Reseda-Sylmar Trade Shelved : Releaguing: City seeks more information on strength of former’s program before any move can be made.

A City Section committee has tabled, at least temporarily, a proposal that would have moved Sylmar High into the Northwest Valley Conference and Reseda into the Valley Pac-8.

The releaguing committee ruled this week that more information was needed about the relative strength of the Reseda program before a switch could be made.

“The one-for-one move was defeated,” City Commissioner Hal Harkness said.

“But it’s not been withdrawn from consideration.”

Reseda requested, as part of the two-year releaguing process, to be reassigned to the Valley Pac-8 beginning in 1993-94. The Regents were moved from the Valley Pac-8 to the Northwest Valley three years ago in place of Canoga Park, whose program was struggling in many sports.

Reseda was told at the time that the move would be reviewed after two seasons, but in light of the many complications involved with the district’s move to a year-round academic calendar in 1991-92, releaguing was tabled.

“We were told to bite the bullet for two years,” Reseda football Coach Joel Schaeffer said. “Well, it’s been three years and the bullet’s been bitten through.”

Reseda’s football record in Northwest Valley play over the three-year span is 10-11.

Regarding football, Sylmar administrators told the committee that it didn’t make sense to move the Spartans into the Northwest Valley Conference.

The team likely would be placed in a league with Kennedy, San Fernando and Granada Hills, historically the strongest teams in the Valley.

The administrators argued the move would decrease the playoff chances of each team in the league and also would probably leave the Valley Pac-8 without a 4-A Division contender.

Sylmar’s football team is 12-0 and will play for the 4-A title against Carson on Saturday at El Camino College.

Harkness said the committee next will consider moving two other Valley Pac-8 schools to the Northwest Valley but declined to identify them. Moving Sylmar continues to be an option, he said.

“Nothing’s going to happen soon,” Harkness said. “The committee needs more information.”

Reseda has been asked to supply its league records in several sports by Dec. 18, Schaeffer said. Harkness said the committee will review the material but said that it is unlikely any movement of schools will take place until after the intersession break Dec. 18.

Any modification would be subject to approval by the Interscholastic Athletics Committee, which is not scheduled to meet until March 1.