After many realignment meetings, the remodeled leagues will make their debut in high school sports in August. For the 209 leagues, here is what the leagues now look like:
CCC: Atwater, Buhach Colony, Merced, Golden Valley, Pitman, Turlock (no changes, El Capitan will join in 2016.)
MMC: Beyer, Davis, Downey, Enochs, Gregori, Johansen, Modesto (no changes, except in boys/girls basketball. Modesto Christian will join the conference for those sports).
SJAA: Bear Creek, Chavez, Edison, Franklin, McNair, Stagg (Lincoln, Lodi, and Tracy leave; Edison, McNair and Stagg join)
TCAL: Lincoln, Lodi, St. Mary's, Tokay, Tracy, West (Edison, McNair, and Stagg leave; Lincoln, Lodi, and Tracy join).
VOL: Central Catholic, East Union, Kimball, Lathrop, Manteca, Oakdale, Sierra, Weston Ranch (Sonora leaves, Central Catholic joins).
WAC: Central Valley, Ceres, El Capitan, Livingston, Los Banos, Patterson, Pacheco (Central Catholic leaves, El Capitan joins until 2016).
MLL: Amador, Argonaut, Bret Harte, Calaveras, Linden, Sonora, Summerville (Sonora joins)
TVL: Escalon, Hilmar, Hughson, Modesto Christian (except for boys/girls basketball), Mountain House, Ripon, Riverbank (Orestimba leaves for all sports, Modesto Christian leaves for boys/girls basketball. Mountain House joins for all sports, Ripon Christian joins for boys/girls basketball).
SL: Delhi, Denair, Gustine, Le Grand, Mariposa, Orestimba, Ripon Christian (except for boys/girls basketball), Waterford (Turlock Christian leaves for all sports, Ripon Christian leaves for boys/girls basketball; Orestimba joins for all sports).
CCAA: Big Valley, Brookside Christian, Excel Academy, Jim Elliot Christian, Millennium, Sierra Ridge/Rite of Passage, Stone Ridge Christian, Turlock Christian (Excel Academy and Turlock Christian join).
MVL: Delta Charter, Don Pedro, Holt Academy, Hughes Academy, Lodi Academy, Mountain Oaks, Stockton Christian, Tioga
Sometimes it is fun to think about the "road not traveled". In this case, I am talking about the changes that were either officially proposed or rumored that never took place for one reason or another. I will discuss five of them in depth, and look at what we might be missing since these changes did not go through. Sometimes there are more cons than pros with a move, but we'll take a look at them, anyway.
1) Oakdale to the MMC
Introduction: When the Sac-Joaquin Section committee first came up with their formal proposals, they had Oakdale going to the MMC. The committee had a slightly different MMC than we see now. They wanted to drop the MMC from a division I league to a division II league. The teams would have been: Atwater, Beyer, Buhach Colony, Davis, Downey, El Capitan (Merced), Johansen, and Oakdale. From what I read from blackhatfootball.com, Modesto City Schools asked to keep the MMC in tact, and have all the Modesto public schools in one league. The district got its wish.
What Oakdale is missing from not going to the MMC: 1) A chance to make the playoffs in basketball. With the addition of schools in Modesto, the talent level for many sports has dropped in town. Oakdale is not a great basketball team, and hasn't been in a decade (and has only been a playoff team two out of the past 15 years). Despite that, Oakdale could have been a contender for the 3rd playoff spot for the MMC. Davis won the MMC two years ago, and that year, Oakdale beat the Spartans in the Oakdale tournament that year. 2) A wrestling rivalry of the area. With Central Catholic coming to the VOL, this is not a big loss, but think about what they could have had with Modesto. Modesto has become a wrestling power, and a dual meet between Oakdale and Modesto could have brought general fans in the area to witness the clash (Note: In this thought, I am referring to what might have been if the MMC stayed in tact, and just added Oakdale). 3) Preparation for a high-flying offense for the playoffs in football. As far as passing numbers went, Sierra had the highest offense in the VOL, and Downey had nearly twice the passing numbers Sierra did. Oakdale could have used that preparation in a playoff game against Sacramento. The Dragons just outran the Mustangs in a mistake-heavy playoff game last year. 4) A chance to save money. Oakdale's closest rival in the VOL (before the addition of Central Catholic) is Manteca. If the section got exactly what it wanted, then only two rivals would have been further than that (Atwater and Buhach Colony). If the MMC stayed in tact, and just added Oakdale, then all the league opponents would be closer than Manteca, and most of them are closer than Central Catholic. Oakdale High could have saved money in travel not just in football, but in all sports. I do not know how much the Mustangs spend in transportation, but that figure could have been cut in half.
What the MMC is missing from not adding Oakdale: 1) Money. The other teams in the VOL wanted to keep Oakdale, because Mustang fans travel well. They have been reported to say that Oakdale brings a lot of funds in gate receipts. I was at the game against Sacramento. There were at least 1,000 Oakdale fans, and probably more than that...for a high school game. Oakdale fans were lining up along the track, becuase Sacramento High does not have a lot of seats for the visitors. Oakdale fans outnumbered Serra (Gardena) fans in the state championship two years ago. Keep in mind, Oakdale had to travel over 300 miles for the game, while Serra's campus is located 5 miles away. At least four Modesto schools could have increased their funds by adding Oakdale to the mix. 2) Preparation for the run in football. Modesto schools rarely fare well in the playoffs. One reason for that is there is not one team in the MMC that can run the ball effectively. Oakdale could have provided that practice for the MMC teams, and if the section got its way, Buhach Colony could have done that, too. Oakdale has one of the best running games in the area, and it should continue this coming year. 3) Avoiding Modesto Christian in the league for basketball. The MMC was not thrilled that Modesto Christian was added for basketball. I am assuming there is a fear that the Crusaders will dominate everyone in the league, and that fear is probably justified (though Gregori will probably give them a good couple of games). It is time for Modesto Christian to move up for basketball from the TVL, and if Oakdale was added, there would be a good chance it would not have been to the MMC. Since there are more schools, the section has, for the most part, stopped the practice of having 10 teams in one league like the old CCC and SJAA. There would not have been enough room for Modesto Christian. The Crusaders probably would have gone to the WAC (Division IV), VOL (Division III), or CCC (Division I). We all missed out with potenial MC games against either Sierra, Weston Ranch, and Central Catholic (VOL) or Pitman, Buhach Colony, and Golden Valley (CCC).
What wouldn't work for Oakdale in the MMC: There are a couple of things. First, Oakdale would be forced to move up at least a division, as it stands now. If the MMC was a division II league like the section first hoped, then the Mustangs would be able to compete in the Division III football playoffs, and all the other sports that playoffs are determined by enrollment. However, as a division I league, the lowest division Oakdale could be in is Division II. As great as I think Oakdale is at football and baseball, I am not sure Oakdale could win a title with Grant and Del Oro in the same division. Second, the Oakdale administration saw this move as punishment for being good. I saw it differently. When my classmates and I were in high school, the Modesto schools were getting a lot of attention, especially Davis, which was a dominant program at the time. My classmates and I thought we were better than all the Modesto schools, and we wanted a chance to prove it. I think we would have loved to compete in the CCC (which was the league the Modesto schools were in at the time).
That wouldn't work for the MMC in adding Oakdale: Travel costs. From what I read in the Modesto Bee, Modesto City Schools (MCS) does not bus their athletes to league games, becuase they are all in Modesto. That practice would have to change as schools would have to bus to Oakdale. MCS did not seem ready for that financial responsibility.
My viewpoint: I was probably the only one out of the Oakdale players, coaches, alumni, and fans that was hoping for a change in scenery. Since Sonora left the VOL, I saw no point in Oakdale remaining, and was looking forward to new challenges. I would like to see Oakdale vs. Downey (and/or Buhach Colony and Atwater) in football, Oakdale vs. Modesto in wrestling, Oakdale vs. Beyer in soccer, Oakdale vs. Enochs in baseball, and Oakdale once again winning the MMC in water polo (Oakdale was in the MMC before the VOL sponsored water polo). The leagues will change again in 4 years. We will see what happens next.
I will not be as detailed with the other proposals, but let's look at four more.
2) Sonora to the TVL for football only
Introduction: This was a last-attempt proposal by the rest of the teams in the Mother Lode League (MLL) who do not Sonora to join. They fear that Sonora will dominate in all the sports and that they're too big because of their experience in the VOL. The MLL was hoping that the section officials would compromise and just put the Wildcats in the Trans Valley League (TVL) for football only. The way realignment works in the Sac-Joaquin Section is that teams and leagues can make suggestions for where schools go. The section does not have to take the suggestions or compromise, and they didn't in this case.
What we fans are missing from this not happening:
A rivalry between Sonora and Escalon. As fans, we are missing a few classic match-ups with the move not happening. I can see Sonora-Escalon becoming a big rivalry, and that is a game I would go see. Escalon runs nearly the same offense as Oakdale, therefore, not much would change from Sonora's perspective, except the jerseys of the opposition would be purple instead of red. Sonora-Ripon and Sonora-Hilmar would also produce some good games. Luckily, Sonora was able to schedule Ripon and Hilmar in non-league play (also included in Sonora's non-league are Oakdale and Lodi).
My viewpoint:
Overall, it was a bad idea, and I am glad it got turned down. What was also considered was Summerville moving to the SL. The section decided that the trip from Tuolumne City to Gustine was too much (and it is), but the MLL had no problem sending Sonora to Mountain House, which covers about the same distance. If that was going to happen, Sonora may as well have stayed in the VOL. Besides, if Sonora was going to move to another league for one sport only, it should have been volleyball. I do feel bad for the rest of the MLL in volleyball. Last year, Sonora dominated a much-bigger VOL in that sport, and was one of the best in the section. They should dominate in volleyball, too. As I was writing this, I thought of something. Sonora will be in another league for one sport only. The MLL does not have water polo. I do not know for sure where the Wildcats water polo team will go, but I think they will stay in the VOL for that.
3. Patterson to the VOL
Introduction: This was also included in the original proposal set up by the Sac-Joaquin Section. Out of all the proposals, this would rank as one of the moves I was most certain would stick, but alas, it didn't. At the end of the first of four realignment meetings, the new VOL had Central Valley, East Union, Kimball, Manteca, Patterson, and Sierra. By the time all the coaches and athletic directors had the opportunity to make their pitches, there was no room for Patterson, especially since the Section was hell-bent on putting Central Catholic in the VOL.
What fans are missing from this move not happening
Like Oakdale going to the MMC, I have to answer this in two perspectives, 1) What we are missing if everything else from the VOL looked the same, except that Patterson would have been added and not Central Catholic. 2) What we are missing from the Section's first proposal.
1) Fans are missing an annual Oakdale-Patterson game. I personally saw this playoff game last year, and it was a great game. Oakdale won 21-17, though it looked like the Mustangs were going to dominate. On the other hand, there was a point in the beginning of the game where it looked like Patterson was going to run away with the game. Patterson was playing dominate defense until the Mustang coaches made adjustments. According to blackhatfootball.com, Patterson has been trying to schedule Oakdale for non-league games. Patterson in the VOL could have forced that game.
2) Patterson playing schools its own size. This is something that we are missing no matter which proposal the section accepted. The city of Patterson is one of the few that grew substantially as the folks from the Bay Area moved to the Central Valley. The city jumped from a population of around 10,000 to a little less than 25,000 in ten years (and is now the 4th biggest city in Stanislaus County behind Modesto, Turlock, and Ceres). During that time, the enrollment has doubled (I think literally). It went from having the enrollment of a TVL school to being the third largest division III/IV school in the 209 (behind Kimball and Central Valley). However, the Tigers are playing schools with 500 or more fewer students. Going to the VOL would have meant that they would play more schools with an enrollment in the 1,300-1,700 range.
My viewpoint:
I will keep this short. Patterson to the VOL needs to happen. It should have happened already. I predict that it will happen in the next realignment period, unless the city of Patterson gets a second high school. The city and the Patterson School District once talked about having two high schools of around 800 students each. In that case, then they both would move to the TVL. The point is that the days of Patterson in the WAC are probably numbered.
4. Kimball to TCAL
Introduction
One of my friends asked me how I would realign the schools in this area if I had the choice, and I put Kimball with the other two Tracy schools. However, it was also briefly discussed in the realignment meetings. The consensus was, from what I read, the Section wanted to see what the addition of Mountain House High School would do to the enrollment numbers of Kimball High School.
What fans are missing from this not happening
Actually, fans are not missing too much from this football wise, the reason I say that is because Kimball was able to schedule Tracy and West in non-league play. However, the fans in Tracy are missing having something on the line besides Pride. Imagine if Tracy and Kimball could play for a league title. That would be great for the city of Tracy. Too bad Tracy, West, Kimball, and Millennium couldn't have a small tournament for the "Best in Tracy" title. (As an aside, there were a couple years that I was convinced that 400-student Millennium Charter School would have won it.) I believe Kimball was not able to schedule Tracy and West in all sports, and fans are missing that. Also, they are missing one more non-league game for the Jaguars to showcase their talent. They have had one big upset in each of the past two years. They upset Oakdale (ok, they beat them down) last year, and upset Sonora the year before that. The Jaguars seem to be one step away from the playoffs every year, and if they could have gone to what would have been a 7-team TCAL, they could have schedueled a team for non-league that was winnable, yet have enough wins overall to inch them in the playoffs. Fans of tennis are missing the opportunity to see them play against the best in the sport. Kimball has a good tennis team for the VOL, but how does it compare to the rest in the Sac-Joaquin Section? We will not know that for at least a few years.
My viewpoint
I agree with the Section board that we should wait to see how the opening of Mountain House High School effects the enrollment numbers at Kimball High before the Jaguars are moved. It is still too bad that the three Tracy public high schools could not be in the same league. I am sure the move will be talked about again in the next realignment session. I think Tracy is too small of a city for all its schools to be in different leagues for much longer.
5. A private-school only league
Introduction
My friend told me that he thinks the private schools, particularly the ones that focus on sports, should be in their own league separate from all the public schools. He says it is unfair that the private schools have a much broader base to get students from, and they can provide scholarships for athletes. There are leagues in the Bay Area and Southern California that are private-school only leagues, and the Sac-Joaquin Section should have one, too.
What fans are missing from this not happening
Fans in general are missing some potentially great match-ups. In football, St. Mary's and Central Catholic play a non-league game every year, but it would be even better if there was a league title on the line. In basketball, St. Mary's and Modesto Christian can provide fans with an hour and a half of entertainment, and Ripon Christian and Central Catholic could do the same thing. If you expand the league to the 916 area, becuase they might have to due to the fact there are so few schools that focus on sports, Capital Christian and Sacramento High could make it an interesting league. Fans in schools like Livingston, Riverbank, Edison-Stockton, Franklin-Stockton, Waterford, and others are missing the peace of mind of no longer having to be on the short end of this potentailly unfair advantage. They can stick to playing public schools their size.
My viewpoint
There is already a league in the 209 and one in the Sacremento area of private schools that do not put too much emphasis on sports. They are the Central California Athletic Association and the Sacramento Metro Athletic League. Secondly, there are a few questions that must be answered before a league like this could happen. First, how would one define "private school"? Because of charter schools, that is not easily defined. Charter schools are public schools, but their enrollment base is officially the city it is in and every city in any of the surrounding counties the charter school is in, so it has an enrollment-base similar to private schools. In my definition, I would put the charter schools as private schools. Second question, do we make two four-team leagues, or do we make one eight-team league of north and south schools? There are only eight private schools in the entire Sac-Joaquin Section that put any emphasis on sports (one could argue Brookside Christian as being the 9th). Or do we have two divisions of the league. The south would be Central Catholic, Modesto Christian, Ripon Chirstian, and St. Mary's-Stockton, and maybe Brookside Christian. The north would be Capital Christian-Sacramento, Christian Brothers-Sacramento, Jesuit-Carmichael, and Sacramento (it is a charter school). I think it is logistically difficult to put all the private schools in one league, but it could be done.
Others I thought were interesting that didn't make the cut:
Davis to WAC
Summerville to SL
Oakdale, Lincoln, and Merced in same league
Central Catholic to VOL for football only
Central Catholic to MMC
Modesto to CCC
Buhach Colony and Atwater to MMC
The VOL consisting of only Manteca Unified and Tracy High Schools
Sources: Auburn Journal
www.blackhatfootball.com
blackhatfootball on twitter
calpreps.com
Merced Sun Star
Modesto Bee
Stockton Record
These are all great sources, and I encourage you to visit them all.
