The Nexus

Same cross-town rival, longer bus trips, new enemies. Love it or hate it, it’s Westview’s first year in the Valley League.

Yes, our football team finally set a record worth talking about and our freshman and junior varsity teams are making a name for themselves with the numerous wins they bring home.

But, are the improved, more glorious overall records worth the change?

The change from the Palomar League to the Valley League entails playing different teams at newer levels. By new, this means comparatively less difficult levels of play. The Palomar League included multiple nationally-ranked teams. The Valley League consists of teams that are barely ranked in the region.

The Palomar League served Westview as a training center. The Wolverines encountered intense games that forced us to experience extremes we would encounter during CIF playoffs.

But the Valley League simply isn’t enough for Westview as a whole. Come CIF playoffs, our teams don’t have the right training to play the more difficult teams because the Valley League generally consists of much easier teams than those in the Palomar League.

Rather than allotting schools to certain leagues based on school population, CIF divisions should be based on team caliber, in order to promote equal playing fields and chances at improvement.

One may argue that a team’s work ethics and dedication determine its ability to withstand another team, no matter what level of intensity.

However, teams won’t get the exposure needed to face diverse CIF playoff talented teams when they play in a collectively uncompetitive division.

Last month, the girls soccer team played against Torrey Pines to battle for a spot as one of the top 10 teams in the nation. But since CIF divisions are currently based on school population, Westview competed against teams of a relatively lower level before facing the Falcons and losing 4-0.

Coming from a season of a rather easy Valley League, the girls weren’t conditioned enough to transition into a more intense field of play with Torrey Pines.

Similarly, the football team was able to achieve the best record in Westview history. However, two games into the CIF playoffs, the team left the Scripps Ranch field with a letdown. But if the team had faced more challenging teams before CIF playoffs, it could have possibly gained enough experience playing against a tougher opponent to advance to the next round.

Teams would get the training needed to be able to have a better chance within the CIF ring. The league season should act as a preparation for the CIF playoffs, not a record booster. In the long run, it’s the skills and experience built over a season, not the wins and losses, that should matter