San Jose Mercury News Top 15
1. MITTY (8-0): The Monarchs had the week off. They host Riordan at 2 p.m.
Saturday. Last season, Riordan beat Mitty to win the West Catholic Athletic
League title. Last rank: No. 1.
2. PALMA (8-0): The Chieftains won a surprisingly one-sided game against
second-place Alvarez 42-7. They can clinch the Monterey Bay League title with a
win over Live Oak on Friday at the Salinas Sports Complex at 7:30 p.m. Last
rank: No. 2.
3. OAK GROVE (7-1): The Eagles piled up nearly 500 yards in a 42-28
win over Leigh. Oak Grove visits Piedmont Hills at 7 p.m. Friday. Last rank: No.
3.
4. LOS GATOS (8-0): Trent Edwards passed for 268 yards and three
touchdowns as the Wildcats beat Santa Clara 49-0. Los Gatos can clinch at least
a tie for the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division title with a
victory over visiting Milpitas at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Last rank: No. 4
5. SAN LORENZO VALLEY (8-0): The Cougars beat Monte Vista Christian
41-17. They can clinch at least a tie for the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League
title with a win at Santa Cruz on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Last rank: No. 6.
6. VALLEY CHRISTIAN (7-1): The Warriors didn't give up a touchdown
until the fourth quarter against Santa Teresa in a 24-7 win. They visit Pioneer
on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Last rank: No. 7.
7. ALVAREZ (6-1-1): Alvarez Coach John Welch summarized his team's
42-7 loss to Palma by saying, ``They came out and kicked our butts.'' Alvarez
will visit Monterey on Saturday at 2 p.m. Last rank: No. 5.
8. GILROY (6-2): Jesus Gaona threw four touchdown passes as the
Mustangs routed Monterey 62-14. They visit Salinas on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Last rank: No. 8.
9. ST. FRANCIS (4-4): The Lancers took care of Serra 21-0. A win over
visiting Bellarmine (Friday, 7:30 p.m.) could set up a showdown with Mitty
for the WCAL title Nov. 9. Last rank: No. 12.
10. HOLLISTER (6-2): The Haybalers routed North Monterey County 40-19.
They host Alisal on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Last rank: No. 10.
11 (tie). ARAGON (6-0-1): The Dons had little trouble beating
Woodside 48-14. They face a tougher challenge in visiting third-place South San
Francisco on Friday at 7 p.m. Last rank: 11.
11 (tie). RIORDAN (6-2): The Crusaders lost to East Bay
Athletic League contender San Ramon Valley 45-22. They visit Mitty on Saturday
at 2 p.m. in an important WCAL game. Last rank: No. 9.
13. TERRA NOVA (5-1-1): The Tigers routed El Camino 31-7. They host
Half Moon Bay on Friday at 7 p.m. Last rank: No. 14.
14. INDEPENDENCE (7-0): The 76ers recorded their third straight
shutout, beating Yerba Buena 33-0. They host Lincoln at 7:30 p.m. Friday in a
game that will virtually determine the Blossom Valley Athletic League West
Valley Division title. Last rank: No. 15.
15. GUNDERSON (6-2): By beating Overfelt 41-22, the Grizzlies put
themselves in the driver's seat for the BVAL Santa Teresa Division title. They
visit Del Mar at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
FIVE MORE TO WATCH: Lincoln 6-1, Westmont 7-1, Watsonville 7-1,
Pacific Grove 7-1, Milpitas 6-2.