Football: Pac-5 Division final should be epic

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We’re counting down to the start of tonight’s Pac-5 Division championship game at Angel Stadium and this showdown between undefeated Orange County powerhouses has all the makings of an ‘instant classic.’

Top-seeded Mission Viejo is led by Tre Madden, one of the most versatile players in Southern California. He has 54 tackles and three sacks at linebacker and has 312 yards rushing and two passing touchdowns at quarterback in the wildcat formation. Running back Dallas Kessman has 1,699 yards and wide receiver Bryan Keller has 50 catches for 1,167 yards. Quarterback Alex Bridgford has completed 127 passes for 2,283 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Second-seeded Anaheim Servite, the defending Pac-5 champion, is riding a 24-game winning streak. Pacing the Friars’ attack are junior quarterback Cody Pittman (129 completions for 1,450 yards and 12 touchdowns), running back Malik Felton (135 carries for 1,191 yards and 14 touchdowns) and wide receiver Robert Abeyta (29 receptions for 355 yards and four touchdowns).

Mission Viejo is allowing a stingy 12.5 points per game while Servite is surrending a paltry 11.4 points per game, so as powerful as both offenses are this could be a low-scoring game. Whichever team wins will likely receive the Open Division state bowl berth so there’s more than just a CIF title on the line.

Servite edged Mission Viejo, 19-18, in the semifinals last season. The opening kickoff is 10 minutes away and the fans are working their respective teams into a frenzy.

-- Steve Galluzzo