HAROLD ABEND
Prep2Prep Senior Editor

1 (1)   DE LA SALLE (4-3-0)
Last: def. California, 41-7; next: vs. Monte Vista (10/21)

For the first time since 2004 when they started 2-3-2, De La Salle was in danger of falling below .500. But it never materialized as the big green machine righted the ship and went into San Ramon and beat the Grizzlies by 34 points. The difference between now and 18years ago was the two losses came against Bellevue (WA) and Clovis West. Of note, however, is the two ties came against local teams, 7-7 at Palma and a 17-17 draw at home with Clayton Valley in a non-league contest. Back then De La Salle was in the BVAL and from there they ran the table to finish 8-3-2 in a season that prior to the state CIF Bowl Games culminated in a 41-0 rout of Amador Valley in the NCS 4-A East Bay title game.

2 (2)   PITTSBURG (6-1-0)
Last: def. Deer Valley, 51-0; next: vs. Freedom (10/21)

The Pirates don’t look like they will be challenged in their final three BVAL. Liberty gave them a tussle two weeks ago, but last Friday they rolled 51-0 on the road at Deer Valley. Freedom is next followed by Heritage and Antioch.

3 (7)   CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER (4-3-0)
Last: def. San Ramon Valley, 42-28; next: vs. California (10/21)

It’s taken some time for the Ugly Eagles to transition from the kind of hard-nosed running game head coach Coach Tim Murphy has been known for to a spread offense he instituted this season. But after a bit of a rough start, it’s beginning to pay off big time. The biggest dividend came in a 42-28 victory at San Ramon Valley in a game the Ugly Eagles controlled from the start. Some may have Clayton Valley behind Campolindo but in four tries the Uglies have prevailed. The closest score was 27-7 in the 2019 NCS Division II title game. Against San Ramon Valley, senior quarterback Christian Aguilar was 18 of 22 for 217 yards and two touchdowns with no picks. He now has 1,796 yards passing and 15 TDs with only three interceptions. Another factor in the mix is the possible return of senior running back William Stallings.

4 (5)   CAMPOLINDO (7-0-0)
Last: def. Acalanes, 27-24; next: vs. Northgate (10/21)

The Cougars got everything they could handle in 27-24 victory over DFAL rival Acalanes in a game they trailed 17-14 late in the third quarter. But they do have a win over an Aptos team that just beat a Salinas team that has a season-opening road win over Clayton Valley. Because of that, the Cougars could make a claim to be ahead of Clayton Valley, but the Cougars have a much easier road from here on out so if Clayton Valley stumbles against anyone other than De La Salle in its final three games, Campolindo could pass them. For now they get dragged up along with Clayton Valley past Marin Catholic and get a one-spot bump.

5 (3)   MARIN CATHOLIC (7-0-0)
Last: def. Archie Williams, 56-0; next: vs. Redwood (10/22)

Through no fault of their own, the Wildcats have to fall in behind Clayton Valley and Campolindo due to its competitive equity resume despite a 56-0 win at home against Archie Williams. As things unwind they can possibly move up. The biggest question in the Marin County Athletic League is what will happen in the regular season finale at San Marin.

6 (4)   SAN RAMON VALLEY (5-2-0)
Last: lost to Clayton Vly Charter, 42-28; next: vs. Amador Valley (10/21)

After nearly coming back two weeks ago in a loss at McClymonds, San Ramon Valley dug a hole again only this time they never really mounted a comeback and lost 42-28 at home to Clayton Valley in a game they trailed throughout. The Wolves will look to rebound and get rolling again heading into the playoffs this week against visiting Amador Valley.

7 (6)   EL CERRITO (7-0-0)
Last: def. Pinole Valley, 29-6; next: vs. Hercules (10/21)

The Gauchos drop a spot to make room for Clayton Valley, but at this point they are more concerned about finishing the regular season 10-0 and getting the top seed in the NCS Division III playoffs. Host Pinole Valley was no match for El Cerrito and Hercules likely won’t do much better this week.

8 (11)   WINDSOR (5-2-0)
Last: def. Rancho Cotate, 34-30; next: at Montgomery (10/21)

The Jaguars trailed 30-28 early in the fourth quarter but snuck past defending North Bay League-Oak Division champion Rancho Cotate in a 34-30 final at home. Windsor coaches were texting us asking how the computer rankings the sections and CIF use could have them behind Rancho Cotate and we wonder the same thing. The answer is check the real rankings and not the ones that obviously are flawed. Windsor jumping Rancho Cotate here is a no brainer and gets them a three-spot bump.

9 (8)   RANCHO COTATE (5-2-0)
Last: lost to Windsor, 34-30; next: at Cardinal Newman (10/21)

Junior reserve quarterback Jacob Pruitt played well in place of injured senior Liam Keaney, but the Cougars lost 34-30 at Windsor in a game they led 30-28 in the early fourth quarter. Next up is a showdown at Cardinal Newman.

10 (9)   CALIFORNIA (5-2-0)
Last: lost to De La Salle, 41-7; next: at Clayton Vly Charter (10/21)

The Grizzlies lost big to De La Salle, but in this group a loss to De La Salle still isn’t a reason to drop teams. Next up is Clayton Valley on the road in a game that will have significant playoff seedings implications.

11 (10)   ACALANES (6-1-0)
Last: lost to Campolindo, 27-24; next: at Benicia (10/21)

The Dons gave it their all against Campolindo but came up short after leading 17-14 late in the third quarter. The loss means a one-spot drop, but Acalanes is still looking like a top three seed in the NCS Division IV playoffs after being dropped down from D3 this season.

12 (12)   CARDINAL NEWMAN (5-2-0)
Last: def. Analy, 48-13; next: vs. Rancho Cotate (10/21)

The Cardinals won handily at Analy but they can’t move past an Acalanes in the NCS D4 pecking order yet. Next up is Rancho Cotate at home and a win in that game could mean a move up.

13 (15)   JAMES LOGAN (5-2-0)
Last: def. Castro Valley, 31-7; next: vs. Tennyson (10/21)

The Colts have now posted two straight easy MVAL/WACC wins, a 24-point win over Castro Valley followed by a 34-0 blanking of San Leandro this past week. In this group that means a move up two spots heading into their final three league games against Tennyson, Bishop O’Dowd and Encinal where Logan will be heavily favored.

14 (14)   SAN MARIN (6-1-0)
Last: def. Terra Linda, 49-0; next: vs. Tamalpais (10/21)

We dropped San Marin behind James Logan despite a 49-0 trouncing of Terra Linda, but that isn’t a measure of much in this group. However we’ll wait to see what they do against Marin Catholic compared to what Logan did. So for now the Mustangs hold tight.

15 (18)   ANTIOCH (3-4-0)
Last: def. Heritage, 23-14; next: vs. Liberty (10/21)

Despite a losing record the Panthers took care of business with a 23-14 win at Heritage and that means a move up in this group. The Panthers are looking like the No. 2 team in the BVAL at 2-0 right now and they’ll get a shot at Pittsburg in three weeks. But first comes a Liberty team this week that tested Pittsburg.

16 (17)   FOOTHILL (4-4-0)
Last: def. Livermore, 38-30; next: vs. Dublin (10/21)

The Falcons got a solid EBAL-Valley Division win to go 2-0 in league after holding off Livermore on the road, 38-30. The reward is a one spot bump heading into a date with Dublin this week at home.

17 (20)   MIRAMONTE (6-1-0)
Last: def. Benicia, 56-28; next: at Las Lomas (10/21)

With some teams ahead of them losing, the Mats pick up three spots after winning 56-28 at home against Benicia. The Mats put it away early after taking a 28-0 first quarter lead. Senior quarterback Luke Duncan passed for 289 yards and five TDs in the victory. Las Lomas is next and they’re coming off a win over Northgate.

18 (16)   HERITAGE (5-2-0)
Last: lost to Antioch, 23-14; next: vs. Deer Valley (10/21)

The Patriots lost 23-14 at Antioch but in this group it’s not a big drop. Deer Valley at home is next up and Heritage will be heavily favored to get back to its winning ways. Fresno State-commit Devon Rivers was held out of the end zone but still rushed for 140 yards and continues to be the NCS reported leader with 1,404 yards and 18 TDs rushing.

19 (NR)   LIBERTY (4-3-0)
Last: def. Freedom, 50-18; next: at Antioch (10/21)

Based on a win over a solid 37-13 win over a Monte Vista team that just upset previous No. 13 Amador Valley, coupled with taking Pittsburg to the wire, the Lions come in behind BVAL cross-town rival Heritage after a blowout of Freedom. Antioch is next up in what becomes a very important matchup.

20 (23)   DEL NORTE (4-1-0)
Last: DNP; next: at Eureka (10/21)

After reviewing the competitive equity resume of the Warriors they get a three-spot bump despite two straight byes. Three weeks ago they blasted visiting Eureka 45-0 and face them again this week on the road.

21 (19)   LIVERMORE (6-1-0)
Last: lost to Foothill, 38-30; next: vs. Dougherty Valley (10/21)

The Cowboys lost 38-30 at home to Foothill but at this stage in the rankings and in this group its only a two-spot drop heading into a date with visiting Dougherty Valley.

22 (22)   ST. VINCENT DE PAUL (7-0-0)
Last: def. St. Bernard's, 35-24; next: at Ukiah (10/21)

Previously we had said it would be hard for the Mustangs to move up as a D7 team in the NCS, but they have beat schools in higher divisions including a sold win over St. Bernard’s last Saturday. Even so with movement around them the Mustangs hold tight. Next up is Ukiah on the road in what should be the championship game in the NBL-Redwood Division and likely the team’s toughest game so far this season.

23 (24)   PETALUMA (6-1-0)
Last: def. Sonoma Valley, 42-0; next: at Napa (10/21)

After blasting Sonoma Valley 42-0 on the road the top team in the Vine Valley Athletic League moves up a spot heading into a road game in Napa where the Trojans will be big favorites.

24 (25)   VINTAGE (4-4-0)
Last: def. Justin-Siena, 34-7; next: at Sonoma Valley (10/21)

The Crushers did just that against cross-town Justin Siena and after re-entering the rankings at No. 25 last week they move up a spot to stay behind the Petaluma team that dealt them their lone loss, 28-26 on the road. Sonoma Valley is next and it could be another crusher.

25 (NR)   MONTE VISTA (2-5-0)
Last: def. Amador Valley, 21-0; next: at De La Salle (10/21)

Some may question how a team that’s 2-5 can snag the final spot? We had to decide between the Mustangs and a Las Lomas team that beat previous No. 21 Northgate, but the Mustangs were more than convincing in a 21-0 blanking of previous No. 13 Amador Valley that knocked the Dons out of the rankings. Another factor is both Monte Vista and Las Lomas have only lost to teams ranked above them, but their EBAL-Mountain is much stronger then the DFAL, plus their competitive equity resume is much stronger than Las Lomas.