What’s worse than the worst-case scenario?

The Marmonte League just found out.

Having a 10-team league for football only with the inclusion of private school powerhouses Oaks Christian of Westlake Village and St. Bonaventure of Ventura is as ludicrous on paper as it will be on the field.

Most Marmonte athletic directors thought the least appealing releaguing options were an all-sports or football-only swap between Calabasas and Oaks Christian.

Wrong.

Instead of one giant, there are now two giants stalking the largest league in the biggest high school sports section in California.

The Oaks Christian and St. Bonaventure football teams will wallop the other Marmonte schools and finish at the top of the standings annually, notwithstanding an upset victory here and there.

The eight public schools—Simi Valley, Royal, Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Westlake, Agoura and Calabasas— will fight for the two remaining playoff spots. Under the new system, two fewer Marmonte teams that deserve to go the playoffs—and would have gone in the past—will stay home every fall. How is this fair?

Sure, student-athletes will look forward to playing these primetime programs. Teenagers always enjoy challenges, and they’ll want to see how they stack up against Division I-bound players and nationally ranked teams.

The reality, however, is that this setup isn’t good for players, parents or fans of Marmonte football. It’s difficult to imagine that, after years of debate, this was the best option the CIF-Southern Section could offer. Shame on them.

When the Acorn spoke with athletic directors around the league, many were distraught over the releaguing.

Simi Valley athletic director Matt La Belle said he felt helpless. La Belle said four or five teams will never make the playoffs with Oaks and St. Bonnie now in the league.

And you know what? He’s right.

The only winners are the private schools, who got exactly what they wanted—a league of their own at the expense of eight public schools.