Prep Football Champions to Play in Bowl Game Dec. 18

After 20 years of discussion and negotiations, a football game matching the Southern Section’s Division I champion versus the City Section’s 4-A champion that will be televised live on Dec. 18 was announced Tuesday.

The game, “The CIF/Reebok Bowl,” will be likely played at Anaheim Stadium with proceeds divided between the State CIF, Southern Section and City sections. Participating schools will receive a guaranteed $12,000.

Game organizers also announced a five-year television contract with Channel 13 that will generate another $395,000. The station will pay $50,000 for television rights the first year and up to $100,000 by the final year.

“There have been a number of formal and informal moves to try to put this game together over the years,” said Hal Harkness, City Section commissioner. “But for whatever reason, the move was always unsuccessful until this time.”

Stan Thomas, Southern Section commissioner, said the financial condition of many high school districts that are struggling under a reduced state budget dictated the formation of the bowl game.

“Athletics are being hit hard, and we foresee this game as a way of relieving the financial situation for some of our high schools,” Thomas said. “What a game we would have had last year. It was unfortunate that we couldn’t put the game together before now.”

Administrators had hoped to schedule the first CIF Bowl last December between Mater Dei and Dorsey, but organizers failed to sell the advertising needed to televise the event.

Mater Dei drew 33,204 fans to Anaheim Stadium and grossed $196,488 for its Southern Section Division I championship game against Eisenhower.

Southern Section administrator Bill Clark said a site for the game would be announced within the next month, adding: “Anaheim Stadium is a strong contender, but we’re also considering the Coliseum and the Rose Bowl.”

Tom Byrnes, State commissioner, said a lot is riding on the game’s success. “If this game is successful, I think you’ll see other sections in the state forming a bowl game,” he said. “This game could become the premier high school football game in the United States.”