With all leagues now immersed in deciding their championships, we see elite battles shaping up on a weekly basis. This Friday and Saturday are no exception.
We take a look at the top match-ups across the North Coast Section. And don’t forget to also read student-reporter Jesus Cano’s BVAL Games of the Week preview and student-reporter Bryce Lynds’ WACC-Foothill Games of the Week preview.
Clayton Valley (5-1, 1-0 DAL-Valley) at Concord (5-1, 1-0), Friday, 7 pm
This game has been circled on the calendar since last fall’s NCS Division II championship game, won by the Eagles, 23-22. Both teams are flying high entering this game, which will go a long way in deciding the league title.
Clayton Valley will be without starting quarterback Zia Rahmany, but backup Kenny ‘KJ’ Gardner has proven more than capable, and ran for 80 yards in last week’s 43-13 win over Miramonte. Clayton Valley’s strength is on the ground anyway, having once again topped the 400-yard mark for rushing yards in a game last week. The defense, meanwhile, has been outstanding this year, and displayed its strength again last week by completely shutting down Miramonte’s run game and harassing quarterback Tim Tague all night long.
Concord’s defensive effort will be led by defensive end Deandre Morgan and linebacker Alex Cruz, as the Minutemen look to replicate their post-season effort from last year. The offense, meanwhile, will look to what no one has been able to do against Clayton Valley’s defense – consistently move the ball. Quarterback Nick Nunez has been playing extremely well, and has a deep cast of weapons at receiver, while Mike Davis, Jr. anchors the run game. Damaria Capers, Cruz, and Morgan are all big receiving threats.
Campolindo (4-2, 1-0 DAL-Valley) at Miramonte (5-1, 0-1), Friday, 7 pm
We’re getting used to see these big games coming from the DAL-Valley Conference, and this one is absolutely huge for both programs. Miramonte is looking to bounce back from its first loss of the season, while Campolindo looks to build on the momentum from last week’s 56-3 throttling of Las Lomas.
Campolindo’s offense is led by quarterback Jacob Westphal, who has a big-play target in receiver Vincent Mossotti, while Kannah Cruickshank is another reliable target. Matt Ringquist and Noah Loeliger provide a speedy one-two punch in the backfield.
Miramonte, meanwhile, needs to get its offense untracked again after being forced to become one-dimensional last week. The Matadors would love to running back Peter Stehr involved again this week, while Tague’s reliable connection with Nick Foster, Will Cassriel, and Ethan Fischler will no doubt be on display again this Friday night.
Campolindo still has Clayton Valley waiting on its schedule, and both teams will face Concord down the road, so this becomes a must-win for both programs.
Kennedy-Fremont (6-0, 2-0 MVAL) at Moreau Catholic (5-1, 1-0), Friday, 7 pm
This is, by far, the biggest test to-date for the visiting Titans, who are looking to replicate their unbeaten regular season from two years ago. Kennedy’s offense has been led by its powerful Wing-T run game, led by backs Vincent Larsen and Darius Moses.
Moreau Catholic, of course, has one of the top backs in the state, with Northern Colorado commit Jullen ‘Booda’ Ison. Ison ran roughshod in last week’s win over American, and should be plenty ready for this week’s game, which should decide the Mission Valley championship.
The Mariners have developed more weapons as well this season. Two-way standout Jordan Seiden is a bit of a short-yardage and blocking force in the backfield, while Kenry Jourdan has improved every week at quarterback, enabling Moreau to utilize such weapons as Alex Johnson and Josh Pullum.
Kennedy-Richmond (6-1, 1-0 TCAL-Stone) at Hercules (7-0, 1-0), Friday, 7 pm
Both teams are off to amazing starts, and this game could decide the Stone Division championship, with De Anza also in the mix at this point.
Kennedy’s defense has been rock solid, but gave up 41 points two weeks ago to El Cerrito in the team’s only loss, and faces another prolific attack against the Titans. Dual-threat Dieontae Malan has been the guiding force for the Hercules offense, and figures to be the focal point in this game as well.
Kennedy, meanwhile, counters with a balanced attack offensively. Junior quarterback Micah Barnes has thrown for 15 touchdowns, but the Eagles also have four different backs over the 200-yard mark in rushing. Akeli Nelson is Barnes’ top target in the passing game.
Foothill (3-3) at De La Salle (5-1), Friday, 7:30 pm
A few weeks ago, this game would not have made the list of top games, but recent results for both teams have created intrigue, as Foothill quarterback Ben Wooldridge looks to guide the Falcons into contention against a De La Salle team which held on by the skin of its teeth against San Ramon Valley last week.
De La Salle’s offense has returned to its roots this season, with a traditional veer-option look, led by quarterback Abel Ordaz and running back Kairee Robinson. The defensive front, meawnhile, led by Tuli Letuligasenoa and Isiah Taotua, will look to harass Wooldridge and Foothill’s offense after allowing San Ramon Valley to throw the ball for over 300 yards last week.
Best of the Rest
Livermore has reached four wins for the first time in five years, and is 2-2 in EBAL play, but now travels to Danville to take on unbeaten Monte Vista and quarterback Jake Haener.
Santa Rosa is off to its best start in over a decade, and hosts Windsor in a key North Bay League battle, not just for league standings, but also a critical match-up for Division II playoff seedings.
The WACC-Shoreline title picture will get a lot more clear after this week, when Hayward faces Encinal at Sunset Field. The Farmers went just 2-3 against a difficult non-league schedule, but routed San Lorenzo in their league opener last week, while Encinal turned back the other top contender for the league championship, Mt. Eden.
El Cerrito suffered a surprising loss to TCAL-Rock newcomer Swett last week, and now tries to battle back on the road at Saint Mary’s, which has shaken off an 0-4 start to the season by winning its last two games, including a 19-14 win over Salesian last week.
Surprising St. Patrick-St. Vincent is off to a 6-0 start, but has its biggest test of the year so far when it travels to Salesian. The Pride are looking to bounce back from their loss to Saint Mary’s, while the Bruins are looking to make a statement to the rest of the Rock Division.
