Conference Call in First Round for Taft and Sylmar

Although there were no surprises Saturday when the City Section 4-A Division football playoff pairings were announced, the seeding committee failed to follow guidelines by pairing conference opponents in first-round games.

Taft High, coming off a second consecutive undefeated regular season, was seeded first, but the Toreadors play host to Northwest Valley Conference rival San Fernando in the first round.

Sylmar, the Valley Pac-8 champion which was seeded fourth, plays host to conference rival Canoga Park.

“Disbelief,” said Canoga Park Coach Rudy Lugo, who hoped the Hunters would play in the 3-A division. “I’m disappointed.”

The committee, comprised of one coach from each conference and two members of the Interscholastic Athletic Committee, selected teams in groups of four.

The final four teams selected for the 4-A playoffs were Canoga Park, Washington, Kennedy and San Fernando, in that order. One of the guidelines states “the committee will then match the last four teams to avoid any first-round, same-conference matchups [if possible].”

Kennedy could have been moved up to play Sylmar, Canoga Park dropped one place to play third-seeded Fremont and San Fernando matched against second-seeded Westchester, leaving Washington to play Taft.

The committee quickly rejected a proposal to switch Canoga Park and Washington.

“We did what was possible in terms of fairness,” said Birmingham Coach Dave Lertzman, the Northwest Valley Conference representative.

Taft and Sylmar could be in for tough games. San Fernando played the Toreadors close before losing, 20-6. The Spartans beat Canoga Park, 26-18, although the Hunters will be without running back Junior Galvan, who is ineligible.

“I’m surprised but I’m not upset,” San Fernando Coach Sean Blunt said. “Maybe this is a blessing in disguise.”

Banning made the 4-A field despite forfeiting three victories, two in conference play. The Pilots, who had a 4-3 record in the rugged Southern Pacific Conference, will play at seventh-seeded Birmingham.

Southern Section seedings will be announced today.

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* City Section playoff pairings: C22