It’s opening week of the North Coast Section playoffs, which means that while there is definitely the possibility that we will see some games which result in one-sided final scores, there also appears to exist some wonderful first-round games, including some regular season rematches.
#9 James Logan (7-3) at #8 California (6-4), Friday, 7 pm: These programs last met three years in the playoffs, with the Colts running away with a 40-7 win on that night. That doesn’t figure to be the case this year, especially with Cal’s big win over Monte Vista two weeks ago.
Both teams played loaded schedules, and all of the losses between the schools have come to top programs around the state. Logan’s three losses were to opponents with a combined record of 26-4, and that included a one-point overtime loss to Atascadero. Cal’s four losses, meanwhile, were to De La Salle, Pittsburg, Amador Valley, and Foothill.
Both teams feature strong running games, with Justin Locklear leading the way for the Grizzlies and the backfield combination of Ahmari Davis and Rogelio Reyes pacing the way for Logan. Both offenses also feature some explosive playmakers at receiver, with the Colts’ Sean Simpson and Cal’s Brandon Perrilliat emerging this season.
The winner of this game will advance to face top seed De La Salle in the quarterfinals. Both teams lost to the Spartans during the regular season.
#7 Amador Valley (7-3) at #10 San Leandro (6-4), Friday, 7 pm: As champions of the WACC-Foothill division, the Pirates earned the right to host a first-round game. They welcome Amador Valley, which has played stiff defense at critical junctions this season, and also features an athletic one-two punch in the backfield.
The Dons’ earned the seventh seed with strong play in the EBAL, including a victory over California. Ronnie Jones is a three-year starter at quarterback, and tailback Ledre McCullough has run for over 1,000 yards. Grant Huggins has served as Jones’ favorite target, while fullback and linebacker Patrick Loughnane is a force on both sides of the the ball.
Other standouts for that Amador Valley defense include two-way lineman Peter Ernst and outside linebacker Sam Adams.
San Leandro features running quarterback Ricky Walker, to go with tailback Omari Land, in a run-heavy Pirates’ offense. Norman Haddix and Anthony Pierce round out the Pirates’ weapons on the ground, while Dominic Harper is the top target through the air.
Jahari Kay and Bobo Leota are key figures for a San Leandro defense that recovered from allowing 29 early first-half points to Tennyson last week, and held the Lancers to just eight points during the remainder of regulation.
The winner of this game will advance to face Antioch in the quarterfinals. San Leandro fell to Antioch, 26-3, earlier in the regular season.
St. Helena (9-1) at Fort Bragg (10-0), Friday, 7 pm: These long-standing NCL rivals will meet each other in the playoffs for the first time, with St. Helena trying to erase the sting of a 27-14 loss in the regular season that prevented the Saints from claiming a league title.
Fort Bragg, meanwhile, is trying to erase the memory of last year’s early exit from the post-season, when the Timberwolves fell to Moreau Catholic in the first round. They had to play that game without an injured Kaylor Sullivan, however, something they don’t have to worry about this year.
Sullivan has been on target in his senior season, completing 65 percent of his passes for 3,750 yards and 46 touchdowns, while also being the team’s leading rusher with 440 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Junior Lucas Triplett has been the team’s leading receiver for the second straight year, with 87 catches for 1,275 yards and 19 scores.
Fort Bragg was held to less than 30 points just three times this season, but all those games happened against playoff teams. In the first game between these two teams, Fort Bragg led just 7-0 at halftime, a game which St. Helena played without leading rusher Jahaiver Otero.
The winner of this game will advance to face top seed Marin Catholic.
#12 Alameda (6-4) at #5 Tennyson (8-2), Saturday, 1 pm: This doesn’t appear to be your typical 5 versus 12 game, as teams who each placed second in their respective divisions of the West Alameda County Conference meet in the first round.
The visiting Hornets were unbeaten in Shoreline division play before ending with a loss to two-time champion Piedmont. Tennyson, meanwhile, lost in overtime to three-time champion San Leandro by one point, and only has losses to the Pirates and James Logan this season.
Tennyson’s Christian Silva is one of the top two-way players and dual-threat quarterbacks in the Bay Area.
The winner of this game will advance to face the winner of Granada and Washington in the quarterfinals.
#10 San Marin (8-2) at #7 Justin-Siena (8-2), Saturday, 7 pm: Two of the top quarterbacks from the MCAL bring their teams into this rematch of a regular-season game won by the Braves, 34-20.
Junior Aidan Willard is a dual-threat at quarterback for Justin-Siena, complemented by running back Dominique Shelton. San Marin, meanwhile, has its three marquee names offensively, with quarterback Collin Moore, wide receiver Nick Nazarian, and running back Keith Bradshaw.
The winner of this game will likely face Cardinal Newman in the quarterfinals. The Cardinals host Healdsburg in the first round.
Best of the Rest . . . Casa Grande (4-6) is the seventh seed, but hits the road to Fremont to take on MVAL champion American (8-2). The scenario is reminiscent of last season, when Rancho Cotate was the seven seed in Division III and traveled to Fremont to take on 2014 MVAL champion Kennedy.
Best of the Rest 2 . . . Windsor (6-4) and Pinole Valley (6-4) meet in a game that promises to feature two strong rushing attacks, in a Division II matchup of the eight and nine seeds. Pinole’s Troyante McConico and Michael Kyle combine for one of the most explosive backfields in the section.
