Bowl loss should NOT cast doubt on DLS's past streak

While De La Salle was winning 151 consecutive games and six National Prep Poll titles during the 1990s and early 2000s, some were scoffing.

They argued the Spartans would never have stayed unbeaten so long if subjected to a state playoff system like teams in Texas, Florida or Ohio are.

And some DLS critics are already using the Spartans' loss to SoCal representative Canyon in the first-ever Division I state championship bowl as fuel to rekindle their fire of skepticism about "The Streak."

I say hogwash.

First of all, the De La Salle teams that went undefeated and won National Prep Poll titles were often tested by the state's best. The Spartans collected four wins over Mater Dei and two over Long Beach Poly from 1998-2002.

Secondly, the De La Salle team that lost Saturday night probably couldn't have stayed on the field with of any of the great Spartans teams of the past.

Just my opinion here ... but this year's version of De La Salle was exceptionally solid, but it was not spectacularly great. There were no Maurice Drews, Terrance Kellys, Amani Toomers or D.J. Williams making plays. It's very likely that this year's De La Salle squad was without a future starter at the Pac-10 level, let alone the NFL.

And as we all know, great players make great plays. And great playmaking is essential for a team to achieve greatness.

Think about Maurice Drew's fabulous ballcarrying in the great DLS wins over Long Beach Poly.

How about all the amazing plays Chris Rainey made to lead Lakeland to three consecutive 5A championships.

Or Chase Daniel flinging all those touchdown passes and running for all those scores to lead Southlake Carroll to glory.

Those sort of plays were what De La Salle needed -- but lacked -- on Saturday night.

Instant reaction: No. 4 DLS loses to WC No. 7 Canyon

A few quick thoughts after watching Coach Harry Welch and the Canyon Cowboys defeat No. 4 De La Salle in the CIF Division I state championship bowl game on FOX Sports Net.

First of all, I predicted the outcome. I did so just before kickoff on the national message board at TexasHSFootball.com.

As I expected, Canyon matched DLS's ability to play physical football.

They exceeded it, actually.

Plus, Canyon's passing game was clicking. In the first half, at least.

But more than anything else Canyon played with more intensity and had DLS on its heels by midway through the first quarter.

Not to pile on, but USA Today ranking DLS #1 was a farce.

But this DLS team lacks the big-time players those teams that won titles in the late 90s and early 00s had.

According to the Rivals.com database, there aren't any De La Salle players committed to Division I colleges -- let alone any future NFL players like Maurice Drew, DJ Williams, et al on the roster.

Quick comparison to No. 4 DLS's loss tonight to No. 1 Lakeland's close shave versus STA.

• Lakeland dominated STA for all but the last 2 minutes of regulation.
• DLS was dominated throughout.
• STA made several big plays at the end of that game to tie it. They were not the product of Lakeland giving plays away.
• Canyon beat DLS DESPITE its offense turning the ball over three times in the second half. In other words, Canyon's offense was trying to give the game back to DLS, but the Spartans were incapable of making any plays on offense to take advantage.

All in all, I continue to love and respect De La Salle football and all it encompasses. I feel terrible for the DLS coaches and the kids who worked so hard this season. But this DLS team did not belong in the same discussion with the ones that won six National Prep Poll titles between 1994-2003.

And more than anything else, congratulations to Canyon. A very good team that we had ranked No. 7 in the West Coast region going into tonight.

Welch deserves great credit for rallying the troups after the Cowboys started the year 1-2. He also did a fantastic job keeping things from unravelling tonight when the offense started turning the ball over.

Where will De La Salle and Canyon finish in the national rankings?

Well, in Monday's National Prep Poll, I would look for Canyon to finish somewhere in the Top 25. Winning the top prize in a football-power state like California tends to earn you such recognition in my little world. De La Salle, perhaps, will finish in the Top 25, too. We'll have to wait and see.

If recent history is any indication, DLS will remain ranked ahead of Canyon in the USA Today rankings. Which, to me, is the biggest reason to ignore USA Today's rankings. In fact, Canyon might not be ranked anywhere in their final poll.

Sort of like when Gaffney beat Byrnes by two touchdowns and the next week Byrnes stayed in the Top 20 and Gaffney wasn't even in USA Today's regional rankings.

Being successful in the playoffs, winning state championships, earning head-to-head wins all seem to carry very little weight with USA Today.

I do know that USA Today's final Top 25 will probably include 5 or 6 teams that were proven on the field to not even be the best teams in their own state.

For example, Lufkin being ranked #20 in the nation after losing to an 8-3 team in round 2 of the playoffs -- but Euless Trinity not ranked after nearly beating their likely #2 team in the nation?

OK. More off my chest. Time for bed!