By Christian Romo
The 2016 CIF football playoffs begin Friday and Beacon Media will be covering six local schools trying to bring a title back to the San Gabriel Valley. Here’s a look at the teams:
Arcadia Apaches (8-2, 3rd in Pacific League)
Division 11, First Round: at Oak Park
The Apaches surprised many in the Pacific League by spending much of the season in first place. A season finale loss to Crescenta Valley dropped them to third, but a favorable matchup against the 6-4 Oak Park Eagles might be a launching pad for a deep run.
La Salle Lancers (6-4, 4th in Angelus League)
Division 9, First Round: at Mayfair
Though their record may not indicate it, the Lancers were Pasadena’s best team in 2016. They won an at-large bid after losing a coin-toss to settle a three-way tie in the highly contested Angelus League, but considering their level of competition throughout the year, the Lancers should be favored for a CIF title.
Monrovia Wildcats (6-4, 1st in Rio Hondo League)
Division 7, First Round: vs St. Paul
After beginning the season 1-4, the Wildcats swept through the Rio Hondo League and earned a home playoff game against the St. Paul Swordsmen. But though the Wildcats once again topped the Rio Hondo League, they’re going to need their best performance of the season to defeat St. Paul, who came within a field goal of beating La Salle earlier in the season.
Muir Mustangs (6-4, 3rd in Pacific League)
Division 9, First Round: at Antelope Valley
The Mustangs finished the season with a four-game win streak, sneaking into the playoffs with a Turkey Tussle victory over rival Pasadena. They will travel to Lancaster to face the Golden Valley League champion Antelopes, and if they’re successful, a semifinal rematch with La Salle may be in the works.
Polytechnic Panthers (10-0, 1st in Prep League)
Division 10, First Round: vs Pacifica
The Prep League champion Panthers host the Mariners out of Garden Grove this Friday. Poly will use a balanced offense and strong front-seven to show that their undefeated season was no fluke.
Rio Hondo Kares (6-3, 2nd in Prep League)
Division 13, First Round: at South El Monte
The Kares will contend for their fifteenth CIF title with a local tilt against the 9-1 Eagles. Though their roster is small, the Kares have a long history of defeating larger and better equipped teams, something they will try to do again this Friday in El Monte.
