Football: Pac-5 first-round playoff predictions

Here are my picks for the first round of the Pac-5 Division playoffs:

Millikan vs. Edison at Orange Coast College: As I wrote in the final version of the rankings, Moore League teams not named Long Beach Poly have gone 6-21 in the playoffs since 2001. Prediction: Edison 42, Millikan 3.

Orange Lutheran at Dana Hills: Orange Lutheran's Mike Markovsky has filled in capably at quarterback for the injured Bobby Wheatley, and as tempting as it is to go with the upstart Dolphins here, I think Lutheran's recent playoff experience makes the difference. Prediction: Orange Lutheran 31, Dana Hills 21.

Mater Dei at Bishop Amat: Bishop Amat Coach Steve Hagerty said Mater Dei receiver Victor Blackwell could "single-handedly" beat the Lancers, but the Monarchs have been inconsistent for most of the season and their signature victory over Corona Centennial came two months ago. Plus, Bishop Amat's defense made Sherman Oaks Notre Dame standout Ryan Kasdorf look like an average high school quarterback last week. That's no small feat. Prediction: Bishop Amat 35, Mater Dei 24.

Newport Harbor at Lakewood: The Southern Section playoff selection committee won't be able to save the Sailors from Jesse Scroggins, Kevin Anderson, etc. Prediction: Lakewood 28, Newport Harbor 17.

San Clemente vs. Servite at Cerritos College: Don't foresee a lot of suspense here. Prediction: Servite 38, San Clemente 10.

Long Beach Poly vs. Los Alamitos at Long Beach Veterans Stadium: Jackrabbits defenders will be keyed up to go against former teammate Dylan Lagarde, who transferred earlier this season to play for Los Alamitos. If Lagarde is off his game, the Griffins can turn to steady running back Nick Richardson, who has been a handful for every defense he has encountered. Predition: Los Alamitos 30, Long Beach Poly 21.

Fountain Valley at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame: The Knights were embarrassed last week, but nothing soothes the soul like playing at home in the first round of the playoffs. Fountain Valley will need someone besides running back Kyle Middlebrooks to step up for the Barons to have a chance. Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Fountain Valley 17.

Long Beach Wilson at Mission Viejo: See note above on the Moore League. It's hard to tell whether this is one of the best Mission Viejo teams ever or just a pretty good one, and we still won't know after this week. Prediction: Mission Viejo 48, Wilson 12.

--Ben Bolch

Football: Updated final regular-season rankings

Here's an early look at the final regular-season rankings that will be published in Monday's paper (last week's ranking in parentheses):

1. Crenshaw 10-0 (1)

2. Edison 10-0 (2)

3. Oaks Christian 10-0 (3)

4. Servite 9-1 (4)

5. Lakewood 9-1 (5)

6. Mission Viejo 10-0 (6)

7. Gardena Serra 10-0 (7)

8. Redlands East Valley 10-0 (9)

9. Bishop Amat 9-1 (14)

10. St. Bonaventure 9-1 (10)

11. Valencia 10-0 (12)

12. Norco 9-1 (13)

13. Westlake 10-0 (23)

14. Vista Murrieta 10-0 (19)

15. S.O. Notre Dame 8-2 (11)

16. Moorpark 9-1 (8)

17. Carson 8-2 (17)

18. Corona Centennial 8-2 (18)

19. Los Alamitos 8-2 (20)

20. Rancho Verde 10-0 (22)

21. Charter Oak 9-1 (24)

22. Venice 9-1 (25)

23. Fountain Valley 8-2 (16)

24. Dana Hills 8-2 (21)

25. Orange Lutheran 6-4 (NR)

Note: These rankings are updated from an earlier version. The final rankings will not come out until after the bowl games.

--Ben Bolch

Football: Bishop Amat running out the clock

Jay Anderson is proving to be quite the workhorse for Bishop Amat, carrying 32 times for 206 yards and three touchdowns as the Lancers have taken a 31-7 lead over Sherman Oaks Notre Dame with 1:07 left.

Bishop Amat and Notre Dame will tie for the Serra League title with Loyola and Crespi finishing in a tie for third.

--Ben Bolch

Football: It's shakeup Sunday for rankings

There's not much time to tinker with the rankings before the playoffs, so I figured it was time to straighten a few things out. Here are the penultimate rankings that will be published in Monday's paper, with comments on team movement after the jump (last week's ranking in parentheses):

1. Crenshaw 9-0 (1)

2. Edison 9-0 (3)

3. Oaks Christian 9-0 (2)

4. Servite 8-1 (5)

5. Lakewood 8-1 (4)

6. Mission Viejo 9-0 (7)

7. Gardena Serra 9-0 (6)

8. Moorpark 9-0 (8)

9. Redlands East Valley 9-0 (9)

10. St. Bonaventure 8-1 (11)

Basketball: Playoff divisions released

The CIF has released its playoff divisions for boys' and girls' basketball for the 2009-10 season.

To see which division your team resides in, click the "Click Here for More Information" link here.

--Ben Bolch

Big Pine comes up big in High School Heisman

The Southland would have been shut out among the list of 20 California state finalists for the Wendy's High School Heisman were it not for Rusty Tillemans of Big Pine.

Tillemans is the only local representative up for the award, which recognizes both athletic and academic achievements among male and female students.

One male and one female will be selected as state winners on Saturday and will go on to compete for the national title. National finalists will be featured during a televised ceremony on ESPN2 and will receive a gold medal and $2,000 for their high schools.

One male and one female national winner will receive a Wendy's High School Heisman trophy and $10,000 for their high schools. They will also be recognized during the collegiate Heisman Trophy broadcast on Dec. 12 on ESPN.

--Ben Bolch

Football: Behind the new rankings

Here's an early look at the football rankings that will be published in Monday's paper, with comments on team movement after the jump (last week's ranking in parentheses):

1. Crenshaw 8-0 (1)

2. Oaks Christian 8-0 (2)

3. Edison 8-0 (3)

4. Lakewood 8-1 (4)

5. Servite 7-1 (5)

6. Gardena Serra 8-0 (6)

7. Mission Viejo 8-0 (8)

8. Moorpark 8-0 (7)

9. Redlands East Valley 8-0 (9)

10. Bishop Amat 8-0 (10)

Football: Pasadena Poly player seriously injured

Pasadena Poly sophomore running back-linebacker Jackson Allan suffered a serious head injury during the Panthers' game against Chadwick on Saturday and was taken to a hospital, according to the Pasadena Star-News.

Allan came off the field during the fourth quarter, complained of a headache, collapsed and fell into a coma, Dr. Drew Pinsky, who assisted in the treatment of the player, told the Star-News. Allan was treated by several physicians on the field and taken to Harbor UCLA Medical Center.

The game was called with Chadwick winning, 31-19.

Poly Coach Brendan McGrail could not be immediately reached Sunday morning.

UPDATE: Debbie Reed, Poly's head of school, said this afternoon that Allan is in critical but stable condition after undergoing surgery Saturday night. Reed said the family is asking that friends and classmates not come to the hospital in the next few days to protect the family's privacy.

--Ben Bolch

Basketball: Good matchups at State Preview Classic

There will be plenty of compelling matchups Jan. 30 at Fairfax during the State Preview Classic, which features one girls' game and five boys' games. Here's the lineup:

Noon--Fairfax girls vs. North Torrance girls

1:30 p.m.--Windward vs. La Canada

3 p.m.--Campbell Hall vs. Oceanside El Camino

4:30 p.m.--Santa Monica vs. Torrey Pines

6:30 p.m.--Crenshaw vs. Price

8 p.m.--Taft vs. Gardena Serra

--Ben Bolch

Football: New rankings

1. Crenshaw 7-0 (1)

2. Oaks Christian 7-0 (2)

3. Edison 7-0 (3)

4. Lakewood 7-1 (4)

5. Servite 6-1 (5)

6. Gardena Serra 7-0 (6)

7. Moorpark 7-0 (8)

8. Mission Viejo 7-0 (9)

9. Redlands East Valley 7-0 (10)

10. Bishop Amat 7-0 (11)

11. St. Bonaventure 6-1 (12)

12. S.O. Notre Dame 6-1 (13)

13. Corona Centennial 6-1 (14)

14. Valencia 7-0 (15)

15. Fountain Valley 7-0 (16)

16. Norco 6-1 (17)

17. Los Alamitos 6-1 (18)

18. Rancho Cucamonga 6-1 (7)

19. Carson 5-2 (19)

20. Vista Murrieta 7-0 (21)

21. Dana Hills 6-1 (22)

22. Upland 7-0 (NR)

23. Rancho Verde 7-0 (23)

24. Westlake 7-0 (24)

25. Charter Oak 7-1 (25)

--Ben Bolch