Servite or Upland?

Servite or Upland? OC or IE? Trinity League or Baseline League? While Anaheim Servite has dominated Southern California over the past two years, Upland has taken a backseat to Inland Empire powerhouse Corona Centennial. 2011 has seen the reemergence of the 2009 CIF Central Division Champion Upland Highlanders and many news outlets rank them as one of the top ten teams in Southern California.

As some of you may know, Servite High School (7-1, 3-0) is considered the best team in Southern California by many, leaving Upland (8-0, 3-0) in the shadows. This wouldn't have been an issue in previous years because the two schools are in different CIF divisions, but the creation of the CIF state bowl system in 2006 increased the importance of these rankings. Ultimately, the team chosen to play in the Open division, the highest of the five playoff divisions, will likely play defending CIF Open Division State Champion Concord De La Salle of Northern California. Last year's championship game was a one-sided victory for the De La Salle Spartans over the Servite Friars by a score of 48-8. Assuming Servite wins the Pac-5 Division and Upland wins the Inland Division, the CIF selection committee will be left with their toughest decision in recent years.

The Highlanders are led by one of the top offensive units in Southern California, led by running back Donta Abron, wide receiver Kenny Lawler, and running back Chrsitain Powell. The Highlanders' offense has averaged 40.9 points per game and an astonishing 246.6 rushing yards per game. On defense, Upland has been impressive, shutting down Etiwanda's prolific passing game and Rancho Cucamonga's dominant running game, reminiscent of their 2009 championship team. After defeating league rival Rancho Cucamonga (7-1, 2-1), Upland's toughest remaining league game comes this friday against Rancho Cucamonga Los Osos (6-2, 3-0). The Highlanders will have a difficult road ahead if they want to claim the Inland Division title, including possible battles with Redlands East Valley (8-0, 3-0) and Corona Centennial (7-1, 5-0), but they have certainly proved they are capable of conquering such tests.

Servite has been strong thus far this season and they are led by their fearless 5'10", three-year starting quarterback Cody Pittman. While Pittman doesn't have the same big threats to throw to as he did last year, he has commanded a physically empowering running game featuring running back Andrew Moore. Moore and Pittman have combined for 690 rushing yards in large part because of the blocking of their dominant front line. Coming off a tough 35-27 victory over Bellflower St. John Bosco, one would be hard-pressed to say the Friars aren't the top team in Southern California. Servite still has their fair share of tests remaining this season, including their famed rivalry game with Santa Ana Mater Dei (3-5, 1-2) and a must-win game for Rancho Santa Margarita Santa Margarita (7-1, 2-1) in the final game of the season. The Pac-5 playoffs will have its usual challenges for the Friars but a third straight CIF championship is in sight for Pittman and the gang.

Although the Pac-5 schools have received most of the media attention over the past few years, the Upland Highlanders' dominant season may shift the spotlight to the Inland Empire by the time CIF Bowl weekend comes around. Both Servite and Upland have dominated their Southern California foes thus far and the battle for the Southern California spot in the Open Division Championship will become a two team race as we near the end of the season.