The Sac-Joaquin Section is serious about ‘Competitive Equity,’ and it’s going to enforce that mandate this fall when it promotes two elite programs into higher divisions. Division 2 power Del Oro will go D1 & D3 kingpin Oakdale will go D2. Each must stay for at least two years.
The Section began this push years ago, moving Modesto Christian’s legendary hoops program to D1 because MC was crushing small & medium schools. Now the Section
is serious with football — athletic-focused Capital Christian of Sacramento will be pushed into a higher division (perhaps D3, as soon as 2017) after years of overwhelming small, rural schools.
Central Catholic felt the Section’s heavy hand last year, when CC was pushed into D2 after winning four straight Section titles. CC returns to D3 if it fails to reach the division semifinal one of the first two seasons – and that same rule will apply to Del Oro and Oakdale.
The Section’s decision won’t be official until it votes this fall, but take it to the bank! Del Oro and Oakdale are a package deal – if one goes, the Section reasons, both must be promoted.
First, why the moves? Oakdale has three D3 titles in five years, and reached the Section D3 final 6 of the last 7 years (losing to Del Oro in 2011 & 2012, & CC in 2015). Del Oro went D2 after back-to-back D3 titles in 2010 & 2011, and it won D2 crown 3
of the last 4 seasons.
Second, why they’re a package deal? There will be howls in Loomis and/or Oakdale if just one moves, because these two towns & programs are mirror images. The only way the Section can make D3 and D2 competitive is to move both up to a higher level for at least two seasons.
Oakdale knows this is coming, which is why Coach Trent Merzon brokered a deal to host D1 State Power Folsom this fall in Week 3. Folsom will be the best team to play at The Corral since the Mustangs’ legendary upset of favorite Oak Ridge in 1999 – that Section semifinal packed The Corral and still might be the school’s biggest upset victory ever.
Del Oro took scheduling to extremes in 2015: 2-4 in league and 4-6 in the regular
season, then six straight playoff games and a State Bowl trophy. The non-league foes were schools from Utah and Hawaii, Bellarmine and De La Salle. Then came league losses to Folsom (14-1), Rocklin (10-4) and Oak Ridge (10-3) – then that State Bowl run.
Oakdale’s promotion means someone from outside the Valley Oak League might finally win the D3 title – the VOL has won the last 5. Of course, Manteca, the Section D4 champ a year ago, will likely move up to D3 this season, and the Buffaloes would be a top D3 contender.
About the Author (Author Profile)
Richard T. Estrada has been covering high school football in The 209 area code for more than 30 years and is the voice of authority on the game in California's Central Valley. He oversaw The Modesto Bee's high school sports coverage for a couple of decades, and also was a national award-winning business and agriculture writer. Black Hat Football not only covers the game, but emphasizes education and the need for The 209's student-athletes to prepare for college.
The Section began this push years ago, moving Modesto Christian’s legendary hoops program to D1 because MC was crushing small & medium schools. Now the Section
Central Catholic felt the Section’s heavy hand last year, when CC was pushed into D2 after winning four straight Section titles. CC returns to D3 if it fails to reach the division semifinal one of the first two seasons – and that same rule will apply to Del Oro and Oakdale.
The Section’s decision won’t be official until it votes this fall, but take it to the bank! Del Oro and Oakdale are a package deal – if one goes, the Section reasons, both must be promoted.
First, why the moves? Oakdale has three D3 titles in five years, and reached the Section D3 final 6 of the last 7 years (losing to Del Oro in 2011 & 2012, & CC in 2015). Del Oro went D2 after back-to-back D3 titles in 2010 & 2011, and it won D2 crown 3
Second, why they’re a package deal? There will be howls in Loomis and/or Oakdale if just one moves, because these two towns & programs are mirror images. The only way the Section can make D3 and D2 competitive is to move both up to a higher level for at least two seasons.
Oakdale knows this is coming, which is why Coach Trent Merzon brokered a deal to host D1 State Power Folsom this fall in Week 3. Folsom will be the best team to play at The Corral since the Mustangs’ legendary upset of favorite Oak Ridge in 1999 – that Section semifinal packed The Corral and still might be the school’s biggest upset victory ever.
Del Oro took scheduling to extremes in 2015: 2-4 in league and 4-6 in the regular
Oakdale’s promotion means someone from outside the Valley Oak League might finally win the D3 title – the VOL has won the last 5. Of course, Manteca, the Section D4 champ a year ago, will likely move up to D3 this season, and the Buffaloes would be a top D3 contender.
About the Author (Author Profile)
Richard T. Estrada has been covering high school football in The 209 area code for more than 30 years and is the voice of authority on the game in California's Central Valley. He oversaw The Modesto Bee's high school sports coverage for a couple of decades, and also was a national award-winning business and agriculture writer. Black Hat Football not only covers the game, but emphasizes education and the need for The 209's student-athletes to prepare for college.
