Moorpark Probably Going Into Channel

By MICHAEL LAZARUS

March 7, 1997 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

The Northern Area of the Southern Section made a decision on a re-leaguing proposal for the fall of 1998, and it leaves Moorpark High heading north.

Under the proposal approved Thursday by officials from 38 schools stretching from Calabasas to the Southern Section border, the Musketeers will move from the Frontier League to the Channel League following next season. They will be nearly 30 miles from the closest league school.

The new Channel League will include Moorpark, Ventura, Buena and Santa Barbara-area schools San Marcos, Dos Pueblos and Santa Barbara.

Moorpark officials hoped to move to a league with bigger schools, but preferred the Marmonte League to create rivalries with Simi Valley and Royal.

The committee debated over four proposals, with a final vote coming down to whether Moorpark moved to the Channel or Marmonte League.

Moorpark Principal John McIntosh did not respond to a phone call from The Times.

The proposal also includes formation of a new “Oxnard School District League” which will bring together Camarillo, Channel Islands, Hueneme, Oxnard, Rio Mesa and possibly a new Oxnard-area school in 2000.

The Marmonte League will consist of Agoura, Westlake, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Simi Valley and Royal.

Malibu, Santa Paula, Santa Clara, Calabasas and Nordhoff will remain in the Frontier League.

Realignment Committee Chairperson and Paso Robles Principal Linda Janzen said the schools voted, 25-13, to move Moorpark to the Channel League, creating more leagues with even-numbered teams.

“I really think that was one of the big reasons,” Janzen said. “They were concerned about scheduling football with odd-numbered leagues.”

Janzen will present the proposal to the Southern Section in the next two weeks for final approval. Schools have a chance to appeal once a final realignment list is released later this month.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

A League of Their Own

The Northern Area of the Southern Section, which comprises 54 schools, voted Thursday for a creation of a new league comprised exclusively of schools within the Oxnard Unified School District. The new league format, which begin in 1998 pending approval from the Southern Section, will also affect the Channel, Marmonte and Frontier leagues.

Oxnard District League

Beginning Fall 1998

(Official league name has not been determined.)

School and Former League

Camarillo (from Marmonte

Channel Islands (from Marmonte)

Hueneme (from Channel)

Oxnard (from Channel)

Rio Mesa (from Channel)

* New district school is expected to be added in 2000.

1977

Channel League

Buena

Dos Pueblos

Hueneme

Oxnard

Rio Mesa

San Marcos

Santa Barbara

Ventura

Marmonte League

Agoura

Camarillo

Channel Islands

Newbury Park

Royal

Simi Valley

Thousand Oaks

Westlake

1998