GAZETTE PHOTO BY JILL BALLINGER SENIOR PATRICIA SCHELLENTRAGER FINISHED HER FINAL REGULAR SEASON GAME AS A GRIZZLY WITH THREE BLOCKS. THE GRIZZLIES WILL OPEN PLAYOFF ACTION NEXT TUESDAY. Despite all of the hype, the week 8 games confirmed what has been obvious about the Southern Athletic League (SAL) for the past few years. We have a division split almost right down the middle. Le Grand laid a virtual claim to the SAL championship with a big win over Turlock Christian. Mariposa will most likely be number two, and Denair is making a strong claim for the final playoff spot.

Denair 56, Delhi 8: The Coyotes rolled Delhi to improve to 4- 4, and 2-1 in league. Delhi had no defensive answers to counter the Denair offensive attack, as Coyote quarterback Codee Watts also tossed two long TD passes. Delhi's lone touchdown came on Isias Ruiz's 13-yard TD run as Delhi falls to 0-8, 0-3. Denair's season virtually comes down to one game this week when they host the Grizzlies, a win would assure them the second spot and a playoff berth. But, a loss might not be fatal, they could fall into Div. VI and a win in the last week over TC would clinch it for them. Despite the terrible record,

Le Grand 49, Turlock Christian 6: The Bulldogs rolled the Eagles in possibly their last remaining real test in route to the SAL title. TC quarterback Robbie Smallwood had a very bad night. He was forced out of the pocket, and the Eagle passing game never developed. Le Grand improves to 4-4. 3-0 SAL. The Eagles only need a win against Waterford or Denair to make the show with an at-large berth in Division VI.

Mariposa 56, Waterford 18: Cody Christopher took the opening kick-off 85-yards for a TD, and the wheels came off completely for the Wildcats. Christopher had the best offensive show of the season for an SAL back. He alone accounted for close to 300 offensive yards, and six Grizzly touchdowns. Mariposa simply did anything it wanted to do against the woeful Waterford defense. In the second quarter alone, Christopher scored on 10, 50 and 70- yard runs. Waterford scored one legitimate TD in the second quarter and two TD's late in the game against deep Grizzly reserves. Mariposa can't relax. It has one more obstacle in its playoff run in the form of Denair. Mariposa goes to 3-5 overall, 2-1 in league, while Waterford falls to 2-6 and 1-2.

WEEK NINE PICKS: Le Grand at Delhi: Folks, you know how big a SAL fan I am, but even ole' Doc would probably prefer watching the Cooking Channel over going to this game. Ain't no way this one is going to be pretty or vaguely interesting. Delhi can't stop anything on defense, and its offense is going to get stuffed, The only good thing I see possibly happening is that a lot of ‘Dog reserves will get some playing time. Calpreps sees Le Grand in a 56-0 rout, maybe the Hawks will manage a score or two, but that's about all of the positives I see happening for them. LE GRAND... by many, many.

Mariposa at Denair: This is the Grizzlies’ final real test, and if they want to go to the post season, they need to win. Denair is in the same boat, if it wins its final two, its in. The difference in this game is the soft Denair defense, and with how well the Grizzly offense is developing. They could be in serious trouble. Calpreps only makes Mariposa a 35 to 27 favorite, but I think it could be much worse if the fly is working. I'll be conservative, and call it: MARIPOSA by 14.

Turlock Christian at Waterford: This could be the best game of the week, contest-wise, but may not be pretty if you are looking for good play. With a win, TC goes to the post-season, so the motivation is on its side. Calpreps calls it TC 28-21. I see: TURLOCK CHRISTIAN by 14.

I want to make one of my periodic awards, (No money, no trophy, just my at-a-boy) to a special group. I was at homecoming last Friday at the Gold Bowl. It was frankly, pretty doggone chilly. The pageantry was nice as always, and there was a decent crowd at the start of the game. But after halftime, the crowd started thinning out pretty quickly. By the end of the game, there were maybe a couple of dozen left, mainly parents and girlfriends.

There was the traditional dance afterwords and most of the students were long-gone. But the Grizzly cheerleaders and band were there to the end, and the band had to be in the next morning long before sunrise to go to a festival in Selma. I watched them on TV, and they were just super to my untrained eye despite having little rest the night before. So I salute the toughest and best little band in Central California. So many other schools would give an arm and a leg for what Mariposa has.