City Football Teams Face Extra Revenue From Additional Game

The City Section has allowed member schools to add a 10th football game next fall in a move that may mean increased revenues and clear the way for more City-Southern section games.

The City approved the action at this week’s Interscholastic Athletics Committee meeting after receiving favorable response in a survey of the Section’s 49 schools. Hal Harkness, City commissioner, said 33 schools favored the proposal, which allows schools to add the game on a voluntary basis.

City teams had played nine-game schedules that included a scrimmage at the start of the season. If both teams agree, that scrimmage may be played as a nonleague game. Schools may charge admission to games but not scrimmages, which means an immediate increase in revenue.

The move stemmed from the City’s sweeping releaguing proposal that divides City schools into six conferences, five of which consist of two four-team leagues. The sixth conference includes a five-team league. IAC has ratified the proposal, which awaits formal approval at the district level.

Football teams would play the final seven games of the season against conference opponents, leaving three playing dates for other opponents. Southern Section teams already have dropped City teams from their 1988 schedules because of conflicts, leaving some City teams with open dates.

Last year, City teams from the Valley area played eight games against their Southern Section counterparts. This year only two such games are scheduled: Crespi vs. San Fernando and Notre Dame vs. North Hollywood.

Taft has yet to replace Crespi on its schedule and Granada Hills, which lost Alemany and Thousand Oaks, has two open dates. Kennedy filled a slot created by Alemany’s departure but must travel to Chino in the season’s third week.

It might be too late to add Southern Section teams for next season, but the addition of a 10th game may help City teams lure back Southern Section opponents in 1989. The move also puts both sections on parallel schedules.

“We think this could be a strong moneymaking activity,” Harkness said. “It also gives schools a chance to schedule attractive opponents. We know that Taft lost Crespi and Granada Hills lost Alemany. Maybe in succeeding years, we can get those games back.”

Most City coaches polled in an informal survey Tuesday had just received news of the change and had yet to make a decision on next fall’s scrimmages. All, however, welcomed the chance to schedule Southern Section opponents.

“Southern Section schools are such a good test because they’re always good,” Kennedy Coach Bob Francola said. “We’d love to keep playing Alemany even though they beat us twice. I wouldn’t be opposed to playing Canyon or Hart. I like playing tough teams to see if you have it or not. Besides, we can make money.”

Said San Fernando’s Tom Hernandez: “If we can renew the Crespi game every year, that would be great. The kids like to play big games. This makes it more exciting and makes us more money.”