Marmonte League makes concession for Oaks Christian

In a decision that could kill any chances of Westlake Village Oaks Christian and Ventura St. Bonaventure being forced into a new football league with Oxnard Santa Clara and Simi Valley Grace Brethren, the Marmonte League has decided to vote no on a proposal next week that would have grouped those four schools together, according to Simi Valley Athletic Director Matt La Belle.

The nine leagues of the Northern Area are scheduled to vote Oct. 22 at the Southern Section Council meeting. The Marmonte League wants to add Oaks Christian for all sports, replacing Calabasas with the Lions for 2010. Oaks Christian would prefer to enter the league for football only, but the Marmonte is hoping by its action to convince others to vote for all sports.

It's a wise decision on the part of the Marmonte. It's clear leagues want nothing to do with Oaks Christian and St. Bonaventure, but Santa Clara and Grace Brethren were being used as sacrificial lambs. While this decision might solve the problem with Oaks Christian, St. Bonaventure could end up staying in the Channel League for football, something the other league members adamantly oppose.

-- Eric Sondheimer