Big Changes in State Bowl selection process

[Ben Herrington]

The State Bowl folks have worked out a deal with each section when it comes to selecting a team for each state bowl.

This really could change things for Marin Catholic and Cardinal Newman as the programs playoff division will be the biggest determining factor. If Newman opts up to NCS Div. II they will be competing for the State Bowl Div. II.

All and all, any team that opts up in a playoff field will then be subjected to a higher level of state compitition.

[gator19]

This does not make sense to me. You should reward teams like M.C., C.N., Ferndale, and others that opt to move up to stiffer competition in their local sections.

[bella]

Yes gator, it seems local teams who move up don't get rewarded, so why bother? The only teams that will benefit IMO are the PAC 5 champs who will all but be assured the Open birth, which if you come thru the PAC 5 you do deserve!

[Ben Herrington]

Very true, I'm not sure how this will work in the long run. We could be looking at Cardinal Newman vs. Marin Catholic in the Div. IV Championship every year. What sense does that make?
Having either MC or CN against Clear Lake, Berean Christian, Harker, or Willits is beyond a mistake but now it could be a reality.

[bella]

Yes in NorCal the smaller DIV teams will have about zero chance to rep. Overall I see several problems with he new set up. A team like VC who is now D-II barely. If they win the CCS open they could be forced to the open game for SBG. Not in the best interest for Norcal.

[norcalsportsfan]

Palma-Salinas also would be forced up to D1 for the state bowl since they also like VC compete in the CCS Open Division playoffs. Even if they don't opt up, they are typically forced up playoff divisons. Looks like Central Catholic would stay at D3 (not sure with SJS realignment).

This format however does look like a structure for getting a regional game in before the bowl final.

[Ben Herrington]

This new state bowl thing seems to make the CCS Open Division out-dated. Now if the SJS will get one board and move to a seeding style playoff system that will be getting closer.

[jbytes]

I guess this just forces local teams to put things into perspective. Whats more important: Playing your season for local success? Or playing to get into that SBG?
This really only affects the Private schools in the area. They are the only ones with the resources to set themselves up to play in the SBG. I highly doubt we will see a public school from Sonoma County make the SBG for a while. Novato may have been the only one ever, and they needed 2 years of work to get in after their second year. And even when they got in, many believed they shouldn't have.
My personal feeling, and this stems from listening to most of you talk when CN made the 2 bowl games when you all claimed they could beat teams from upper divisions. Like when they played OC, people were claiming they could play up levels, and after they lost to CC, people said they would have had a better shot against some upper division teams. But my feeling is that, if you are gonna be good enough to petition up and beat up on your local upper division teams, then you should play those same division teams from SoCal. To say there is an unfairness there, is to say that SoCal is dominant. And if you are saying that, then what is the point of having the SBG? You are conceding dominance.
Like I said, most schools cant afford to worry about a SBG and all that. Only 10 teams in the whole damn state realize that pipe dream anyhow. The SBG is for the fans and CN to worry about. The rest of the schools, design everything to compete in their local paradigm and win their section. Not design everything around a chance to play in the SBG. That is just a bonus if they win a section.
So while to some this may be a big deal, to most it is not. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same chances or resources to shoot for the stars (SBG) as others.
Dont get me wrong, SBG is fun and it has its positives. But its unrealistic to design your whole season around it. And to be honest, and I have said it before, it kind of establishes a bad precedent. If you win your section and go undefeated, and either you dont get in or you get in and get beat. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth when you should be relishing a huge season and success that is rare.
Back to my first sentence.....perspective: Winning your league/section is what to strive for and that should be your goal. Anything above, is a bonus and unexpected. If you dont have that perspective, then that means every team in the whole state except for the 5 that win SBG's, didnt reach their goal or meet expectations.

Looking forward to the season.

[bella]

jbytes good post and some good points. I agree with alot of it. Only 10 teams in the state have a chance to play. Sometimes I think we are to guilty of worrying about things that might affect the SBG (ie a DII team playing a DIV team etc). And I know many teams feel that winning league is the most important thing (most WCAL/Trinity schools would rather win league than their section).

I don't love the SBG. Personally I'd rather see regional playoffs. But for right now the SBG is here. Just like the BCS it here and it since it is, I'd hope each team would start off as it being their goal (albeit maybe not realistic)

[norcalsportsfan]

Looks like the restructuring actually was to get elite privates into higher divisions where they should be. Palma-Salinas has had a few down years but also like the WCAL teams traditionally have played at a very high level. I have no problem with those teams playing in D1 if and when their is a regional SB game. Cardinal Newman for a few years I have seen would be competive as well in that division and definately D2. Teams like Oaks Christian and Saint Bonnaventure from the south should be playing in D1. Both draw from regions (and one from throughout the state) greater than any team in northern CA with maybe exception of DLS. Even DLS doesn't get the breath of elite athletes on a year to year basis. I think the way the section divisions were mapped is fine if there is a regional game. Negative impact may be quality of teams in lower divisions and some teams like a Cardinal Newman or Palma or Marin Catholic not being in D3 equation. With the top Socal teams being forced up, it will most likely be more equal although the north represented well in D3 against those two socal titans. I was looking forward to see an underdog from the north eventually winning it in D3.

[bella]

Funny. I just drove by OC's campus yesterday. Is it
me or does that place always seem to be expanding? Every time I see it it looks bigger. I guess they need the room for incoming transfers