The CIF commissioners probably wouldn't want to face these four fine Pleasant Grove captains if the Eagles don't get selected on Dec. 11.
Photo by Ralph Thompson
There's always someone hurt in a love triangle.
I see agonizing, gut-punching, heartbreaking pain involving three elite Northern California football programs and it will all come unraveled on Dec. 11.
That's when 10 California Interscholastic Federation commissioners will sit, pace and debate in a Carson (Calif.) board room to decide the 10 most qualified Section champions to compete in the 2011 Bowl Game Championships.
Bellarmine quarterback Travis McHugh
possesses intangibles and even a
running style like Tim Tebow.
Photo by Brad Kupper
These choices aren't easy. Some are rather obvious. But in the case of Northern California's Open and Division I representatives, we see agony on the horizon.
Three elite teams –
Bellarmine (San Jose),
De La Salle (Concord) and
Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove), all nationally ranked (by someone), - will likely be vying for two spots, meaning one will be crushed by the decision.
To be clear, all must win tough upcoming games – De La Salle must win two – to be eligible for Bowl consideration, but all are clear favorites in upcoming match-ups.
If all win section titles, one team appears safe: De La Salle.
That is because De La Salle beat Bellarmine head-to-head and with the same record and body of work, there's no logical sense that the commissioners would ignore that fact.
That said, Bellarmine largely out-played De La Salle that game and only a missed Bellarmine extra point sent the game into overtime.
That said II, that game was the first week of the season and De La Salle, more than any team I've ever witnessed, improves week-to-week.
That said III, this isn't about me. This is how the commissioner's will think and act.
Here's the current breakdown.
Bellarmine (11-1)Section: Central Coast.
National rank: MaxPreps Xcellent 25 presented by Army National Guard human rankings (NR),
MaxPreps Freeman computer rankings (No. 59), RivalsHigh 100 (No. 28), ESPN Fab 50 (No. 25), PrepNation (NR), USA Today (NR).
Pros: Overtime loss to De La Salle gave instant legitimacy. … Overwhelming champion of perhaps Northern California's toughest league (West Catholic Athletic League). … Superb quarterback and leader in Tim Tebow-clone
Travis McHugh (1,164 yards rushing, 18 touchdowns). … Been in state bowl mix twice before and got nod 2009. Showed well in that game in tough 24-19 loss to Oceanside. … Seven players from that bowl team are on roster. … Team balance.
Cons: Nothing staggering about numbers – 444 points to 249 allowed. … Wing-T scrum attack not terribly exciting. … No major Division I talent.
On horizon: The Bells play defending state Division I Bowl Game champion Palo Alto tonight for Central Coast Section Open Division title.
De La Salle linebacker Michael Barton
is having one of the best defensive
seasons in school history.
Photo by Dennis Lee
North Coast.
National rank: MaxPreps Xcellent 25 (NR), MaxPreps Freeman (No. 35), RivalsHigh 100 (No. 25), ESPN Fab 50 (No. 13), PrepNation (NR), USA Today (No. 12).
Pros: Impeccable reputation – Six-time mythical national champion, two-time defending Open Division bowl game champion, and five-time bowl participant (three wins). … One of best defenses in school history (97 points allowed), led by Cal-bound linebacker
Michael Barton. … After shaky start, Wisconson-bound QB
Bart Houston has put up very good numbers (1,590 yards passing, 15 touchdowns rushing, 15 touchdowns passing). … Peaking at right time and 100 percent healthy.
Cons: Poor showing in nationally-televised 30-6 loss at St. Thomas Aquinas. … No breakaway back. … Desire of some to see new team in Bowl game.
On horizon: The Spartans play dangerous and talented Pittsburg (9-3) squad in North Coast Section Division I semifinals tonight, and if victorious, would see winner of Monte Vista versus San Ramon Valley, two teams De La Salle beat handily during the regular season.
Pleasant Grove (12-1)Section: Sac-Joaquin.
National rank: MaxPreps Xcellent 25
presented by Army National guard human rankings (No. 25), MaxPreps
Freeman computer (No. 125), RivalsHigh 100 (No. 73), ESPN Fab 50 (NR),
PrepNation (NR), USA Today (NR).
Pros: Since a wild 50-49 loss to
an 11-2 Lincoln squad, Pleasant Grove has won 11 straight by a count of
613-124. … They feature breakaway back
Mark Jenkins (1,749 yards, 34
TDs), superb quarterback
Cody Demps (1,638 yards, 21 TDs, 3
interceptions) and nation's No. 28 recruit, lineman
Arik Armstead. ... New exciting team in the mix.
Cons: No state Bowl history. … Section loss.
On horizon: Plays Granite Bay, team that beat Lincoln last week 28-21, in SJS Division I finals Saturday.
What will happen? If all three teams win out, we think commissioners will pick De La Salle in the Open Division and then choose Pleasant Grove over Bellarmine for Division I in a very close vote.
Why De La Salle over Pleasant Grove?
Not much to tie the teams together but this: De La Salle beat St. Mary's-Stockton 35-0. St. Mary's beat Lincoln 35-27. Lincoln beat Pleasant Grove 50-49.
Is that bullet proof reasoning? No. But it's one thing commissioners will be able to wrap their analytical brains around.
And why Pleasant Grove over Bellarmine?
Most convincing moderator. That will be an agonizing decision.
They'd probably be better off picking Pleasant Grove as the Open Division winner and leaving De La Salle and Bellarmine to debate for Division I.
That would be easy, simply based on head-to-head.
