SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PREVIEWS : Orange League Trio Will Face Unfamiliar Foes

When the coaches of Orange League tri-champions Anaheim, Valencia and Western looked at the Southern Section Division VI football playoff pairings Sunday, there was a startling realization . . . they recognized no one.

“It was really peculiar,” Valencia Coach Mike Marrujo said. “All of a sudden here we are and we don’t know anybody. Last year, we played Newport Harbor in the playoffs, played the championship game against Tustin (and won, 27-7). . . . This year, it’s going to be a crapshoot.”

The tri-champions are the only Orange County representatives to the 16-team Division VI field, which is dominated by teams from Los Angeles County.

Top-seeded Covina Charter Oak (10-0), second-seeded Duarte (9-0), No. 3 City of Industry Workman (9-1) and No. 4 Whittier (9-1) will attempt to break Orange County’s four-year hold on the Division VI championship.

“I know nothing about the teams out there,” Western Coach Jim Howell said. “It’s almost like playing in a different state.”

The Freeway, Garden Grove and Sea View leagues were moved out of Division VI this season, leaving the Orange League as the county’s lone contingent. All three Orange League teams received less-than-desirable draws.

Anaheim (8-2), the league’s No. 1 team after a coin flip, is the only one of the three to earn a first-round home game, playing host to Walnut (8-2) at Glover Stadium Friday.

“I didn’t like the draw,” Anaheim Coach Todd Borowski said. “But we’re in the playoffs for the first time since 1987 and it’s exciting for everyone in the community.”

Running back Jason Diaz, who rushed for 1,047 yards, leads a potent Anaheim offense that averaged 28 points during Orange League play.

The league’s No. 2 entry, Valencia (7-3), will open the playoffs on the road against Covina (4-5), the runner-up to Workman in the Valle Vista League.

“In the past we’ve been fortunate with the draw, but I’m always content just to get to the playoffs,” Marrujo said. “Once you’re there, you’re going to play nothing but good teams.”

Running back Chris Draft, who rushed for 1,149 yards and scored 15 touchdowns, and quarterback Rob Petko, who passed for 1,058 yards and 14 touchdowns, lead the Tigers.

Western (8-2), which finished the regular season with a 10-7 upset of Anaheim, will play at El Monte Arroyo (9-1).

Arroyo, the No. 2 entry from the Mission Valley League, was ranked No. 1 in the Division VI poll before last week’s 48-13 loss to Duarte. Before that loss, Arroyo’s defense had allowed only 44 points in nine games.

“When you lose a coin flip, go from being a No. 1 team to No. 3, you expect the worst,” Howell said, “But I think we’re in a reasonable bracket; it’s not that bad.”

Quarterback Brandon Brennan, who passed for 1,571 yards and 16 touchdowns, leads Western’s offense. Brennan’s favorite target is wide receiver Josh Christensen, who caught 38 passes for 623 yards and scored nine touchdowns.

Division VI at a Glance

Defending champion--Valencia.

Top teams--Covina Charter Oak (10-0), Duarte (9-0), City of Industry Workman (9-1), Whittier (9-1).

Dark horses--El Monte Arroyo (9-1), ranked No. 1 in the division poll and winner of nine in a row until last week’s loss to Duarte. Los Altos (8-2), the Miramonte League runner-up, played Charter Oak tough but lost, 27-14.

Top players--Greg Ainsworth, quarterback, Duarte; Brandon Brennan, quarterback, Western; Jason Diaz, running back, Anaheim; Chris Draft, running back, Valencia; Mike Harris, running back, Charter Oak; Tobias Ibarra, running back, Whittier; Sheldon Jones, running back, Covina Northview; Brian Lee, running back, Hacienda Heights Wilson; Darren Merrill, quarterback, Hacienda Heights Los Altos; Mike Reyes, quarterback, Workman; Ben Rosalez, running back, Los Altos; Johnnie Shelton, running back, Duarte; Anthony Soliz, running back, Arroyo; Joe Vasquez, running back, Santa Fe; Thomas Vasquez, quarterback, Walnut; Yo Yamamoto, wide receiver, Workman.

Best draw--Workman. The Lobos play Rosemead (5-4) in the first round and won’t have to play a league champion until the semifinals.

Worst draw--Western (8-2). In the first round, the Pioneers travel to Arroyo, then Whitmont League champion Whittier will likely await in the quarterfinals.

Notes--Top-seeded Charter Oak outscored its regular-season opponents, 346-31, led by running back Mike Harris, who rushed for more than 1,500 yards. . . . Former La Habra and Canyon Coach Bob Rau leads second-seeded Duarte, which gave third-seeded Workman its only loss of the season. Duarte won the nonleague game with Workman, 27-21, and the two teams could meet again in the semifinals. . . . Fourth-seeded Whittier will try to win its first sectional football championship since 1964. That year, former Oakland Raider guard George Buehler led the Cardinals to a 21-14 victory over Los Angeles Loyola in the Major Division championship game.