeits hanging over the team for weeks might have been a distraction but Orange Lutheran made Division 1.
In the end, seven forfeits didn’t affect San Juan Hills’ playoff path. The Stallions made Division 2 but will the controversary be a distraction this week as they prepare for Downey?
The power ratings system that guides the playoff brackets isn’t swayed by forfeits, and that understandable. That’s a computer at work. But maybe there needs to be a human element to help provide more discouragement to those trying to manipulate the systems — CIF rules or the relatively-new power ratings.
And any change can’t be just for football. It needs to apply to all sports.
As we all checked the power ratings this weekend, we saw that Bishop Montgomery — which announced the cancellation of its season in early September — still ranked 19th in the Southern Section, next to the Division 2 teams.
2. What first round playoff matchup for Friday is the most exciting?
Yorba Linda-Los Alamitos, at Veterans Stadium, in Division 2. Lots to like here.
The schools are playing for the first time. Both programs could be in the Alpha League next season. Playmakers Lenny Ibarra and Troy Roberts. Both teams are well-coached and play power football. Winner has a chance to reach to reach the semifinals.
3. Name a player on the rise going in the first round of CIF?
Orange quarterback Star Thomas has my attention.
The sophomore completed 30 of 46 passes for 391 yards in an upset of previously undefeated Laguna Beach in Week 10 to continue his breakout season. He also rushed for 61 yards.
Orange (6-4) faces a tough assignment in Division 5 with a game at No. 2 seed Troy (9-1) but with Thomas leading the way, the young Panthers have made a lot of progress this season.
4. Where should Edison play its first round game against Huntington Beach?
Edison is the home team for the anticipated Division 3 clash and should play at its home site of Huntington Beach High. That’s where the game Friday will be played.
Huntington Beach High’s Sheue Field is one of the best venues in the county and will serve the first round game well. Edison’s fan will sit on the home side while the Oilers’ faithful on the visitors.
Picking a winner in that game is the tougher question. My prediction: Oilers in a close one.
5. Who’s a dark horse to follow in the playoffs?
Watch for either Brea Olinda (7-3) or Irvine (7-3) to reach the finals in Division 8.
The Vaqueros’ first round game against Temescal Valley (5-5) could be challenging because the visitors hail from the solid Big West Lower League but look for Irvine and Brea Olinda to emerge from the lower-half of the bracket.