Marmonte League Champions, Oaks Christian (9-3, and a 5-0 league record), were put into the Division 2 playoffs and beaten soundly by Mission Viejo, 39 -14. But no dishonor to the Lions. Rather, congratulations to Oaks Christian for making it to D2 and competing against the league champions, Mission Viejo. Oaks Christian notched a great season and can be proud for competing … Marmonte league runners-up, St. Bonaventure (11-3, with a 4-1 league record) won the Division 3 playoffs! Again, congratulations to them on competing so well. Both these teams and their coaches deserve the well-won pride of their community …
For those who don’t know, CIF has 14 divisions in football, with D1 being the best this year. In the last few years, it was called Division 0 just to confuse people (kidding, of course). D1 has been dominated by two teams, Mater Dei and St. John Bosco, and nobody has even come close. So it’s no surprise that they played for the top prize in D1 CIF football, and Mater Dei came out ahead by a score of 35 to St John Bosco’s 7. Great teams, great competition and a worthy season for both teams … Applause is also in order for D4 champions Corona Del Mar. Congratulations also to Moorpark for representing the Canyon League in D4 …
Last year, Newbury Park made it to the Division 4 playoff bracket and lost in the second round. Thousand Oaks was placed in Division 3, and that undefeated team was blown out in the first round, 62 -14, by Chaparral, which lost the next round to Corona Del Mar (this year’s D4 champions). These questionable division placements resulted in our local community being cheated out of a Newbury Park vs. Thousand Oaks rematch in the playoffs. This year, CIF figured out that both teams have no business being in the top 4 Divisions, and local fans got a rematch last Friday. Newbury Park beat Thousand Oaks in a competitive game. Great job, Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks! It’s a truly satisfying thing to watch as local football programs and playoffs get back on track … Much to be proud of. Here’s to a great year of playoff football and more to come …
Local professional Frank Enderle played two years of football at Notre Dame High School, one of the top programs with the best coaches, and then played for two years at Calabasas High School. He has a lifetime of sports experience, including coaching his own sons in baseball, football, lacrosse and basketball and serving in their booster programs.
Probably just an oversite but, Congratulations are also due for Simi Valley. At the start of the season most people had written this team off many having picked them to finish last in the Marmonte League. After facing a tough league schedule they were able to make a deep run in the Division 6 playoffs with 4 wins that included a exciting last minute win and 2 overtime wins against Rancho Verde, Huntington Beach and Mira Costa. That playoff run led to the school’s first CIF football title in the 103 year history of the school and coach Jim Benkert’s 300 career win. Congratulations to the team that wouldnt quit, the coaches that always believed and the fans who showed up every week to support them.
NOT AN OVERSITE… Simi Valley was 2-3 in league… Blew out 0-5 Calabasas, And only beat 1-4 Westlake by 1 point (WHS fired their awful coach the week before) How did a 4th place team make the playoffs?? AND…. They WHY were they placed in Div 6…. It is an embarrassment for a Marmote Team to play in Div 6!! Max Preps State Ranking – Simi Valley #98, Rancho Verde #165, Huntington Beach # 143, Mira Costa#120… of course they won!! Just like of course, Simi lost to Central Valley Christian Ranked #48 another team that had no business being in Div 6!!
My Article in 2022: The only hometown team still playing in the playoffs is the 4th-place Marmonte team, Calabasas … Good luck, CHS! Shame on CIF for putting you in D6 and Thousand Oaks in D3! High school football playoffs should be about competition with safety! Thankful at least a Trinity team isn’t in D6 ….
Article in 2021: Valencia (8-4) and Oaks Christian (7-7) are mediocre D2 teams that were placed in D5 and had an easy run through the playoffs.
I Want the teams to Compete…No CIF to Manipulate!!
Gary Norwal, thanks for your comment!!