Football Playoff Picture Begins to Shape Up

There are still plenty of playoff possibilities as the football season enters its final week.

In the Century League, Villa Park, El Modena and Foothill are 3-1; Santa Ana Valley is 2-2. If Valley (3-6 overall) beats Foothill (4-5) Friday it could finish third depending on the outcomes of the Villa Park (5-3-1)-Orange (3-6, 1-4) game Thursday, and El Modena (4-5) vs. Canyon (0-4, 0-9) Friday.

The Empire League’s top three teams--Loara (6-3), Kennedy (6-3) and El Dorado (7-2)--are 3-1 and in the playoffs. Katella (5-4) is 2-2, and must beat Cypress (3-6, 1-3) to get consideration for a wild card selection. El Dorado and Loara square off Friday. Kennedy, which has league victories over El Dorado and Loara, plays Century (2-6, 0-4) Friday.

Sunny Hills, Troy and Buena Park have wrapped up the three Freeway League playoff spots. The league championship is in doubt because of Sunny Hills’ tie with Troy. If the Lancers (3-0-1, 7-1-1) lose to Fullerton (3-5-1, 0-3-1) Friday, and Buena Park (4-5, 3-1) defeats Sonora (4-5, 2-2), the Coyotes can sneak off with the title. Troy (4-4-1, 2-1-1) could tie Sunny Hills for the championship if it beats La Habra (2-6-1, 0-3-1), and the Lancers and Coyotes lose.

Rancho Alamitos (9-0, 6-0) and Los Amigos (6-1-1, 4-1) have secured Garden Grove League playoff spots. Pacifica (5-2-2, 3-2) and Garden Grove (3-5-1, 2-2-1) are chasing third; Garden Grove must beat Los Amigos and Pacifica must lose to Bolsa Grande (3-5, 1-4) for Garden Grove to get in.

Tustin (9-0, 4-0) clinched a tie for the Golden West championship by defeating Servite (4-5, 3-1). If the Tillers lose to Westminster (4-5, 3-1) and the Friars beat Ocean View (1-8, 1-3), all three wind up as co-champions.

In the Olympic League, Calvary Chapel and Orange Lutheran--each 6-2-1, 2-2--are tied for third, but the Eagles own the tie-breaker by virtue of their victory over the Lancers.

Should Calvary Chapel defeat Whittier Christian (4-5, 0-4) Friday, Orange Lutheran must defeat Brethren Christian (3-6, 1-3) Saturday and needs Ontario Christian (4-5, 3-1) to lose to Cerritos Valley Christian (5-4, 4-0) to make it a three-way tie for second.

Brea Olinda (8-1, 4-0) and Savanna (6-3, 3-1) have Orange League berths, but third place is in doubt. Magnolia (6-3) and Western (4-5) are 2-2, and Valencia (2-6-1, 1-3) is a game behind. If Western defeats Valencia on Thursday, the Pioneers go because their victory over Magnolia gives them the tie-breaker. Should Western lose and Magnolia beat Brea Olinda, the Sentinels are in. If both lose and Valencia makes it a three-way tie, the playoff entry will be decided by a coin toss.

In the Pacific Coast, Laguna Hills (8-1, 4-0), Aliso Niguel (4-5, 3-1) and Costa Mesa (8-1, 3-1) have wrapped up playoff berths.

Santa Margarita (9-0, 4-0) has locked up the Sea View League title. Woodbridge (6-1-2) and El Toro (3-5-1) are tied for second at 2-1-1, and Newport Harbor (7-2, 2-2) trails both by a half-game.

If Newport Harbor beats Corona del Mar (2-7, 0-4), that would force Woodbridge to beat Irvine (3-6, 1-3) and El Toro to beat Santa Margarita to make the playoffs.

Mater Dei (9-0, 4-0) has the South Coast League title. Right behind the Monarchs are Dana Hills and San Clemente--both 6-2-1, 2-1-1-- and Mission Viejo (7-2, 2-2). The Diablos must beat Capistrano Valley (2-5-2, 0-4), then hope San Clemente falls to Mater Dei or Dana Hills loses to Trabuco Hills (4-5, 1-3).

Esperanza (7-2, 4-0) and Fountain Valley (7-2, 3-1) have Sunset League playoff slots. If Los Alamitos defeats Huntington Beach (2-6-1, 0-3-1) on Thursday it will lock up third place. If the Griffins lose, Marina (5-3-1, 1-2-1) could take third by defeating Edison (5-3-1, 1-3).

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Although Mission Viejo lost to Dana Hills on Friday, senior kicker Nathan Gilliam distinguished himself with a school-record 55-yard field goal. Gilliam broke his own record, a 52-yarder against San Clemente last year.

Gilliam, who also starts at receiver and defensive back for Mission Viejo, will finish his career as the most prolific kicker in school history. He has 10 field goals (in 13 attempts) this season, and 21 field goals in his career. Both are school records.

“The only time he’s missed one has been late in the game if he’s tired,” Coach Bill Denny said. “And that’s rare.”

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Santa Margarita’s John Minardi caught a touchdown pass in his 10th consecutive game during Friday’s 40-7 victory over Woodbridge. With his nine catches for 113 yards against Woodbridge, Minardi’s yards-per-reception average dropped to 21.1. For his career, Minardi is averaging 22.3 per catch (87 catches), which would break the state record of 20.4.

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With football’s regular season coming to a close, practice for boys’ and girls’ basketball, boys’ and girls’ soccer, girls’ water polo and wrestling begins Nov. 15. Season openers are scheduled for Dec. 1.

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Times staff writers Martin Henderson and Paul McLeod contributed to this report.