CIF: SECTION IN THE MAKING : Devising Postseason Format That Produces County Champions : Playoffs: Patterning a system after the San Diego Section’s would work, but it might be time for more creative approaches.

Let’s assume, for a moment, that the Orange County Section becomes reality. Once we get through the initial hoopla--parties, speeches, souvenir oranges for everyone--the new administrators will have to get down to the nitty gritty:

What kind of playoff format should we use?

It’s a logical question, one that might already be floating through the minds of coaches and athletic directors, so let’s explore a few possibilities.

First, consider that San Diego, which formed its own section of the California Interscholastic Federation more than 30 years ago, is comparable to Orange County in size and number of schools.

San Diego has approximately 102,000 students in 75 high schools, and Orange County has approximately 104,500 students in 72 high schools, according to the Orange County Section feasibility study prepared by private consultant Barbara Wilson.

For most sports, including football, the San Diego Section divides its 12 leagues into three divisions--1-A, 2-A and 3-A, based loosely on enrollment size and location.

The 3-A division, generally consisting of the largest schools, has four leagues. League champions, runners-up and eight at-large teams fill the 16-team playoff bracket. Five leagues make up the 2-A division, so five league champions, five runners-up and six at-large teams go to the playoffs.

The 1-A division has three leagues of mostly small, private schools--some play eight-man football, others 11-man. There is no official playoff bracket for 1-A; instead the two teams with the best records in eight-man and 11-man play for a championship.

A similar playoff system might work for Orange County.

Consider two divisions: schools from the South Coast, Sunset, Century and Empire leagues in one, and schools from the Freeway, Orange, Sea View and Pacific Coast leagues in another. Each league could send its four best teams to the playoffs.

Another division could be set up for the county’s small schools, with sub-divisions for eight-man and 11-man teams. This, too, could be set up like San Diego’s 1-A division.

In basketball and cross-country, enrollment-based divisions could be used so as to roughly match up with the divisions at each sport’s state championships.

As it now stands, the State basketball championships feature five divisions: I (2,000 and more), II (1,500-1,999), III (1,000-1,499), IV (400-999) and V (399 and fewer).

Using the figures in Wilson’s study, Orange County would have 17 schools in Division I, 20 in Division II, 18 in Division III, six in Division IV and nine in Division V.

Obviously, adjustments would have to be made--such as combining Divisions IV and V--to work out a manageable playoff situation. Basically though, like the Southern Section playoff system, teams could play their normal league schedules, then, no matter what their records, enter the playoffs.

“I think each of their champions (the new Orange County Section) would be guaranteed state berths,” Dean Crowley, the Southern Section associate commissioner and director, said. “They’d probably have to fight to get in any runners-up.”

Now, for the creative ideas.

* Let everyone in the playoffs--for all sports.

It worked fairly well for basketball last season, so why not for football, baseball, badminton. . . . ?

One of the greatest concerns in forming this new section is adequate funding. Open the playoffs to everyone and watch the gate receipts overflow. Plus, non-revenue sports such as tennis, volleyball and water polo would draw greater crowds when two Orange County teams are vying for a title.

* Divide the county into regions--a la the U.S. Olympic Festival--to better develop pride in one’s own geography.

“North, South, East or West

We’ll find out who’s the best!”

* Institute a lottery system.

Imagine, no seeded teams, no politics, no controversies. Just the luck of the draw. Mater Dei meets Capistrano Valley, Tustin plays Servite . . . all in the first round.

Possible Playoff Championship Sites

Badminton: Titan Gym, Cal State Fullerton.

Baseball: Anaheim Stadium.

Basketball: Bren Center, UC Irvine.

Cross-Country: Irvine Regional Park, Orange.

Football: Anaheim Stadium.

Soccer: Cal State Fullerton’s new complex.

Softball: Titan Field, Cal State Fullerton.

Swimming: Margarite Recreation Center, Mission Viejo.

Tennis: Racquet Club of Irvine.

Track and Field: Rancho Santiago College, Trabuco Hills High, UC Irvine.

Volleyball: Bren Center, UC Irvine.

Water Polo: Corona del Mar High; Heritage Park, Irvine.

Wrestling: Titan Gym, Cal State Fullerton.