Football: City Section rules driving some crazy

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City Section teams couldn’t practice last Monday because it was Labor Day. They won’t be able to practice Tuesday because it’s a shortened school day known as ‘professional development.’

What’s the big deal? Well, when they’re playing Southern Section teams unburdened by such practice restrictions, it can constitute a significant disadvantage. Fremont will play Los Alamitos on Thursday having had only two practice days to the Griffins’ three--that’s 33% less preparation time.

‘It’s just another obstacle,’ said Carson Coach Mike Christensen, whose team defeated Southern Section counterpart Fontana Miller, 56-21, on Friday despite having one fewer day to prepare for the game. ‘It does get frustrating.’

So consider Christensen in for more frustration because his Colts, ranked No. 18 in the Southland by The Times, will play No. 10 Gardena Serra--another Southern Section foe--on Friday. Those who suggest City teams could remedy the problem by playing only intrasectional games before league play are missing the point, Christensen said.

‘It doesn’t do us a lot of good to beat up on each other in the preseason,’ Christensen said. ‘For us to show the strength of our section, we have to play intersectional games.’

--Ben Bolch