A big mistake/ Importance of rivalries cheapened by changes

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Aug 31, 2000 | by Ralph Routon

Let's make sure we have this right.

Wasson and Mitchell no longer are in the same league?

Rampart and Air Academy no longer are in the same league? Neither are Widefield and Mesa Ridge?

And that's supposed to be a good thing? That's part of a plan to create more equity and enhance interest in high school football?

I don't think so.

Then we look at Class 3A, where our region has a single 12- member mega-league. That means some teams won't play each other. It also means certain inequities, not only in strength of schedule but also in tiebreaking procedures.

This is crazy. This is a mess. This is wrong.

Unfortunately, it's too late to change the alignment for this season. We have to say something, though, to be sure the Colorado High School Activities Association understands how the new plan looks from this perspective.

First, it's impossible to embrace any concept that cheapens the importance of an established local rivalry. If Air Academy-Rampart, Mitchell-Wasson and Widefield-Mesa Ridge don't count in league standings, those games' significance will erode sooner than anyone thinks.

Don't try to tell me, as the administrators argue, that this means those schools "might" meet again in playoffs. More likely, they won't. And don't say the schools can make a conscious effort to build up their rivalry games. If those games don't decide league races, coaches inevitably will hold back strategy and injured players.

It's the same, by the way, in Pueblo where Centennial and South are in different leagues, as well as East and Central.

Enough on that.

When a state committee set up its new football structure, leagues were given geographical names. Nobody realized how confusing that might be, as our region got a 4A Southern A League and Southern B League, a 3A Southern League and a 2A Southern League.

Thankfully, some coaches and/or athletic directors already have come up with names of their own. That sprawling 3A conference has decided to call itself the Big 12. The four-member 5A family will be the Grand Peak League. And in 4A, the two six-school leagues will be known as the Pikes Peak Conference and Foothills Conference.

Too bad we didn't have the chance to share in that discussion. My suggestion would have been to go back to the future. Two decades ago, many of those schools were in a divided league, split into the Frontier and Century divisions. It would've been nice to bring back those names, but at least we won't have Southern A and B.

As for 2A, the Pikes Peak League is perfect for Manitou Springs, St. Mary's, Salida, Florence and the rest, all of whom were part of the old PPL. But it'll be confusing to have two leagues named after Pikes Peak plus a Grand Peak.

Rest assured, when the alignment issue comes up again, we'll help the schools give the CHSAA plenty of good ideas.

It'll start with putting rivals back in the same leagues.

As they should be.

National top 20

1. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (12-0). Junior QB Matt Gutierrez (6-4, 210) is the firing pin. S Jonathan Tucker (5-9, 165) had eight INTs.

2. Southridge, Miami (13-2). LB Tony Alford (6-3, 220), DT James Head (6-4, 255) and LB Rocadren Lee (6-2, 205) all run sub 4.6- second 40-yard times.

3. Poly, Long Beach, Calif. (13-0-1). Hershel Dennis (5-11, 180) carried 198 times for 1,403 yards and 21 TDs last season, and WRs Donte Candler and Josh Hawkins have 4.3 speed.

4. Westlake, Texas (12-1). Seniors Brendan Dewan (1,132 yards, 14 touchdowns) and Scott Ballew (1,133 yards, 14 TDs) key offense.

5. St. Ignatius, Cleveland (13-2). Senior QB Ryan Panteck (6-2, 185) threw for 1,926 yards and 19 TDs, staking the Wildcats to their eighth state Division I title in 11 years.

6. Garland, Texas (15-1). TB Keith Mills (6-0, 192) sped for 818 yards and 11 TDs during last year's state title run.

7. Richmond County, Rockingham, N.C. (13-1). Defense paced by S Randy Jones (93 tackles, five interceptions).

8. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (11-2-1). Features QB Matt Leinert (6-5, 220), who completed 136 of 223 passes for 2,273 yards and 15 TDs last year.

9. Ben Davis, Indianapolis (15-0). QB James Banks (6-2, 185) is one of the nation's top juniors. LB Jah Blamo (6-1, 245) is a three- year starter.

10. Jenks, Okla. (13-1). The Trojans aim for a fifth consecutive 6A state title on the legs of RBs Bobby Klinck (5-10, 195) and Kejuan Jones (5-9, 190), who combined for 1,400 yards and 25 TDs a year ago.

11. Cathedral Prep, Erie, Pa. (13-1). LB Joe DiPre (95 tackles) and DT Charles Rush (6-3, 285) point the Ramblers in the right direction for a state 4A crown.

12. Evangel Christian, Shreveport, La. (15-0). Last year's USA TODAY national champion stays in the hunt on the right arm of QB Brent Rawls (6-5, 200).

13. Highlands, Fort Thomas, Ky. (14-1). QB Gino Guidugli (39 TDs, 3,030 yards) and WR-DB Brent Hamblen (59 catches for 1,355 yards, 23 TDs and 11 INTs) lead the charge for a fourth 3A title in five years.

14. St. Louis, Honolulu (15-1). LB Ikaika Curran, DT LaFaele Manupuna and CB Enoch McKeague pace the defense. RB Pesefea Fiaseu ran for 1,810 yards and 25 TDs.