Southern Section Moves Closer to Football Playoff Regrouping

The Southern Section this week moved closer to modifying its divisional playoff groupings in high school football for the fall season, which likely will result in realignment for two prominent area leagues.

The Golden League, which includes 1993 Division I semifinalist Antelope Valley, would drop to Division II for the 1994 and ’95 seasons. The Del Rey League would be the lone area entrant in Division I under the plan.

The Mission League--which includes area private schools Chaminade, Notre Dame, St. Francis and Harvard-Westlake--would move from Division IV to Division III. The Channel and Marmonte, the strongest leagues in Ventura County, will continue to play in Division III.

No other area leagues were affected by the proposal, which was based on geographic considerations. Travel costs will be reduced, among other benefits.

“It’s money-driven for the districts and schools,” Commissioner Dean Crowley said. “That’s what we’re hearing. If schools can play football games closer to home, more fans travel to the games and there’s more money to be made at the gate.”

The Playoff Groupings Committee recommended to the Southern Section Council on Tuesday that the changes be implemented for a two-year cycle while more long-range adjustments are considered. Final appeals to the proposal will be heard Oct. 20.

Crowley said the section this week heard 14 appeals regarding divisional alignment, including one from the Tri-Valley League, which sought relief from Division IX.

Crowley said Tri-Valley representatives dislike playing in the same division with the Los Padres League, which sent three teams to the Division IX semifinals last fall. The appeal was denied.