Just 20 teams remain in the North Coast Section as we enter the section semifinals. In our second edition of the semifinal breakdowns, we focus on the three lower divisions in the enrollment classifications.
DIVISION III
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
#1 Campolindo 42 #8 Acalanes 7
#2 Analy 38 #7 El Cerrito 22
#3 Rancho Cotate 35 #6 Petaluma 28
#4 Bishop O'Dowd 17 #5 Alhambra 14
SEMIFINAL GAMES
#4 Bishop O'Dowd at #1 Campolindo
#3 Rancho Cotate vs #2 Analy at Santa Rosa HS
Whoever has the ball last . . . With the offensive prowess of both Rancho Cotate and Analy, and the playmakers both teams possess, this game could come down to which offense has the final crack at the end zone. But there are some other battles within that game worth noting.
Cougar two-way standout Chris Taylor-Yamanoha is a threat to score from anywhere on the field for Rancho Cotate, but might have a bigger impact in this game on defense, where he could be tasked with taking away Analy receiver Schuyler Van Weele. And expect the Cougars' depth in the backfield to pay dividends, as Danny Shelton and Mo Ward will also play large roles in attempting to slow down Analy's spread offense.
Over the hump . . . After losing in the quarterfinals three straight seasons from 2010-2012, Bishop O'Dowd advanced to the semifinals behind a big game on the ground from freshman running back Austin Jones, who had nearly 160 yards in the win over Alhambra. The Dragons could use a similar performance this week in order to keep the ball away from Campolindo's offense, as Bishop O'Dowd seeks its first section title since 2004.
We're all pretty comfortable here . . . Rancho Cotate, Analy, and Campolindo are all familiar faces in the section semifinals. Analy has reached the semifinals in each of the last three seasons, but has yet to advance to the section final in any of those years. Campolindo, meanwhile, is in the semifinals for the fourth time in the last five years, and Rancho Cotate is in the semifinals for the fifth time in the last six seasons. The Cougars reached the semifinals for three straight seasons, from 2010-2012, as members of the Division II classification.
DIVISION IV
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
#1 Marin Catholic 49 #8 Fort Bragg 0
#2 Cardinal Newman 47 #7 Justin-Siena 6
#3 Fortuna 36 #6 Piedmont 7
#4 Moreau Catholic 70 #5 Saint Mary's 34
SEMIFINAL GAMES
#4 Moreau Catholic at #1 Marin Catholic
#3 Fortuna at #2 Cardinal Newman
Two immense talents meet . . . For fans hoping to get a glimpse of two of the most talented playmakers in the entire section, Marin Catholic might be the place to go this weekend. Moreau Catholic brings an athletic defense, and an offense led by junior phenom Jullen Ison and efficient quarterback Ryan Regner.
Ison has 2,812 yards and 41 touchdowns this season, including 396 yards last week against Saint Mary's. Marin Catholic counters with dual-threat quarterback Darius-James Peterson, and a deep cast of playmakers around him, including running back Kenneth Fitzgerald-Evans and real depth at the receiver position, with Will Buckstaff, Peter Armusewicz, and Jack Hogeboom among the contributors.
It will be interesting how the veteran Wildcats team, with expectations of a state bowl game, performs against a Moreau Catholic defense that has performed well all season, including a second-half shutout of the Panthers last week. Alex Johnson, Hadari Darden, Ison, Johnny Den Bleyker, and Richard Hampton are among an athletic group on the defensive side for the Mariners.
Huskies record-setting season put to the test . . . 28 years ago, coach Mike Benbow was a senior on Fortuna's last undefeated regular-season team, winning its first 11 games before falling to Marin Catholic in the playoffs. This year, his son Blake surged past his dad in that category, as an outside linebacker on this Huskies' team that has won its first 12 games. Despite a non-league win over likely Northern Section champion Orland, however, this week's game against Cardinal Newman represents the best competition Fortuna has faced this season.
Staying healthy key to success . . . Marin Catholic coach Mazi Moayed touched on the issue prior to the playoffs, that whichever teams were able to stay healthy would have a huge advantage, especially in this deep field. That was put on display last weekend, when Fortuna blew past an injury-riddled Piedmont team.
The Highlanders were playing without top running back Gabe Watson, who was injured in the win over Del Norte, along with their starting H back, Willy Matsuno, who was injured in the same game. With two more starters out of state for a family crisis, Piedmont had to play short-handed against the Huskies. This week, it is Fortuna who must be healthy and stay fresh, with a number of two-way starters trying to take down a deep Cardinal Newman squad.
New to the dance . . . Moreau Catholic makes its first ever section semifinal appearance, on the heels of its second playoff victory in program history.
Fortuna returns to the semifinals for the second time in three seasons, Cardinal Newman returns to the semifinals after a two-year hiatus, and Marin Catholic makes its fifth straight appearance in the semifinals. Cardinal Newman made it to three straight semifinals from 2010-2012.
DIVISION V
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
#1 Berean Christian 6 #9 Stellar Prep 2
#2 St. Bernard Academy 27 #7 Middletown 15
#6 Ferndale 27 #3 John Swett 26 (OT)
#4 Valley Christian 27 #5 Salesian 21
SEMIFINAL GAMES
#4 Valley Christian vs #1 Berean Christian at Clayton Valley HS
#6 Ferndale at #2 St. Bernard Academy
Some new blood . . . Just one of this season's semifinalists was in this position last year, and that was St. Bernard's. The Crusaders made the semifinals four straight seasons from 2009-2012 before missing in 2013.
Valley Christian made the semifinals in 2013, while Ferndale was here in both 2012 and 2013. Berean Christian is making its first semifinal appearance.
If you think beating a team twice is hard . . . This week will be the third meeting of the season for St. Bernard's and Ferndale. St. Bernard's has won both previous contests this year, albeit by narrow margins each time. The Crusaders won the first meeting, 41-40 in overtime, and the second meeting, 34-28.
Berean Christian must beat league rival Valley Christian for the second time this year, after downing the Vikings, 42-13, earlier in the season.
Getting back on track . . . After scoring no fewer than 24 points in a game all season, Berean Christian was held to six points in the win over Stellar Prep. And even more glaring for the Eagles was their lack of offensive output. They had just 97 total yards of offense, including just one yard on the ground, a surprise considering the emergence of 1,000-yard rusher Joey Esco this season.
The combined eight points between the Eagles and the Thunder was the lowest output in a section playoff game since 2007, when Ferndale beat St. Patrick-St. Vincent, 6-0, in the Class A title game.
