Warning Track Power:
High school sports, by Rich Estrada

Another round of Sac-Joaquin Section soccer playoffs has come and gone, and it was business as usual: The bigger game, the more likely no winner was determined. The big game often ended in a tie, which led to the always-popular penalty kicks to decide who gets to take home a section banner.

In divisions III and IV, both title matches were ties. In D-I, both semifinals were ties. One D-II semifinal was a tie, as was a D-V semifinal. The section's strategy for breaking tie? Clear the field, then bring out one player at a time and to take shots at the goal with only a goalie to defend it. It penalizes teams that play good defense -- because it voids their strength.

High school sports blog
by Will DeBoard

By now you've probably already read the story that Placer High School won its court case and has been reinstated to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs. The Hillmen will take on Oakdale at The Corral Friday night at 7:30. It's an improbable finish to a case that may actually not be finished. So who are the winners and losers in this case? Here's my take.

LOSER: Colfax High School. Friday afternoon, the Falcons were in busses on their way to Oakdale for a playoff game. They got the call while in Sacramento that the game was postponed. Then today, they learn their season is over. That's a real tough pill to swallow, especially considering the forfeits happened to early in the season and they weren't resolved until today.