The Oceanside pirates are ranked the number one team in San Diego according to numerous publications, including the North County Times and San Diego Union Tribune. However, if you consulted a Pirates fan, I'm sure they'd tell you the novelty of #1 in San Diego disappeared a while ago. Oceanside is searching for bigger and better things, like the #1 ranking in California.

After a phenomenal year in 2007, which resulted in a division 2 state title, Oceanside has yet to fall victim to the Championship hangover. Oceanside is 6-0 this season and is ranked by rivals.com as the #56 team in the nation and #10 team in the West. To put this accomplishment into perspective, De La Salle, the perennial prep powerhouse from Northern California, is ranked #9 in the West, and #37 in the nation.

Oceanside is led by long time San Diego coach John Carroll, a champion in his own right, having helped develop and pump out high caliber college prospects his entire coaching career. His most recent project is 3 star Senior quarterback Jordan Wynn, who recently committed to play college for the Colorado Buffaloes.

So will Oceanside go undefeated and repeat as state champions?

I'm not convinced. There is a good chance we'll see the Pirates run the table all the way to the San Diego Section CIF championship game. I'm critical of the argument Oceanside is THE elite division 2 team in Caliornia. The first half of their schedule has been very weak, and has included matchups (and wins) against Eastlake (2-2), El Camin (0-6), Mira Mesa, San Marcos (2-4), San Paqual (2-4), and Westview (5-1), who is not as good as their record indicates. Their real test will come against divsion 2 rival Ramona (6-0) on November 14th. Ramona doesn't play any top- tier teams until Oceanside. It's possible we'll see a last game of the season showdown by undefeated teams - that will be exciting.