No there’s nothing perfect about the selection process for the state football championship games and that’s the problem.

St. Vincent was in the running for the new small schools division game at Carson, but was it really? Two-loss Hamilton Union of Hamilton City near Chico got the nod over once-beaten St. Vincent and undefeated Modoc, most likely on strength of schedule. Or at least strength of schedule determined by the 10 section commissioners who vote in a secret ballot.

There is absolutely no way of differentiating between schools that haven’t played each other and have no common opponents. Yeah, so-and-so lost a close game to so-and-so, who in turn beat so-in-so but that doesn’t mean anything. It’s like figuring that some also ran college team could beat the national champion because it upset a team, who beat a team, yada, yada, yada.

I agree with those who said because Modoc and St. Vincent had two weeks and a one week off, why not let them play off one weekend, which would mean one less team in the mix. If the teams want to play, let them. And that would certainly enhance strength of schedule.

The selection committee said there is no way a school wouldn’t make state because it’s a private school or wouldn’t make it because its from a small town that wouldn’t bring that many fans to Carson, but how do you explain to a St. Vincent or Modoc that two-loss Hamilton Union is better. No it’s not a perfect selection system, particularly for the small schools, but why not and try to make it better.