Sierra League DOES NOT appeal; Bogan wins quote of the year …

At some point, it’s a compliment. Maybe it’s a bigger compliment than we deserved, but this is proof the whole Valley feels this way about us. They set it up. They didn’t want any part of this league, so they put us in there. Maybe we’re wrong and they (CIF) just have a deep respect for us and how much we can do with a thousand-less kids. — South Hills coach Steve Bogan on being placed in the Sierra League and the new playoff groupings

The deadline to appeal CIF’s proposed playoff groupings came and went on Thursday. The Sierra League did not appeal the Southern Section proposal to be placed in the Inland Division.

That means, barring a change of heart of asst. commissioner Rob Wigod, the Sierra League will be heading to what most football sharps call Division II where powers like Redlands East Valley, Upland, Norco and Rancho Cucamonga will be waiting for them. Good luck with that.


South Hills is dealing with a double whammy: The Sierra League and Inland Division.

League’s that appealed (that I know of): Valle Vista, Mission Valley, Montview, which are all in the Mid-Valley Division.

League’s that did not appeal (that I know of): Sierra (Inland), Rio Hondo (Mid-Valley).

What’s their beef? As far as the Mid-Valley Division is concerned, several schools are not happy with being in a six-league division that has only TWO guaranteed playoff berths per league and FOUR at-large berths to round out the field. Also, some coaches don’t like the Almont, with its large enrollments, joining the fray.

In the Inland Division, the beef is playing against teams with considerably larger enrollments and in far-off places.

In the Southeast Division … nothing that I know of.

Talk to me Coach Zavala (Wilson): The league pretty much came to a consensus that we’d like another opportunity to re-evaluate this. The whole idea with schools like us who got relief was to reap the benefits. Now, we’re going for two playoff spots and I don’t know what the criteria will be for choosing the at-large teams.

Talk to me Coach Thomas (Covina):
We got bigger, but we lose a playoff spot? I understand they have a job to do, I just think a lot of coaches in our league disagree.

Talk to me Coach Farrar (Charter Oak): We could appeal, but the lost first appeal for our re-leaguing. I don’t know what would make us think can win an appeal for the division. I guaranteed that’s (Inland) where we’re going to be playing.

Full story coming in tomorrow’s Trib …