When weather puts a sporting event in question, you frequently hear terms like “weather
permitting the game will take place at (insert time and date).”
permitting the game will take place at (insert time and date).”
Lately in California as it pertains to various CIF Section playoff football games, the
narrative becomes “air quality permitting.” Such a notion has run rampant because of
wildfires that have continued for the better part of three weeks. First responders are still in
the process of containing the blazes that have caused various forms of devastation including
but not limited to death, missing people, lost homes and poor air quality.
narrative becomes “air quality permitting.” Such a notion has run rampant because of
wildfires that have continued for the better part of three weeks. First responders are still in
the process of containing the blazes that have caused various forms of devastation including
but not limited to death, missing people, lost homes and poor air quality.
In a sports context, the poor air quality has caused numerous playoff football games to get
postponed on multiple occasions. Here in the Napa Valley, the postponements effect three
schools -- Vintage, American Canyon and St. Helena. The soonest Vintage would resume
play in the North Coast Section Div. I playoffs is Dec. 1 as the No. 8 seeded Crushers await
Saturday’s winner between San Ramon and Monte Vista (Danville). The Crushers last
played on Nov. 9 when the upset No. 1 seeded Antioch.
postponed on multiple occasions. Here in the Napa Valley, the postponements effect three
schools -- Vintage, American Canyon and St. Helena. The soonest Vintage would resume
play in the North Coast Section Div. I playoffs is Dec. 1 as the No. 8 seeded Crushers await
Saturday’s winner between San Ramon and Monte Vista (Danville). The Crushers last
played on Nov. 9 when the upset No. 1 seeded Antioch.
The good news is that rainfall graced its presence in Northern California on Wednesday
and is scheduled to continue throughout the week. That fortune is significant for first
responders to contain the fires and on a much lesser scale in the grand spectrum, high
school football games can continue. As of this writing, there have been no announcements
of further postponements.
and is scheduled to continue throughout the week. That fortune is significant for first
responders to contain the fires and on a much lesser scale in the grand spectrum, high
school football games can continue. As of this writing, there have been no announcements
of further postponements.
In the NCS Div. II playoffs, No. 8 American Canyon visits the No. 1 Rancho Cotate
(Rohnert Park) Cougars, which had a first round bye, on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Wolves
last played on Nov. 3 when they defeated the Montgomery (Santa Rosa) Vikings 43-29.
(Rohnert Park) Cougars, which had a first round bye, on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Wolves
last played on Nov. 3 when they defeated the Montgomery (Santa Rosa) Vikings 43-29.
In the NCS Div. V playoffs, the No. 7 seeded St. Helena Saints visit No. 2 Salesian on
Saturday. Salesian had a first round bye. The Saints last played on Nov. 2, defeating the
No. 10 seeded Hoopa Valley Warriors 48-22.
Saturday. Salesian had a first round bye. The Saints last played on Nov. 2, defeating the
No. 10 seeded Hoopa Valley Warriors 48-22.
While I am thrilled to see high school football playoffs potentially return, there is one
downside. Given that the quarterfinal dates in the NCS are not getting played until Nov.
24, there would not be enough time to complete the NCS playoffs from Div. II-V in order
for the Northern California Regionals to begin on the weekend of Dec. 7-8.
downside. Given that the quarterfinal dates in the NCS are not getting played until Nov.
24, there would not be enough time to complete the NCS playoffs from Div. II-V in order
for the Northern California Regionals to begin on the weekend of Dec. 7-8.
The section will use head-to-head results to determined which finalists advance. If the two
teams did not play, a coin flip will break the tie. When I first read that statement, I vomited
in my mouth.
teams did not play, a coin flip will break the tie. When I first read that statement, I vomited
in my mouth.
The option of playing the section playoffs but forgoing NorCal and State finals was
presented to the CIF but NCS commissioner Gil Lemmon said in various news outlets that
he does not see that as an option. Teams in Div. II-V were offered the chance to travel to
Eureka to continue the NCS playoffs as scheduled but travel and logistics would have
been costly.
presented to the CIF but NCS commissioner Gil Lemmon said in various news outlets that
he does not see that as an option. Teams in Div. II-V were offered the chance to travel to
Eureka to continue the NCS playoffs as scheduled but travel and logistics would have
been costly.
Though I would like to see the playoffs continue with some semblance of timeliness, I
understand Bay Area schools not wanting to drive four hours and change. It’s a long drive
for one thing, not to mention you will not bring remotely the fans as normal.
understand Bay Area schools not wanting to drive four hours and change. It’s a long drive
for one thing, not to mention you will not bring remotely the fans as normal.
However, for the life of me, I do not understand previous head-to-head matchups and coin
flips deciding which team advances to the NorCal Regionals. I will say that even if one of
my beloved Napa Valley teams benefit. State championships were instituted in California
in 2006. I was in favor of it then and remain a supporter of it now. However, finishing the
section playoffs and bypassing the Regional and State playoffs are such a no-brainer it
kills me.
flips deciding which team advances to the NorCal Regionals. I will say that even if one of
my beloved Napa Valley teams benefit. State championships were instituted in California
in 2006. I was in favor of it then and remain a supporter of it now. However, finishing the
section playoffs and bypassing the Regional and State playoffs are such a no-brainer it
kills me.
The backstory of 2018 was the season starting two weeks earlier in large part because the
State playoff expansion. I don’t know what’s worse, moving on to the next round based on
head to head matchups from earlier in the season or a coin flip?
State playoff expansion. I don’t know what’s worse, moving on to the next round based on
head to head matchups from earlier in the season or a coin flip?
Ask any coach or athlete at any level of sport and all they want win or lose is a chance to
have it decided on the field. The fact that it won’t be is both blasphemous and an outrage.
have it decided on the field. The fact that it won’t be is both blasphemous and an outrage.
Damn, and we thought participation trophies were bad.
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