De La Salle is a near-lock to earn a state bowl berth with a win over Pittsburg
The state bowl game selection committee got no help over the weekend as all three high school teams with strong cases to represent Northern California emerged as winners.
Only two teams out of Grant (Sacramento), Bellarmine, and De La Salle can qualify for the Open and Division I state championship games later this month.
Grant (13-0) and Bellarmine (12-1) already are eligible after winning Section titles over the weekend. DLS (11-1) is favored to advance over Pittsburg Friday night and if they do, the commissioners charged with deciding between these three teams for the bowl berths have a headache on their hands.
To exclude any of these three great programs is near criminal but sadly, one must be excluded.
But who?
Do you exclude Grant, undefeated and boasting wins over two state champions? Not to mention the fact that the Pacers went undefeated in 2006 and were passed over for De La Salle (which lost in the state title game).
Perhaps the Bells should be left out, despite two wins over highly regarded Valley Christian and a great road win over St. Mary's (Stockton) in the pre-season. They do have a loss to Serra, although De La Salle narrowly avoided the same fate in a 2008 high school football classic.
The boldest move would be to leave out De La Salle, undefeated against Northern California opposition since 1991. The Spartans still must beat Pittsburg Friday night and it's almost laughable to imagine them winning and being left out of the state Open title game.
The computer likes Bellarmine the best, although a De La Salle win over highly regarded Pittsburg would vault them ahead of the Bells. Grant is a solid third according to the impeccable software but third nonetheless.
Rivals seems to like Grant, ranking them well ahead of Bellarmine (58 to 95) before this last weekend, and second to the Spartans among the big three. Prep Nation has Grant among it's top 10 West teams (at #9) while Bellarmine is not listed.
Comments
It is about time that the CIF put down the Bay Area bias when it comes to the big schools, and let Grant into the State Bowl. How much more does Grant have to do? Grant has tried to schedule games against De La Salle and have been turned down. Grant's non-league schedule is filled with top programs. Even having to go out of state to face nationally ranked opponents. They are the only NorCal large school that went undefeated. Grant is an inner-city school that does not have the political strings and clout to lobby for their case. You can almost see, the rich private prep schools making phone calls and lunch dates with CIF officials. I do believe De La Salle should defend the state championship, but Grant needs to represent as well. Do the right thing and let Grant into the State Bowl!
Neither De La Salle and Bellermine Prep need to pull
"political strings" with the CIF. Their records speak
for themselves. Too bad a Bellermine vs Grant playoff
is not an option.
Thier record does speak for its self, they lost to Don Bosco and Serra while Grant is undefeated.If Grant had one loss they would be like the other inner city school in this equation left out. Why are we not talking about Pittsburg,if they beat DLS, Shouldn't it be Pittsberg 12-1 and 12-0 Grant. The Facts are no school with more than 11% African American students or with more than 52% Free and Reduced lunch has ever been invited. You are correct the record speaks for it's self the CIF Bowl is very political.
Just like the BCS, it's clearly a flawed system. Especially the fact that Grant played a very strong non league schedule, but ultimately will be left out because they play in a division with a few too many cup cakes. Bellarmine avenged their only loss to Serra in the CCS playoffs. If Pittsburgh wins their in and De La Salle is left to rebuild whats left of their program(HA). Grant, unfortunately for you, there is no consolation Fiesta Bowl for you to kick the crap out of another cup cake.
Just like the BCS, it's clearly a flawed system. Especially the fact that Grant played a very strong non league schedule, but ultimately will be left out because they play in a division with a few too many cup cakes. Bellarmine avenged their only loss to Serra in the CCS playoffs. If Pittsburgh wins their in and De La Salle is left to rebuild whats left of their program(HA). Grant, unfortunately for you, there is no consolation Fiesta Bowl for you to kick the crap out of another cup cake.
Wear De La Salle Temporary Tattoo's for games to support our great team! go to www.temporarynametattoo.com and show your school spirit!! yeahhh
Not to mention....Grant was DEFEATED last week by Rocklin! And Rocklin has gone on to win the Section!! I don't think that Rocklin outweighs a long-standing powerhouse in De La Salle...But lets put Rocklin where it belongs this season - ahead of Grant! Grant has been, and is, a great school with a long tradition of outstanding football. But to think they deserve to go to the State Championship when they were defeated by a team that has not had a loss this season, and who was ranked higher in the section(!)...that would be a slap in the face of a great Rocklin program!
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