Eight schools in Scott Kennedy's CIF Southern Section Top-20 remain undefeated. But perfect records belong to teams other than the powerhouses. Here's a look at a few schools outside of the Top-20 who are unscathed thus far in 2012.
Pac-5: Loyola (6-0)
A technicality puts Loyola on this list. The Cubs suffered a 45-0 loss to Bellflower St. John Bosco back in week two, but Bosco later discovered that one of its players was ineligible and self-reported itself to the Southern Section four games into the season. All four games were forfeited, with the Loyola game being one of them. With Serra League action starting this week, Loyola may not stay perfect for long. No. 15 Crespi, also 6-0, awaits the Cubs Friday night. While the Cubs defense has been steady against good Mira Costa and Valencia teams, Loyola has yet to see a passing attack like the one led by Crespi's Cody Cordell. And it won't get any easier, as Notre Dame, No. 16 Bishop Amat and No. 11 Alemany round out Loyola's schedule.
Inland Division: Murrieta Valley (5-0)
Murrieta Valley has steamrolled over all five opponents this season, logging three shutouts and allowing a total of just 14 points this season. However, the Nighthawks didn't exactly see a formidable opponent in Juneau-Douglas (Ala.), a team they sent back packing after hanging 59 points on in their most recent shutout. Still, the big numbers are hard to ignore and should give the team a confidence boost going into Southwestern League play this week against Great Oak. The Nighthawks will need all the confidence they can get Oct. 19, when they face one of the top teams in the country in No. 1 Vista Murrieta.
Southwest Division: Tustin (6-0, 2-0 Empire League)
Currently, the city is suffering from the fallout of what was allegedly a bounty scandal involving the Tustin Red Cobras, an 8-to-11-year old Pop Warner team. The Tillers have already beaten the best team on the schedule in Anaheim Foothill. Last season, Tustin edged foothill. 21-20, en route to a CIF Southern Section Southwest Division title. Once again, Tustin knocked off its toughest opponent this season, taking down the Knights back in week one. Tustin has the potential to cruise through the rest of its schedule and remain undefeated through the regular season. Should the Tillers stay undefeated, it could give the Tustin football community a much-needed feel-good story.
Mid-Valley Divison: San Marino (5-0)
The Titans turned it around last season, going from a 3-7 mark from 2010 to a 7-4 record under new head coach Mike Hobbie in his first season at the helm. Hobbie has the ship on course again as the Titans are 6-0 going into Rio Hondo League play this week at La Canada. With a year of experience under his belt, quarterback Matt Wofford has made big improvements and also has an efficient offensive line that allows him ample time to find a target in Hobbie's spread attack. Three feature backs also benefit from the offensive line and the defense has stifled opponents, allowing just 8.4 points per game. But the new-and-improved Titans will still have to get around Monrovia, the favorites in the league. Last season, the Wildcats easily won, 43-7, on the Titans' home field and Hobbie lamented the fact that San Marino, a school of less than 1,200, was forced to be in a league with a much larger Monrovia.
"I want to know why a school of 1,000 kids is playing a school of around 3,000 kids. I don't get it," Hobbie said at the time. "This will sound like nothing but excuses, but I just don't get it…There's a lot of speed and a lot skill on that team. Our kids play hard; they play their hearts out. But they've got to play dagum near perfect to be in a game like that."
For Monrovia's part, the Wildcats have struggled this season and will open league play at just 3-2.
Mid-Valley Division: Sierra Canyon (5-0, 2-0 Alpha League)
Reigning CIF Division IV State Bowl champ Sierra Canyon has reloaded to make a run at defending its title. Senior-laden lines help Northwestern-bound running back Xavier Menifield, who has been showing a propensity for long rushes this season. The Trailblazers were obviously more than ready to make the jump to the Mid-Valley, and have not missed a beat since moving up a level. Paraclete (5-1), who made the jump with the Trailblazers this season, will be the biggest test for Sierra Canyon in the final week.
Milestone Win: Los Alamitos (4-1)
Los Alamitos is not undefeated, but there are two big zeros involved with Thursday's game against Huntington Beach Marina: Head coach John Barnes is looking for win No. 300. Now in his 33rd year of coaching, Barnes has coached NFL players Antoine Cason and Chris Kluwe, has sent countless players to college, for a while providing UCLA and USC with significant defensive talent. In 2002, he became the winningest coach in Orange County history, and when he earns No. 300, he will become one of just four men to achieve the feat in California high school football history. As a Long Beach native, he is well aware of former Long Beach State football coach George Allen's fatal encounter with the Gatorade bucket in 1990. Barnes doesn't really care for another go-around with the Gatorade after getting showered after defeating Mater Dei in the CIF finals in 2002.
"I thought I was having a heart attack," Barnes told the Long Beach Press-Telegram. "I don't want to die of a cold from an ice bucket."
Barnes also said he would trade all 299 wins for a Sunset League and CIF title. With the way the Griffins are playing, he may get to keep his wins.
