Southern Section still trying to finalize new football playoff divisions

After months of tinkering, double-checking and waiting for schools to input scores of results, the Southern Section is close to announcing its long-awaited new playoff divisions for football.

“It is our hope we can release in the next two weeks,” section spokesman Thom Simmons said Saturday.

There has been much speculation what the final divisions will look like. Previously, schools were placed into playoff divisions based on what leagues they played in. Now each school is being moved to a division based on a formula that includes the last two years of performance, strength of schedule and rankings via Cal Preps.

How many schools the section places in each of its 13 playoff divisions will be watched closely, along with which schools make Division 1, formerly known as the Pac-5. In a leak of an early version of the format, 22 schools were in Division 1.

Schools voted to allow the section to base the playoffs on competitive equity rather than enrollment for most sports. Football, though, will get the most scrutiny when it is released because the divisions are still limited to 16 teams, and at least six quality programs probably won’t make the playoffs if 22 teams are placed in Division 1.

College choices

Collin Quinn, the pitcher of the year in the Trinity League from San Juan Capistrano JSerra, has committed to Washington State. He was 12-1 this season.

Outfielder Jason Drees of Valencia West Ranch, the Foothill League player of the year, has committed to Oregon.

Baseball draft

Major League Baseball’s amateur draft begins Thursday, and the top Southern California pick is expected to be outfielder Blake Rutherford from West Hills Chaminade.

Rutherford, a UCLA signee and alumnus of the USA 18U team that won a gold medal last fall, is known for his speed, athleticism and strong hitting skills.

The draft takes place Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Apology is issued

Roger Blake, executive director of the CIF, apologized for the poor web coverage of Friday night’s state track and field championships from Buchanan High in Clovis.

Time Warner Cable had one camera stationed from high above the stadium that covered only half of the track and made runners look as small as “ants,” as one viewer wrote about the streaming view. The announcers’ voices were drowned out and when darkness came, nothing could be seen.

Blake said in a tweet that the web streaming must be done in a professional manner or not at all.

Follow Eric Sondheimer on Twitter: @LATSondheimer