Laguna Beach

The third phase of the season for some local high school football programs begins after this week. This week caps the second part of the season: league play. This is also the final week of the regular season and it will determine which area teams qualify for the CIF Southern Section playoffs and which don't. Two programs are in, Corona del Mar and Estancia, both having clinched Southern Division postseason berths from their respective leagues last week with wins. Newport Harbor is closing in on a Southwest Division berth and the school's fourth straight playoff appearance.

Estancia (4-3, 1-1 in league) vs. Godinez (3-4, 2-0) When/where: Friday, 7 p.m. at Segerstrom High Key Eagles: Sr. RB Robert Murtha (769 yards and seven TDs on 132 carries); Sr. WR/KR/DB Ben Beck (two kickoff returns for TDs, one TD reception); Sr. LB Colby Koste (team-best 70 tackles, one sack, two INTs). Key Grizzlies: Sr. RB/LB Ruben Rojas (339 yards rushing and four TDs on 51 carries); Sr. RB/DB Jonathan Gutierrez (281 yards rushing and five TDs on 37 carries)

COSTA MESA - Right across the street from campus is how far the Costa Mesa High boys' water polo team traveled for its next game. Coach Justin Taylor joked that he ordered a bus for the trip. The Mustangs used their legs to get to Orange Coast College to play Sage Hill. Once they got there, it was a walk in the pool for the Mustangs on Wednesday. Costa Mesa routed the host Lightning, 18-8, to remain undefeated in Orange Coast League play. The next match for the Mustangs won't be as easy.

Laguna Beach police have submitted their case against a man suspected of dumping dirty adult diapers along Coast Highway in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach to the Orange County district attorney's office. "I'm hopeful a misdemeanor charge will be filed in a few days," said Det. Sgt. Bob Rahaeuser. He declined to name the suspect, adding that the D.A.'s office would provide a news release with more information after a charge was filed. Previously police said the man was 67 years old and lived in Newport Coast.

Corona del Mar High goes from No. 2 to No. 3 in the CIF Southern Section Southern Division poll and the Sea Kings didn't lose last week in football. Go figure. The defending section champion Sea Kings (5-2, 2-0 in Pacific Coast League) switched spots with Laguna Beach (6-0-1, 2-0-0 in Orange Coast League) in the latest poll. I've seen both teams play this year, and with all due respect, the Breakers wouldn't hang with CdM. The last time Laguna Beach beat CdM was 27 years ago, when the school's nickname was the Artists.

GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL Corona del Mar def. University IRVINE - Senior outside hitter Grace Kennedy recorded seven kills as the Sea Kings improved to 6-0 in Pacific Coast League play with a 25-16, 25-13, 25-11 victory on Tuesday. Alexis Cage contributed six kills and Hayley Hodson five kills for CdM (16-5 overall), ranked No. 5 in the CIF Southern Section Division 1-A poll. Kelsey Humphreys totaled 26 assists and seven digs. The Sea Kings play host to Northwood on Thursday at 5:15 p.m. * Edison def. Newport Harbor NEWPORT BEACH - Gabby Shelley had 15 kills to lead the Sailors, but the Chargers won the Sunset League match, 18-25, 23-25, 25-17, 25-19, 15-8, Tuesday.

COSTA MESA - For the second time in three weeks, Estancia High tailback Robert Murtha broke a Newport-Mesa career record. Seeing Murtha surpass the district touchdown record of 49 didn't matter Friday to Coach Mike Bargas. The record that does is the one the Eagles now have in Orange Coast League play. No team in three years had beaten Estancia in league, until Laguna Beach routed the defending league champion Eagles, 48-14. Gone is the Eagles' 12-game winning streak in league.

GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL Corona del Mar def. Northwood IRVINE — Hayley Hodson had 16 kills and Shannon Griffin added nine kills and 12 digs to pace the visiting Sea Kings' 25-8, 22-25, 25-16, 25-17 Pacific Coast League win on Monday. Grace Kennedy had nine kills and Kelsey Humphreys had 32 assists for CdM (9-4). GIRLS' GOLF Estancia 219, Laguna Beach 259 LAGUNA BEACH — Cassie Stevenson shared medalist honors for the Eagles in the four-way Orange Coast League match hosted by Laguna Beach at Aliso Creek Golf Club on Monday.

Opening league play in football is always big. Opening league play against a cross-town rival just builds up the game even more. That is the situation Estancia and Costa Mesa are in this week. The Battle for the Bell between the two schools is Friday at Jim Scott Stadium at 7 p.m. The rivals start Orange Coast League play against each other, rather than close it as they did last season. That game last year turned out to be for the outright league title as both teams went into it undefeated in league.