The CIF Southern Section sent an email to athletic directors this week with the current Massey Ratings for girls flag football.

Those ratings are important because this year, girls flag football will have playoffs for the first time, and those ratings will determine which division teams are placed in if they qualified.

Bonita was the top-ranked team in the San Gabriel Valley, coming in at No. 22 in the Massey rankings.

The Bearcats might improve in the final ratings after they accomplished their goal of going undefeated in the regular season. Bonita defeated Ayala 13-6 in overtime in its Palomares League finale Tuesday to improve to 14-0 overall and 6-0 in league.

The playoff pairings will be released Saturday.

There will be five divisions. Division 1 will have between 16 and 32 teams, and the other four divisions will 32 teams. The playoffs begin Tuesday and the championship games will be held on Nov. 9.

Bonita got the ball first in overtime Tuesday, and quarterback Tressa Beatty, who has thrown for over 2,100 yards and 40 touchdowns, completed a 1-yard TD pass to Kody McKinney. Laney Sweeney, who scored the Bearcats’ only touchdown in regulation, scored the extra point in overtime.

Hayden Andrew had a big game defensively and Malia Misawa sealed the victory with an interception in OT.

Bonita swept its two league games against Ayala, having won 38-15 on Sept. 25.

“It’s never easy beating the same team twice,” Bonita coach Michael Mann said, “but one of our goals was to finish the season undefeated and that’s what the girls did. I’m so proud of them.”

If there are 32 teams in Division 1, Bonita will surely be in that bracket. But regardless of where it lands, being the only team in the SGV to finish undefeated with a chance to play in the top division is a badge of honor.

“For sure, no doubt,” Mann said. “No matter what happens, you can never take away the historic season that we’ve had going undefeated and winning the Palomares League. It’s a massive compliment to our players, coaches and the support we’ve had. Any coach who has success will tell you it takes a village.”

LOS ALTOS WINS HACIENDA LEAGUE

Los Altos (18-4), which won the Hacienda League, is No. 44 in this week’s Massey rankings.

“It’s looking like we will be in Division 2,” Los Altos coach Jonathan Giles said. “If they take 16 teams in Division 1, then there’s a chance we fall to Division 3, but it’s looking like D2 and I’m good with that. I think we’re playing well and will have as good a chance as anyone.”

The Conquerors have won nine straight and boast one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the CIF-SS. Jazzy Simental has thrown for 2,746 yards and 43 touchdowns and has rushed for 803 yards and three TDs.

Simental is also on the school’s girls volleyball team, which might be in the playoffs next week too.

“Jazzy has been jumping back between sports and she’s excited like everyone else to be part of the first flag football team to go to the CIF playoffs,” Giles said. “We don’t know what to expect, but we’re having a good week of practice and we’ll be ready.”

SOUTH HILLS, AZUSA FINISH STRONG

South Hills (20-8) finished second to Los Altos in the Hacienda League.

The Huskies were the last team to beat the Conquerors, 12-6, on Sept. 16.

The Huskies are No. 62 in Massey’s rankings, which puts them on the Division 2-3 bubble. If there are 32 teams in Division 1, they Huskies would go into Division 2.

The Huskies have been one of the most improved teams during the second half of the season.

Quarterback Haley Ramos leads the CIF-SS in passing with 6,721 yards and 86 touchdowns. However, she is nursing a hamstring injury.

“We’re trying to be careful with (Ramos),” South Hills coach Danny Sevilla said. “She’s taking it easy and hopefully she will be fine by next week. But yeah, she’s had a heck of a season and we’re all excited about the playoffs. I think when the playoffs start, the defensive intensity will pick up and there will be a lot of tough battles.”

Sonora (74), San Dimas (75), La Habra (86), Schurr (92), Glendora (97) are the next highest ranked SGV teams and all could potentially be in Division 3.

One team to keep on eye on is Montview League champion Azusa (17-3), which is No. 151 in Massey’s ratings. Azusa could land in Division 4 or 5.

Azusa beat Glendora 27-26 early in the season, has a sweep of Baldwin Park and a split with Garey in league play.

Albert Sanchez was the head football coach for many years at Gladstone before becoming the athletic director at Azusa when the schools merged. He’s now the flag football coach for Azusa, and he says his girls are excited about the opportunity to compete in the playoffs.

“It’s a tremendous honor for them,” Sanchez said. “Nobody knows what to expect and what the divisions will be like, but our girls are ready and have come into their own. For the older players, this wasn’t even a CIF sport when they started (high school), and now they’re about to get a chance to compete in the first CIF playoffs, so they’re excited.”

Other teams on the Division 4/5 bubble include La Serna (104), La Canada (130), Charter Oak (155), South El Monte (156), San Gabriel (156), Northview (158) and San Marino (159).