After all the game cancellations last week, and some more this week in the areas most directly affected by the fires, there is still uncertainly hanging over this week’s slate of games, especially as the North Coast Section debates whether to change this year’s playoff format.
With that in mind, check out our top games around the NCS this week, and don’t forget to also read our NorCal Games of the Week feature, which highlights Monday night’s non-league game between Cardinal Newman and Rancho Cotate.
No. 10 Antioch (5-1, 1-0 BVAL) at No. 11 Liberty (6-1, 2-0), Friday, 7 pm
After the game between Freedom and Antioch was cancelled last week, it is still a glut at the top of the Bay Valley standings, with Antioch and Liberty sitting alongside Pittsburg. This game will make things a lot clearer.
Antioch has played just once in the last three weeks, and that was a 36-14 win over Heritage to open league play for the Panthers. Donovan Fells and Ti’yahti Harris had big defensive touchdowns in that game for Antioch, who scored the last 36 points of the game.
Liberty, meanwhile, already had a scheduled bye last week after nipping Heritage and Deer Valley in its first two league games. After holding on for a 17-14 win over Heritage with a last-minute goal-line stand, the Lions needed to rally from a 35-23 fourth-quarter deficit to beat Deer Valley by a single point.
The winner of this game figures to have a strong shot at the second seed in the Division I playoffs, as both teams beat San Leandro in non-league play.
Kennedy-Richmond (5-1) at Hercules (7-0, 1-0 TCAL), Friday, 7 pm
Originally scheduled for last Friday, these teams were able to reschedule for this week due to the fact that Albany dropped their varsity for the remainder of the season, leaving both teams with a common open date just one week later.
Last week, this game would have been played at Kennedy, but with Homecoming and Senior Night already scheduled for this week at Hercules, the game was moved to accommodate those activities. Regardless, this game will likely decide the TCAL-Stone title.
The visiting Eagles have played the more difficult schedule to this point, losing to Division I Deer Valley by a single point, while also beating Oakland Tech. Kennedy trailed by six points at halftime of a game with El Cerrito, in a game ultimately declared no-contest when the game could not be finished due to violence off the field.
Hercules boasts a sparkling 7-0 record, but this will be the Titans’ biggest test by far. Hercules’ best win of the seven is a 13-7 decision against 5-1 Middletown, who is likely to win the North Central League and plays in the Division V bracket.
Moreau Catholic (2-4, 2-0 MVAL) at Kennedy-Fremont (3-4, 3-0), Friday, 7 pm
Quite simply put, this one is for the Mission Valley Athletic League title. Both teams scheduled difficult opponents during non-league play, and entered league play winless, but both have yet to be challenged by a league opponent.
Depending on the vote among the NCS executive committee on Friday afternoon, Kennedy might have some extra motivation in this game. If the section goes back to eight-team brackets, Kennedy will need to win this game to get into the Division III playoffs as a league champion. Moreau, on the other hand, can secure a top four seed in the Division IV bracket, and likely a top two or three seed, if they win the MVAL.
After a narrow five-point loss to unbeaten Encinal, Kennedy has thrived in league play, beating Irvington by eight points before racing past American and Newark Memorial. The latter game was this past Monday, however, creating a short week of preparation for the Titans, facing a rested Moreau team.
Moreau has steamrolled Washington and Irvington in its first two league games, before last week’s game against winless American was cancelled.
No. 5 Clayton Valley (5-2, 1-0 DAL) at No. 15 Acalanes (6-0, 1-0), Friday, 7 pm
One by one, the best contenders in the DAL-Foothill take their shot at Clayton Valley, who is unbeaten in league play since 2012. This week, it is Acalanes, who aside from a 21-14 win over Suncoast-Riviera Beach back on September 2, has cruised past every opponent.
The host Dons have been scoring in bunches, led by senior quarterback Robby Rowell and favorite target Brian Merken. Acalanes has scored 56 or more points three times in its first six games, while also putting up 49 points in a rout over 4-2 San Marin.
Clayton Valley, meanwhile, has won five straight after opening with difficult out-of-state opponents, Reed-NV and Mililani-HI. The Eagles have controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and have a plethora of options when running the ball, led by Thomas Alatini and James Teofilo. The defense has also been stingy while games have been in doubt, leading by large margins in wins over Antioch, Deer Valley, and Miramonte.
Petaluma (6-1, 2-1 SCL) at El Molino (4-2, 2-0), Friday, 7 pm
Petaluma’s lone loss this season is to league leader Analy, while El Molino is looking to stay in the title hunt with a win over the Trojans this Friday, after both programs had games cancelled last week.
Petaluma is not only playing for second place in the SCL, but also looking to improve its playoff standing in the deep Division III bracket. The Trojans have been explosive offensively since the loss to Analy, scoring 106 points combined in wins over Sonoma Valley and Piner.
El Molino has won three straight games, including wins over Piner and Healdsburg to open league play.
