Trickle-Down Plan Produces No Result

The Foothill League’s participation in the Southern Section boys’ soccer playoffs took an odd twist this week when the league filled only two of its three automatic berths.

Hart High, the league champion, and runner-up Saugus play Division II first-round games today. Of the remaining teams, Canyon was disqualified, Burroughs and Valencia were unable to fit into the draws in their respective divisions and Burbank declined to participate.

Valencia finished second in league play before forfeiting five victories and two ties for using an academically ineligible player. The forfeits dropped the Vikings into last place and elevated Saugus to second place and Canyon to third.

But Canyon Coach John Robb, unaware of Valencia’s forfeits, told his players their season was over because of the team’s apparent fourth-place finish. At least 11 Canyon players participated in recreational indoor soccer league games the next day, Robb said.

Because Canyon’s season was actually still alive, the players unknowingly violated the section’s rule against outside participation during the high school season. Robb said a Canyon appeal to the section Tuesday was denied.

“It’s a complete lack of common sense,” Robb said. “We didn’t break the rule out of ignorance.”

By the time the appeal was denied Tuesday, the section’s playoff draws were set and Canyon’s absence left only a hole in the wild-card portion of the Division II bracket.

Burroughs, which tied Canyon for third place after Valencia’s forfeits, is a Division III team. Valencia, which dropped into a tie with Burbank for last place, is a Division I team.

Frank Kallem, Burbank’s athletic director, said school officials declined an offer for the Bulldogs to participate in a Division II wild-card game at Righetti on Wednesday.

Kallem cited Burbank’s winless league record, a notification period of only 24 hours, and the absence of the Bulldogs’ coach, who left on vacation.

Righetti received a forfeit victory Wednesday and advanced to play at Santa Barbara on Saturday.