Prep Football ’93 : THE PREPS / ERIC SHEPARD : Long Season Causes Bowl’s Quick Demise

The only thing certain about the high school football season, which begins this weekend, is that it will not be as long as it was last year.

La Puente Bishop Amat capped a perfect season last December 19 when it defeated Sylmar, 31-10, in the inaugural CIF/Reebok Bowl. The game matched the City and Southern Section large-division champions before a live television audience.

The bowl was not well received, however, as many coaches felt it extended an already lengthy schedule. Bishop Amat went 15-0, setting a state record for most victories in a season.

Southern Section officials, reacting to pressure from member schools, withdrew their participation in the bowl. That led to its quick demise.

“I don’t think we would participate in another bowl game,” said Mark Paredes, Bishop Amat’s coach, after last year’s game. “Fifteen games is simply too many for a high school team.”

So, the most games a team can play this season is 14, meaning Bishop Amat’s record may never be broken.

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It is becoming increasingly difficult to predict preseason favorites in football because of the growing number of divisions Southland schools are competing in.

The City and Southern Section combined will host 15 championship games in December, twicethe number held only 10 years ago.

The City has two divisional title games, which has not changed much over the years. But the sprawling Southern Section has increased its divisional championships from six in 1983 to a record 13 this season.

Although the Southern Section has not doubled in size during that time, it has expanded its football playoff system by placing only five leagues in each division, and reducing many leagues from the traditional eight teams to five or six. The Desert Mountain League, which competes in Division XI, has three teams.

Although officials give many reasons for the growing number of title games, the main factor is money. More playoff games mean higher gate receipts, which supplies the Southern Section witha big chunk of its annual bud-get.

Financial considerations are a legitimate concern in a time of continued budget cuts in education. But winning a section title sure does not mean what it used to. Aside from the large-division champions, few fans remember who won the other games.

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A new season always brings a few coaching changes, but this year some of the area’s bigger names made switches.

The most surprising move occurred at Sante Fe Springs St. Paul, where veteran Marijon Ancich returned. Ancich had great success at St. Paul for 12 years before resigning in 1981. Most recently, he was coaching at Tustin.

“We must improve 150% from last season to be a candidate for the playoffs or a legitimate contender for the league crown,” said Ancich, whose team was 5-6 last season.

Gary Bernardi, an assistant coach to Larry Smith at USC, took over at Burbank Burroughs, which was 0-10 last season. Bill Redell, who coached Encino Crespi to a Southern Section title in 1986, begins his first season at La Canada St. Francis after a four-year hiatus. And at Garfield, assistant John Aguirre takes over for veteran Steve Robinson, who passed away last December.

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The regular season begins this weekend and concludes the second weekend in November.

While it is impossible to pick out all the great matchups, here is a sampling of a few not to be missed.

--Friday, La Puente Bishop Amat vs. Carson at Veterans Stadium.

--Sept. 17, Anaheim Esperanza vs. Santa Ana Mater Dei at the Santa Ana Bowl.

--Oct.22, Fontana at Rialto Eisenhower.

--Oct. 29, Carson vs. Wilmington Banning at Veterans Stadium.

--Nov. 5, Loyola at Bishop Amat.

--Nov. 12, Newhall Hart vs. Canyon Country Canyon at College of the Canyons.

Prep Notes

Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley, rated No. 18 by The Times, opened its schedule last Thursday in Hawaii, but lost to Honolulu St. Louis, 13-7. St. Louis is the top-rated team in the state. . . . Sylmar, defending City Division 4-A champion, is a favorite to repeat. The Spartans, who have won 25 consecutive conference games, had several talented players transfer in during the off-season, including running back Mark Reynosa from Dana Hills. . . . To prevent the spread of AIDS and other communicable diseases, officials must now remove players from the field who have bloody jerseys or open wounds. Trainers or managers must treat and cover the wound or disinfect the uniform before the player can re-enter the game. The rule was adopted by the National Federation of State High School Assns. last January. . . . Quarterback Keith Smith of Newbury Park needs 3,456 yards to break the Southern Section career passing record of 9,182 yards set by Todd Marinovich, who played at Mater Dei and Capistrano Valley from 1984-87. Smith, a senior, passed for 3,318 yards last season. . . . Loyola running back/defensive back Kadar Hamilton, a transfer from Knoxville, Tenn., is the son of new Raiders assistant coach Ray Hamilton.