With the 2016-17 school year approaching, Prep2Prep takes a look at some of the top non-league football games to watch in each coverage area. This feature focuses on games in the Central Coast Section.
August 26
Oak Grove at St. Francis, 7:30 p.m.
It’s a rematch of last season’s title game, won by Oak Grove. The Eagles have a talented backfield that will test the always-stout Lancer defense.
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Campolindo at Valley Christian, 7:30 p.m.
The Warriors have scheduled a difficult opening game against a program that has been high-powered in recent years. Valley Christian is big up front, has a talented returning quarterback and is expected to vie for the WCAL title.
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Sept. 2
Serra at De La Salle, 7:30 p.m.
Serra has not traditionally played as well against DLS in Concord as it has in San Mateo. De La Salle only has a handful of starters returning, but everyone knows the Spartans just re-load every year. Fleet Leki Nunn will lead the Padres at quarterback and may throw a pass or two the way of his brother Patrick, the MVP on last year’s JV team.
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Antioch at Milpitas, 7 p.m.
Milpitas, led by Tariq Bracy and always with huge lines, squares off against a team led by perhaps Northern California’s best player, Najee Harris.
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Aptos vs. Archbishop Mitty at Foothill College, 7:30 p.m.
The Monarchs got by the Mariners in Aptos last year while graduated quarterback Sam Serra was still healthy. This year Mitty led by senior QB Phillip Tran gets the Mariners on their own turf where the black and gold enjoy strong support. Should be a good game against one of the best teams in the Monterey Bay.
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Sept. 9
Del Oro vs. Bellarmine College Prep at SJCC, 7 p.m.
The Bells lost a lot of talent but had a strong JV team and should re-stock well. Del Oro had a surprisingly good season last year when it was expected to be a little down and will pose a serious challenge to the Bells.
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Sept. 10
Sacred Heart Prep vs. Palma at Rabobank Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
Sacred Heart Prep lost some key players to graduation but its system counts for a lot. Palma is traditionally one of the Monterey Bay Area’s best and is led by highly touted offensive lineman Drew Dalman.
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Sept. 16
Los Gatos at Menlo-Atherton, 7 p.m.
Los Gatos has a fast backfield and is perennially good and well-coached and will meet perhaps the PAL’s best team in the Bears.
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Wilcox at San Benito, 7:30 p.m.
San Benito will be out to avenge last season’s 35-14 loss to the Chargers.
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Sept. 23
Aptos at Aragon, 7 p.m.
The always-tough Mariners meet one of the traditionally toughest teams from the PAL, trying to bounce back from a 5-6 season.
