Week 6 marks the official halfway point of the Central Coast Section football season, meaning some teams are already well into their league schedules, while others are on their bye this week before starting league play in Week 7.
The entire BVAL-Mount Hamilton Division is off this week, as are many PAL teams. But there are still plenty of exciting matchups on tap in the WCAL as well as on the Peninsula and down in the Monterey Bay region.
Riordan at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 7 p.m. Friday
The Crusaders (4-0, 1-0 WCAL) have been every bit worthy of the hype bestowed upon them before the season. Riordan’s roster is littered with Division I commits, including Vanderbilt-bound quarterback Michael Mitchell Jr., who threw four touchdown passes last week in a win at Saint Francis. Three of them covered more than 50 yards. Receivers Judge Nash, Cynai Thomas and Kyle Welch can all stretch the field, and Adonyae Brown gives this offense another dimension with his power running ability.
The Fightin’ Irish (3-1, 1-0) thumped Bellarmine 71-14 on the road last week and have an outstanding quarterback of their own in Jayden Crane, who has completed 45 of 61 passes for 818 yards and 10 touchdowns with four interceptions. Legend Williams has lived up to his name in the backfield, with 418 rushing yards (11.3 yards per carry) through four games, and Zion Secrease and Chase Jenkins are Crane’s top targets. Don’t be surprised if this one turns into a shootout at Kezar Stadium.
Carlmont at Mountain View, 7 p.m. Friday
Both teams are opening Peninsula Athletic League-De Anza Division play after challenging non-league schedules. The Scots (1-3) traded blows with Sacred Heart Prep last week before coming up just short in a 31-27 loss, thanks mostly to quarterback Brody Zirelli, who was 31-of-42 passing for 330 yards, three touchdowns and one interception while also rushing for a score. Austin Sotto and Lucas Robertson both had more than 100 receiving yards for a Carlmont team that is playing its best football of the year at the right time.
The Spartans (1-3) have struggled ever since their 46-44 win at Palo Alto in Week 1. Mountain View has allowed at least 41 points in all four games, with Woodside, Live Oak and Menlo all handily defeating the Spartans. Dom Kristof is one of the best running backs in the section, though, with 640 yards through four games. He has scored five touchdowns and is averaging 11 yards per carry.
Valley Christian at Mitty, 7 p.m. Friday
The Warriors (2-2, 0-1 WCAL) are coming off a blowout home loss to Serra in which they allowed two defensive touchdowns and struggled to sustain drives. Turnovers have been an issue for quarterback Rome Leota-Pritchard, though Riley McElvane has been reliable out wide. Ekiah McLemore is Valley Christian’s workhorse running back, with Divine Johnson and Troy Calupad giving the Warriors a change of pace.
The Monarchs (3-1, 1-0) won 37-23 last week at St. Ignatius, their first win over the Wildcats in nine years. Their offense can change a game in an instant, with star running back Lazaro Faraj-Washington opening things up for quarterback Joseph Engin and receivers Caden Kelly and Kai Sniffen. Lucca Edwards is also capable of producing huge plays in the return game.
Hollister at Salinas, 7:30 p.m. Friday
Another key showdown in the PCL Gabilan Division between two teams that have played difficult schedules. The Haybalers (1-3, 1-1) have a win at Alisal that has aged well but lost at home last week to North Salinas, 13-10. Hollister likes to put the ball in the air with quarterback Cruz Raquet, who is 35 of 65 for 652 yards and six touchdowns with three interceptions. The majority of those yards have gone to Jacob Jackson, who has 18 catches for 401 receiving yards through four games with three touchdowns.
The Cowboys (2-2, 1-1) have a win at North Salinas as well as a victory over Valley Christian, but lost 41-24 last week at Soquel. The Valley Christian win was Salinas’ only home game before this one, and Salinas has one of the best home environments in the section. Kiernan Toby completed 23 of 31 passes in the Soquel game for 293 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception. Josiah Martinez hauled in all three scores on eight catches for 138 yards, while Kijan King caught nine passes for 122 yards.
St. Ignatius at Serra, 1:30 p.m. Saturday
The Wildcats (1-3, 0-1 WCAL) fell at home to Mitty in their league opener, falling behind by 30 points in the fourth quarter before stringing some points together late. Bobby Gomez and Caedon Afsharipour split time at quarterback for St. Ignatius, with Zui Shelton as the primary receiver no matter who is behind center. But this offense flows through running back Luke Tribolet, who has a nose for the end zone and can get the ball on any down and distance.
The Padres (1-3, 1-0) were well-prepared for the WCAL schedule thanks to a grueling non-league slate, and they hammered Valley Christian on the road last week behind a dominant defensive effort. Freshman William Orr made his first start at quarterback in place of Caleb Bandel and showed plenty of poise. Charles Walsh and Jace Cannon are the main receiving options for Serra, with Iziah Singleton carrying the load in the running game.
