Calipatria and Holtville to play in Division 5 AA

Two Imperial Valley high schools to play in new CIF division

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The CIF San Diego Section has added a new division, 5 AA, for the upcoming season. Calipatria High School and Holtville High School will be playing in it this fall in football and volleyball.

The eight schools, including the two from the Imperial Valley, were selected based on attendance. The schools in Division 5AA all have less than 1,000 students.

"We will always compete but sometimes in playoffs you have that one team for whatever reason is in D5," Calipatria athletic director Ted Hughes said. "But they have 3500 kids on campus. That is just a tough ask to be honest with you. We have about 350 kids. Its not a level playing field. This will take that out of the equation." 

Six teams will move on to the playoffs after the regular season.

"My biggest thing as the athletic director is the self esteem sports brains," Hughes said. "Now, you know you have an opportunity to compete on a level playing field. A sport like football, that basically sets the tone for school pride the rest of the year." 

Football and volleyball programs are starting practice across the Imperial Valley, so make sure to stay tuned to News 11 for coverage all season long.