The football teams at Gilroy and Christopher high schools will move from the Gabilan Division to the lower Pacific Division within the Monterey Bay League next season, the MBL announced Wednesday.
The moves are part of realignment in fall sports for 2013, as the MBL completed its process for assigning schools to respective divisions in each sport.
Gilroy football coach Brian Boyd called the switch a “fantastic change.”
“We think it’s a good thing,” Boyd said. “The program’s very excited about it. This is where we need to be for a year or two.
“Having a couple years in the lower division can help get this program back on track.”
Gilroy struggled to a 2-8 record this season, including a 1-5 mark in league play. The Mustangs lost 70-0 to San Benito and 73-34 to Palma in consecutive games.
“We’re not going to get blown out 70-0 or 55-14. We’re not going to have games like that anymore, which is huge for our boys,” Boyd said.
In football, the Pacific will be comprised of Christopher, Everett Alvarez, Gilroy, North Monterey County, North Salinas, Pajaro Valley and Watsonville. The Gabilan will be comprised of Alisal, Monterey, Monte Vista Christian, Palma, Salinas, San Benito and Seaside.
Christopher will move to the Gabilan in girls volleyball, and Gilroy will switch to the Pacific in cross country.