Football: New state proposal for playoff divisions

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A state football advisory committee is recommending a competitive equity model to the state commissioners that would have the Southern Section divided into divisions for state bowl games based on ability rather than enrollment.

It would leave the Southern Section with five divisions for Division II, five for Division III and three for Division I. In the past, teams were separated based on enrollment.

Teams eligible to be selected for the Division I bowl game would come from the Pac-5, Inland and Northern Divisions. Division II would come from the Central, Eastern, Southeast, Southwest and Western. For Division III, the divisions would be East Valley, Mid-Valley, Northeast, Northwest and Southern.

It means Westlake, which went 14-0 this season, won the Northern Division but failed to be selected for Division II, will have to try to make a bowl game next season going up against the powerful Pac-5 and the Inland, which includes Corona Centennial and Temecula Chaparral.

-- Eric Sondheimer