Published Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2001, in the San Jose Mercury News

San Jose Mercury News Top 15

1. MITTY (9-0): The Monarchs remained atop the rankings with their 35-14 victory over defending West Catholic Athletic League champion Riordan. Mitty can wrap up an undefeated regular season and win the WCAL outright with a victory Friday over visiting St. Francis at 7:30 p.m. Last rank: No. 1.

2. PALMA (9-0): The Chieftains extended their streak of league titles to 18 with a 16-6 victory over Live Oak. Palma ends its season against league rival Hollister on Friday at 7:30 p.m. (Hollister was the only team to beat the Chieftains last season.) If Mitty, Palma and Independence all win this weekend, there will be three undefeated teams competing in the CCS Division I playoffs. Last rank: No. 2.

3. LOS GATOS (9-0): The Wildcats are one victory away from their third consecutive undefeated regular season before beginning their quest to defend a CCS Division III title. Los Gatos extended its winning streak to 22 games (a school record) with a 28-21 victory over Milpitas. The Wildcats host Saratoga on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Last rank: No. 4.

4. SAN LORENZO VALLEY (9-0): The Cougars secured their seventh consecutive Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League title with a 27-7 victory over Santa Cruz. San Lorenzo Valley can win the title outright with a win over host Soquel on Saturday at 2 p.m. Last rank: No. 5.

5. VALLEY CHRISTIAN (8-1): The Warriors, who have clinched at least a share of the Blossom Valley Athletic League Mount Hamilton Division title, can win the division outright with a victory over Oak Grove on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at San Jose City College. This is Valley Christian's last season in the BVAL ; the Warriors will play in the WCAL next season. Last rank: No. 6.

6. ALVAREZ (6-1-1): The Eagles lost their bid for an MBL title two weeks ago with a 42-7 loss to Palma but rebounded Saturday with a 50-14 victory over Monterey. Alvarez can secure second place in the Monterey Bay League with a victory over Alisal on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Last rank: No. 7.

7. OAK GROVE (7-2): Oak Grove, winner of five straight outright BVAL Mount Hamilton Division titles, needs a victory Friday against Valley Christian to share the championship. Oak Grove lost to Piedmont Hills 17-0 last Friday, its first league defeat since losing to Independence 14-7 in 1995. If Oak Grove wins and Piedmont Hills defeats Santa Teresa, there will be a tri-championship. Last rank: No. 3.

8. HOLLISTER (7-2): If the Haybalers hope to qualify for the CCS Division I playoffs, they likely need to beat Palma on Friday at 7:30 p.m. for the second straight season. Hollister could finish among the top eight point-getters with a victory over Palma; if the Haybalers lose, they will probably get a chance to defend their Division II title. Last rank: No. 10.

9 (tied). ARAGON (7-0-1): The Dons clinched a share of the Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division championship with a 46-19 victory over South San Francisco last weekend. The Dons close out the season with a non-league game against Hillsdale on Saturday at 11 a.m. Last rank: No. 11.

9 (tied). TERRA NOVA (6-1-1): The Tigers clinched a portion of the PAL Bay Division by defeating Menlo-Atherton 36-19 last Friday. Terra Nova ends its season against Half Moon Bay on Friday at 7 p.m. Last rank: No. 13.

11. INDEPENDENCE (8-0): The 76ers continued to cruise through the BVAL West Valley Division by beating Lincoln 41-6 in a battle of first-place teams. Independence can capture its first undefeated regular season by beating host Lick on Friday at 2:45 p.m. Last rank: No. 14.

12. SALINAS (6-2-1): The Cowboys rejoined the rankings after solidifying their playoff hopes with a 23-13 victory over Gilroy in an MBL game last Friday. Salinas, fourth in the MBL, ends its season at North Salinas on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Last rank: not ranked.

13. GUNDERSON (7-2): The Grizzlies captured the BVAL Santa Teresa Division title with a 39-15 victory over Del Mar, qualifying for the CCS playoffs for the first time since 1997. Last rank: No. 15.

14. ST. FRANCIS (4-5): Despite the losing record (any team playing De La Salle, Oak Grove, Los Gatos, and Skyline would be in a similar boat) the Lancers remain in the rankings based on their second-place position in the WCAL. St. Francis, which lost to Bellarmine 33-13 last weekend, remains the only WCAL team with one loss. Last rank: No. 9.

15. GILROY (6-3): After a great start the Mustangs have lost three of their past four, including last weekend's 23-13 defeat to Salinas. Gilroy plays at Live Oak on Friday at 7:30 p.m. but has likely already qualified for the CCS playoffs. Last rank: No. 8.