Proposal May Prevent Boycott

In an effort to block a boycott by officials, Southern Section Commissioner Stan Thomas will offer a package of concessions at a meeting in Glendora tonight of the executive committee of the Southern California Football Officials Assn.

Thomas confirmed Monday that the proposal includes an agreement to meet annually with officials to discuss fees, the addition of a fifth official for all playoff games, and an end to paying a reduced fee to officials working back-to-back junior varsity and varsity games. The City Section will comply with an agreement reached by the Southern Section and officials.

Les Bruckner, spokesman for the officials and a member of the executive committee, said the proposal may be enough to prevent the boycott. “If Mr. Thomas sweetens the pot enough, we could vote right then and there to end the boycott,” he said.

Officials from the San Fernando Valley, Ventura County, Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, South Bay and Long Beach voted in May to boycott, claiming the Southern Section would not bargain in good faith. They object to a fee schedule adopted by schools and back-to-back assignments.

Although adding a fifth official for playoff games has not been a major issue, the idea is appealing to officials, Bruckner said. “It would add about 150 assignments and give younger officials a chance to work a playoff game,” he said. “But I don’t want this to deflect attention from the more significant issues.”

Currently, five officials are used only in Southern Section conference championship games. The City Section already uses five officials for all playoff games.

The elimination of back-to-back assignments and setting up annual talks about fees would be major concessions on the part of the Southern Section, which has historically refused to negotiate with officials.

“I’d like to sit down and talk every year about the fee schedule,” Thomas said. “I will never have an attitude of ‘take it or leave it,’ with officials.”

Outgoing City Section Commissioner Jim Cheffers and incoming commissioner Hal Harkness will accompany Thomas to the meeting.

Brand-new buckeroos: Freshman tight end Chris Peery won’t just make a varsity team this fall, he’ll probably start. And the 6-0, 190-pound 14-year-old isn’t stepping into just any lineup. He will be among the Canyon Cowboys seeking to extend a 38-game win streak.

“He’s the first freshman in my 20 years of coaching who could start,” Canyon Coach Harry Welch said. “He’s a big, raw kid. I won’t expect too much from him early.”

A sophomore should also figure heavily in the Cowboys’ defense of their winning streak. And heavy Justin Fix is. The 15-year-old defensive end is 6-3, 220, and it’s been difficult for Welch to contain his enthusiasm for the youngster.

“He’s a bit of a standout,” Welch said. “He’s a big guy, but he fits right in.”

Off schedule: Alemany’s five nonleague opponents had a combined record of 42-16-1 last season, and three--Canyon, Hart and Harvard--played in Southern Section conference championship games.

The two which didn’t had good reason--they belong to the City Section’s Valley 4-A League. Alemany has long wanted to face neighborhood rivals Granada Hills and Kennedy. This is the year the Indians get their chance, and they may regret their ambitious schedule.

Alemany was 8-3 last season, but returns only three starters.

Passing around an offense: Ron Veres, who was quarterback coach at Cal State Northridge last season, couldn’t bring any 21-year-old college stars to his new job as offensive coordinator at Oak Park High. So he did the next best thing: He brought along the CSUN run-and-shoot offense.

“It’s an interesting offense, but it will be difficult to execute,” Oak Park Coach Mark Jacobs said. “Our kids are excited about it.”

Jacobs is right if sheer numbers are an indication. The Eagles have a roster of 35 players after taking the field with only 21 players last season.