The CIF Southern Section announced the brackets for the Fall 2021 Football payoffs and to no one’s surprise, the Sunset League champion Los Alamitos Griffins were ranked at No. 7 in the 8-team Division 1 bracket and after a week off, will play No. 2-ranked St. John Bosco on Friday, Nov. 12, at Panich Family Stadium by Bosco’s Bellflower campus.
The final rankings were based on the computerized Cal prep rankings (which factors in strength of league and strength of schedule, among other things.) Going into last Friday night’s games, the only drama was whether No. 9 ranked Orange Lutheran would beat No. 6 ranked Santa Margarita and thus force a play-in game between OLu and No. 8 Norco. But Santa Margarita prevailed and the 8-team bracket was ensured. Four of the schools are private (all Catholic) and four are public. Five of the teams are from Orange County.
After a week off, next week’s quarterfinal matches pit No. 1 Mater Dei against No. 8 Norco, No. 2 Bosco against Los Al, No. 3 ranked Servite against No. 6 Santa Margarita and No 4. ranked Centennial against No. 5 ranked Mission Viejo.
Los Al was the Sunset League Champion, finishing with a 5-0 League, and a 9-1 overall record. Their only loss came against Santa Margarita in Week 5. St. John Bosco was also 9-1, their only loss being to Mater Dei in a Trinity League showdown. Edison and Corona del Mar, which finished No 2 and 3 in the Sunset League, were both placed in Division 2 playoffs.
The Griffins played in Division 3 in 2019. Los Alamitos coach Ray Fenton said his team is excited to be invited to play in the most competitive division in the country,” Fenton said. “It’s truly an honor and where we want to be as a program.” The Griffins did win a CIF Division I title back in 2002, when they downed Mater Dei at Angels Stadium.
Bosco and Mater Dei have been the last two finalists in three of the last four years, and were still considered the two best teams in last Spring’s Covid shortened season. The OC Register’s Steve Fryer breaks down the chances of those wishing to crash the Braves-Monarch championship game party.
Fryer: New system won’t change who plays in Division 1 football championship game
