State Championships Discussed for Football

Southern Section Council members discussed the possibility of state championships in football during its meeting in Long Beach on Thursday.

Discussions began last year across the state for bowl games, and section officials indicated a specific proposal was likely to be submitted at the California Interscholastic Federation’s Federated Council meeting later this month in San Diego.

The preliminary plan, according to CIF Assistant Commissioner Roger Blake, has three championship bowl games being played at a site in Southern California on Dec. 16, 2006, matching the top teams from Southern California against counterparts from Northern California. The teams would be selected by a special committee aided by computer ratings.

The three divisions would be broken down by enrollment, with Division I for schools 1,900 and larger, Division II for schools 900 to 1,900 and Division III for schools 900 or fewer.

Southern Section league representatives must decide whether to support the bowl championship proposal, which would be for a two-year trial run. Revenue raised would be given to the CIF to help defray costs of its coaching education program.

The council voted Thursday to expand the Southern Section baseball and softball playoffs from six to seven divisions beginning this spring.

Eric Sondheimer

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Temecula Valley forfeited its 19-6 nonleague victory over Moreno Valley Canyon Springs in Week 1 because of an ineligible player, according to the Southern Section office. Temecula Valley falls to 3-2 and Canyon Springs improves to 1-3-1.

Also, Victorville Excelsior forfeited its Week 2 victory over Victorville Victor Valley Christian in eight-man play because of a paperwork problem. Excelsior falls to 1-4 and Victor Valley Christian improves to 4-1.

Miscellany

Barbara Fiege, commissioner of the City Section, has taken a six-week leave of absence for medical reasons. Two assistant commissioners will share duties until she returns.