Football: Key Southern Section rankings are out

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Now comes the week where it really matters to be included in the Southern Section football rankings.

The Week 9 polls are out. Here’s the link. There are 138 potential voters and a mixture of coaches and media members participating (Times writers do not vote).

These rankings will be followed closely in making up playoff brackets when seedings are announced on Sunday after being revised following games on Thursday and Friday.

In the Pac-5, Servite is No. 1, followed by Mission Viejo, Long Beach Poly and Santa Margarita. Alemany could get a top four seeding if Santa Margarita loses to Servite on Friday.

In the Northern, Westlake is No. 1, followed by Marmonte League rivals Oaks Christian and St. Bonaventure, with Canyon Country Canyon No. 4. St. Bonaventure plays Westlake on Thursday, and if the Seraphs win, there will be a coin flip to decide a likely three-way tie for first place.

The Inland Division has Corona Centennial on top, followed by Vista Murrieta, unbeaten Upland and unbeaten Redlands East Valley.

In the Western Division, Chaminade is No. 1, followed by Arroyo Grande, Gardena Serra and Ventura. Chaminade and Serra play on Friday.

-- Eric Sondheimer