INTRODUCING THE NEW CVC
The CIF finalized its realignment plan for the 2018-19 to 2022-23 school years, and the Capital Valley Conference is getting a makeover. Junior Jamie Bateman breaks down the upcoming changes to the league and analyzes the impacts of the schools that are set to join the conference in 2018.
(GEORGE HUGHES/EYE OF THE TIGER)
May 8, 2017
After being submitted to the California Interscholastic Federation’s Board of Managers on April 5, the CIF Realignment Committee’s final proposal for the 2018-19 to 2022-23 school years was approved.
Roseville High School moved from the Division I Sierra Foothills League to the Division II Capital Valley Conference in the 2014-15 school year as a result of the last realignment and will be affected by the upcoming one as well.
The future CVC will still contain RHS, but will not look very similar to how it stands today. It will lose five schools – Cosumnes Oaks, Del Campo, Ponderosa, Oakmont and Whitney – to different leagues but will gain four – Woodcreek, Inderkum, River Valley and Yuba City – to fill most of the absences.
While Oakmont and Del Campo have never been powerhouses in any sports since the Roseville Tigers debuted in the CVC, Whitney, Ponderosa and Cosumnes Oaks have been constant threats in almost every sport. Their departures will leave some room for Roseville to improve in league standings in most sports.
Three of the four incoming schools will come up from the Division III Tri-County Conference (TCC) while the other, Woodcreek, will drop from the SFL. All four pose a threat to Roseville’s athletic teams one way or another.
Last fall, the Inderkum Tigers posted an 11-3 record in football that included an impressive 6-0 undefeated record in league play. They were also able to advance two rounds into the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs after receiving the eighth seed.
Despite the fact that Inderkum will be a newcomer to the CVC, Roseville should have a good measure of what they are up against as both Tiger teams shared two common opponents last season: Whitney and River Valley. Roseville defeated the Wildcats 35-14 and the Falcons 34-6, and Inderkum won both games as well, with scores of 28-14 and 42-7, respectively. Roseville should expect strong football teams from Inderkum in future seasons.
While Inderkum has an impressive football team, the Yuba City Honkers come to the CVC with an equally impressive baseball team.
The Honkers have had a strong season so far this spring with an 18-8 record overall and a 14-3 record in league play.
The Honkers and Tigers have only played two common opponents this season: the Falcons and the Woodcreek Timberwolves.
The Falcons are knocking on Yuba City’s door for the TCC title this season as they have posted an 11-5 record in league play while the Timberwolves have struggled this season with a 6-8 record.
Both the Honkers and the Tigers fell to the Timberwolves in preseason play this year, but the Honkers managed to defeat the Falcons while Roseville failed to do so.
With recent baseball struggles, Roseville is going to have to watch out for the Honkers and their evidently strong program.
Undeniably the biggest threat coming into the CVC is Woodcreek.
The Timberwolves have a top 10 basketball program in California and are the defending section champions. The team won the section title this year and almost won the state title, falling just short in the championship game. The Tigers and Timberwolves met earlier this season and the Tigers were crushed in an 81-50 defeat.
The Timberwolves also have one of the best girls soccer programs in the area, as the varsity team managed to not only win the SFL with a 6-2 record but make it to the championship of the SJS Division I playoffs before falling to the top seed, Davis.
Not to be outdone, the Roseville girls soccer team was crowned champion of the SJS Division II playoffs so close matchups should be expected in the future.
This soccer matchup is the one that demands my attention the most as a fan. Not only are both teams extremely talented but they also are very young.
While both teams got valuable minutes and production from seniors, they also relied heavily on sophomores and juniors. This will be a good battle to see once Woodcreek enters the CVC in the future.
Overall, even considering the departure of solid oppositions in Cosumnes Oaks, Ponderosa and Whitney, the realigned CVC will bring an appropriate level of talent to the table across all sports.
New challenges are always good for growth, and RHS should welcome these schools and their abilities with open arms and hunger for good competition.
