HS FOOT: City Section playoff pairings released

he City Section football playoffs are here, and already there are big winners and big losers in Div. I -- even though the first round does not begin until Thursday.

Taft of Woodland Hills (6-4) received a favorable draw when pairings were announced Saturday, as the West Valley League champion Toreadors are seeded fourth despite an up-and-down season. Meanwhile, Birmingham (3-7) was happy to slip into the No. 16 spot after losing the first seven games of the season.

On the other hand, Sylmar was not well-rewarded for winning the Valley Mission League. The Spartans, seeded 14th, were not granted a first-round home game and instead must play at Western Division champion Venice (9-1), ranked among the top teams in the state.

"That's unbelievable to win a league title and not get a home game," Sylmar coach London Woodfin said. "I talked to our basketball coach, and that's how it's done in basketball. We deserve it."

Woodfin conceded that being seeded 14th had a ripple effect, as league mates San Fernando and Kennedy of Granada Hills, both tied for second place, were snubbed.

It's the first time since 2005 that San Fernando is not in the playoffs.

"Tom was beyond disappointed. I'd say disgusted is more the word," Woodfin said.

Kennedy coach Dion Lambert suggested a bias against San Fernando Valley-area leagues.

"I'm definitely disappointed. This is a heartbreaker," Lambert said. "The whole system is screwed. I just don't like it. It comes down to City vs. the Valley. No matter how bad their leagues are, they think their leagues are better than our leagues. It's frustrating, and we're at the mercy of system. But it's not a fair system."

Teams decide before the season if they want to compete in Div. I or Div. II, and it does not matter which leagues they're from.

Defending Div. II champion Arleta (9-1), which won the East Valley League, is seeded No. 2. Top-seed Roosevelt of L.A. (9-1) won the Eastern League over Jordan of L.A. (6-4) and Bell (7-3), both of which qualified for the Div. I field.

-- Gerry Gittelson

CITY SECTION PLAYOFFS

All games Thursday 7 p.m. unless noted

DIVISION I
Birmingham (3-7) at Crenshaw (10-0)
West Adams (7-3) at Westchester (7-3)
Dorsey (7-3) at San Pedro (8-2)
Garfield (5-5) at Taft (6-4)
Sylmar (6-4) at Venice (9-1)
Narbonne (7-3) at L.A. Jordan (6-4), 2 p.m.
Banning (4-6) at Locke (6-4), 2 p.m.
Santee (7-3) at Carson (8-2)

DIVISION II
Grant (5-5) at Roosevelt (9-1)
Bell (7-3) at Fairfax (5-5)
Jefferson (6-3) at Franklin (8-1)
Wilson (4-6) at Hamilton (7-3)
Panorama (5-5) at El Camino Real (9-1)
Poly (8-2) at South East (4-6)
Marshall (7-3) at Cleveland (7-3)
Reseda (5-5) at Arleta (9-1), 2 p.m.