TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE

TEAM TO BEAT

Can anyone beat St. Bonaventure? The Seraphs are riding a 19-game winning streak into league play which means they’ve survived the toughest part of their regular-season schedule. St. Bonaventure, 15-0-1 in league play since 1996, has outscored opponents, 220-64. Lorenzo Booker, averaging 13.4 yards a carry, has rushed for 1,075 yard and 14 touchdowns. Those numbers could triple in the next five weeks.

CHALLENGERS

Oak Park and Bishop Diego appear best equipped to finish second and third, respectively. Neither can be called a legitimate challenger to St. Bonaventure’s four-time defending league championship based on history and common sense. Last year, Oak Park was 3-2 against solid small-school competition and looking like it had the talent to upset the Seraphs. The Eagles were annihilated, 55-0. The Eagles’ defense has been outstanding, allowing only 185 yards and 12 points a game. Offensively, Oak Park struggles.

THE REST

Carpinteria, which tied undefeated Santa Paula in week three, has an outside chance of beating Bishop Diego to claim the third playoff spot. To do so, however, it can’t allow its average of 33.2 points a game. Fillmore is looking for its first victory, but scored 30 points against L.A. Baptist two weeks ago in a 50-30 loss.

STANDINGS

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League Overall School W L T W L T PF PA St. Bonaventure 0 0 0 5 0 0 220 64 Oak Park 0 0 0 4 1 0 87 61 Bishop Diego 0 0 0 2 3 0 83 130 Carpinteria 0 0 0 1 3 1 97 166 Fillmore 0 0 0 0 4 1 83 140

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DATES TO MARK

Oct. 13 Carpinteria vs. Oak Park

Oct. 20 St. Bonaventure vs. Oak Park

Oct. 26 Bishop Diego vs. St. Bonaventure

Nov. 3 Oak Park vs. Bishop Diego