3. Bakersfield, Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) vs. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 2011
Harry Welch and Santa Margarita won it all in 2011 despite two league losses. Bakersfield was left out in favor of the Eagles, and Vista Murrieta was felled by forfeits.
Photo by Todd Shurtleff
, but it didn't even finish in first place in the Trinity League. In fact it lost twice in league play, falling to Mater Dei and Servite. Bakersfield and Vista Murrieta, however, both finished undefeated. But here's the catch: Vista Murrieta, in winning the Inland Division title, had five forfeit losses on its record. Officially, Vista Murrieta was 9-5, not 14-0. Meanwhile, Bakersfield was 13-0, but played in the Central Section, which was viewed to be much less challenging than the Pac-5 Division in the Southern Section. Thus when Santa Margarita won the Pac-5, it was chosen for the Division I Bowl Game instead of either of the other two undefeated teams.
