Realignment looms, and that means change.
Here's a peek at what the Sac-Joaquin Section is proposing for the 2014-18 academic years in all Divisions (with the next realignment meeting scheduled for Jan. 29).
Realignment is based on enrollments, competitive scope and other factors. Some argue that realignment should solely be based on neighborhood programs. But some schools only have a few neighbors and travel becomes a must - Nevada Union, Woodland, Dixon, El Dorado, etc. One school in one neighborhood could be a great deal larger and more successful than any other closely-grouped schools.
Keep in mind that these are suggestions, not set in stone, and the Section isn't out to hose anyone, contrary to popular belief as we field a lot of these sorts of e-mails when realignment hits, "Why does Pete Saco and the section office hate us so much?" Um, the Section office doesn't have time or any reason to pick out teams and shower hate...
Division I proposals
Delta
Davis
Elk Grove
Franklin
Grant
Jesuit
Monterey Trail
Pleasant Grove
Sheldon
St. Francis (girls)
Comment: From a football standpoint, this new-look Delta would feature powers in Elk Grove, Grant, Franklin and Pleasant Grove with teams that aren't too far removed from power level in Monterey Trail, Jesuit and Davis. Sheldon with its large enrollment is seemingly on the cusp of being formidable. Baseball would also be a muscle-bound league here with Franklin, Elk Grove, Jesuit, Pleasant Grove and Grant. In basketball, Sheldon, Jesuit and Franklin have been heavies. In other sports, Davis and Jesuit have terrific rivalry meetings in soccer and the water sports. This league also would field two of the largest enrollment schools in the section in Davis and Franklin.
Monticello Empire League
Bethel
Napa
Rodriguez
Vacaville
Vallejo
Vintage
Comment: The 707 league remains the same and makes perfect sense. Perfect logistically and rivalry wise.
Sierra Foothill League
Del Oro
Folsom
Granite Bay
Nevada Union
Oak Ridge
Rocklin
Roseville
Woodcreek
Comment: As if the SFL wasn't already a stacked league in football already, take a look at what this proposal would do. Folsom and Oak Ridge added to the mix makes for a super football league, and the section has proposed that four playoff berths be granted in several sports, especially football. Added note about Nevada Union: The Miners are at their lowest enrollment in more than 25 years, and still dipping.
Central California Conference
Enochs
Golden Valley
Gregori
Merced
Modesto
Modesto Christian (basketball only)
Pitman
Turlock
Comment: Great idea to place Modesto Christian basketball - a super power for the girls and boys - here. Imagine the suddent interst for fans and students throughout this league. MC likes it, too.
San-Joaquin Athletic Association
Bear Creek
Chavez
Franklin
Lincoln
Lodi,
Tracy
Tri-County Athletic League
Edison
McNair
St. Mary's
Stagg
Tokay
West
Division II proposals
Capital Valley Conference
Antelope
Bella Vista
Del Campo
Ponderosa
Rio Americano
Whitney
Comment: Across the board, Ponderosa hasn't much enjoyed its stay in the Delta River League, and the Bruins won't much appreciate some of the travel here, but this is a better fit long term. Bella Vista and Del Campo have been decades-long rivals in everything and Antelope and Whitney have burst onto the sporting scene as newer schools.
Modesto Metro Conference
Atwater
Buhach Colony
Beyer
Grace Davis
Downey
El Capitan
Johansen
Oakdale
Comment: Oakdale doesn't like the suggestion as it feels smaller in enrollment, but football and baseball wise, the Mustangs would fare just fine. Better than fine.
Solano County Athletic Conference
American Canyon
Armijo
Benicia
Fairfield
Vanden
Wood
Comment: Wood and Fairfield forever feel like MEL schools, but you can't have 15-team leagues...
Division III proposals
Capital Athletic League
Casa Roble
Christian Brothers
El Camino
Oakmont
Placer
Sacramento
Vista del Lago
Comment: At first glance, Sacramento doesn't fit here as it is a charter Metro school and this move pulls it away from decades-long rivals from the Sacramento City Unified School District. Then again, Sacramento is a charter school and you wonder if this isn't a better fit in some aspects. Placer is also an initial odd fit - forever in a foothill-based league, but its enrollment isn't nearly as large as the SFL teams. And for some, travel will become a necessary evil, such as Placer.
Metro Conference
Burbank
Cosumnes Oaks
Florin
Johnson
Kennedy
Laguna Creek
McClatchy
Valley
Comment: This could work except for Cosumnes Oaks, which prefers to be with more Elk Grove Unified School District teams. The rest of it makes sense as all are similar in enrollment and competitive balance with easy transportation. If this stands, Burbank could continue to rule the Metro in football, but if Cosumnes Oaks ends up here, there's a new rivalry in the making.
Tri-County Conference
Inderkum
Pioneer
Rio Linda
River City
River Valley
Woodland
Yuba City
Comment: Slight tweaks with Rio Linda and River City coming aboard, but enrollment wise and competitive balance, this makes sense.
Valley Oak League
Central Valley
East Union
Kimball
Manteca
Patterson
Sierra
Comment: Oakdale out of the VOL looks odd, and Oakdale prefers to remain in the VOL. Stay tuned.
Division IV proposals
Pioneer Valley League
Bear River
Center
Colfax
Foothill
Lincoln
Mira Loma
Comment: Hard to imagine Colfax and Placer not in the same league, and there are rumblings that Colfax can run away with this league in a lot of sports. But Colfax is also dipping in enrollment so this makes sense in that regard. Lincoln is interesting as it will have the largest enrollment of more than 1,700, but the Zebras haven't been athletically dominant in anything. Competitive, yes.
Sierra Valley Conference
Cordova
El Dorado
Galt
Liberty Ranch
Rosemont
Union Mine
Comment: Very similar to what this league has been in the past. El Dorado and Union Mine reside up Highway 50, beyond Cordova, with Liberty Ranch and Galt in the same town. Rosemont...where else to put this program?
Western Athletic Conference
Central Catholic
Ceres
Lathrop
Livingston
Los Banos
Pacheco
Weston Ranch
Division V proposals
Golden Empire League
Capital Christian
Dixon
Lindhurst
Marysville
Mesa Verde
Natomas
West Campus
Mother Lode League
Amador
Argonaut
Bret Harte
Calaveras
Linden
Sonora
Summerville
Trans-Valley League
Escalon
Hilmar
Hughson
Mountain House (opens in 2014)
Orestimba
Ripon
Riverbank
Division VI proposals
Central Valley California League
Delta
Forest Lake Christian
Foresthill
Sacramento Waldorf
Victory Christian
Woodland Christian
Sierra Delta League
Bradshaw Christian
Encina
Golden Sierra
Highlands
Rio Vista
San Juan
Vacaville Christian
Southern League
Delhi
Denair
Gustine
Le Grand
Mariposa
Modesto Christian (no basketball)
Ripon Christian
Waterford
Division VII proposals
Central California Athletic Alliance
Big Valley Christian
Brookside Christian
Elliot Christian
Millennium
ROP/Sierra Ridge
Stone Ridge Christian
Turlock Christian
Venture Academy
Mountain Valley League
Delta Charter
Don Pedro
Excel Academy
Holt Academy
Hughes Academy
Lodi Academy
Mountain Oaks
Stockton Christian
Tioga
Northern Pacific Athletic Conference
Freedom Christian
Global Youth Charter
Lutheran
New Life Christian
Trinity Prep
Western Sierra Collegiate Prep
Woodland Poly
Sacramento Metro Athletic League
Buckingham Charter
Cristo Rey
Faith Christian
Sacramento Adventist
Sacramento Country Day
Valley Christian
Wilton Christian
Bee photo by Randall Benton: The Bulldogs' head coach Kris Richardson prepares his team prior to the game between the Folsom Bulldogs, and the De La Salle Spartans at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento on Saturday, December 8, 2012. This game was the NorCal Regional open division championship.
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