SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PREVIEWS : Quality, Diversity Dominate the Field

The label reads Division II, but there isn’t anything second division about the Southern Section’s best football conference.

The 16-team field includes two of the state’s top passers, Tim Carey of Los Alamitos and Davis Delmatoff of Newhall Hart; one of the state’s top running backs, Saladin McCullough of Pasadena Muir, and one of the nation’s top recruits, Esperanza lineman Travis Kirschke.

“There isn’t a better division in terms of quantity and quality of teams,” El Dorado Coach Rick Jones said. “It’s also a very interesting division because of the diversity of teams. You have the passing teams (Hart, Los Alamitos, Downey and Fountain Valley) in the upper bracket and the running teams (Esperanza, Muir and Servite) in the lower bracket.”

Hart Coach Mike Herrington, whose teams have been eliminated in the semifinals the last two years, is hoping an improved defense coupled with an always potent run-and-shoot offense will help the fourth-seeded Indians win this time.

“We have more talent on defense than we did the past two years,” Herrington said. “I think we’ve made a drastic improvement defensively.”

Hart has allowed an average of six points per game as opposed to 22.5 points last season. Opponents are averaging 205 yards offensively against Hart his season as opposed to 300 yards last year.

“We’ve tried to outscore teams in the past and came up a little short each time,” Herrington said. “Of course, I don’t think you can stop Los Alamitos. Carey is so accurate and he has so many great receivers, they’re going to score points.”

Top-seeded Los Alamitos (10-0) and Hart (10-0) appear to be on a collision course to meet in the semifinals Dec. 5. They are the only undefeated teams in the same bracket in the Southern Section’s 11 divisions.

“I’m a little upset that two undefeated teams are in the same bracket,” Herrington said. Asked why Hart wasn’t seeded second, Herrington said, “That’s a good question. I guess some figured (second-seeded) Muir played a tougher schedule.”

Muir (9-1) defeated Fontana, the second-seeded team in Division I, 14-0, in nonleague play and lost to Rialto Eisenhower, fourth-seeded in Division I, 6-3. Muir has the division’s best athlete, running back McCullough, but Herrington questions how the Mustangs will fare against Esperanza if the teams meet in the semifinals.

“Anyone who tries to run against Esperanza is insane,” Herrington said.

Esperanza Coach Gary Meek thinks any of eight teams could win the championship. Los Alamitos Coach John Barnes points to Hart when asked for a favorite.

“People have a tendency to sell Hart short,” Barnes said. “We’ve watched them play, and I’m telling you, they’re the team to beat in this division.”

Division II at a Glance

Defending champion--Irvine has moved to Division IV.

Top teams--Los Alamitos (10-0), Pasadena Muir (9-1), Esperanza (9-1) and Newhall Hart (10-0).

Dark horses--Servite (8-1-1) and Marina (6-3-1). The Friars have a strong playoff tradition, winning Division I titles in 1982 and ’83. Marina has scored some big upsets in postseason play under Coach Dave Thompson, defeating Mater Dei, Bishop Amat and Loyola.

Top players--Tim Carey, quarterback, Los Alamitos; Deriek Charles, running back, Hart; Brian Crooks, defensive tackle, Servite; Davis Delmatoff, quarterback, Hart; Bryan Gail, wide receiver, Fountain Valley; A.J. Gass, strong safety, Servite; Tony Gonzalez, tight end, Huntington Beach; Travis Kirschke, tackle, Esperanza; Johnny Macon, quarterback, Downey; Saladin McCullough, running back, Muir; Andy Osborne, linebacker, El Dorado; George Sagen, wide receiver, Los Alamitos; Brian Werner, defensive tackle, Esperanza.

Best draw--Esperanza. The Aztecs open with an at-large team, Huntington Beach, and then would meet either Saugus (7-2-1) or Dominguez (8-2) in the quarterfinals. Esperanza won’t face a passing team in the lower bracket.

Worst draw--El Dorado (8-2). The Golden Hawks open against Servite, and if they win, they’ll likely get second-seeded Muir in the quarterfinals followed by Esperanza in the semifinals.

Notes--Top-seeded Los Alamitos has a 17-game winning streak and is averaging 36.3 points. . . . Hart has been eliminated in the semifinals by Empire League teams the past two seasons. Last year, Los Alamitos beat Hart, 37-23. In 1990, Esperanza beat Hart, 38-35. Los Alamitos and Esperanza each went on to win division titles. . . . McCullough has eclipsed Muir’s single-season touchdown record (25), which was previously held by Ron Brown and Ricky Ervins, who are now in the NFL. McCullough has scored 29 touchdowns and also holds school records for single-game rushing yardage (309), career rushing yardage (3,875) and career touchdowns (66). . . . Delmatoff leads the state with 33 touchdown passes.