Brea upsets its way into playoff berth

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Congratulations have to go out to Brea Olinda, which defeated Tustin, 28-15, and qualified for the playoffs as the Century League’s third-place team. By my count, that’s two upsets for the Wildcats, who also defeated El Modena this season.

Had Tustin won, it would have finished second in league and far exceeded its own expectations. Instead, Tustin shared fourth place and will miss the playoffs. So much for stealing one. That honor, instead, belonged to Brea (4-6, 3-2), which won three of its final four games.

The highlight Friday, perhaps, was Dakota Hopkins’ 69-yard scoring reception from Kyle Essington. It gave him 49 catches on the season, breaking the school record. He added another before the night was over.

-- Martin Henderson

-- Editor Bob: Hmmm, maybe when it happens twice, you can’t call them ‘upsets.’ Right, Wildcats?