Here is how I voted for this week's O.C. top 10:

 1. Tesoro
2. Mater Dei
3. Los Alamitos
4. Edison
5. Mission Viejo
6. Servite
7. Orange Lutheran
8. San Clemente
9. Fountain Valley
10. La Habra

Here are three observations behind my rankings:

1. Has there been any league more competitive in county history than the 2008 Sunset League? Heading into the final week of the regular season, Los Alamitos, Edison, Esperanza, Fountain Valley, and Newport Harbor are all separated by one game. There is actually a scenario in which all five teams could end up with the same league record and create a five way tie for first place. Theoretically, two very good teams could end up with a share of the league title, yet be WATCHING the playoffs from home. If that thought doesn’t inspire those teams this week, nothing will.

2. Mission Viejo deserves some credit. Down 17-0 to a much improved Dana Hills team in front of a raucous Dolphins crowd, the Diablos scored 31 points unanswered points in the first half to key a 45-31 victory, and in the process, clinch a playoff spot. If the Diablos can bottle up that effort, they will be a force in the playoffs. 

3. With two of their three league victories coming against Santa Margarita and JSerra, both winless in league, Orange Lutheran has a chance to make a big statement Friday when they close the regular season against Mater Dei, who enters the contest with a 4-0 league record. Some have questioned whether the Lancers have deserved to be considered one of the county’s elite, but a victory against the Monarchs would go a long way to silencing those critics.

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