Playoff hopes dwindling for city prep football teams

FAIRFIELD — The playoff picture for city prep football teams is pretty dismal, but there is, at least, a mathematical chance that two teams could still find their way in when the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs begin next month.

On Monday, the section released its wins list, showing where teams stand after seven weeks of play.

Among city teams, only Rodriguez and Vanden have a shot – both are 2-5 overall and tied for 94th in wins among the teams vying for playoff spots in Divisions I-IV.

The top 64 teams in those divisions make it. Vacaville is 55th, and Will C. Wood is tied for 83rd.

In Divisions V and VI the top 12 make it. Rio Vista (4-4) is 10th, and Vacaville Christian (4-3) is 11th.

In order to make it, Rodriguez and Vanden would have to run the table just to finish at .500.

It’s a monumental task for both as each has yet to face the best team in its respective league.

The Mustangs visit Wood Friday, Vacaville next week and host Armijo in the regular season finale on Nov. 2.

The Vikings have the same problem, hosting Vallejo Friday, visiting Benicia next week and hosting Fairfield in the finale.

“You never know what can happen,” said Rodriguez coach Sarj Singh. “Obviously, we have to win the next three games. The ball is in our court.”

Unfortunately for Singh and his players, the team has been struck with some exceptionally bad luck as far as injuries, losing multiple players each week with various maladies ranging from a broken neck to kidney problems to dislocated fingers to ligament damage.

Still, they’re not ready to quit.

“We need to punch back Friday night,” Singh said. “We need to score and get momentum the back. A monumental task? Yes it is.”

Especially for a Rodriguez team that’s been shut out in two of its last three games.

“It’s doable,” Singh continued. “So, we’ll see. One game at a time.”

With all the injuries and personnel issues, Singh said the momentum of the year has to come back to his team eventually.

“It has not swung toward us at all,” he said. “It’s got to swing sooner or later. I just lost another player with a torn ankle ligament. We’re just decimated with injuries.”

The Mustangs will be ready to go come Friday, though.

“We’ll go out there and battle Will C. Wood. Hopefully something will happen for us,” Singh said.

The task for the Vikings may be almost as tough.

Despite losing four straight, Vanden has kept each of those relatively close, falling to Napa 40-27, Center 28-24, Bethel 29-20, and American Canyon 28-24.

Again, though, it’s the looming tilt with Benicia (5-2, 1-1 SCAC) that could dash the dwindling hopes of a postseason appearance.

Vanden coach LeVon Haynes couldn’t be reached for comment.