OCVarsity breaks down the West Valley Division playoff bracket:
Top four seeds: No. 1 Mission Viejo; No. 2. Vista Murrieta of Murrieta; No. 3. Tesoro; 4. Chino Hills
Championship game: Friday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., site TBD
Last year’s champion: Mission Viejo def. Vista Murrieta, 21-10
THE TEAMS
(in order of how they appear on the bracket)
Mission Viejo (10-0): The Diablos’ 22-game winning streak is tied for the second longest active streak in the state.
Hart (7-3): The Indians don’t usually have concerns at quarterback but the third-place team from the Foothill League lost junior Nick Moore to a knee injury. They’re now counting on third-string Justice Provost because sophomore JT Shrout was also injured. Defensive back A.J. Stanley, also a junior, has nine interceptions.
Murrieta Valley (8-2): The Nighthawks feature their own version of JT Daniels: 6-foot-2 freshman quarterback Hank Bachmeier. He entered last week with 25 TDs. Linebacker Mazin Khalil was ejected last week, so Murrieta Valley could be missing a key player in the first round
Fountain Valley (7-3): The Barons recovered from an 0-2 start to go 4-1 in league and finish second in the Sunset. Quarterback Chad Olberding leads a team with improved speed.
Valencia (7-3): The Vikings have won seven straight Foothill League titles – six outright — and played a tough schedule, losing to undefeated Palmdale and Pac-5 teams Centennial of Corona and Chaminade.
San Juan Hills (8-2): The Stallions’ defense is a concern after Tesoro racked up 687 yards offense in a 66-27 triumph last week. Nebraska Patrick O’Brien is as good as any quarterback in the division.
Chino Hills (8-2): The surprising Huskies, who lost big to JSerra and Bishop Amat, won the Baseline League without any players with Division 1-A offers.
Los Alamitos (5-5): A rare five-game losing streak under Coach John Barnes drew attention but talented Griffins closed Sunset League with three lopsided victories to finish third.
Lower bracket
Tesoro (8-2): The Titans, who lost to Mission Viejo by six and to Mater Dei, are riding high after a 66-27 victory against San Juan Hills last week.
Great Oak (5-5): The Wolfpack have two Pac-12 commits, including running back Demetric Felton (UCLA).
Edison (7-3): The Sunset League champion’s strength of schedule will have them prepared for a postseason run but injuries are a concern, especially with wide receiver Garrett White (knee).
Rancho Cucamonga (7-3): Expectations were high for Cougars, who were heavy on returners but took third in the Baseline League. Running back/defensive back Jaylon Redd is a promising junior while junior cornerback Thomas Graham is a USC commit.
Upland (7-3): Tesoro edged Upland, 30-28, and left Titans coach Matt Poston impressed by the size and depth of its offensive line. Junior running back Nathan Tilford started the season slow but surged in the Baseline League and has offers from USC and UCLA among others.
Saugus (6-4): The Centurions placed second in the Foothill League and feature quarterback Louis Eusebi. The senior leads Saugus in rushing with 706 yards and passed for 1,354
El Toro (5-5): The Chargers finished 1-3 in the tough South Coast League but earned respect for playing teams close. “They played harder than us (in our) game,” said Mission Viejo coach Bob Johnson, whose team beat the Chargers, 39-20, to go 10-0.
Vista Murrieta (9-1): Winners of seven straight Southwestern League titles, the Broncos are seeking to reach a sixth consecutive section final. Receiver/kick returner Kyle Williams is an Arizona St. commit.
