It appears the Central Coast Section will eliminate the Open Division for football next fall.
Coaches have voted to have five divisions based solely on enrollment.
Of course, this still has to be approved by the CCS Executive Committee. But that's likely no more than a formality.
No other section in Northern California has an Open Division for the postseason in football.
So why not eliminate it?
The CCS was essentially forcing four 'A' league teams into the Open to compete against four teams from the West Catholic Athletic League.
But if this passes, what does this mean for the postseason?
I will tell you.
It means you're going to see four teams from the WCAL win four of the five divisions in the CCS.
This is all about chasing a state title. The football powers in the CCS want to be in their respective divisions based on enrollment to have that opportunity.
That's how it's done in the Southern Section.
If you lump them all into the Open Division, only one is assured of consideration for a bowl bid -- and that is the champion.
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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2 comments:
Current CCS rules say that a league may have a maximum of 6 teams participating in the play-offs. So it is conceivable that the WCAL could win all five divisions...unless there is a way to keep them out of the new D5. Of course with the liklihood that Palma and SHP will both be D5 schools, one of those two private schools is probably going to be favored in that division each year. So the new rules would seem to increase the advantage the private schools have over the publics.
D1 should be more competitive....maybe Serra and Bells are D1...but then 6 other non-WCAL or in. In a way, it would be more competitive in the first round even if 2 WCAL schools are in the finals...at least the first round will have one or two non-WCAL teams win a playoff game....DII even if a couple WCAL teams in-the same and some years Los Gatos ould compete, etc. The enrollment size definition will make a differense as to what the breakoff is for size... Maybe D5 is set lower to protect that division from some of the private catholics. It is a step in the right direction in my opinion. You'll probably see SF, SI and Mitty in D2 or a VC and SI in D3...D4 you might see Palma and SHP and Mnlos...maybe PG is in D5 - Carmel might be either. You might see Palma scheduling Valley Christian again in nonleague because they might be competitive for a bowl play-in slot. I think overall this will be good and the section will arrange it so there is some equity by playing with the enrollment breakoff levels.
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