CIF Water Polo Championship Rematch for Agoura and Royal

"This is like deja vu all over again" ~ Yoggi Berra

If seeing local powerhouse boys water polo teams, the Agoura Chargers and Royal Highlanders, face off in a CIF Division 4 championship final seems familiar, that's because it is. Just last year, the crosstown rivals battled it out for CIF title bragging rights. Agoura ultimately edged out Royal, 9-7, in the 2010 matchup. Now, after yesterday's CIF semi-final wins by the Chargers over Troy (10-6) and the Royal Highlanders over Righetti (14-7) the stage is set for a repeat, epic showdown between the two determined and tenacious teams. The Chargers and Highlanders will take to the water on Saturday, November 19th at 1:30 pm at Irvine's William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center (WWJAC). 

Neither team is likely taking anything for granted, either. Both sport senior standouts vying for a permanent place in their respective school's record books as they move on to college-level competition. It's the final opportunity for many of these athletes to earn another title; they will, no doubt, bring on their best to accomplish the challenge. For defending champion Agoura, unprecedented, back-to-back CIF championships is the goal. For Royal, an opportunity to re-join the Marmonte League's CIF winning tradition is underscored. Royal has to reach back to 1995 for a CIF title. Having come within range of snagging last year's prize, they are, no doubt, hungry and eager to keep their collective eyes (and hands) on the ball. And, this year's squad offers one of its best opportunities (since last year) for the Highlanders to take another one home for the team before driver/attacker Cody Moore moves on to the UCLA Bruins. 

Six-time Marmonte League champions, the Agoura Chargers delivered their first CIF title to Agoura High School in 2007 under the leadership of head coach Dusty Litvak. Perennial powerhouses, Royal and Agoura have played three straight CIF semifinal games since 2009. Both Agoura and Royal lost in the semifinals two years ago.

Agoura senior and Charger standout, Danny McClintick, recognizes the rough waters ahead. "It takes a lot of character to defend a title," McClintick tells the Daily News. "When you've won once, to come back and put in all those hours and really want it as bad as you wanted it, if not more than the year before. But, (Royal) got knocked off last year and they're going to want it bad, too." 

"Deja vu all over again!" 

It's worth noting here  that not a single CIF playoff game has been held at Agoura High School. Its small, 40-year-old, deteriorating pool does not meet regulation standards for such events. [CIF rules require a pool width of no less than 45 feet (20m), no more than 66 feet (13m); length of 75 feet (25m). For pools with floating goals, the distance from goal line to goal line shall be 75 feet (25m); depth of 6 1/2 feet.].

In fact, Agoura High School's pool can hardly house its own ever-expanding teams.

It's a shame, too. The Chargers Aquatics Program has been and continues to be to some of the country's premiere and water polo ; athletes who also excel outside the pool and earn the highest of academic accolades before matriculating to some of the nation's best universities. The program reflects a shining light on the city, school and district's overall excellence. It's pool facility - not so much. 

Please join us on Saturday and support the Chargers in their quest for back-to-back Division 4 water polo titles. 

If you can't make it to Irvine, check out our Twitter feed at: AgouraAquatics where game updates will be posted as the action proceeds.

Find Agoura Aquatics on the net here and Facebook here .  

And, please consider a donation to the Agoura Water Polo Foundation – New Pool Project, 5699 Kanan, Agoura, CA 91301-3358. A 501c3, Tax ID #20-1835760.

Go Chargers!