High School Football Landscape Shifts in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is buzzing with excitement as high school football teams gear up for the new season, which features significant changes to the league structure. The alterations, driven by school administrators’ focus on re-leaguing for competitive balance, have led to a complete upheaval of traditional rivalries and geography-based affiliations.
The CalPreps power ratings served as the foundation for these changes, resulting in local schools re-aligning into new leagues. This season, Santa Barbara High, San Marcos, and Dos Pueblos, previously mainstays in the Channel League, have stepped into newly created leagues.
Coach Nate Mendoza of Santa Barbara High is optimistic about the upcoming season as his team joins the six-team Conejo Coast League, which also includes former Channel League member Rio Mesa and schools like Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Westlake, and Calabasas. “We’re just excited for the opportunity,” Mendoza said. “I don’t expect anybody to think highly of us in that league and that’s the way we want it.”
San Marcos and Dos Pueblos have found their home in the Tri-County League, where they will face off against Agoura and Ventura County teams like Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Hueneme. New to the mix, Tom Crawford’s Bishop Diego program continues its journey in the Marmonte League, now featuring top-rated teams like Oaks Christian and St. Bonaventure.
Carpinteria remains in the Citrus Coast League, a league that has lost several teams during the re-leaguing process, now boasting just four teams. The Warriors will play against Grace Brethren, Nordhoff, Channel Islands, and new addition Del Sol from Oxnard next year.
Despite the confusion the changes may bring, the atmosphere at the Tri-County League’s media day was filled with enthusiasm. Coach AJ Pateras expressed excitement about the fresh competition, noting, “This is a new opportunity for some of us that were on the lower tier.” The shift offers teams a chance to compete with new opponents, rather than battling familiar rivals in the Channel League.
Coach Ralph Molina, reflecting on the new league setup, emphasized that the change gives teams within the league an authentic chance to contend for a championship. “Now, we talk about what our goal is,” he shared, adding that the players believe in their potential.
As anticipation builds for the season ahead, each team looks forward to presenting their skills in what promises to be a thrilling high school football landscape in Santa Barbara.
