Here's a look at some of the top matchups this week involving North Coast Section teams:
Napa (2-0) at Campolindo (3-0)
Neither team has been tested this season, so this will provide a great measuring stick for both, not to mention representing another great intersectional battle between the North Coast Section and the Sac-Joaquin Section.
Campo could be looking for a high seed in the post-season, and this game would definitely go on its quality win resume. Napa, however, has outscored its two opponents 67-7, and its offense has been grinding opponents in the ground game.
The Indians have rushed for 744 yards in two games, averaging 6.4 yards per carry as a team. Mac Neilson leads the team with 243 yards and three touchdowns, while Kiel Brown is on his heels with 226 yards and two scores.
Campolindo, meanwhile, has been extremely balanced offensively through three games. They have outscored their three opponents 140-45, with most of the points scored against them coming late in games. Jack Stephens has proved efficient in his first year as the full-time starter behind center, completing 66 percent of his passes for 736 yards and nine touchdowns.
Duke commit Tyler Petite has scored four times through the air on just seven receptions, while Caleb Whalen has also been a top target. Nick Fadelli leads the team in rushing with 293 yards on the ground, and is averaging a whopping 10.5 yards per carry.
El Cerrito (1-1) at Amador Valley (2-0)
The Gauchos bounced back from a lopsided season-opening loss to powerful Sutter with a rout of their own over Livermore, two weeks ago. Neither team played last week, so preparation time has been maximal for both teams in a game that each would like to place on their resume as a quality victory.
Amador Valley has been dominant in the first half of each of their victories to open the season, giving its entire roster plenty of experience early in the season. Ronnie Jones has a breakout game against Encinal, and has completed 65 percent of his passes with three touchdowns.
Nine different Dons have caught a pass this season, and 10 different athletes have carried the ball, as the team is averaging an astounding 11.1 yards per carry, and has 10 touchdowns on the ground through two games.
Northgate (3-0) at Las Lomas (2-1)
The annual “Battle of the Creek” takes on added excitement this year as both teams are playing well to start the season. Northgate has raced to its undefeated start, with Redwood-Larkspur as the only team to challenge the Broncos, while Las Lomas has blown out both College Park and Fremont-Oakland after losing to San Ramon Valley in the season opener.
The Knights owned this rivalry for years, but Northgate has won the last two and three of the last four. The Broncos thoroughly dominated Livermore last week, racking up 412 yards of total offense while shutting out the Cowboys.
Nick Makrakis provided balance for the Northgate offense, complementing its steady run game by completing 6-of-10 passes for 123 yards and two scores. For Las Lomas, Ben Wood has proven to be a true dual threat at the quarterback position.
San Leandro (1-2) at Freedom (1-2)
No disrespect to Marin Catholic or Cardinal Newman, but these could arguably be the two best teams with a 1-2 record in the section. San Leandro’s victory over Logan looks even better in the wake of the Colts’ victory over San Ramon Valley, and Reuben Baker can score from anywhere on the field for the Pirates.
Freedom, meanwhile, was tied with Granite Bay midway through the fourth quarter last week before Cameron Smith sealed its fate with an interception return for a touchdown. Ronnie Rivers has become Freedom’s workhorse in the backfield, and also threw a touchdown last week, to Brandon Birk.
Birk has been a reliable target for junior quarterback Joe Sweeney. The Falcons will be amped up for their Homecoming game, and a victory in this game would mean a lot to either team.
Bishop O’Dowd (1-1) at St.Mary’s-Albany (3-0)
The Dragons are looking to bounce back from a heart-breaking loss to Will C Wood, when the Wildcats scored on a Marcus Howard touchdown pass with nine seconds remaining. The task does not get easier against Tamarick Pierce and company.
St. Mary’s is looking to build some more momentum heading towards what promises to be a difficult Tri County-Rock schedule, and a win over a higher-division O’Dowd would certainly be a quality win when it comes to post-season seeding for Keith Minor’s Panthers.
Final Thoughts Heading into the Weekend
STAT WATCH . . . St. Bernard’s-Eureka quarterback Noah Davis completed 34-of-57 passes for 618 yards and eight touchdowns as the Crusaders ran an astounding 86 plays in their 53-41 win over McKinleyville last week. Jack Rice caught 15 balls for an amazing 308 yards and four scores. This week, St. Bernard’s travels to Crescent City to face a Del Norte team that has scored 132 points of their own, and fell 42-36 to Yreka in a shootout last week. Good luck to the sideline reporter and statistician in that game.
MILESTONE CENTRAL . . . When Liberty travels to Danville to take on Monte Vista this Friday, it will be seeking its first 4-0 start since 1967, when former Liberty principal Jack Ferrill was the head coach. It would also be the Lions’ first win over the Mustangs since 1993, the first year Liberty played in the BVAL, though the schools are tied 3-3 in their all-time series. Liberty won the first three matchups between the schools, while Monte Vista has won the past three meetings.
NCS INVASION . . . Northern Section Division III power Sutter plays its fourth consecutive game against an NCS opponent this week, traveling to Ukiah. The Huskies will be heavily favored to move their record to 4-0 this week. They already boast impressive victories over El Cerrito (49-14), Novato (56-7), and Justin-Siena (49-0). There is no doubt that Sutter will likely be using these impressive wins to garner a spot in the Division III regional bowl game, as they should not be challenged in Butte View play, or any of the Division III post-season competition in the Northern Section.
TIME FOR LEAGUE PLAY . . . The Marin County Athletic League starts league play this week, with Marin Catholic likely to prevail against Novato, Redwood facing Tamalpais, and San Marin traveling to Justin-Siena.
TOUGH REBOUND . . . Salesian looks to bounce back from a tough loss to McClymonds, but must attempt to do so against a very solid Inderkum team, always powerful in the Sac-Joaquin section. The Tigers have wins over Reno and Casa Roble, and a tough two-point loss to an undefeated Monterey Trail-Elk Grove squad.
YOUR TURN . . . BVAL foes Pittsburg and Liberty both notched shutout victories last week, and simply switch opponents this week. The Pirates beat Monte Vista 29-0, while Liberty beat Berkeley 30-0. Now they get to see how the other fares against that same opponent. Nothing like a quick common opponent comparison to set up the rankings.
