Prep2Prep NCS Rankings
THROUGH WEEK 15
We only had one change for the final rankings and that was San Marin moving up two spots. Despite it being a bit of a down year for the NCS in overall strength the section is still sending five teams on to play for state CIF Bowl Game championships, De La Salle, Pittsburg, San Ramon Valley, San Marin and, Pinole Valley, who already won a 7-AA title last week with a 34-21 victory on the road at Mendota.
Note: Last week's rankings in parentheses
Third time’s a charm, two-game skid is over, however you want to paraphrase it the bottom line is a banged up Spartans ended a two-game losing streak against Folsom with a hard-fought 17-14 victory in the state CIF Northern Regional 1-AA Bowl Game championship. The game clinching play came when Harvard-bound Derek Thompson, who’s played with a broken foot and a knee that’s bothered him all season, opened a hole for Charles Greer to run through for a first done that sealed the victory. As in past victories over Folsom the Spartans did it with defense, something that’s been criticized at times this season, but they had six sacks against the Bulldogs and limited them to a mere 127 yards passing and 38 yards rushing. The Spartans will now be marching to Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday night for a matchup with Lincoln-San Diego in the state CIF Division 1-AA Bowl Game championship. De La Salle with be looking for an eighth Bowl Game title.
What a difference a year makes. After winning the NCS Division I championship last year, the CIF sent head coach Victor Galli and his Pirates on the road to Liberty-Bakersfield in the Northern Regional 1-A Bowl Game championship, and they were walloped 35-7. This year after winning the NCS D1 title they got a home game against SJS D2 champion Manteca and came away with a decisive 35-14 victory. Manteca only attempted one pass and although they had 270 yards rushing, they needed 63 attempts. The same Liberty team that beat the Pirates last season was sent to the Southern Regionals and won the 1-A game this year. The two will have a rematch on Saturday afternoon at Saddleback College. Galli, who will retire after the game, couldn’t get a win against his alma mater De La Salle, but his team got him a win in his last home game. Pittsburg has played for a Bowl Game title once before when they lost 28-21 in the rain at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento to Narbonne in the 2017 1-A championship.
Season was previously completed with a loss the Pittsburg in the NCS D1 title game.
We moved San Ramon Valley up ahead of Marin Catholic to replace Campolindo at No. 4 heading into the Northern Regional Division 2-A showdown between the NCS Division II champion Wolves and NCS Division IV champion Marin Catholic, and San Ramon Valley held serve with a 19-17 victory. Trailing 17-16 with 18 seconds to play San Ramon Valley junior kicker Austin Shelton fought off rain and gusting winds to hammer home a 37-yard field goal that won the game. The Wolves are now headed to Saddleback College in Orange County to face Granite Hills-El Cajon for the 2-A Bowl Game championship.
Season is complete with a loss to San Ramon Valley in the Northern Regional Division 2-A title game. Marin Catholic was moved up three spots from the 4-AA division where they won a state championship last year, and were sent on the road on top of it. Even so, the Wildcats almost pulled it out in their 19-17 loss. Marin Catholic took a 17-16 lead on a field goal by junior Charles Lewis with around seven minutes left, but when he lined up for another one with four minutes left, it was blocked. Charles Williams finished his junior season by rushing for 207 yards and both Marin Catholic touchdowns.
Season was completed in loss to San Ramon Valley in the NCS D2 title game.
Season is complete with a loss to Grant-Sacramento. The Gauchos broke out in front of visiting Grant and led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter in the Northern Regional Division 3-AA Bowl Game, but from there the roof caved in as the Pacers scored the next 36 points in what turned out to be a rout by the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division 3 champions.
Season was previously completed in an NCS D3 title-game loss to El Cerrito.
Season was previously completed in an NCS D2 semifinal loss to Campolindo.
Season was previously completed in an NCS D1 loss to Clayton Valley.
Season was previously completed in an NCS D4 title-game loss to Marin Catholic.
Season was previously completed with a loss to Cardinal Newman in the D4 semifinals.
We decided to reward San Marin with a two-spot move up despite the fact their power ranking is lower than the two NCS D1 teams they jump. Based on the way they played against Marin Catholic compared to Cardinal Newman an argument could be made to move them up past Newman. The reason is the Mustangs will be playing for a second straight state championship, this time in the 4-A division after winning the 5-AA title last year. San Marin punched its ticket to the state game with a 29-21 victory over Menlo but had to sweat it out a bit after bolting to a 26-0 lead before the visitors made a big comeback that fell short. San Marin now hosts Los Angeles City Section Division I champion Granada Hills Charter for the 4-A Bowl Game championship on Saturday night.
Season was previously completed with an NCS D1 loss to Liberty.
Season was previously completed with an NCS D1 loss to Clayton Valley.
Season was previously completed with an NCS D2 loss to San Ramon Valley.
Season was previously completed with an NCS D4 semifinal loss Marin Catholic.
Season was previously completed with an NCS D1 loss to Pittsburg.
Season was previously completed with an NCS D4 loss to Del Norte.
Season was previously completed with an NCS loss to D1 De La Salle.
Season was previously completed after failing to make the playoffs.
Season was previously completed with an NCS Division V title-game loss to San Marin.
Season was previously completed with an NCS D3 loss to El Cerrito.
Season is now complete with a loss to Orland in the Northern Regional Division 5-A Bowl Game championship.
Season was previously completed with an NCS D7 title-game loss to Clear Lake.
