It's been an interesting week in sports, beginning with the local major league baseball team that just won the World Series.
Between the San Francisco Giants' success and it being Halloween, there could be some black and orange in the stands at Central Coast Section football games. Certainly there will be for one side (Los Gatos) on Friday night as the Wildcats take on blue-clad-Milpitas in a much awaited SCVAL-De Anza game.
Here's a rundown of not only the Los Gatos vs. Milpitas game, but other top contests around the CCS:
Friday
Los Gatos (6-1, 3-0) at Milpitas (7-0, 3-0), 7 p.m.: Los Gatos RB Joey Wood missed two games due to a sprained ankle, but returned last week and rushed for more than 100 yards. He's rushed for 552 yards and eight TDs this season. Junior QB Dru Brown (1,301 yards passing, 12 TDs, 68 percent passing) is outstanding, especially when throwing to senior WR Matt Wilcox (37 catches, 557 yards, three TDs). Los Gatos has defeated Milpitas five times in the past 10 years with the Trojans winning four and the teams tying 35-35 in 2004. Los Gatos topped Milpitas 55-34 last season, but shared the league title with Milpitas and Wilcox. Jake Holton (eight tackles per game) leads the Wildcat defense. Los Gatos has outscored opponents 175-28 since a 35-32 loss to St. Mary's-Stockton. Cros Chavez (626 yards rushing, seven TDs) paces the Trojans' offense and QB John Keller to WR Christian Rita is a potent combination. Rita averages 10 points per game with his receiving and kick return ability. The Trojans have outscored four foes by a combined 166-6 since a 31-17 upset win against Valley Christian.
Palma (7-0, 3-0) at Monterey (7-1, 3-1), at Monterey Peninsula College, 7:30 p.m.: Palma has a stellar defense, led by senior DL Eduardo Barbosa. Sophomore RB Emilio Martinez with 1,069 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns paces the Chieftain offense. Palma QB Jack Richardson is a high-completion passer with 11 TDs and two interceptions. Monterey junior QB Carter Aldrete, an Arizona baseball commit, has 1,300 total yards with just one interception. The Toreadores lost to Salinas 28-21 while Palma defeated the Cowboys 45-35.
Serra (5-2, 4-0) vs. Mitty (4-3, 2-2) at Foothill College, 7 p.m.: Serra has 21 turnovers this season including three interceptions last week, but keeps winning. The Padre kicking game is so-so with the exception of its return game which is special led by returners Leki Nunn, Brandon Monroe and Kelepi Lataimua. Serra was held to 228 yards of offense last week against Riordan but sat many offensive starters in the fourth quarter of a 36-10 win (it was 3-0 Riordan at the half). It's possible Serra two-way player Kava Cassidy (collarbone) could return this week as a defensive back, running back or both. Mitty has lost two WCAL games by a total of four points. Derek Bauerle, Luke Allen and fleet Dakari Monroe lead the ground game and QB Brett Foley is a tough runner who throws accurate long passes. Serra handed Mitty its only two losses last season, winning by double digits in the league finale and CCS Open title game.
Pioneer (6-1, 4-0) at Leland (4-3, 3-1), 7 p.m.: Leland won this match-up last season 33-28, but Pioneer still won the outright BVAL-Mt. Hailton title. Pioneer averages 364.5 yards per game, led by QB Zach Silva who has thrown for 20 TDs with only four intercepted. WR Lou Coulumbe averages 18.2 yards per catch and has 10 TDs. Leland also has some weapons set for this Battle for the Silver Cup. The Chargers average 310.7 yards per game, paced by QB Kevin Cance who averages 68.6 yards passing per game and 8.8 yards per carry with eight TDs. RB Chuck Culberson helps out, picking up 6.9 yards per carry with four TDs.
Live Oak (5-2, 4-0) at Silver Creek (6-1, 3-1) , 7 p.m.: Live Oak could be poised to take another BVAL-Santa Teresa title following its 6-0 win last week against previously unbeaten Westmont. QB Erik Ornduff (655 yards passing per game, 10 TDs) leads the way and RB Paul Lomanto (836 yards, five TDs) has more than done his part. Silver Creek's only league loss was in its opener, 7-6 to Sobrato. The Raiders are averaging 36.9 points per game.
St. Ignatius (4-3, 1-3) at Valley Christian (5-2, 3-1), 7:30 p.m.: St. Ignatius defeated rival Sacred Heart Cathedral 21-7 last week for its first WCAL victory. QB Ryan Hagfeldt paces the Wildcats and Brian Vollert and Xavier Tharpe are dependable backs. Andrew Ferrero is one of the league's better kickers. Valley Christian managed a double-OT victory last week against St. Francis to remain in the title chase as it still trails Serra by one game and is tied for second with Bellarmine. Warriors QB Michael Machado had a pair of fade-pattern TD passes in the extra time and his favorite receiver is junior Collin Johnson. Star senior RB Kirk Johnson (brother of Collin) had a sprained ankle and didn't play last week, but Tre McCloud rushed for more than 100 yards.
Saturday
Homestead (5-2, 3-0) at Mountain View (5-2, 2-1), 1:30 p.m.: Mountain View won the last meeting with Homestead 50-41 in 2012 and averages 22.7 points per game. The Spartans are led by RBs Irving Ramirez and Austin Johnson who have both rushed for more than 400 yards and have scored a combined nine TDs. Homestead averages 32.4 points per game led by QB Jerome Holloway (94.9 yards passing per game) who is also a threat to run.
Capuchino (4-3, 2-0) at The King's Academy (6-1, 2-0), 7 p.m.: The visiting Mustangs and TKA battle for PAL-Lake supremacy in this one. Cap, under new coach Ben White, has been resurgent led by QB Tony Pellegrini. White previously coached at Carlmont and South San Francisco and is the son of longtime former Galileo coach George White. TKA is also playing well under a new coach, Mike Johnson, a former San Francisco 49ers' assistant coach. Freshman Maurice Washington averages 9.3 yards per carry.
