A school-record 12-1 record — with its only loss coming against a bigger school in the CIF-Southern Section division semifinals — will not be enough for the Bishop Diego football team to be considered for CIF Division 4 Regional bowl bid.
The Cardinals’ only loss was to North Torrance in the Northwest Division semifinals last Friday, 28-14. North Torrance plays Nordhoff for the division title on Saturday.
With Nordhoff and North Torrance both in Division 3 for regional and state championships, some local football followers thought Bishop Diego still had a shot at the Division 4 regional bowl game.
Their hopes were shot down when they learned the No. 1 criteria for a receiving regional bowl berth is winning a section title.
The contenders for the South Regional game are CIF-SS East Valley Division finalist Ontario Christian (13-0), Northeast Division finalist Mission Prep (12-1), CIF-San Diego Section Division V finalist Santa Fe Christian (9-3) and CIF-Central Section Division 4 finalist Bakersfield Christian (10-2).
Bishop Diego Athletic Director Dan Peeters said a prep sports web site predicted the small schools regional bowl game would be between two teams the Cardinals played this season.
“Max Preps predictions indicate that the South Regional playoff game will be between Mission Prep and Santa Fe Christian – two teams we defeated,” said Peeters.
The Cardinals edged Santa Fe Christian 13-8 at home and won at Mission Prep 16-13.
Max Preps wrote that its prediction is based on the fact Ontario Christian and Bakersfield Christian must beat larger schools in their respective section championship games.
The regional bowl game selections will take place Sunday following the completion of the section finals. The games will be played Dec. 7-8. The winners will advance to State Bowl Championship games the following weekend.
This is the first year of the regional bowl games.
