With seven weeks now complete in the regular season, it is time for a look back at the weekend that was in the North Coast Section. In just the very first weekend of league play for all the six-team leagues and divisions, some big statements were made.
- Pittsburg’s win over Freedom handed the Falcons their first loss of the season, and also snapped their 18-game regular season winning streak. It also puts the Pirates in the driver’s seat for the BVAL title, which they have not won since 2014.
What does it mean for Freedom? If they still want any shot at the league title, this week’s game against Antioch is a must-win. An Antioch win would put the Panthers on collision courses with Liberty and Pittsburg, but would also have an extra ramification. Clayton Valley will be rooting hard for Antioch this week, because a win for the Panthers would likely put Clayton Valley right back in the discussion for Open Division selection at the end of the year.
- Clayton Valley, meanwhile, cruised past Miramonte, ending the Matadors’ 5-0 start to the year, and once again establishing the Ugly Eagles as the heavy favorites in the DAL-Foothill. A new contender to watch, however, is Acalanes, as the Dons’ offense has been clicking, evidenced by a quick 63 points against Concord.
- Bishop O’Dowd got rid of its frustrations from back-to-back non-league losses (Freedom and De La Salle) by routing Piedmont in the WACC-Foothill opener. San Leandro did the same against Castro Valley, lining these programs up for another title showdown later in the year.
- Kelseyville’s win over Clear Lake knocked the Cardinals out of first place in the North Central League, which is clearly now Middletown’s title to lose. The Mustangs already have a win over Kelseyville.
- El Cerrito and St. Patrick-St. Vincent are racing towards a title showdown in the TCAL-Rock, as both teams rolled easily in their league openers, routing Swett and Pinole Valley, respectively.
- Encinal beating Mt. Eden to open WACC-Shoreline play was certainly expected, but the city of Alameda asserted itself as a whole as the cross-town Hornets crushed Arroyo, 54-7. Hayward also won its league opener, taking down a San Lorenzo team that had seen success in the non-league portion of the schedule.
- We said before league play started that the two favorites in the Mission Valley were the two teams who were winless entering league play, and that has not changed, as Kennedy-Fremont routed American on Saturday. Moreau Catholic was idle this weekend.
- Northgate and Alhambra both had statement wins on Friday night to open DAL-Valley play. Northgate scored the first 41 points to rout College Park, after both teams entered the game with identical 4-1 records, while Alhambra took down Ygnacio Valley, who also looked stronger in non-league play.
- Eureka and Fortuna are flying towards a possible title showdown this coming Friday night, in the HDN-Big 5, after Eureka routed James Logan and Fortuna won by forfeit over McKinleyville. Eureka is unbeaten, while Fortuna has won six straight since a season-opening loss to Cardinal Newman. With the loss, Logan is now eliminated from playoff consideration.
- The identical path being carved between Cardinal Newman and Rancho Cotate continues to amaze. The teams again routed NBL opponents, scoring 56 and 55 points, respectively. It would be fair to say at this point that some people might get turned away at the gates to that game at the end of the season.
- Terra Linda entered its game with Marin Catholic at 5-1 overall, hoping to challenge the Wildcats. The score was 48-0 by halftime, instead, as MC rolled past another MCAL challenger. Marin Catholic faces another top challenger this week, against San Marin, who is also unbeaten in league play.
- Hercules improved to 7-0 with its win over Richmond, and this Friday’s game against Kennedy-Richmond should decide the TCAL-Stone title.
