Crowded Field Battling for Berths in District 20 Playoff Configuration

Talk about calculator overload. There are more variables involved in trying to sort out the District 20 playoff picture than there are in desk-top cold fusion.

Entering the final week of regular-season play, only eight of the 19 teams in the district have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, according to Commissioner Mel Swerdling.

The top two teams in each of the three divisions qualify, along with two wild-card teams. Woodland Hills West (18-3 in district play) and Newhall-Saugus (16-3) have sewn up the Western and Northern titles, respectively, and Lancaster (12-7) has clinched second in the Northern Division.

In the Eastern Division, Panorama City is in first place at 15-4, followed by Sun Valley at 12-7. Gunning for second place or a wild-card berth are Glendale and Burbank (both 10-8) and Van Nuys-Notre Dame (8-10).

In the Western Division, Woodland Hills East (11-7), Encino-Crespi (10-8) and Reseda (10-9) could conceivably finish second or earn wild-card berths.

No such logjam exists in District 16 where Westlake-Agoura is 11-0 in district play with six games remaining and can clinch the title this week. The District 16 regular-season champion and runner-up and the District 20 playoff winner advance to the 6th Area playoffs, July 27-30 at Birmingham High.