The first week of action in the North Coast Section gave us an idea of where teams are to start the season. The stakes are raised for many in a second week full of huge games. We once again break apart our games of the week into two segments, and focus now on the biggest games between NCS-only schools.
Foothill (1-0) at Freedom (1-0), Friday, 7 p.m.: The running joke with this game is that the Falcons are sure to win. Of course, the two schools share the same mascot, but that is not all they have in common. Coaches Kevin Hartwig of Freedom and Matt Sweeney of Foothill are the longest tenured members in each of their respective leagues, and these programs are now annual powers with a lot at stake each time they meet.
These two programs have alternated wins and losses in the five-game history between the schools. They have met four times in the last three seasons, with one-sided Foothill victories during the regular season in both 2013 and 2014, sandwiched around a blowout victory for Freedom in the 2013 playoffs. Foothill can also claim a post-season victory over Freedom, however, having spoiled one of the best seasons in Freedom school history back in 2008.
This season, both teams are ranked in the top ten in the section entering this game, and both won convincingly in their openers, with Foothill pulling away from San Leandro, and Freedom lighting up the scoreboard against Tracy. Both teams also have concerns entering this game.
Freedom started the year young on the offensive line, and injuries have made them even more thin entering this contest, a concern against a Foothill front seven that features players such as defensive linemen Dario Dondero and Blake Braden, and linebacker Cash Connolly. Foothill, meanwhile, continues to break in sophomore quarterback Ben Wooldridge, and faces an athletic Freedom defense this week led by middle linebacker Kyle Harmon.
“This is going to be an absolute dogfight,” Sweeney said. “Freedom is a great football team, well-coached with great players.”
Pittsburg (1-0) at San Ramon Valley (1-0), Friday, 7: This regular season match-up looks even better after both teams rolled to opening wins against quality programs last week. A trio of sophomores looked great in their varsity debuts for San Ramon Valley, but must contend this week with a Pittsburg defense that shutout California, and only once allowed the Grizzlies to reach the red zone.
An overtime home loss to the Wolves last season undoubtedly sticks in the craw of the Pirates’ program, as that game came back to serve as a primary factor in sending Pittsburg on the road in the section semifinals last year. With a new offensive scheme and an aggressive defense spearheaded by athletic linebacker Charlie Ramirez (12 tackles, four tackles for a loss last week), the Pirates have had this one circled since this time last year.
Pittsburg must contend, however, with a skilled group of young playmakers for San Ramon Valley, plus a tough and experienced running back in senior Colin Clancy. Sophomore Clark Baker, whose older brother Zack was under center for the Wolves last season, accounted for three scores in the opening rout over Las Lomas, while sophomore running back Daniel Medley added 113 yards on the ground, and Robbie Funkhouser led the team in receiving with three catches for 64 yards.
“This is going to be a tough game,” said San Ramon Valley coach Aaron Becker. “Pitt is a really good team worth every bit of its ranking.”
Both teams are currently ranked in the top five of the Prep2Prep NCS rankings.
San Leandro (0-1) at James Logan (1-0), Friday, 7: Both teams carried the same record into last year’s edition of the Battle of the 880 Corridor, but the Pirates escaped with a thrilling last-minute 36-31 over James Logan, breaking a streak of four straight defeats to the Colts.
The teams may carry opposite records into this game, but the week one opponents were vastly different, so last week’s results go out the window in this one, especially considering the out-of-league rivalry aspect.
“It’s a great rivalry, and both teams play very tough against each other,” said James Logan coach George Zuber, who enters his 10th season with the Colts after seven seasons as an assistant at San Leandro. “It was a great game last year, and we fully expect a great battle this year.”
Logan boasts an experienced backfield led by quarterback Rogelio Reyes and tailback Ahmari Davis, while defensive lineman Malik McPherson and linebacker Brooks Miller anchor the interior of the defense.
Converted running back Ricky Walker, meanwhile, is a two-way impact player for the Pirates. He has moved to quarterback offensively, where he scored both of San Leandro’s touchdowns with his legs, including a breakaway 46-yard run in the fourth quarter of the loss to Foothill.
Alhambra (1-0) at Rancho Cotate (0-0), Friday, 7:30: This is a nice early-season battle between two of the top teams in Division III, and has been a tense rivalry over the past three years.
Last season’s game was a tale of two halves, as Alhambra raced to an early lead before the Cougars tried to claw their way back, falling 47-35. Rancho Cotate, however, had won the previous two contests between the programs.
While the Bulldogs beat College Park to open the season last week, Rancho Cotate makes its much-anticipated debut on the field this week after being considered by many as a title contender both in the North Bay League and for the section title.
The reasons for those expectations lie primarily on the shoulders of three seniors who have already etched their names as a few of the best in program history. Lefty quarterback Gunner Mefferd enters his third year as the starter, and not only has big Brandon Boccaleoni back at center, but also Louisville commit Chris Taylor-Yamanoha at receiver. Taylor-Yamanoha is the top two-way player in the league, as teams will likely avoid his side of the field defensively.
Analy (1-0) at Maria Carrillo (1-0), Friday, 7:30 pm: Analy put on an offensive display in its season-opening win over Casa Grande last week, as junior quarterback Jack Newman threw for 381 yards, while accounting for five touchdowns.
This week, the Tigers face a Carrillo squad that slugged out a 17-7 win over Redwood, and will try to slow down the combination of Newman to Schuyler Van Weele, after the pair hooked up 11 times for 200 yards and three scores last week.
Cole Martin, Westley Picard, and Max Wright all had interceptions for the Pumas in last week’s win.
Best of the Rest . . . Justin-Siena (0-1) heads up the 101 Highway to Eureka, where it will take on a St. Bernard’s (1-0) team that came home from Texas after beating Round Hill, 43-40. The Braves will have to defend junior quarterback Jack Rice, who is a dual-threat and was the team’s top receiver last year. Justin-Siena quarterback Aidan Willard will look to lead his team back into the win column after Piedmont rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to spoil the Braves’ home opener last week.
Best of the Rest 2 . . . Northgate (1-0) heads into the North Bay to take on Windsor (1-0) in a battle between a pair of Division II programs who will likely be jockeying for playoff seeding with this game. The Broncos rolled past Rodriguez-Fairfield last week, and have a host of playmakers, including running back Mason Mitchell. Windsor, meanwhile, used a pair of tough running backs to grind out a 21-9 win over Petaluma.
Best of the Rest 3 . . . Moreau Catholic (1-0) broke into the Prep2Prep section rankings this week, and will look to validate that with a game against veteran coach Paul Perenon and Mt. Eden (1-0). This Saturday afternoon contest features one of the top juniors in the section, Moreau Catholic’s Jullen “Booda” Ison.
