As we approach Section Semi-Finals in the SJS, the talk of calpreps.com and an SFL bias has come up. Additionally, a team that went 1-4 in the SFL made the playoffs. I did a little digging.
All five SFL teams not only won playoff games, but all five are in the section semi-finals. Only two of the five are projected to lose in the semi-finals. And to be fair, one of those predicted losses is to another SFL team, so really, one team (Manteca is projected to win over Rocklin, which, in and of itself, is up for conversation/debate). IMO, it's mighty impressive. Furthermore, the aforementioned 1-4 league team beat a previously undefeated team on the road in the second round.
Breaking things down around the section, the Valley Oak League is in second place with three teams in the section semi-finals (Kimball in D IV, Manteca in D II, and Central Catholic in D I), and tied with the VOL is the Southern (Orestimba D VI, Le Grand D VII and Ripon Christian D VII). Capital, Mother Lode, and Trans Valley have 2 team each in the semi-finals, and a handful of other leagues have one. And six of the 24 leagues in the SJS (which includes "Freelance") do not have a team in the semi-finals. Having five teams in the semi-finals, all in D I or D II, is impressive, IMO.
Then I took a peek at the only SFL team to not make the playoffs. That team beat a team with a playoff win, in D II, another team in the D III semi-finals, and a third team that is in the semi-finals in D II in the northern section.
Whether there is a calpreps.com bias for the SFL or not, such a bias seems warranted, for this year at least. What are your thoughts?