Players from El Camino Real of Woodland Hills collect their L.A. City Section championship gear last Saturday at Dodger Stadium. Photo: @ecrathletics/Twitter.com.
Although Buchanan is down to one win left in order to wrap up a mythical state title, others are on the move, including De La Salle up to No. 3, Eastlake up to No. 6 and repeat section champions St. Francis (Mountain View) and El Camino Real to No. 8 and No. 9. Highest newcomer is No. 11 West Ranch, which is the team that beat previous No. 3 El Toro in the CIFSS Division I quarterfinals.
Note: There are not going to be separate free and premium posts for new rankings this season in any sport. All new and final rankings will be for Gold Club members only. This also is a great time to sign up for our Gold Club to see all of our great content, including just published 20,000 word feature on the 50 greatest football teams in state history (basketball coming soon). Our yearly rate has gone up, but you can now get it for just $9.99 to check it out for three months. For details, CLICK HERE.
WATCH BUCHANAN GO FOR IT ALL AND THEN NO. 3 DE LA SALLE PERHAPS AS WELL NEXT WEEKEND ON THE NFHS NETWORK. GET AN ANNUAL PASS FOR THIS NETWORK AT HALF-PRICE THROUGH THIS LINK. FOR DETAILS, CLICK HERE.
(After games of Saturday, May 28)
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
*Indicates season complete.
(Additional writeups by Paul Muyskens)
1. (1) BUCHANAN (CLOVIS) 29-1
The Bears should be well-rested and ready to go for their second straight CIF Central Section Division I title when they meet No. 4 Clovis North in the championship game on Tuesday night in Visalia. After they won their opening playoff game in a romp, it was much different in last week’s semifinals as it took a huge three-run homer by shortstop Jamal O’Guinn to help beat Bullard of Fresno 5-3. The Knights were leading 2-1 at the time and later in the game loaded the bases before Buchanan finally recorded the last outs. With the more up-and-down seasons posted by other top teams in the state, head coach Tom Donald’s squad would be an easy choice for No. 1 in the state for the season with a third win over the Broncos. A loss would obviously open it up for others, including Clovis North.
