Linfield actually clinched a berth in the Division III football playoffs last week but the suspense since then has been about their seeding.
The brackets were announced on ESPN-News today and they are a #5 seed in the West Region. Normally that would mean that they would play on the road against the #4 seed, Cal Lutheran, but the Kingsmen had plans to demolish their stadium immediately following their last home game as they move to a new venue next year.
So the Wildcats will be hosting CLU on Saturday in a repeat of last year's playoff opening round.
There's quite a rivalry that has developed since last year when Linfield ended CalLu's season. Both teams started their season this year with a rematch in Thousand Oaks, CA. The Kingsmen won a close game in comeback fashion and left the then #4 ranked Linfield with what would be the only blemish on their record so far this season.
The loss sent the Wildcats tumbling out of the DIII Top Ten and undoubtedly spoiled their chances for a high playoff seed despite going through the Northwest Conference schedule undefeated with a string of convincing wins. Fortune smiled on the 'Cats as they were placed in the bracket opposite the Kingsmen who were unable to bid for a host position.
