High School Football in California Faces Uncertainty as CalPreps Closes Down

In California, high school football enthusiasts are reacting to the news that CalPreps.com, a major source for high school sports data, is shutting down its operations. For over two decades, CalPreps has served as a reliable platform for national schedules, scores, ratings, and predictions for teams across the country. This abrupt change leaves many fans wondering what lies ahead in tracking their favorite teams and players.

The official announcement from CalPreps was posted directly on its website, confirming the closure. As a result, this could make it more difficult for different states to figure out their postseason selections. Many high school sports associations, including the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), have relied heavily on CalPreps’ statistical data to determine playoff seeds.

Ron Nocetti, the CIF Executive Director, stated that he learned of the situation only recently. He emphasized that CIF employs various guidelines to seed and select teams, noting, “We’re going to take time to access the situation and talk with appropriate parties and make decisions from there.” This means that while the loss of CalPreps is significant, the CIF is prepared to adapt.

The CIF is divided into 10 sections throughout California, each responsible for local teams and playoffs. Particularly in the large Southern Section, which includes nearly 600 schools, CalPreps’ data was integral for seeding decisions in various sports. However, Southern Section Assistant Commissioner Thom Simmons assured fans, “The Southern Section has had backup plans in this situation. We have never relied on one outlet for these playoff divisions.” This indicates that while the closure is an obstacle, alternatives exist to ensure that teams can still compete fairly.

The closure of CalPreps leaves a notable gap in the high school sports community, but the CIF and its sections are already considering their next moves. As they gather to discuss future steps, the focus remains on maintaining an equitable and exciting experience for high school football players and fans alike.