Section Sets Divisions for Football Playoffs

Newhall Hart High’s four-year reign as Southern Section Division III football champion will end this fall based on a recommendation to move the Indians and the other five Foothill League schools to Division II.

The playoff groupings, released Monday by the section office, include a four-league Division I made up of the Citrus Belt, Serra, Sunset and Moore leagues. Division II will change to include schools from the Foothill, Baseline, Sierra, South Coast and San Gabriel Valley leagues.

Other divisions changed:

* Division III--Mt. Baldy, Bay, Mission, Golden, Pacific.

* Division IV--Channel, Marmonte, Ocean, Pac-Five, Pacific View.

* Division VI--Century, Empire, Miramonte, Sea View, Suburban.

* Division VII--Almont, Del Rio, Golden West, Mission Valley, San Antonio.

* Division X--Del Rey, Los Padres, Montview, Pioneer, Rio Hondo.

* Division XI--Camino Real, De Anza, Olympic, Tri-Valley.

* Division XII--Alpha, Christian, Desert Mountain, High Desert, Santa Fe.

* Division XIII--Academy, Big Sky, Delphic, Prep, San Joaquin.

The top three teams in each league are guaranteed playoff berths. In the four-league Division I, there will be four at-large berths.

Schools can appeal the recommendations to the section office.