Football: Marmonte League bails out the underachievers

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I don’t blame the Marmonte League for wanting to help the schools that are having a difficult time putting together a winning football program, but please don’t try to sell the decision to switch to two five-team divisions in 2012 as good for the league.

Yes, there will be lots of interest and probably a well-publicized TV finale when the two first-place teams meet in Week 10. But I don’t think that’s good for the league. The two division champs are going to have to play a tough game right before the playoffs, then probably have to face off again in a couple of weeks if they avoid injuries.

Meanwhile, all the attention the league received this past season for having great games and great matchups will disappear for the most part just so other schools in the league can get a chance to win some nonleague games and make their fans feel a little better about the team even if it’s a phony good feeling.

But hey, that’s the way high school sports are headed. Basketball allows virtually everybody to make the playoffs. Chaminade has an 0-11 Mission League record and should make the basketball playoffs, and football could do the same one day. Call me old-fashioned, but I think winning a league game or two should be a requirement for the postseason.

As for the Marmonte League, from a spectator’s point of view, it has never been better than this past season. The matchups between Oaks Christian and St. Bonaventure, Westlake and St. Bonaventure, and Oaks Christian and Westlake drew packed crowds and produced memorable encounters. Other Marmonte schools didn’t get to experience that excitement, but that’s sports. You need to work harder to reach the top.

This Marmonte League decision may or may not help the also rans. We’ll see. But it certainly doesn’t help produce better games within the league.

-- Eric Sondheimer