2012 SCFA Conference Championships and Postseason Scenarios

With one week to go, the following is a breakdown of the SCFA conferences championship races:

National Northern Conference
Ventura has completed their season with a perfect 6-0 conference record. They will be the champions and qualify for the SCFA 4-team playoffs. 

National Central Conference
Both Mt. SAC and Riverside have 5-0 conference records and will play each other on Nov. 10 for the championship and an automatic qualifying spot in the SCFA 4- team playoffs.

National Southern Conference

There is a three way tie between Santa Ana, Fullerton, and Saddleback with 4-1 conference records. Santa Ana and Fullerton play in the last regular season game (Nov. 10). Saddleback plays Golden West ( 1-4). Should Santa Ana and Saddleback both win and tie for the championship with 5-1 conference records, Santa Ana would win the tie-breaker - ( Santa Ana beat Saddleback) and Santa Ana would  qualify for the SCFA 4-team playoff. Should Fullerton and Saddleback both win, both would have 5-1 records - Saddleback would win the tie-breaker (Saddleback beat Fullerton) and Saddleback would qualify for the SCFA 4-team playoff. If Saddleback loses its last game the winner of the Santa Ana -Fullerton game would be the champion and automatically qualify to the SCFA 4-team playoffs.

American Mountain Conference

Southwestern has clinched at least a tie for the conference championship and have clinched a place in the American Division Bowl Game. A victory in their last game would give them a perfect 7-0 conference record and outright championship. If they lose their last game and Mr. San Jacinto wins their last game, a tie for the championship would exist between Southwestern and Mt. San Jacinto. Since Southwestern beat Mt. San Jacinto, they win the tie breaker.

American Pacific Conference

Santa Monica (6-0) can win the out-right championship with a win in their last game vs. Antelope Valley (5-1) and a spot in the American Division Championship Bowl game. Should they lose to Antelope Valley and LA Pierce (5-1) win their last game (vs Glendale (0-6), a three way tie would exist between A.V., SMC, and LA Pierce. Should LA Pierce lose their last game, the winner of the SMC vs. AV game would would qualify for the American Division Championship Bowl game.

The following is the tie-breaking procedure found in the SCFA Bylaws:

8.1.5 - Breaking Ties for Post-Conference Purposes

When Conference ties exist, the following tie-breaking criteria will be used for the purposes of post-conference selection.

A. If two teams tie for a conference championship the tie will be broken by:
1.  HEAD TO HEAD COMPETITION

B. If there is a three-way or multiple team tie for a conference championship or a qualifying post-conference selection, the tie will be broken by:
1.  HEAD TO HEAD COMPETITION
If one team beat all the other teams they are tied with -they are declared as the winner of the tie breaker.
If a tie still exists then the tie will be broken by:
2.   Compare the wins of the tied teams against the top-ranked non-conference teams in the CCCAA/CCCFCA poll in descending order; i.e. compare the tied teams with the team ranked #1 in the poll, then with the team ranked #2 in the poll, then the with the team ranked #3 in the poll, etc. (5/6/10)
If a tie still exists then the tie will be broken by:
3. HIGHEST RANKED TEAM IN FINAL CCCAA/CCCFCA POLL.

Note: If at any point in the process the multiple-team tie is reduced to two teams, the two-team tie-breaking shall be applied.

Clarification of Post-Conference Competition:

Please see the 2012 Football Championship Handbook for details of the selection process. (The Football Championship Handbook can be accessed online at the CCCAA website).  The following is a brief synopsis of the selection procedure:

There will be seven bowl games in the South:

• National Bowl
• Beach Bowl
• Golden State Bowl
• Western State Bowl
• Southern California Football Association Bowl
• Patriotic Bowl
• American Division Championship Bowl

Two of the bowl games will be the first round of a 4-team playoff. Winners of these two game will meet the following weekend to play for the SCFA Championship and will represent the South in the State Championship Game.

The three champions of the National Division Conferences and the next highest ranked National Division team will qualify for the playoffs

The champions of the American Division Conferences (Mountain and Pacific) will qualify for the American Division Championship Bowl game.

The other four (4) bowl games will be determined by the Final CCCAA Football Poll rankings, with the matchups for these games being determined by the Bowl Selection Committee on Nov. 11th in Sacramento, using the provisions set forth in the Football Championship Handbook.

Bowl Game Participants will be selected on Sunday Nov. 11th and notified that day. 

The Host team for each bowl game will be the highest ranked team in that bowl.

SCFA Forfeiture Announcement

Nov. 8, 2011 - Citrus College has reported the participation of an ineligible student athlete in three contests that it won this season (2011). The following contests will be declared forfeits:

• Sept. 3, Citrus vs. West Los Angeles - West Los Angeles is designated as the winner
• Oct. 1, Citrus vs. San Bernardino Valley - San Bernardino Valley is designated as the winner
• Oct. 29, Citrus vs. L.A. Harbor - L.A. Harbor is designated as the winner

Chris Ruiz, SCFA statistician, will adjust all records and conference standings.

This changes the Central West Conference Championship race as released yesterday (Monday, Nov. 7)

With one game to go:

Central West Conference (Revised)
Long Beach (4-0) has clinched at least a tie for the conference championship and can win the championship outright with a win over Citrus (2-2) or if Moorpark (3-1) losses its last game. If Long Beach loses and Moorpark wins, Long Beach and Moorpark will be co-champs. However, Long Beach wins the tie breaker for post-season selection.

SCFA Conference Championships and Postseason Scenarios

With one game remaining in the regular football season, here is an unofficial breakdown on the conference championship races and possible playoff/bowl game qualifiers:

National Northern Conference

Cerritos (4-0) has clinched at least a tie for the conference championship and can win the championship outright with a win over Hancock or if El Camino losses its last game. If Cerritos loses and El Camino (3-1) wins over Ventura (2-2), Cerritos and El Camino will be co-champs. However, Cerritos wins the tie-breaker for playoff selection and therefore Cerritos will move forward as National Northern Conference Champions to the Southern California Playoffs. El Camino is in the race for a qualifying spot to the playoffs, particularly with a win - because they would secure at least 2nd place and have a very high Power Ranking Index number. Ventura has a chance to qualify for the playoffs by beating El Camino and both Palomar and Saddleback lose their last game. Ventura would tie for the second-place conference position, but win the tie breaker for second place Power Ranking Index points. There is a possibility that Hancock (2-2) could tie for second place, but would lose the tie breaker to both El Camino and Ventura.

National Southern Conference

Mt. San Antonio (4-0) has clinched at least a tie for the conference championship and can win the championship outright with a win over Pasadena (1-3) or if Palomar (3-1) loses its last game. If Mt. SAC loses and Palomar wins over Grossmont, Mt. SAC and Palomar would be co-champs. However, Mt. SAC wins the tie-breaker for playoff selection and therefore Mt. SAC will move forward as National Southern Conference Champions to the Southern California Playoffs. Palomar must win vs. Grossmont to secure second place and earn enough Power Ranking Index points to qualify for the playoffs. Should Palomar lose and Saddleback win, they will tie for second place, however Saddleback will edge Palomar out with more Power Ranking Index points and so Saddleback would qualify for the playoffs. If both lose, neither may not have enough Power Ranking Index points to qualify for the playoffs depending on the outcome of games in the Northern Conference.

Central West Conference (Revised 11/8 due to Citrus forfeits)

Long Beach (4-0) has clinched at least a tie for the conference championship and can win the championship outright with a win over Citrus (2-2) or if Moorpark (3-1) losses its last game. If Long Beach loses and Moorpark wins, Long Beach and Moorpark will be co-champs. However, Long Beach wins the tie breaker for post-season selection.

Central East Conference

Riverside (4-0) has clinched at least a tie for the conference championship and can win the Championship outright with a win over Southwestern (0-4) and therefore qualify for the Central Division Championship Bowl. If Riverside loses and Golden West (3-1) defeats Desert (2-2), Riverside and Golden West would be co-champs. However, Riverside wins the tie-breaker for post-season selection.

American Mountain Conference

East Los Angeles (4-0) has clinched at least a tie for the conference championship and can win the championship outright with a win over San Bernardino Valley (2-2) and therefore qualify for the American Division Championship Bowl. If East Los Angeles loses and Mt. San Jacinto (3-1) beats Victor Valley (2-2), East Los Angeles and Mt. San Jacinto would be co-champs. However, East Los Angeles wins the tie breaker for post-season selection.

American Pacific Conference

Santa Monica (5-0) and West Los Angeles (5-0) are tied for first place and play each other in the final game of the season. The winner will be the conference champion and play in the American Division Championship Bowl.

Other Information:

With one game remaining:

• Thirteen (13) teams have a chance for a championship or co-championship.
• Twenty (20) teams still have a chance for a winning record (6-4 or better) and therefore would be bowl eligible.

Playoff/ Bowl Selection:

• First Round playoff participants will be selected and seeded according to the CCCAA Football Championship Handbook procedures
• Non-playoff bowl game participants will be selected and matched up according to the CCCAA Football Handbook procedures.
• The Bowl Selection Committee meets in Sacramento on Sunday, November 13.

What is "class"?

There is no question that the football games at the community college level are extremely competitive. The quality of the game, the skill of the student athletes, and the excellence of our coaches all provide a great product on the field. However, as the competition level "heats-up", so does the emotional level of our participants.

Coaches and players alike must not lose sight of the value of "performance with poise and discipline". Nothing overshadows the skillful execution of the play on the field and the outstanding coaching job our coaches do then undisciplined actions and outward displays of disrespect for the opponent and officials.

A great game can be ruined by intimidation tactics, trash-talking and unsportsmanlike acts. It is the job of college athletic administrators  and coaches to continually emphasis to their student athletes the need to play the game the "right way".  At the heart of healthy competition is playing the game with the right attitude toward your opponent.  The game of football is not war.  The opponent is not your enemy.  Coaches that propose that type of attitude to their players are doing them and the game of football a great disservice. A healthy competitive attitude is one in which you expect your opponent to play their best because it brings out the best in you. 

Instead of trash-talking which really is an intimidation ploy, nothing shows more "class" then helping an opponent up when you knock him down or patting them on the butt and saying "nice job". 

Outward signs of respect  for your opponent really says tons about a player's attitude toward the game. It says that the player is confident and thankful for the opportunity to perform at his highest level and that his opponent is presenting a challenge that brings out the best in him. 

One of the best things that can be said about a player, a coach, or a program is that they "showed a lot of class".  It probably is difficult to define the word "class", but we seem to know it when we see it.  The following is as good an explanation of "class" as there is.  Hopefully all our SCFA programs and participants will embrace the concept of playing with class.

Be a "Class" person both on and off the field

Class is respect for others. It is deep and genuine respect for every human being, regardless of his or her status in life.  Class is having manners.  It is always saying please and thank you. It is complimenting people for any and every task that is well done.  It is treating every other person as you want them to treat you in similar situations.  Class is never making an excuse for your own shortcomings.  It is always helping the other person to bounce back from mistakes.  Class never brags or boasts about one’s own accomplishments and it never tears down or diminishes the achievements of another person.  Class does not depend on money, status, success, or ancestry.  The wealthiest person may not even know the meaning of the word, yet the poorest person in town may radiate class in all he or she does.  If you have class, everyone will know it and you will have self-respect.  If you are without it – good luck - No matter what you accomplish in life, it will never have any meaning.

Class on the field, track or court

Class is sportsmanship.  It is playing by the rules at all times.  It is showing respect for your opponents and for officials.  It is shaking your opponent’s hand after a contest – win or lose – and giving him or her credit for his or her efforts. Class is never “showing up” your opponent by “hot dogging” or “cheap talk”.  Class is playing every play hard and expecting your opponent to play hard also.  Class is being humble and gracious in victory and congratulatory in defeat.  Class is being loyal to your teammates and coaches in both adversity and glory.

As we move through the 2011 football season...

As we move through the 2011 football season I would like to direct your attention to one of the participants at each game that are expected to make the right call, the ”right play” every time and that is our football officials. While the focus of our game is on the performances of our student athletes, as it should be, there is a crew of officials at each game that perform the all-important job of making sure the game is played by the rules and also who guard the integrity of the game. It is not an easy job and their importance to our game is often taken for granted and overlooked

The SCFA relies on the Southern California Collegiate Football Officials Association (SCCFOA) to provide crews of seven officials for each of our 180 regular season games, as well as for our seven bowl games and our SCFA championship game. This organization also provides officials to the SCIAC (NCAA DIV III), and NAIA football games here in Southern California. 

The SCCFOA consists of over 250 officials who have dedicated part of their lives to the sport of football so that our student athletes can participate in games that are supervised and played according to the NCAA rule book. The SCCFOA demands that their officials continually train and prepare, not only during the season, but in the off-season. Officials attend a number of clinics and workshops, conducted by experienced NFL and NCAA officials in the off-season, as they keep up on the ever-changing rule book and mechanics. Their exam scores are scrutinized and they are expected to meet certain qualifications in order to be eligible to work our college games. 

Additionally, their performances at each game are continually evaluated.  Not only does the head referee submit performance evaluation reports on each of his crew after each game, but the SCFA has worked with SCCFOA to provide game observers who evaluate each official, as well as game management criteria, and send in weekly reports.  These reports are reviewed by the SCFA Commissioner and the SCFA Director of Football Operations. 

Controversial game situations, penalties called and plays with non-calls are reviewed, as well as, any ejections are noted. Coaches and game managers are encouraged to send in video clips of any controversial play to be reviewed by Rich Kollen, our SCFA Director of Football Operations and to the SCFA commissioner. The purpose of this review process, among other things, is help our officials get better. 

 As the skill and performances of our gifted community college student athletes continues to increase and the level and excellence of play evolves, so too must the performance of our football officials.  They realize that and are conscientiously working toward that goal.  We owe a lot to the professionalism of our officials and to the SCCFOA’s leadership and organization.  

So as we watch our student athletes perform on the field please remember to appreciate the performance of our football officials.  While they might not get every call right, they probably get 99% of them correct. But more importantly they stand for authority, order and integrity. They deserve to be treated with respect for what they stand for.  

Our officials are there to give every student athlete a fair chance to perform at their highest level, while enforcing proper decorum and sportsmanship. I believe it is incumbent on our coaches to emphasis the respect that is due to our officials to their athletes and to be good examples by how they talk to and treat our game officials. 

Hopefully players, coaches, administrators and fans will remember that our football officials are important participants in our great game and, whenever they get a chance, to say “thank you” for their efforts to keep the game “fair and square.”

As we begin the 2011 football season...

As we begin the 2011 football season, I would like to take this opportunity to wish the best to all our student athletes and our 37 football programs. 

The goal of the SCFA is provide competitive balance to our colleges and a rich educational experience to our student athletes. Our three competitive divisions will once again offer each college a realistic opportunity for success and with the support of our athletic administrations and coaches each student athlete will be provided an avenue for skill development and more importantly an opportunity to learn valuable life lessons. 

As always the emphasis at each of our games will be to have all participants conduct themselves with proper decorum and sportsmanship.  Respect for the game, respect for the opponent and respect for the football officials are of great importance to SCFA.  We all must work together to develop the proper attitude about how the game should be played. 

Coaches must emphasis sportsmanship continually during the season and players must conduct themselves with poise and discipline. We must make each game a positive experience for participants and fans alike. 

New website, new blog

We welcome you to the newly designed Southern California Football Association website and the Commissioner's Corner blog. Check back as the 2011 football season approaches for an in depth look at issues relating to California community college football by former long-time coach and current SCFA Commissioner Jim Sartoris.