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 Central 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.
Friday, Aug. 30 – Wilcox at Valley Christian
If you follow CCS football, this season opener has had a circle around it, a star next to it and a red line under it since the end of last season. Wilcox stunned the Warriors in last year’s opener, and both teams ended up reaching high levels of success. The Chargers captured a CIF title, while Valley Christian won a CCS title before falling at the NorCal level. Valley Christian is loaded with returning talent on both sides of the ball, but seniors Paul M Rosa and Roan Poulivaati will bring the same hard-nosed approach to the game which worked well for Wilcox all of last season.
Friday, Aug. 30 – Mitty vs Palma at Salinas Sports Complex
A few of the section’s most electrifying athletes will clash in this season opener. Mitty quarterback Shamir Bey gets back on the field with two years of starting experience under his belt, and the Monarchs’ passing game could be lethal with targets such as Devan Sapp and Reymello Murphy. Derrick Smith anchors a Mitty defense which will contend with the likes of Chieftains’ running back Anthony Villegas and shifty play-making slot Jon-Jon Berring, who is the perfect complement to 6-foot-1 standout target Micah Olivas.
Saturday, Aug. 31 – Carlmont at Sacred Heart Prep
After losing its first two games last season, Carlmont won 10 straight to reach the CCS Division IV title game. But that first loss was to Sacred Heart Prep, and the two section finalists open the season against each other once again. They are now a division closer in the PAL’s competitive equity alignment, with the Scots moving up to the Ocean Division. Carlmont has a big-time returner in the backfield with Jonaven Kuhn, but the Gators can boast the same, with senior back Tevita Moimoi returning after rushing for over 1,000 yards last season. SHP is also seeking a return to a title game, after reaching last year’s CCS Open Division III final.
Saturday, Aug. 31 – Palo Alto at St. Ignatius
Palo Alto returns one of the most dynamic dual-sport athletes with senior Jamir Shepard, whose recruiting stock at receiver is also taking off. The Vikings also have some key returners defensively, including free safety Kevin Cullen and cornerback Junacio Henley. Paly edged St. Ignatius in last year’s opener, but the Wildcats figure to be improved, especially with the continued development of quarterback Zachary Taylor-Smith and a pair of big-time returners on the defense, Teddye Buchanan and Siaki Hunkin.
Friday, Sep. 6 – Palma vs Sacred Heart Cathedral at Kezar Stadium
The biggest area where Palma should expect to see growth after its opener against Mitty will be at the quarterback position, where the Chieftains have the difficult task of replacing the efficiency of now-graduated Grant Sergent. SHC, however, found its own rising star behind center late last year with the emergence of then-sophomore Cian Dowling, a 6-foot-2 prototype behind center. The Fightin’ Irish also return one of the top rising stars up front in junior two-way lineman Evan Branch-Haynes. Palma eked out a three-point victory in this match-up last season, 17-14.
Friday, Sep. 6 – Christopher at Live Oak
Both these teams took some significant losses due to graduation, but the non-league match-up between these neighbor rivals has been a thrilling one over the past two seasons and the familiarity each program has with one another could lead to another similar outcome. Last year, Live Oak escaped with a 33-31 victory, as then-junior running back Nick Lomanto ran for 180 yards. That erased the sting of a 34-33 loss to the Cougars a year earlier. The Acorns do also return key juniors Caleb Ojeda, Mosiah Saulala and Logan Wiemann, while two-way line standout Joe Fleming anchors things for Christopher.
Saturday, Sep. 7 – Menlo-Atherton at Serra
Coach Patrick Walsh always makes sure his Padres team is prepared for the rigors of WCAL play, and this match-up with M-A is the middle game of a grueling three-game non-league slate which also includes inter-sectional match-ups against Pittsburg and St. Mary’s-Stockton. One key aspect of this game will be the raw talent on hand at the quarterback position, with M-A likely featuring sophomore Matt MacLeod while Raymond Price III serves his sit-out period after transferring from Sacred Heart Prep, and Serra likely showcasing the speedy Daylin McLemore behind center. Of course, both offenses are loaded with talent across the board, such as Troy Franklin and Justin Anderson for the Bears, and Terence Loville for Serra.
Friday, Sep. 13 – San Benito at Los Gatos
After a rough start last season, San Benito stunned Los Gatos to turn around the Balers’ season, one in which they played away from home all year. Seniors Juan De Leon and Eric Green figure to be effective once again in the run game. Los Gatos counters with a group of returners who got plenty of experience as underclassmen, including junior defensive end Will Schweitzer, senior linebacker Andrew Korea and senior receiver Gian Lagemann, while Andres Dewerk anchors the line.
Friday, Sep. 13 – Sacred Heart Cathedral at Aptos
The host Mariners have to replace multiple key pieces from last year’s CCS Division III championship team, but everyone knows that a Randy Blankenship-coached team is going to be in the mix. Add in the fact that fullback Josh Powell is a key returner, joined by juniors Christian Mendoza and Andrew Manning – who both showed potential during playing time as sophomores – and it’s clear this offense could once again get humming with its Wing-T attack. Meanwhile, SHC will be looking to complete a sweep of two of the top teams in the PCAL-Gabilan, after facing Palma the previous week.
Friday, Sep. 20 – Terra Nova at Piedmont Hills
Two new starting quarterbacks, both expected to lead explosive offenses from the triggerman position, both stepping in for two of the top dual-threat signal-callers across the section last season. Gone are Terra Nova’s Jared Julian and Piedmont Hills’ Gabriel Reclusado, with players such as Raphael Bendo for the Tigers and Matthew Nguyen for the Pirates looking to somehow replicate their production. If you like offense, check this one out. Last year, these teams combined for 98 points and 1,021 yards of total offense, in a 59-39 Terra Nova victory.
