When both remaining San Luis Obispo County schools got eliminated from the CIF-Southern Section playoffs Friday, it guaranteed that none of the nine 11-man football teams within The Tribune's coverage area — and, heck, none on the Central Coast — would get further than the second round.
It's been five years since a county team has won a section title, something there was no shortage of in the 1990s, and you can count on one hand how many have been past the second round in the 2000s. It's a topic we breached on opening night, wondering if the idea of a section championship has become antiquated.
I put that question to local coaches before the season, and most of them were confident that, although against some heavy odds, Central Coast teams can still compete in the playoffs.
What do you think? They say pink is the new black. Is the second round the new finals for county teams? Is that good enough? It's certainly no slight against the local schools. Teams like Oaks Christian and Canyon Country are gunning for the first state title games. They'd beat 95 percent of the teams in the country.
Will SLO County get back in the championship mix? What will it take? Or does it even need to?
Friday, November 24, 2006
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5 comments:
Maybe when the so-called private (catholic)schools are banned from recruiting. Its well known that Oaks Christian, St Bonaventure etc, get around the recruiting rules that the CIF seem oblivious too. They should have to follow the same rules as all local schools
Every year can be so different for all schools. Some years will be rebuilding years, sometimes injuries can really affect a team, and some years there may not be an entire team of talented athletic kids. Some schools may have a great team, but the coaching staff may not use them to their full potential. Another factor to consider is that football may lose talented athletes to other sports. All sports are expecting kids to make a heavy commitment during the off season, so you get kids that can't possibly play multiple sports in high school anymore. Add in the fact that private schools somehow can attract (recruit) players, and the more successful a program becomes, the more kids want to be on that winning team.
I think the central coast can have competitive teams, it just takes lots of hard work and dedication. The central coast public schools can certainly become successful with the right mix of players, coaches and a little bit of luck.
The central coast has the potential every year to win a championship. I think it just takes a special group of guys on a team that won't give up. I was a part of the '98 and '99 championship AG football teams. The leaders on the team expected to win and wouldn't take losing as an option. In '98 we faced some amazing players. Anybody recognize the name Justin Fargus(sp?). Still against all odds we came out on top in the playoffs. Recruiting doesn't always mean you're going to have the best team.
From SLO Tiger fan.
Atascadero was one play and a bad call from the ref from going on in the playoffs. I think they had a team that would have gone far if they had just one break in their first game. Atas had the manpower and skill to go far it just didn't happen. SLO had lots of skills but not the beef or depth as weel as a young team to go far in the playoffs. Lompoc also will have an excellent team next year. They had some young talented players this year. Don't count the Pac 7 out. Not yet. We still have to play the games next year.....................
Hey Josh,
Mission Prep has a girls varsity basketball team. Where's there win yesterday in the Ruth Doser Tournament?
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