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SUSSEX COUNTY INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE FOOTBALL
NJ.com North Jersey Proposal Commentary

Read original Article [1/13/08]

All commentary is based on the article and the opinion of the writer [1/14/08]

As I continue to think and re-read this article, I am unsure how to think about it. I do not know much of the situation outside of Sussex County, so much of this article will be written in the Sussex County point of view. Let me start off by saying, if there was a way for the SCIL to at least attempt to resolve some issues, I think that would be best. The traditionalist in me thinks the core SCIL should stay together but adjusting for the times such as scheduling formula, divisions, expansion would tremendously help the league [see my original proposal]. As I am sadly realizing that it is almost inevitable for a North Jersey realignment, I think the Star Ledger's proposal has some good ideas involved.

I like the big leagues. If the SCIL had to disappear, I would love to see Shore-like leagues involved in Sussex County. By having this, it gives the opportunity for most rivalries to continue. It will also allow for more scheduling ease and could fix much of the issues that are occurring today. I do have a few comments and suggestions I would like to point out concerning the proposal set forth.

  • The Big 12. I think it is a good idea, good suggestion, but I would like to see games played out to prove that there needs to be one. I can see that much of the upper division of the Big 12 needs it (based on the NNJIL's Big 3 plus St. Peter's Prep), but the lower half could be a different story. With the realignment plan, I think the lower division and Immaculata should stay in their respective leagues/divisions for the first few years. Maybe the new competition with a promo/relegation system will bring them back down to earth a little bit. Also, travel concerns are raised and I think it would be beneficial to at least try the lower division and Lata in the leagues/divisions that they were assigned at first. I do believe that with the realignment, the leagues for the bottom 6 plus Lata will bring an interesting set of games that I do not believe will be so dominating.

  • As for the other 5 Big 12 schools, I think they should stay in a league of their own (which will expand when it is proven that they need to). I think what should be done for games is to rotate northern leagues. What do I mean? Well, maybe 2 leagues will be responsible for 20 games (4 out of league games for 5 teams - leaving 1 for an open date). If there are 4 leagues in the north (as proposed), then every 2 years, switch the burden to the other 2 leagues. This keeps competition fresh and the possibility of an upset greater. Also, it will not push the burden to one set of schools and it will be up to the individual leagues to decide to gets the challenge of the Big 5. For the Morris-Sussex Conference, I would suggest leaving the games to the biggers schools.

  • If my first point is not met, is the Big 12 permanent, or will it rotate based on how well teams perform? Will it allow publics in? What about states...is states guaranteed? These questions need to be answered before any school signs up for the elite league. In my opinion, if the Big 5 enlarged to encompass 10, 12, 18, etc schools, I believe top public schools should be allowed into the league and guarantee them states if this occurs. How do you determine who gets in? Well, the winners of the top division in each league are in a pool, and based on past records and states records, decide who is allowed in. In return, those who do not do so well in the elite league will drop back to their original realigned league.

  • County boundaries should not the league boundary...although it makes it simple, I think the northern Warren County schools (North Warren, Hackettstown) should compete with the Sussex schools because much of those schools are closers than the schools lined up in their realigned Super Skyland Conference. With this being said, I think some Passaic schools (West Milford in particular) should play with the Morris and Sussex schools. It only makes sense for travel times to be included in the realignment as well.

  • For the most part, I like what I see in the 4 divisions of the Morris-Sussex Conference. Some good matchups are in play, Vernon gets opponents that will allow them to prove that they are state worthy, Sparta-PJ are still in the same division, and most SCIL schools have at least 3 other Sussex County schools within their division to keep the rivalries going. The only exception is Vernon.

  • With all of this being said, I propose a spin-off alignment of the Morris-Sussex Conference. This one includes:
    • 6 divisions (instead of 4)- allows for a more flexible schedule and also allows for more rivalry games to continue.
      • Divisions were created mainly on size but past records also counted towards the new divisions.
    • 5 extra schools in addition to the ones given
      • Hackettstown, Lakeland, North Warren, Sussex Tech, and West Milford
    • A Promo/Relegation system
    • Simple Scheduling formula

 

The newer Morris-Sussex Conference

 

States Scoreboard

 

2008 STANDINGS
School
SW
SL
SPCT
HP 2 7 22.2%
Hop 0 9 0%
Jef 8 1 88.9%
Kit 1 8 11.1%
LV 5 4 55.6%
Newt 3 6 33.3%
PJ 8 1 88.9%
Spa 8 1 88.9%
Ver 6 3 66.7%
WV 4 5 44.4%
School
W
L
PCT
Enr
HP 0 4 0% 943
Jef 3 1 75% 783
PJ 3 1 75% 669
Spa 3 1 75% 907
Ver 1 3 25% 1260

NOTE: If there were divisions in the SCIL based on size (NJSIAA.org), this is how it looks for the big schools.
School
W
L
PCT
Enr
Hop 0 4 0% 546
Kit 1 3 25% 615
LV 4 0 100% 617
Newt 2 2 50% 622
WV 3 1 75% 632

NOTE: If there were divisions in the SCIL based on size (NJSIAA.org), this is how it looks for the small schools.
+ Complete Standings