Prep soccer officials and the San Diego Section schools that pay them aren't any closer to a new contract than they were before Thursday's negotiations. A disagreement over officials compensation is the crux of this standoff, which, by all accounts could be a long one.

The High School Sports Officiating Coalition, which represents section schools, has remained firm in their position that the soccer officials will get no more than a $1 raise in their per game fee, which was $57 last season. The Southern California Soccer Officials Association of San Diego is demanding a $3 fee increase in each of the next three years.

Both sides are taking a hard-line stance, meaning that this argument could last a while and delay or cancellation of the soccer season seems increasingly likely.

"We hope it doesn't come to that," SCSOASD president Bob Petterson said. "But I have been authorized to withhold services indefinitely if satisfactory progress is not made."

HSSOC president Bill Stout did not return a call seeking comment.

Despite this holdout, local soccer coaches are planning for the season to carry on as usual.

"There are so many things to take care of at this time, from booster clubs to buying equipment to planning practices that I can't concern myself with things I can't control," Westview High boys coach Martin Coughlin said. "I'm going ahead as I normally would, hoping that they get this issue resolved."

-- Scott Bair