Every four years, the Sac-Joaquin Section does a realignment in order to keep an enrollment, geographic, and competetive balance. Most changes are subtle as usually only a few schools out of over 150 move. By the looks of things, there will be major changes starting in the 2014-2015 school year. Under the first proposal, every football league except for three (four leagues total) will be changed in one way or another. Personally, I feel that two of the leagues that need change will be left alone.
If you are a parent of a future high-school athlete, or a coach, or school administrator, you will be affected by the change somehow whether it be increased (or in some cases, decreased) transportation costs, level of play your kids will see, and even the chances of going to state. If you are a parent of an athlete who will play football at a Modesto public high school, be prepared to leave the city of Modesto to go to a league game. For those from Oakdale and Sonora who remember the glory days of the rivalry, get ready for it to disappear. Get ready for an Oakdale-Davis game that is at least 15-years overdue. Get ready for the Sierra Foothill League to be even stronger (if that was even possible). Get ready to say goodbye to some old rivals and hello to some new ones (as a fan, I am looking forward to a Sonora-Summerville rivalry. Just imagine how Tuoloumne County can promote that).
Now, this is just the first proposal. There will likely be some changes to it before a final decision is held at the end of April. There is no way the section can make everyone happy, but I hope they at least make it the best possible for all teams. Here is what they came up with. Some moves are good, some are bad, and others are just plain insane, and I hope they change it. I will not have comments for all leagues, but I will give you the current format and the proposed format for each league.
Division I
Central California Conference
Current: Atwater, Buhach Colony (Atwater), Golden Valley (Merced), Merced, Pitman (Turlock), Turlock
Proposed: Enochs, Golden Valley, Gregori, Merced, Modesto, Pitman, Turlock, Modesto Christian (Boys/Girls Basketball only)
Comments: This line up reminds me of the old-fashioned CCC when the Modesto schools competed against the other big schools of Stanislaus and Merced Counties. That is what I like about it. It also forces Enochs to become more competetive. Enochs finished 2nd in the MMC in 2012, and won the conference in 2011, but with this line-up, there is a good chance the Eagles wouldn't have made the playoffs with the team they had. I think Merced would have won, Pitman would get 2nd, and Golden Valley or Enochs would get the at-large spot. However, what I don't like about it is that this line-up weakens the confernces. The CCC as it currently is, is by far the strongest league in the southern part of the section, and one of the strongest in the entire section. Gregori and Modesto would instantly make it mediocre. As for Modesto Christian basketball, they are the best school in the area, and need to compete with the best. However, I fear that it may cause a slippery-slope. From what I read in the Modesto Bee, Ripon Christian and Riverbank want to compete in the Southern League for football only and the TVL for every other sport. How many other schools will create ideas to separate sports and leagues? I think Modesto Christian should join the WAC or VOL for all sports.
San Joaquin Athletic Association
Current: Bear Creek (Stockton), Chavez (Stockton), Franklin (Stockton), Lincoln (Stockton), Lodi, Tracy
Proposed: No changes
Tri-City Athletic League
Current: Edison (Stockton), McNair (Stockton), St. Mary's (Stockton), Stagg (Stockton), Tokay (Lodi), West (Tracy)
Proposed: No changes
Comment: I think there needs to be changes in these two leagues. It made absolutely no sense to me to split up the Tracy and Lodi schools eight years ago, it made no sense four years ago, and it makes no sense now. The schools are nearly alike in enrollment. What they should do is make a Northern San Joaquin League and a Southern San Joaquin League. Put the Lodi schools in the Northern League, the Tracy schools in the Southern League, and separate the Stockton schools however they see fit.
Delta League
Note: Currently the Section has the Delta River League and the Delta Valley League. Each league will lose some teams, and the remaining teams will form one eight-team league.
DRL: Folsom, Jesuit (Carmichael) (boys only), Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills), Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove), Ponderosa (Shingle Springs), Sheldon (Sacramento), St. Francis (Sacramento) (girls only)
DVL: Davis, Elk Grove, Franklin (Elk Grove), Grant (Sacramento), Laguna Creek (Elk Grove), Monterey Trail (Elk Grove)
Proposed: Davis, Elk Grove, Franklin (Elk Grove), Grant, Jesuit (boys only), Monterey Trail, Pleasant Grove, Sheldon, St. Francis (girls only)
Monticello Empire League
Current: Armijo (Fairfield), Napa, Rodriguez (Fairfield), Vacaville, Vintage (Napa), Wood (Vacaville)
Proposed: Bethel, Napa, Rodriguez, Vacaville, Vallejo, Vintage
Comment: It's hard to do anything geographically except for switching teams with the SCAC.
Sierra Foothill League
Current: Del Oro (Loomis), Granite Bay, Nevada Union (Grass Valley), Rocklin, Roseville, Woodcreek (Roseville)
Proposed: Del Oro, Folsom, Granite Bay, Nevada Union, Oak Ridge, Rocklin, Roseville, Woodcreek
Comment: This is the Sac-Joaquin's version of the SEC in football. It is a league that most people (but not everyone) feel is the strongest by far. And adding Folsom and Oak Ridge only make it stronger. I read in the Sacramento Bee that the section wants to give this league four automatic berths to this league. I can understand three, but four is too many.
Division II Leagues
Modesto Metro Conference
Current: Beyer, Grace Davis, Downey, Enochs, Gregori, Johansen, Modesto (all in Modesto)
Proposed: Atwater, Buhach Colony, Beyer, Grace Davis, Downey, El Capitan (Merced-open 2013), Johansen, Oakdale
Comment: I am ok with this league, but if they keep it; the name has to change. I am an Oakdale alum, and I know most Oakdale fans and coaches hate the idea of leaving the VOL; what is worse in their eyes is joining a league with bigger schools. I like this idea. Economically, it would save Oakdale money on transportation. Currently, the Mustangs' closest league competetor is Manteca. There are four schools in this group closer than that. Merced is the furthest they would have to travel. That is about the same distance as to Sonora. Another reason I like it is that if Sonora is leaving the VOL, there really is no reason for the Mustangs to stay. Beyer could become a bigger rival than anyone else the VOL has. Some people don't like it, because they feel Oakdale is being punished for being too good. They should look at it as an opportunity for Oakdale to prove that it can beat bigger schools. And I have to say (as unpopular as it is), the only reason why the Mustangs won the Section championship in football this year is that Del Oro got moved up because it was too good. This Mustangs team was not equipped to beat the Golden Eagles. It just might be the Mustangs turn to move up.
When I was in high school, Oakdale-Davis was a dream match-up in football. Oakdale was one of the best in the VOL, and Davis was one of the best in the old CCC. In addition, Atwater was up there with Davis. Unfortunately, the Oakdale-Davis game would not be good anymore, as new schools (Enochs and Gregori) caused Davis to lose a lot of talent, and they have not been able to get it back. However, some people wonder how MMC champion, Downey, can compete with Buhach Colony and Oakdale. If this league stays as proposed, we will find out. Atwater would renew its old rivalries with the Modesto schools from the old CCC. The wildcard is El Capitan for two reasons. First, a high school is usually excellent at at least one sport; and it usually only takes the first two years at the varsity level to find out what it is. Second, how will the addition of the Gauchos effect the talent levels of Merced and Golden Valley. Merced was a nationally-ranked football power before Golden Valley came. Will having El Capitan have the same effect? Finally, the Modesto Bee reports that Modesto City Schools will fight as hard as it can to keep the MMC as it is. The Bee also reported that there would have to be some enrollment equality for that to happen. Currently, Davis has 1,465 students while Modesto has over 2,500 (and I think Enochs also has over 2,500). There may be enrollment shifts soon at the Modesto high schools. Stay tuned.
Capital Valley Conference
Current: Bella Vista (Fair Oaks), Casa Roble (Orangevale), Christian Brothers (Sacramento), Del Campo (Fair Oaks), Oakmont (Roseville), Rio Linda
Proposed: Antelope, Bella Vista, Del Campo, Ponderosa, Rio Americano, Whitney
Comments: I do not know a lot about the geography of high schools in the Sacramento-area, but all these schools have about the same enrollment, it also makes sense competetively. Ponderosa was "in over their head" in the Delta River League. This move should better suit them.
Solano County Athletic Association
Current: American Canyon, Benicia, Bethel (Fairfield), Fairfield, Vallejo, Vanden (Fairfield)
Proposed: American Canyon, Armijo, Benicia, Fairfield, Vanden, Wood
Division III Leagues
Valley Oak League
Current: East Union (Manteca), Kimball (Tracy), Lathrop, Manteca, Oakdale, Sierra (Manteca), Sonora, Weston Ranch (Stockton)
Proposed: Central Valley, East Union, Kimball, Manteca, Patterson, Sierra
Comments: Oakdale will fight hard to stay in the VOL. If that happens, I would like to see a Patterson-Oakdale matchup. Also, the MLL will fight hard to keep Sonora in the VOL. However, declining enrollment numbers for Sonora makes the Wildcats' move out of the VOL necessary. Also, personally, I feel keeping Kimball in the VOL is a mistake. The Tracy to Ceres (Central Valley) drive is unnecessary. Plus, Kimball's projected enrollment would make either the SJAA or TCAL a better fit for them. Since geography doesn't seem to be a factor in this league, Pacheco would be the best fit for the sixth team, enrollment wise.
Capital Athletic League
Current: Antelope, Cordova (Rancho Cordova), El Camino (Sacramento), Mira Loma (Sacramento), Rio Americano (Sacramento), Whitney (Rocklin)
Proposed: Casa Roble, Christian Brothers, El Camino, Oakmont, Placer, Sacramento, Vista del Lago
Comments: This is a better fit for Sacramento than the Metro League. According to the Auburn Journal, Placer does not belong in this league. It makes sense, most of these schools are either in Sacramento, or along US HWY-50, where as Placer is too far east, and along I-80 and CA-HWY 49. I have a feeling Placer will not be in this league when the final decision is made. On a side note, only El Camino would remain in the CAL.
Metro League
Current: Burbank, Florin, Johnson, Kennedy, McClatchy, Rosemont, Sacramento, Valley (all in Sacramento)
Proposed: Burbank, Cosumnes Oaks, Florin, Johnson, Kennedy, Laguna Creek, McClatchy, Valley
Comments: The board needs to do a better job with this one. If this one is kept, the name must change, as the proposed additions are in Elk Grove, and not in Sacramento. Plus, Burbank is too big and too good to be a division III team. I think it would be a good league if they moved Burbank to a division I league and Cosumnes Oaks to the CAL.
Tri-City Conference
Current: Inderkum (Sacramento), Natomas (Sacramento), Pioneer (Woodland), River Valley (Yuba City), Woodland, Yuba City
Proposed: Inderkum, Pioneer, Rio Linda, River City, River Valley, Woodland, Yuba City
Comments: Currently, Rio Linda and River City are too big for this league. However, if West Sacramento High School ever gets built, then that should balnace the enrollment. Plus, the plan is to split the two Natomas neighborhood schools, but Natomas is declining in enrollment and talent.
Division IV Leagues
Western Athletic Conference
Current: Central Catholic (Modesto), Central Valley (Ceres), Ceres, Livingston, Los Banos, Pacheco (Los Banos), Patterson
Proposed: Central Catholic, Ceres, Lathrop, Livingston, Los Banos, Pacheco, Weston Ranch
Comments: Enrollment-wise, it almost makes perfect sense. The board just neeeds to put Pacheco in the VOL, and either East Union or Sonora in the WAC. Geography-wise, asking the Los Banos schools and Livingston to drive to Stockton (and vice-versa) may be too much to ask for. Football wise, it is just a new set of schools for Central Catholic to dominate.
Pioneer Valley League
Current: Bear River (Grass Valley), Center (Antelope), Colfax, Foothill (Sacramento), Lincoln, Placer (Auburn)
Proposed: Bear River, Center, Colfax, Foothill, Lincoln, Mira Loma
Sierra Valley Conference
Current: Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove), El Dorado (Placerville), Galt, Liberty Ranch (Galt) River City (West Sacramento), Union Mine (El Dorado), Vista del Lago (Folsom)
Proposed: Cordova, El Dorado, Galt, Liberty Ranch, Rosemont, Union Mine
Comments: Cordova, Rosemont? Really? I think that says enough.
Division V Leagues
Trans-Valley League
Current: Escalon, Hilmar, Hughson, Modesto Christian, Orestimba (Newman), Ripon, Riverbank
Proposed: Escalon, Hilmar, Hughson, Mountain House (open 2014), Orestimba, Ripon, Riverbank
Comments: The only change is that Modesto Christian leaves and Mountain House is added. The problem with Mountain House is that as bad as this line-up is for them, with their low projected numbers, there is no where else to put them. I have a feeling that in 2018, they will move to either the VOL or the TCAL.
Mother Lode League
Current: Amador (Sutter Creek), Argonaut (Jackson), Bret Harte (Angels Camp), Calaveras (San Andreas), Linden, Summerville (Tuoloumne City)
Proposed: Amador, Argonaut, Bret Harte, Calaveras, Linden, Sonora, Summerville
Comments: According to the Modesto Bee, there is a movement to keep Sonora out. They feel Sonora is too big (Calaveras is bigger), they feel Sonora is too good (Calaveras and Argonaut are just as good). The team they should get rid of is Linden. Linden is not even in the Mother Lode. It is in San Joaquin County. They should be added to the TVL to make an 8-team league. Plus, on week 10, they would have an all Amador county game (Argonaut-Amador), and all Calaveras County (Bret Harte-Calaveras), and an all Tuoloumne (Sonora-Summerville). I think Sonora could build interesting rivalries with Summerville and Calaveras.
Golden Empire League
Current: Capital Christian (Sacramento), Dixon, Lindhurst (Olivehurst), Marysville, Mesa Verde (Citrus Heights), West Campus (Sacramento)
Proposed: Capital Christian, Dixon, Lindhurst, Marysville, Mesa Verde, Natomas, West Campus
Comments: The only change is that Natomas would be added
Division VI Leagues
Southern League
Current: Delhi, Denair, Gustine, Le Grand, Mariposa, Ripon Christian, Turlock Christian, Waterford
Proposed: Delhi, Denair, Gustine, Le Grand, Mariposa, Modesto Christian (in all but boys/girls basketball), Ripon Christian, Waterford
Comments: Modesto Chrsitian? Are you kidding? Their football and baseball teams are too good for this league. They needed to move up from the TVL, not down. The WAC would be better suited for them.
Sierra Delta League
Current: Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento), Encina (Sacramento), Golden Sierra (Garden Valley), Highlands (North Highlands), Rio Vista, San Juan (Citrus Heights), Vacaville Christian
Proposed: No changes
Comments: Highlands is too big for this league. They should be in the GEL.
Central Valley California League (non-football league)
Current: Cristo Rey (Sacramento), Delta (Clarksburg), Forest Lake Christian (Auburn), Foresthill, Sacramento Waldorf (Fair Oaks), Victory Christian (Carmichael), Woodland Christian
Proposed: All teams stay except for Cristo Rey
Note: Cristo Rey, Delta, Foresthill, Valley Christian, and Woodland Christian play in the SMAL for football. I believe that will remain the case.
Division VII Leagues
Central California Athletic Alliance
Current: Big Valley (Modesto), Brookside Christian (Stockton), Elliot Christian (Lodi), Millennium (Tracy), Sierra Ridge/ROP (San Andreas), Stone Ridge Christian (Merced)
Proposed: These six plus Turlock Christian and Venture Academy (non football playing school)
Mountain Valley League (non-football)
Current: Delta Charter (Tracy), Don Pedro, Holt Academy (Stockton), Hughes Academy (Stockton), Lodi Academy, Mountain Oaks (San Andreas), Stockton Christian, Tioga (Groveland), Venture Academy (Stockton)
Proposed: Adding Excel Academy
Northern Pacific Athletic Conference
Proposed: Freedom Christian, Global Youth Charter, Lutheran, New Life Christian, Trinity Prep, Western Sierra College Prep, Woodland Poly
Sacramento Metro Athletic League
Proposed: Buckingham Charter, Cristo Rey, Faith Christian, Sacramento Adventist, Sacramento Country Day, Valley Christian, Wilton Christian
Note: Cristo Rey is in this league for football. They are proposed to be in this league for all sports
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