A peak at the postseason party

 If the season ended today, a familiar cast of characters are going back to the playoffs. Which leaves little debate that the Pacific Coast Athletic League and its divisions were nearly spot on.

 Of course, an argument can also be made what's changed? 

 Parity was the objective. Minus the Gabilan Division, it appears that those making the decisions got it right for the most part.

 The Mission Division is turning out to be the most exciting among the four divisions as six teams are still in the postseason hunt for three automatic spots.

 Carmel would seem to be the most logical pick among the six at 6-0, while Alisal and Monte Vista are in the drivers seat for the other two spots.

 It's entirely possible that a fourth team from the Mission Division will have enough points to land in the postseason, which creates hope and energy for North Salinas and Watsonville.

 Who didn't figure Aptos, Palma, Salinas and San Benito grabbing the four automatic playoff spots from the Gabilan Division? Christopher has a shot at getting in based on points.

 Aptos and defending champion Salinas appear on a collision course for the second straight year for the Gabilan Division title, although Palma can still gain a possible share.

 Where a league title is still significant is in the Cypress and Santa Lucia Divisions, where only the league champion is assured of a postseason spot.

 Right now that would belong to Monterey in the Cypress while Gonzales and Stevenson are locked in a tie in the Santa Lucia with a meeting looming in three weeks.

 The likeliness of a second team coming out of the Santa Lucia is unlikely, meaning that game could have a lot of implications, assuming both stay on course.

 It's a position neither team has been in since 2001 in terms of chasing a title. The Spartans have not been to the postseason since 2002.

 King City, who fell to Monterey, would need to run the table and hope San Lorenzo Valley beats the Toreadores to potentially secure a share of the Mission Division title.

 What will likely keep San Lorenzo Valley out of the postseason is the four wins it forfeited because of an illegal electronic device in the quarterbacks helmet.

 Again a lot can still occur in the final four weeks, although there's been little to suggest someone is coming out of the woodworks to make a postseason run.

 Based on how the Central Coast Section divisional playoffs are set up in terms of enrollment and grades for leagues, no one has an argument about their status.