Change in Division IX Playoffs Proposed

Trying to change what it calls an unfair system that discriminates against larger leagues, the Alpha League has submitted a proposal to the Southern Section to change the Division IX football playoff selection rules, according to Village Christian Coach Mike Plaisance.

Under the current system, playoff bids are issued to the top 2 teams in each of the division’s 7 leagues, which range in size from the 8-team De Anza League to the 4-team Desert-Inyo Small League. Two at-large berths are issued.

Under the proposal formulated at an Alpha League meeting Monday, the top 2 teams in only the 5 leagues with 6 or more teams would gain automatic playoff berths. The first-place teams in the other 2 leagues would qualify, and 4 at-large berths would round out the 16-team field.

Southern Section official Bill Clark said that he could not comment on the proposal until he receives it.

The proposal also asks the Southern Section to guarantee no playoff berths to free-lance teams until all third- and fourth-place teams are considered first. This season a free-lance school, Southern California Christian, was given an at-large bid after compiling a 7-2 record.

Plaisance questioned the selection process after his team finished 8-2 but did not make the playoffs.

The current system, Plaisance said, provides for games that are not competitive. The average margin of victory in the division’s 8 first-round games was 30.3 points.