CCS blew it with the consolidation bracket and rather than have the test consolation bracket should have just scrapped it by initially making it contingent on CIF approving CCS playoff proposal for inclusion to consideration for the bowl. Without approval, the whole consolation game format made zero sense for CCS other than for having underclass scrimmages to evaluate next year's players.
Will be interesting if this goes to the court. A ruling in favor of Serra's risk of injury argument could open up a can of worms for future litigation. On the other hand, a team should be able to forfeit a game and a specific reason such as concern for players' well being or concern for heir safety is a valid reason. This concern whether warranted or not should not be questions. Serra lost the game as a penalty and Milpitas has the bragging rights for the win. Yes, Serra should pay for lost revenue and expenses., etc. Putting the school's sports programs on probation and two year football playoff ban is way too harsh. Yes...teams were aware of the new format, but other schools made adjustments to reduce risk and made more like scrimmages. Walsh was not the only coach to make these changes. I understand Milpitas coach and program POV, but there has to be a mechanism for forfeiting a game and concern for safety shouldn't be questioned. Let's say the game was eventually played and all this concern and communications come out after a player is injured and that opens up another can of worms.
I believe the coach and athletic director and principal should have the right to forfeit a match for any reason without questions. Coach's and schools are responsible for their players - this should have been questioned. They should be responsible for lost revenue and any expenses, etc. but that is it. The way the game was evolving anyways was not going to be a real contest. If the Milpitas coach did agree to make changes to format, it would basically be a scrimmage anyways. Also since this was a test and unchartered waters, participating or not even after playing in the first round should be up to the school and coach's.