Football: Southern Section releases its playoff groupings

As always, the top level of high school football in the CIF Southern Section is expected to be highly competitive during the upcoming season. For the teams in Division I, it also will be difficult to miss the playoffs.

The Southern Section announced its new football playoff groupings Friday, and Division 1 has 18 teams -- meaning all but two will advance.

The top-level teams are Corona Centennial, Bellflower St. John Bosco, Mission Viejo, Santa Ana Mater Dei, La Puente Bishop Amat, Vista Murrieta, Gardena Serra, San Juan Capistrano JSerra, Orange Lutheran, Anaheim Servite, Long Beach Poly, Los Angeles Loyola, Santa Margarita, Rancho Santa Margarita Tesoro, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Mission Hills Alemany and West Hills Chaminade.

In previous seasons, teams were placed in divisions based on the leagues to which they belonged.

The new competitive equity model relies primarily on a formula that combines the last two years of performance, along with strength of schedule and other criteria.

“This first go around is going to be using the old divisions and the old formats we had, but I think the formulas we put together are really good and will take a year or two work themselves out,” Southern Section Commissioner Rob Wigod said.

Schools were required to input their records and schedules over the past two years, so if incorrect data is discovered, adjustments can still be made.

Some coaches want divisions set for the next year at the end of each season, and Wigod said that could happen in the future.

“This is a living, breathing system,” he said. “There’s going to be the ability to grow and be more accurate.”

There are 13 playoff divisions, with 16 schools making the playoffs in each division.

Division 2 is also strong, with Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Chino Hills, San Clemente, Westlake Village Oaks Christian, Norco, Redlands East Valley, Westlake, Perris Citrus Hill, Ventura St. Bonaventure, La Habra, Encino Crespi, El Toro, Camarillo, Arroyo Grande, Temecula Great Oak, Valencia, Romoland Heritage, Murrieta Valley.

Here’s the link to complete football divisions and also includes new groupings for boys water polo, girls volleyball, girls tennis.

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