Prep football: Common ground

Barry Faulkner

LA MIRADA - Tonight’s CIF Southern Section Division VI semifinal

football clash between No. 3-seeded Newport Harbor High and host La

Mirada features two teams about as evenly matched as they come.

The Sailors (10-1-1) and Matadores (10-1), who kick off at 7:30, have

very similar offensive and defensive statistics and their reputations for

success, particularly in the last 10 years, also draw parallels.

An attempt to separate the two on the basis of the competition they’ve

played this fall, proves problematic.

Newport Harbor, playing in its seventh semifinal since 1992 and

attempting to reach its third straight division title game, its sixth in

10 seasons, has played teams with a combined 65-56-5 record this season.

La Mirada, which has made five section title-game appearances since

1992, has played teams that are a combined 65-47-1.

Newport’s 12 opponents have included eight playoff teams, though five

foes compiled losing records. Only three were league champions, including

Westchester and Orange Lutheran, which handed Coach Jeff Brinkley’s squad

its only defeat and a season-opening tie, respectively. Orange Lutheran

has advanced to the Division XI semifinals.

La Mirada has played six playoff teams, including four league

champions, and five of its opponents have losing records.

Newport Harbor’s big victories have come over Division VI semifinalist

Laguna Hills and Suburban League tri-champion Cerritos.

La Mirada topped Division VII semifinalist Los Altos and blanked

Mayfair, which wound up sharing the Suburban crown with the Matadores and

Cerritos.