LONG BEACH—The latest twist in the CIF-Southern Section Northern Area releaguing saga carried the shock value of a murder mystery climax.

Southern Section leagues voted to put Oaks Christian and St. Bonaventure into the Marmonte League for football only, while keeping Calabasas in the league for all sports starting in 2010-11.

"I’m obviously disappointed," said Thousand Oaks athletic director Jason Klinger in a sentiment shared by most Marmonte schools.

In the initial vote by the nine Northern Area leagues, the creation a four-team league of OCHS, St. Bonaventure, Grace Brethren and Santa Clara was shot down, 8-1.

The Channel League provided the lone dissenting vote.

Northern Area leagues then voted 7-1 in favor of an all-sports swap between Calabasas and Oaks Christian. One league abstained.

Then things got interesting.

Ventura High (on behalf of the entire Channel League), Oaks Christian and Calabasas immediately appealed.

The Channel League proposed a 10-team Marmonte League for football only. The Lions wanted to swap with Calabasas for football only.

But Calabasas threw a wrench into the process.

The Coyotes had long wanted to remain in the Marmonte for all sports.

In a change of strategy, CHS football coach and athletic director Larry Edwards threw his support behind the Channel League’s proposal.

When the CIF-SS executive council put the decision in the hands of the 71 leagues across the section, the Channel League’s 11th-hour proposal won by a vote of 41-21, with nine abstentions.

Under the passed proposal, Calabasas, which hasn’t won a league football game since 2002, will have to play powerhouses Oaks Christian and St. Bonaventure on a yearly basis.

"It changes the dynamic of our football league," Edwards said. "It would have been better if the league stayed as is."

Richard Urias, assistant principal at Newbury Park, said he was "shocked’ CHS supported the Channel proposal.