Word is spreading that one private school power is trying to convince the others -- including Palma -- not to opt up into the Open Division this year.
The reason is simple.
If you remain in a division based on enrollment, you'd have a better shot at reaching the state championship in your division instead of beating each other up in the CCS playoffs.
The problem with this idea is that if no one opts up, the CCS will take the top eight teams based on points, which will probably still include Palma in the Open Division with the likes of Bellarmine and Valley Christian.
But what you wouldn't see is five teams from the West Catholic Athletic League in the Open Division. If Palma remained in its division, it would be a Division IV juggernaut.
John Devine has been writing about high school sports in Monterey County since, well, practically since he was an athlete at King City in the days just after leather helmets. In PrepNation, John has even more in-depth analysis of the latest results and news he's brought to you in The Herald and in his weekly videos.
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3 comments:
Don't see Palma not opting up. Not in their DNA.
The NCS shields Cardinal Newman from playing a difficult playoff schedule. They got handled by Palma last year (same enrollment), yet almost went to a bowl game. Either all private schools should have to play in their section's top playoff level, or they all should play at their enrollment level. Sections are cherry-picking bowl bids. Saw a pre-season Cardinal Newman interview and they were almost bragging about this.
It is the case with all smaller enrollments with exception onf CCS and the few teams in southern CA (St Bonnaventure, Oaks Christian, Serra-Gardina) that get bumped up. Would need CCS to change rule. On one sid, the winner of the CCS Open divivon has a good case of being chosen for bowl, on other side you have good DIII and DII size schools that would normally be considered by enrollment. I think its okay to have privates in D1-seems fairer playing field (I'm alum of Palma). The experts that follow HS football in the state now Palma is DIII by enrollment and was better than Cardinal Newman (by virtue of head to head). If Palma would have faired better against VC in playoffs, there is good changce they would have been plced higher in preseson although CalHiSports have them #2 in CCS and #30 in state. Much more respect for a private that opts up.Palma program has lots of respect outside of Monetery Bay area and in state. CN is seen as a DIII competitive school and Palma as a very good D1 program.
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