MidValleySports.Com

West Covina's crowd is a big part of why the Bulldogs have a good home field advantage. (Photo by Anne Cypress)

Our top 16 isn’t necessarily the same as the CIF top 16. There are some changes from what CIF-SS ranks, but not much.

1. West Covina (9-1) – Bulldogs have been clicking since Week One. If not for the mental lapse against Covina, West Covina could be the only undefeated team in the area.

2. La Serna (9-1) – Took care of business without looking ahead against California. Very difficult team to defend against.

3. Bonita (9-1) – Bearcats win at home against Diamond Ranch for the first time in that brief series history.

4. La Mirada (6-4) – Matadores schedule may have come back to haunt them as they now take on dangerous Muir team.

5. Arcadia (7-3) – Talented but undersized Apaches get rewarded with a first-round game against super-sized offensive line Norwalk and Elijhaa Penny.

6. Muir (6-4) – Most coaches that we spoke with on Sunday state this is the team they did not want to face heading to the playoffs.

7. Burroughs (6-4) – Shouldn’t have any problems with at-large El Rancho, especially with Lucas Yanez playing as well as he has.

8. Diamond Ranch (5-5) – Key to Panthers season hinges on Chase Price’s health. If healthy many defenses will have to contend with his physical running style.

9. Burbank (7-3) – Loss to Indians can’t be sitting well with head coach Hector Valencia. Luckily, they can make everything right with win against Santa Fe.

10. Norwalk (6-4) – Lancers get a favorable draw against Arcadia. But can defense hold off high-powered offense of the Apaches?

11. Walnut (6-4) – Mustangs have turned things around the last three weeks and become a very tough team to defend against.

12. Mayfair (6-4) – Monsoons have had a week to get ready for first round opponent.

13. Santa Fe (6-4) – Get a re-match of the 2008 playoff gone wrong with Burbank. Chiefs will need to play near-perfect defense to win.

14. California (3-7) – Condors get to play another week against another explosive offense.

15. El Rancho (6-4) – Dons will need to have the game of its life if they want to get by Burroughs.

16. Bellflower (5-5) – Coin-tossed its way into the playoffs and the reward is West Covina.