After marquee match-ups last week saw three of the section’s previously unbeaten teams suffered their first loss, teams must avoid let-downs, with even bigger games looming in the final two weeks of the regular season.
But there is still plenty to get excited about this week, and don’t forget to also check out our NorCal Games of the Week feature, highlighting the game to watch from each section. Plus, read about the top games in the Bay Valley Athletic League, in a feature by student-reporter Jesus Cano.
Hayward (4-3, 2-0 WACC-Shoreline) vs Mt. Eden (4-3, 0-2) at Chabot College, Friday, 7 pm
Hayward is coming off arguably its biggest win under coach Justin Redemer, having used a blocked punt return and a fumble return to topple pre-season league favorite Encinal, 12-6.
The Farmers defense is led by standouts such as junior Odale Hickman, senior Joseph Patterson, sophomore Nephtali Moi Moi, and junior Josiah Suani. Patterson leads the team with 12.5 sacks, while Hickman has 13 tackles for a loss. Both players have scored twice on defense this year.
Mt. Eden surged to a 4-1 start in non-league play, but a loss to Encinal was followed by a surprising eight-point loss to Alameda last week, tempering the early enthusiasm generated by the Monarchs.
Sophomore quarterback Aavani Bailey completed 81 percent of his passes in those first five games, while running back Jocquil Veazey ran for 10 touchdowns and averaged nearly 11 yards per carry during the same stretch.
“We need to play each play as if the play before never happened, and what I told the team was that each game needs to be treated like the game before never happened, and each opportunity should be taken for what it has to offer,” Redemer said. “In this case, our opportunity is to take another step against a tough, physical Mt. Eden team that is going to pound the ball and has very talented running backs, plus an athletic quarterback, and some big, physical linemen who will pose a big challenge for us.”
Concord (5-2, 1-1 DAL-Valley) at Campolindo (5-2, 2-0), Friday, 7 pm
With its come-from-behind win over Miramonte last week, Campolindo has kept alive its hopes for a shot at the Valley Conference title, facing Clayton Valley in the regular season finale.
Meanwhile, Concord looks to bounce back from last week’s 21-0 loss to the Eagles, one in which the Minutemen defense held Clayton Valley scoreless until midway through the fourth quarter. This game has the added incentive for both programs of being the game which could likely decide the top seed in the upcoming Division II playoff bracket.
Campo has been fairly balanced offensively, as senior quarterback Jacob Westphal has thrown for 1,448 yards and 10 touchdowns, while the Cougars have run for 930 yards, led by Noah Loeliger, who has three 100-yard games this season. Junior Vincent Mossotti is a big-play receiver, averaging over 26 yards per catch.
Aside from last week, junior Nick Nunez has been outstanding at quarterback for Concord, throwing for 1,443 yards and 12 touchdowns for the year. Senior Joey Agostino leads the receiving with 37 catches for 478 yards and four touchdowns. The Minutemen defense has been nearly impenetrable, led by Alex Cruz and Deandre Morgan. Cruz has 77 tackles and eight tackles for a loss, while Morgan has 11.5 sacks and 17 tackles for a loss.
Logan (1-6) vs Kennedy-Fremont (7-0) at Washington HS, Saturday, 7 pm
On paper, the records make this one look like a complete mismatch. But coach Dave Damewood and the Kennedy Titans are not likely to be overlooking a James Logan team which has dominated the Titans in recent history.
“We haven’t beaten these guys in a long time, so our kids are up and focused,” Damewood said. “Forget their record, since they have played a very good schedule. We will need to play together and stick to our game plan.”
Running a Wing-T offense which has produced tremendously, Damewood cited the players’ ability to believe in the system, which provides multiple players the opportunity to carry the ball. Darius Moses leads the attack with 1,326 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, while Vincent Larsen has 762 yards and nine touchdowns rushing.
Logan is looking to build on its first win, a 28-7 victory over American last week.
Foothill (3-4, 3-2 EBAL) at Granada (3-4, 1-4), Friday, 7 pm
Coming off its loss to De La Salle, Foothill is now looking to build momentum towards the playoffs, needing one more league win to become eligible, but looking to use an earlier win over San Ramon Valley and a strong finishing stretch to get a higher seed.
Granada, meanwhile, has lost four straight following a 3-0 start, a trend the Matadors need to end in order to boost their playoff seeding chances for the Division II bracket.
Quarterback Ben Wooldridge looks to get the Falcons offense back on track, while Jason Frost looks to do the same for Granada.
Foothill has won six straight meetings against Granada.
Ukiah (5-2, 2-2 NBL) at Maria Carrillo (2-5, 1-3), Friday, 7:30 pm
Two of Carrillo’s three losses in league play have come by a combined nine points, and the Pumas have a big win over Windsor, leaving them scraping for a playoff berth. Ukiah, meanwhile, has already become playoff eligible, but the Wildcats are looking to bounce back from a one-sided loss to Rancho Cotate.
Senior quarterback Brett Hofstetter leads the Ukiah attack offensively, complemented by running back Mikey Contreras.
Maria Carrillo has won seven straight meetings in the series against Ukiah, dating back to a loss in 2008.
Best of the Rest
Washington brings its 5-2 overall record, and 2-0 record in the MVAL, into Friday night’s game against American. The Huskies trail Kennedy by a half-game, and need a victory to set up a de facto league title game next week against the Titans, while American needs to win both of its remaining two games in order to become playoff eligible.
Salesian bounced back from a loss to Saint Mary’s in its league opener by routing previously unbeaten St. Patrick-St. Vincent last week. Swett had the opposite fortune, falling to Pinole Valley last week after beating El Cerrito in its league opener. The teams are part of a six-team logjam in the TCAL-Rock Division.
Berean Christian looks to continue its unbeaten run in the DAL-Foothill Conference, in its first season since coming over from the TCAL. The Eagles rolled past Alhambra last week, and face Northgate. The Broncos bounced back from a one-point loss to College Park by downing Ygnacio Valley, 35-7, last week.
Another key game in the TCAL-Rock happens this Saturday, when SPSV heads to Saint Mary’s. Both teams lost last week after winning their league openers, and look to forge ahead in the league standings. SPSV is already playoff eligible, but the Panthers need a winning record in league play to qualify.
