Coaches’ opinions difffer on proposed All-SGV football division

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The Southern Section’s proposed All-San Gabriel Valley football playoff division isn’t being accepted with open arms by all coaches. A lot of them like the potential of a East-West San Gabriel Valley championship game. Others said they would enjoy the shorter travel distances the grouping would create.

But some look at the proposal as a step down.

Here’s what some of the local coaches had to say:

Diamond Ranch Coach Roddy Layton, Miramonte League, which currently competes in the Southwest Division:

‘It’s kind of cool to say we are San Gabriel Valley champs, but it’s hit or miss with me. We don’t get a chance to play [Orange County] anymore. Now people will say, ‘Yeah, you are San Gabriel Valley champions, but you can’t beat Orange County.’ I’m not putting down my Valley, I’m a San Gabriel Valley homer, but I have mixed feelings about it.’

South Hills Coach Steve Bogan, Miramonte League:

‘They change way too much. You don’t get a chance to settle. The idea of the two-year deal is to change if it’s only a glaring problem, but I don’t think there is a glaring problem. My initial reaction was, this division [the Southwest] was working good, why change it?’

Charter Oak Coach Lou Farrar, Miramonte League:

‘I think it’s great for us in terms of location and gate-wise. People having to drive from Glendora or San Dimas to Trabuco Hills is difficult. I think it looks great. Anything that will help our kids play teams that are more like them is better.’

Muir Coach Ken Howard, Pacific League, which currently plays in the Central Division:

‘Until they get it right, they’ll change. And who’s to say they’ll ever get it right? It’s out of our hands. Do I like it? No I don’t like it. Until coaches come together and say we we’re tired of it, we have to play who we play.’

Pasadena Coach Kevin Mills, Pacific League:

‘I like it. It’s going to cut down on travel. I think every team that goes into the playoffs has a shot to come out as champions. Definitely that’s what I like about it most. Some of the eastern San Gabriel Valley teams don’t like to play the western teams. If they are truly as dominant as they like to believe, they’ll prove it on the field.’

The proposal is not a done deal. It will be up for vote at the Southern Section’s general council meeting next month. Coaches have until then to voice their opinions and put together their appeals.

-- Jaime Cardenas