All across the Central Coast Section, league races in boys soccer are coming towards an exciting conclusion with several leagues going down to the wire. With the CCS playoffs looming large, the final weeks will determine the fate of many of the section's power schools.
In the WCAL, it will come down to either two time defending champion St. Ignatius or Bellarmine. The Bells travel to San Francisco on Wednesday in what could be a league decider. Another wrinkle could be St. Francis, currently trying to gain as many points as possible for CCS, playing St. Ignatius before the season ends. Both Mitty and Valley Christian still have a little bit of work to do to qualify for the playoffs, but if both get in, along with Sacred Heart Cathedral, they would be favored in a number of match-ups in the lower division playoffs. Mitty senior Mica Sinko is one of the top scoring threats in the CCS, with 13 goals so far this year.
All three divisions of the BVAL see the top two teams separated by only one point in each league. Prospect currently leads Branham by one point, but does have to travel to Branham on the last game of the regular season on Feb. 12 as they look to do the double against the Bruins. Santa Teresa leads Leigh, and the two have already played each other twice with the teams splitting the season series. The Saints look to have the inside track with two of their final three games at home. One of the pleasant surprises has been West Valley Division leader Yerba Buena, but the Warriors play all three of their final games on the road while Piedmont Hills plays two of its final three at home. With the CCS point scoring system for the playoffs, only Piedmont Hills or Yerba Buena will claim the automatic spot needed for playoff entry.
In the PAL Bay Division, another tight race sees Menlo Atherton trailing Burlingame by one point. The Panthers host Menlo-Atherton on Wednesday as they try to extend their lead. Burlingame looks to get back into the Open Division, where they had a surprise run all the way to championship game last year. The PAL Ocean Division sees Hillsdale out in front by a comfortable margin and is likely the only team from said league to make the playoffs.
The PCAL Gabilan Division sees CCS power Watsonville in front, having recently taken over top spot from upstart Soledad. Soledad's final games come against Alvarez, Alisal and Watsonville, which will determine not only the league champions but also how a lot of the seeding in the playoffs will shake out. For Alisal's high standards it may be a little disappointing, but they remain one of the most talented teams in the section and would be huge favorites if they fell in any other division besides the Open.
Homestead is currently two points ahead of rival and defending champion Los Gatos and the two don't play each other again so the Wildcats will need help. Los Gatos won't have enough power points for one of the three at large berths to return to the Open tournament, so they will have to hope Homestead drops points to get back into the sections top playoff division. Los Altos, Mountain View, Santa Clara and Palo Alto all look to make the playoffs from SCVAL De Anza Divison, joining Homestead and Los Gatos. Cupertino has run away with the SCVAL El Camino Division, behind senior Chris Ortiz and his 23 goals scored, but Lynbrook still has a chance to qualify for the section's tournament.
Sacred Heart Prep leads the competitive WBAL and looks to have the inside track as their four remaining games do not include Menlo or Harker. Despite having double digit wins, neither Menlo or Harker are guaranteed to get into the sections playoffs at this point, but both would be dangerous teams especially in a Division 4 tournament. Soquel has separated itself from Scotts Valley in the SCCAL and looks to be the only team from said league to make the section playoffs. The Knights are led by senior Ryan Jordan, who has 12 goals to this point.
