Potential Sports Competition Enhancement in Artesia: Boost in Playoff Contenders Possible in Upcoming New Conference
The Foothill Area, a new conference set to debut in the 2026-2027 school year, is causing a stir among local high schools. This conference will bring together 20 schools from the current 605 League, Del Rio League, Gateway League, and Mid-Cities League, aiming to improve competitive equity and provide more balanced playoff opportunities [1][2][4].
The proposed name for this new league is the Foothill Area Conference, although the exact name has not been finalized [2]. By July 1, 2026, the name will be officially decided [2]. The conference will consist of four leagues, each with five teams, with the top three teams receiving automatic berths in the playoffs [1].
The new conference will mark a significant change for many schools, including Artesia High. Since the formation of the 605 League, Artesia High's girls volleyball program has finished no higher than third place, and the other two fall sports, boys water polo and girls tennis, have finished in fourth place or below [1]. The upcoming school year will undoubtedly present challenges for Artesia High's athletic directors and principals as they navigate scheduling issues and transportation concerns.
However, Artesia High has seen some success in various sports since the formation of the 605 League. In the inaugural year, the football team won the Division 12 championship game [1]. Since then, the football team has finished in second place and earned a playoff spot [1]. In 2019, the boys soccer team won its first 605 League title, and the softball team tied Cerritos High for first place that spring [1].
Artesia High, along with two other schools, broke off from the old Suburban League after the 2017-2018 school year to form the 605 League [1]. One of the reasons for this move was to create more competitive equity in Artesia High's athletic program. The new conference will continue this trend, as schools will compete on a per-sport basis, with football teams in one league and basketball teams in a different league [1].
The new conference will also revive old rivalries, as Artesia High will face off against Bellflower High, La Mirada High, Mayfair High, and Norwalk High in many sports [1]. These rivalries are expected to intensify with the new competition format.
The scheduling of sporting events during the winter season, particularly girls-boys basketball doubleheaders, could be compromised due to the new conference format [1]. Additionally, schools will have to address the issue of splitting up cheerleaders during basketball games or other school functions [1].
This is the third time since the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year that area schools have been involved in re-leaguing [1]. The conference can decide the movement of teams to other leagues every year, rather than basing it on power rankings [1]. The new conference aims to ensure that schools are competitive with each other, as Gahr being part of the conference implies that Artesia should be competitive with them [1].
In the future, there may be discussions about relegation or promotion, with the conference likely using CIF rankings for the initial placement of teams [1]. The new conference is expected to provide a more balanced and competitive landscape for high school sports in the Foothill Area.
- The Foothill Area Conference, upon its debut in the 2026-2027 school year, is anticipated to not only reshape the competitive landscape of high school sports but also bring community news about education and self-development through events like sports and education-and-self-development workshops.
- As the new Foothill Area Conference prepares to revive old rivalries among schools such as Artesia High, Bellflower High, La Mirada High, Mayfair High, and Norwalk High, the community can look forward to engaging in discussions about the sports played, fostering a sense of camaraderie and excitement among community members.
