Southern Section coaches continue to complain about playoff system

"How do you explain that Harvard-Westlake's boys' soccer team won the Mission League championship, beat fourth-place Sherman Oaks Notre Dame twice by shutouts but ended up being ranked four spots below the Knights in computer rankings? How do you explain Newbury Park's girls' soccer team with a 10-5-2 record and wins over No. 4 Oaks Christian, No. 12 Moorpark and No. 27 Camarillo failing to get an at-large playoff spot?"

"In reaction, Southern Section spokesman Thom Simmons said, "No system is perfect whether human or computer. Some will always believe their placement incorrect. I would simply point to the data showing competitive equity placement works." Competitive equity does work to produce closer playoff results, but lots of tweaking still needs to take place, including education. "We want transparency what they value," one athletic director said of trying to figure out algorithms. "They're giving us a test, and we need to know the material.""

Two high school soccer coaches labeled Southern Section playoff pairings produced by a computer algorithm "Unbelievable" and "Absurd." The competitive equity algorithm produced rankings that conflicted with on-field results, exemplified by Harvard-Westlake finishing below teams it beat and Newbury Park's girls missing an at-large berth despite notable wins. Southern Section spokesman Thom Simmons acknowledged imperfections but cited data supporting competitive equity. Officials contend the system yields closer playoff results but requires tweaking and better education for coaches and administrators. The Southern Section office retains sole authority over the chosen algorithm, leaving schools unable to reverse the decision, and a lack of transparency could provoke backlash.

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