While dropping down to Division IV for the CCS playoffs immediately moved Palma to No. 5 in Northern California in their division, it will be virtually impossible for them to leap frog over the four teams in front of them.
Cardinal Newman, Marin Catholic, Escalon and Colfax are all undefeated in Northern California.
A suggestion for Palma next fall.
Dump St. Francis and St. Joseph and try and add a Marin Catholic or Colfax to your non-league schedule.
Remember next year there is a Northern California regional game after the section finals to decide the representatives for each division out of the north.
Wins over big programs in your division in the preseason will go along ways towards earning that regional berth, even if there is a league loss in the regular season.
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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6 comments:
Colfax lost in the first round.
That doesn't mean I still wouldn't try and schedule them.
Why would Palma dump St Francis? They should dominate them next season. St Josephs should be dropped because they won't be very good next season and won't help Palma. It will be interesting if Cardinal newman renews series bceause Palma should dominate them the next two years. Next seasons team hould be one of palma's best in years. they need to improve their schedule if the CCS doesn't get rid of the Open divivon, because palma should get forced up. A bad game against Hollister which they should have won, killed their shot this year-not their preseson. Actually the nonleague schedule is why they are ranked so high.
If CCS doesn't change Open divivon, Palma should schedule Bells, or a SJ section power next season (Palma should be better), keep St Francis, Maybe schedule a St mary's-Stockton (or keep cardinal newman). Palma will need to win the Open divison and get put in state bowl D1 playin (DLS and probably Sac-SJ champ will go Open playin). All hinges on what CCS does or doesn't do about playoffs. It certainly looks like the many of the coaches want to get rid of the CCS Open divivon, but still has to be voted on and approved. It looks like the CCS commissioner is against getting rid of it and in fact doesn't like the Palma's, or VCs etc playing down. It will be interesting to follow the battle at the meetings.
Of course of Palma beat San Benito, this is a moot point because it would be in the open division.
The point is this season is pretty much over for Palma as far as a state bowl (not realistic shot) and next season unless CCS changes their playoff format and eliminates the open division or CIF goes back to placing teams based on enrollment (which gave the CCS an advantage to get a bowl bid), Palma will be considered for Open and D1 state bowl next season if they win a CCS Open division. There will be 2 Open playin slots (probably NCS DLS and another section DI or DII team, Maybe CCS winner), and 2 D1 slots ( CCS Open winner and SJS or another). If Palma goes through season and losses a game, if they could get dropped down playing a top D3 from another section or having a strong nonseason would be weighted more in NCS or SJS would help them get a play in. Problem is all the strong D3 programs are all A teams and Palma would probably still get forced up. This year they missed being forced up but the DIV CCS playoff is weak. If they dont have the strong nonleague, and they loss a game or two, they will be in the same situation. In any event, Palma should be playing in the Open or CCS top divivon. CCS doesn't have enough strong D3 teams unlessthey do what I mentioned before...protect D4 playoffs from A league privates. Have CCS D3 consist of A league privates and A and B league winners by D3 enrollment next and do away with Open and aloow teams to compete by division. Allow a Carmel to opt up in good years.
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