HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS : San Marino Surprise Team of Semifinals : Preps: Bishop Amat, Muir, Duarte have performed as expected, but the Titans have survived despite injuries and illness.

Twenty-six teams from the San Gabriel Valley began play in the Southern Section football playoffs on Nov. 20.

Two rounds later, only four area teams remain alive in four divisions.

It’s hardly surprising that Bishop Amat is still unbeaten at 12-0 and preparing for a Division I semifinal showdown with Eisenhower. Or that Muir is 11-1 and looking at a Division II semifinal date with Esperanza. Or even that Duarte is undefeated at 11-0 and readying for the Division VI semifinal at Santa Fe.

San Marino, however, is somewhat of a surprise.

The Titans, under Coach Bill Maloney, take a 9-2 a record into Friday night’s Division VIII semifinal against Century. San Marino has won consistently despite injuries and illness that forced Maloney to constantly shuffle his lineup.

“We haven’t had the same team on the field for two weeks in a row,” said Maloney, who guided the Titans to the Division VII title in 1988. “The year we won the championship, we had a tremendous group of athletes and had one of those Cinderella seasons where no one got hurt or sick.

“This year, our guys are a lot smaller and more people have to play both ways. But this group plays together better than any I have had before.”

San Marino defeated Laguna Hills, 27-12, in the quarterfinals behind the play of running back Geoff McAdam, who gained 62 yards and scored two touchdowns. Wide receiver Steve Park returned a punt 42 yards and also had several key receptions that set up Titan touchdowns.

Century (7-4-1) lost its first three games and tied its fourth, but the team from Santa Ana has won seven in a row, including a 35-14 victory over Yucaipa in the quarterfinals.

Maloney said his team should benefit from its home-field advantage as it attempts to reach a division final for the first time in four years.

“Special teams rise to the occasion,” he said. “I’m hoping this is one of those teams.”

Bishop Amat is also attempting to reach a division final for the first time since 1988. The Lancers, who last won a Southern Section title in 1971, are coming off a 28-7 victory over Long Beach Wilson.

Bishop Amat quarterback Mike Smith completed 12 of 18 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown. Rodney Sermons gained 65 yards and scored his 20th touchdown. The Lancer defense sacked Wilson quarterback Brady Dunn six times.

Bishop Amat plays at Eisenhower (10-1-1), which is coming off a 19-3 victory over 1991 Division I champion Mater Dei. Last year, Eisenhower lost the championship game to Mater Dei. So with one major roadblock to the title out of the way, the Eagles are looking to hand Bishop Amat its first loss.

Muir, which defeated Servite, 21-14, in the quarterfinals, meets an Esperanza team accustomed to reaching championship games. In 1990, Esperanza was the Division III champion. Last year, the Aztecs finished second behind Los Alamitos.

Muir running back Saladin McCullough has scored 35 touchdowns for the Mustangs. He gained 189 yards in 28 carries and scored on runs of 91 and 15 yards against Servite. The Mustangs also feature versatile quarterback Andy Colbert.

Esperanza (11-1) is coming off a 23-14 victory over Dominguez. Muir will play the Aztecs at Valencia High in Placentia.

Duarte Coach Bob Rau has no illusions about Santa Fe (10-2), whom the Falcons will play at Pioneer High in Whittier.

“When you get to the semifinals, there are no suckers left,” Rau said.

Duarte is coming off a 32-7 victory over Anaheim. Fullback Johnnie Shelton gained 127 yards and scored a touchdown on a 75-yard run. The Falcons, however, were penalized 13 times for 110 yards and committed three turnovers.

Rau expects his team to be back in top form when it meets Santa Fe, which beat Rosemead, 16-13, with a 22-yard field goal with 10 seconds to play.

“At this point in the season, you have to play at the top of your ability,” Rau said. “If you play below that, you really risk another team coming out and beating you.

“I don’t think our kids are feeling any pressure. They look at this as fun. If you have the right mentality going in, you’re going to play well.”