As the summer break drifts away and fall season practices begin, Prep2Prep takes a look at 10 of the top games to watch in each section of our coverage area. These games only include non-league games, and only intra-sectional games. The top inter-sectional games will be included in a separate feature. Right now, we take a look at top games on the docket across the North Coast Section.
We’d also like to remind everyone to check out our Games of the Week columns for each section throughout the season. We tried to spread the games out over the course of the first five weeks in this column and recognize multiple teams, so there are plenty of great games not listed here which will be featured in those weekly columns.
Saturday, Aug. 24 – El Cerrito at Marin Catholic
Marin Catholic will break in a new starter behind center in this one, with sophomore Michael Ingrassia taking the reins while incumbent Gaven Cooke moves to the slot to feature his playmaking ability across the field. It won’t be an easy opponent to start his tenure against, however, as the defending TCAL-Rock champion Gauchos should once again have a talented defense, featuring the return of players such as Jason Brooks and Kole White.
Friday, Aug. 30 – Bishop O’Dowd at Las Lomas
No doubt that Las Lomas was tired last year of hearing about its strength of schedule, and that won’t be a concern in 2019, not with a beefed-up non-league schedule and a move to the DAL-Foothill. This game features a pair of teams who will be among the top contenders in Division 3. The host Knights feature standout back Isaiah Newell, while O’Dowd is balanced across the board and this will be the starting debut for junior quarterback Jesse Madden, grandson of John Madden, since the Dragons don’t play anyone in the previous week.
Friday, Aug. 30 – Moreau Catholic at San Marin
These teams met twice last year, and both were thrilling contests. Moreau held off San Marin 28-21 in the regular season, and then both offenses exploded in the playoffs, with the Mariners again outlasting the Mustangs, 56-47. Fresh Ison is back for Moreau Catholic after running for 408 yards and four touchdowns in that playoff game, while San Marin quarterback Matt Sargent also returns after throwing for 252 yards and three scores in that playoff loss.
Friday, Sep. 6 – Freedom at California
Last year’s NCS Division 1 semifinal between these teams was an epic contest, with Freedom coming from behind to topple the Grizzlies, 35-34, after trailing by 21 points early in the game. Jake Byrne and Roy Lee comprise what should be a solid offensive backfield for the Falcons, but California has plenty in its own stable of returners, including running backs Adrian Atta and Belal Alatasi, plus linemen Austin Anderson and Brandon Friedel.
Friday, Sep. 6 – San Leandro at Monte Vista
When these teams met last year, it was surprisingly a one-sided affair with Monte Vista in full control. San Leandro will look to even the score, with key returners such as Osaro Aihie and two-way lineman Hunter Thompson, plus the addition of running back Steven Henry, who transferred from Clayton Valley. Monte Vista, meanwhile, returns a plethora of key offensive weapons, especially quarterback Jack Stewardson and Nate Rutchena, so San Leandro’s Wing-T will have to be in high gear to keep the Mustangs’ offense off the field.
Saturday, Sep. 7 – Liberty vs Clayton Valley at James Logan
Liberty ended Clayton Valley’s season last year in the NCS Open Division semifinals, so this one jumps off the page as the nightcap to the three-game East Bay Honor Bowl. There will be no playoff match-up this year, with Clayton Valley back down in Division 2, so this is the Ugly Eagles’ one shot at redemption against the Lions. Liberty, of course, returns quarterback Jay Butterfield and two-way line standout Payton Zdroik, but Clayton Valley has its own returning firepower in running back Makhi Gervais and receiver Rayshawn Jackson.
Friday, Sep. 13 – Bishop O’Dowd at Pittsburg
For O’Dowd, this game kicks off a three-game sequence which will determine the success of its non-league slate, facing Monte Vista and Placer in the next two weeks. For Pittsburg, this will be the Pirates’ home opener after a three-week stretch which includes trips to Stockton, San Mateo and Reno. Sam Fonongaloa anchors a physical group up front for Pittsburg, while the Dragons figure to test their hosts with a group of two-way playmakers, including receiver Sterling Stokes and running back Ethan Ford.
Friday, Sep. 13 – Antioch at San Ramon Valley
Antioch has a series of early litmus tests for its senior-laden squad, and this could be the biggest one. Juniors Rocco Borrelli and Jailen Weaver are the exceptions to that senior-heavy group for the Panthers, with Borrelli taking over at quarterback for Willem Karnthong, as he has plenty of veteran playmakers, including running back Jaysn Wade and speedster Dejuan Butler. The question here will be whether Antioch’s defense can slow down a physical San Ramon Valley rushing attack, one which figures to aim downhill in this match-up.
Friday, Sep. 20 – San Ramon Valley at Freedom
A rematch of last year’s Division 1 title game which came down to the final seconds in a 28-21 San Ramon Valley victory, this one could have a similar flow as that game, in which the Wolves dominated on the ground. San Ramon Valley breaks in a new quarterback with sophomore Jack Quigley, but is strong and experienced up front, led by Colin Moroney, and has a veteran backfield with fullback Noah Thomas and tailback Jacob Himan. Meanwhile, Freedom will hope to have found new playmakers in its passing game by this point, after graduating last year’s top four targets.
Saturday, Sep. 21 – Cardinal Newman vs Liberty at Freedom
There is a chance this one could still happen on Friday night at Liberty, but most signs point to the Lions’ stadium not being ready to host at this point, which would mean a Saturday night special at Freedom, in a game which could draw a sizable crowd to see two of the top quarterbacks in Northern California go head-to-head. Quarterback Jackson Pavitt and tailback Shane Moran can test the Liberty defense, but will need a top performance from their offensive line, which needs to contend with the likes of Zdroik, Akili Calhoun, Mason Padilla and Brenden Bell.
