Football: Seraphs get sneak preview of new league

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St. Bonaventure will get a sneak preview of the Marmonte League tonight when it faces Westlake in a semifinal game of the Southern Section Northern Division playoffs.

The Seraphs are set to join the Marmonte next season, forming a 10-team ‘Super League’ that will also include fellow Ventura County powerhouse Westlake Village Oaks Christian.

St. Bonaventure has dominated Marmonte League schools in past postseasons, most recently crushing Moorpark, 42-7, in last year’s final.

When was the last time a team from that league defeated the Seraphs in the playoffs? In 2003, when tonight’s opponent, Westlake, beat St. Bonaventure, 28-6, to win its second section title.

That was then, this is now. St. Bonaventure’s current squad is allowing only 12 points per game and the Channel League champions are 11-1 this season, their only blemish a one-point loss to Bishop Amat in Week 5.

The teams share two common opponents this season. Westlake edged Newbury Park, 31-27, in Week 7 and outscored Ventura, 49-27, in the first round of the playoffs. St. Bonaventure beat Ventura, 35-7, in Week 8 and routed Newbury Park, 39-0, in the quarterfinals last week.

-- Steve Galluzzo