Playoff preview: Northeast Division

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Defending champion: St. Margaret’s
Seeded teams: 1. St. Margaret’s (10-0), 2. Saddleback Valley Christian (10-0), 3. Brentwood (9-1), 4. Bellermine-Jefferson (9-1)
How it shakes out: Led by RB Hunter Steffien (1,512 yards, 31 TDs) and QB Cameron Hiller (18 TDs, 1 int.), St. Margaret’s has won 24 consecutive games. It has outscored opponents 499-96. However, St. Margaret’s beat Whittier Christian, 35-19, and Murrieta Calvary Chapel, 14-0, and either team could get a rematch in the semifinals. Still, it seems as if it’s the Tartans’ championship to lose.

NORTHEAST DIVISION (XIII) PAIRINGS

First round 7:30 p.m. Friday, unless noted

Twin Pines (At-large/San Joaquin 3, 5-5) at St. Margaret’s (Academy 1, 10-0), 7 p.m.
Boron (Desert Mountain 2, 7-3) at Maranatha (Alpha 2, 7-3), 7 p.m.

Fairmont Prep (San Joaquin 2, 7-3) vs. Calvary Murrieta (Big Sky 1, 7-3) at Lakeside, 7 p.m.
Whittier Christian (At-large/Alpha 3, 5-5) vs. Bell-Jeff (Santa Fe 1, 9-1) at Burbank Burroughs

Lancaster Desert Christian (At-large/Desert Mountain 3, 6-4) at Brentwood (Alpha 1, 9-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.
Linfield Christian (Big Sky 2, 7-3) at Sage Hill (Academy 2, 8-2)

St. Anthony (Santa Fe 2, 7-3) at Mammoth (Desert Mountain 1, 6-4)
Downey Calvary Chapel (At-large/Alpha 5, 5-4) vs. Saddleback Valley Christian (San Joaquin 1, 10-0) at Aliso Niguel

Notes: Second round, Nov. 23; semifinals, Nov. 30-Dec. 1; championship, Dec. 8.

-- Martin Henderson

-- Image from www.geocities.com