South San Francisco, once a Peninsula football powerhouse, will not field a varsity in 2021, according to PAL commissioner Terry Stogner. The Warriors, who have suffered from constant coaching changes and low roster numbers for years, have lost their last 24 games in a row by an average of 40 points per outing. SSF reportedly will play at the JV level only this season. The loss of South City from the PAL's Lake (lowest) Division leaves that arrangement with just five teams. There are also continuing concerns about another Lake program at Mills in Millbrae. The Vikings did not have a varsity during the spring season due to a lack of players. They are scheduled to play Aptos Aug. 27 on the coast.
SSF opts out in 2021
- Thread starter colhenrylives
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Good question. But, at this juncture, no. The three main issues are: Demographics, coaching stability and administrative interest/commitment. It's not clear if SSF today could even field an organized, competitive eight-man football team. Here's another question: Where do the few actual SSF football players go now to participate in a real high school program? Neighboring El Camino or Capuchino? Riordan or Serra? Who knows?
Prep football programs in the northern portion of San Mateo County are struggling. The situations at South City and Mills have been discussed earlier. Terra Nova in Pacifica is also experiencing issues (low roster numbers, coaching instability, etc.). Oceana in Pacifica and Westmoor in Daly City dropped their football programs many years ago. Not good.
May not be a negative at all. Those kids can excel at another sport, say soccer or wrestling. Or the school can offer something academically for those kids like more STEM courses.
Perhaps. Football can become extinct and life will go on at SSF. Like it or not, the school could try to mirror Oceana _ with a purported academic emphasis and a very modest athletic program. SSF is well on its way to the latter condition. As for the former, that remains to be seen.
Now the questions become: What happens in 2022? Will SSF actually be able to field a varsity a year from now? Will the coach, the fourth in four years, remain there? Will the school find a way to make the guy a full-time faculty member? Will potential players be so turned off by the chaos they will transfer out or never attend SSF in the first place? Can the school develop a real prep football program or will it remain a sort of ad hoc, seat-of-the-pants, limited affair? Will the administration make a commitment to football and, for that matter, the athletic program as a whole?
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