CIF State Bowl Game Predictions
December 18, 2008 9:30 PM
CalHiSports.com editors plus other media experts statewide weigh in on what they think might happen in each of the five contests played Friday and Saturday at The Home Depot Center.
By Mark Tennis, CalHiSports.com Executive Editor
Open: Poly 21, Grant 7
Grant is unbeaten and perhaps playing the biggest game any team from Sacramento has ever played. As a native Sacramentan, I hope the Pacers do well. But they were a better team two years ago and don't think they will quite be able to hang with the Jackrabbits for a full four quarters. Poly gets it done and wins first state title since 1919.
Div. I: De La Salle 31, Centennial 28
This is the hardest game to choose and the picks that follow show that as well. Based on the playoffs so far, De La Salle has been more impressive and has shown it's been a different team than the one most in SoCal saw early in the season. On the other hand, we just don't know how good Chaparral of Temecula was this year, which is the team that gave Centennial its two closest game, including last week when it was 14-14 going into the fourth quarter. If Chap was actually very good, then Centennial wins. If Chap wasn't that good, then DLS likely prevails.
Div. II: Cathedral Catholic 34, St. Mary's (Stockton) 29
Is it a good thing or a bad thing that the Rams have already faced a number of top running backs this season, such as Stephon Mathis (Merced), Michael Spanos (Lincoln) and Usua Amanam (Bellarmine)? They may be facing the best of them all, although Cathedral's Tyler Gaffney isn't as darting and quick as Amanam. St. Mary's has experience trying to stop a top back, but that experience, especially against Amanam, wasn't positive. The Rams will score against Cathedral's defense, but just not sure about their defense getting enough stops. This should be the best D2 game so far, but the North still will likely lose.
Div. III: St. Bonaventure 27, Cardinal Newman 15
The Seraphs are going for their second straight title and overall, across the board, they look better than last year. The way they romped through the normally competitive CIF Northern Division playoffs was impressive indeed. The Cardinals will have the confidence from playing Oaks Christian into overtime from two years ago and they just took down an undefeated Clayton Valley squad in the North Coast Section finals. St. Bonnie wins and afterward the media needs to start the ball rolling so the Seraphs and Oaks Christian can resume their series next year. They will both be among the top teams in the nation next year and they better be playing each other. If they don't and Oaks gets a win over a top-ranked team from another state, the Lions may get the nod to be in this game a year from now.
Small Schools: St. Margaret's 27, Hamilton 10
The Hamilton defense will prevent this one from getting too out-of-hand, but the Tartan defense looks like it's even better. It's also an edge that the Harry Welch-coached team just played last weekend against Twentynine Palms while Mark Cooley's squad is coming off a three-week layoff. Think of how Ohio State has done in bowl games when it plays teams that have had shorter periods of time from the end of the regular season.
By Ronnie Flores, CalHiSports.com Senior Editor
Open: Poly 24, Grant 14
Grant is always the more athletic team and the team with the most burners. What will happen when the Pacers are not for the first time in God knows when? They can't get behind too much because they'll be forced to pass and the Poly D will start to tee off. If they get ahead, no problem, Poly obviously has experience coming from behind, too. In other words, Grant has a tall task ahead of it.
Div. I: Centennial 37, De La Salle 31
Boy, it's hard to pick against De La Salle no matter what team the Spartans play. Still, I can't get the picture out of my mind of how Loyola's Anthony Barr was able to run on a smallish D-line. I think the Spartans have improved, but they are clearly not as good as last year. Mater Dei didn't turn out to be great, but I can't say as certain that Centennial is not as good so the tables will be turned. Throw in the motivation factor and the Huskies get it done.
Div. II: Cathedral Catholic 28, St. Mary's 14
Too bad St. Mary's couldn't have a healthy Josh Harper, but it probably wouldn't make a difference because he doesn't play up front. The Rams couldn't stop Bellarmine and they won't be a able to stop Cathedral's running game, either. Is Cathedral as good as Bellarmine? No, but Cathedral's strength seems to be St. Mary's weakness.
Div. III: St. Bonaventure 31, Cardinal Newman 21
If it wasn't for the Oaks Christian game two years ago when Ryan Lingle almost led his team to an upset win, I would pick the SoCal team in a romp. Newman will find a way to stay in the game, but St. Bonaventure will be prepared. Oaks needed overtime to beat this program and Patrick Hall was on the field when the Lions embarrassed St. Bonnies. He won't let that feeling happen again.
Small Schools: St. Margaret's 36, Hamilton 17
I just think the calming influence of Harry Welch will make the difference. He can't tackle or throw passes but he can give his team confidence. Hamilton might be a deer in the headlights a bit, and will adjust after it's too late.
By Harold Abend, ESPN RISE CalHiSports.com Correspondent
Open: Poly 42, Grant 14
Grant's power running attack featuring RB Devontae Butler and QB Kopeli Koniseti has rolled over Sacramento area teams but it hasn't faced anyone like Long Beach Poly. This would seem to be a bad matchup for the Pacers, who most certainly will be forced from their game plan and have to pass the ball to have a chance. That is if they can slow Poly down, which we doubt.
Div. I: De La Salle 35, Centennial 28
Still, we see De La Salle executing in the crucial situations to score as many points as Mater Dei did against Centennial while holding them just enough on defense. The result will give Coach Lad his 345th victory, thus becoming California's all-time winningest prep football coach.
Div. II: Cathedral 34, St. Mary's 20
St. Mary's couldn't stop Usua Amanam and the running game of Bellarmine in a 35-7 loss and that was when Cody Vaz had Josh Harper, one of the top junior receivers in the state, healthy and in the lineup, which he apparently won't be for the game against Cathedral Catholic. Can the Rams stop Tyler Gaffney with 4.5 speed in the 40 on a 6-foot-1, 215-pound frame? We doubt it.
Div. III: Cardinal Newman 38, St. Bonaventure 35
If Newman can move the ball and keep the Seraphs off balance with its hurry-up spread offense, the Cardinals can stay close enough to win on a Randy Wright field goal.
Small Schools: Hamilton 21, St. Margaret's 20, Ostrich 0
I don't know diddly about these two teams other then I just missed a seven-foot tall California Ostrich/Road Runner that ran out from the tule weeds in front of my car 25 years ago just south of Hamilton City on Hwy 45...for that we go with the Braves of Hamilton City.
By Steve Brand, CalHiSports.com & California Prep Sportswriters Association Founder
Open: Poly 28, Grant 14
Unless Sacramento Grant is leading by three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, Long Beach Poly just has too much finishing power. Grant won't be intimidated but Poly seems to be on a mission and you can't discount the "home" field advantage as I suspect Poly will bring a large contingent.
Div. I: De La Salle 34, Centennial 20
Both teams will arrive in a nasty mood. Concord De La Salle must feel snubbed for not playing in the Open game having played what everyone other than some select CIF section commissioners feel is a more difficult schedule than Grant. Corona Centennial has been itching for another shot at the Spartans after losing last year's Div. I game.
Div. II: Cathedral Catholic 24, St. Mary's 7
Stockton St. Mary's has lost only to San Jose Bellarmine Prep and Modesto Central Catholic. The Rams beat CalHiSports state-ranked Merced and Stockton Lincoln -- twice -- playing what many consider a tougher schedule. Cathedral Catholic of San Diego has star power with running back Tyler Gaffney (51 TDs) and an unsung but dominating offensive line.
Div. III: St. Bonaventure 31, Cardinal Newman 14
The hitting in this game should be spectacular. Cardinal Newman dominated its opponents and some of the players undoubtedly remember losing to Oaks Christian two years ago. St. Bonaventure has toughened up itself against teams like Encino Crespi and its only loss was a five-pointer to Long Beach Poly, or the Seraphs would be in the Open game.
Small Schools: St. Margaret's 39, Hamilton 0
St. Margaret's of San Juan Capistrano has won all 14 of its games this year and an Orange County record 42 in a row behind QB David Mothander. A mobile, swarming defense will harass Hamilton all evening. Not playing since Thanksgiving has to hurt Hamilton, the Northern Section's first Bowl finalist.
By Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times
Open: Poly 28, Grant 7
Poly is waiting to play its best game of the playoffs, and this will be it.
Div. I: Centennial 42, De La Salle 35
There will be lots of scoring in this one.
Div. II: Cathedral 21, St. Mary's 14
Cathedral lets everyone know there's a rising Catholic school power in San Diego County.
Div. III: St. Bonaventure 21, Cardinal Newman 7
St. Bonaventure's defense is second to LB Poly. There's no way they are giving up more than a touchdown.
Small Schools: St. Margaret's 28, Hamilton 7
Harry Welch never loses the big one.
By Brian Stumpf, ESPN RISE Senior Director of Event Development
Open: Poly 17, Grant 7
Grant will play well on the big stage but Poly's defense is a little faster and its offense just too physical in the end.
Div. I: Corona Centennial 27, De La Salle 24
Centennial will not be intimidated after a narrow loss to the Spartans last year and finishes the job in '08.
Div. II: Cathedral Catholic 31, St. Mary's 20
The rest of the state gets introduced to the best player nobody talks about, Tyler Gaffney.
Div. III: St. Bonaventure 27, Cardinal Newman 10
The Seraphs make it two in a row in the DIII game.
Small Schools: St. Margaret's 33, Hamilton 18
Harry Welch moves to 2-0 in state bowl games
By Greg Biggins, ESPN RISE Director of Player Personnel
Open: Long Beach Poly 24, Grant 14
Grant has a high-octane offense for sure but this Jackrabbit defense might be the state's best in a few years. Poly running back Melvin Richardson could be the top running back in the state as well and is the type of back that gets stronger as the game goes on. Grants' best player is junior running back Devontae Butler who rushed for 1,850 yards and 36 touchdowns this season. Poly doesn't blow anyone out and this one will be close throughout but the Jackrabbits should pull away in the end.
Div. I: Centennial 31, De La Salle 24
This is easily the hardest game to pick of the weekend. Neither of these team's look as strong as the two teams that competed in last year's Div I final. Saying that, both are still stocked with talent and extremely well coached. On paper, the Huskies look more talented but I made a pact long ago to never pick against De la Salle. Still, this Husky team is just so balanced on offense with plenty of playmakers on defense. The Spartans have a strong stable of running backs but Centennial's strength is their run defense and Husky quarterback Taylor Martinez has gotten better each game this year.
Div. II: Cathedral Catholic 34, St. Mary's 21
This should be a very competitive contest but it's tough to imagine St. Mary's getting enough stops against a loaded Cathedral offense. Everyone knows about Dons running back Tyler Gaffney, who has rushed for 51 touchdowns this season. What is scary about Cathedral is their balance. Quarterback Parker Hipp has thrown for over 2,200 yards and 23 touchdowns. St. Mary's is led by Oregon State bound quarterback Cody Vaz but we would like the Rams chances a lot more if they had the services of junior wide out Josh Harper. Harper was the WR MVP at the NIKE Camp at Stanford and he looks doubtful at this time.
Div. III: St. Bonaventure 35, Cardinal Newman 17
If there is one game that could get out of hand, it could be this one. That's not a knock on Cardinal Newman, St. Bonny is just that good. They had the ball on the 15-yard line going in for a game winning score against Long Beach Poly but couldn't get it done. That was the Seraphs only loss all year. Their defense is tremendous and they have two big time running backs in Patrick Hall and Devon Blackledge. Newman is very well coached and nearly pulled off a huge upset in the Div III state title game two years ago against an Oaks Christian team that sent 11 players to Div I colleges. Jacob Gowan leads a strong offensive line and running back Jeff Badger has averaged over 10 yards a carry in rushing for over 1,400 yards.
Small Schools: St. Margaret's 42, Hamilton 10
This is the toughest game for me to pick for one simple reason- I haven't seen either of these teams play this year. Saying that, anytime Harry Welch is involved, it's always a safe bet to go with whatever team he's coaching. De La Salle head man Bob Ladouceur might be the only coach in the state with a better track record than Welch. He's already won one state title and it's tough to envision a scenario where he won't win his second this Friday.
By Mitch Stephens, Maxpreps.com & California Prep Sportswriters Association President
Open: Poly 13, Grant 6
Fifth game. Sloppy field. Poly wants a state title and the defense knows how to get it.
Div. I: Centennial 28, De La Salle 27
Both teams score four TDs, but De La Salle goes for the win late and in a monumental convergence of wills, Vontaze Burfict stops Blake Wayne inches shy on two-point try.
Div. II: Cathedral Catholic 38, St. Mary's 28
Choo-choo. The Tyler Train steamrolls through the Home Depot.
Div. III: St. Bonaventure 27, Cardinal Newman 21
Fittingly, a special teams TD decides this matchup of two special teams.
Small schools: St. Margaret's 28, Hamilton 14
Harry Welch, AKA George Bailey, is once again the richest coach in Carson.
By Kevin Askeland, Maxpreps.com
Open: Long Beach Poly 28, Grant 21
Grant overwhelms opponents with its tremendous athletic ability. Long Beach Poly will be first Pacer opponent who can match Grant's athleticism. Jackrabbits have more experience in close games and that could prove to be the difference.
Division I: Centennial 35, De La Salle 28
Centennial avenges loss from last year. Vontaze Burfict limits De La Salle running game and puts pressure on Spartans to throw the ball.
Division II: Cathedral 30, St. Mary's 14
Tyler Gaffney will score four touchdowns and rush for over 150 yards. St. Mary's offense will struggle if Josh Harper is unavailable.
Division III: St. Bonaventure 28, Cardinal Newman 27
Seraphs will be too big across the offensive and defensive lines and will control the line of scrimmage. Cardinal Newman will get big plays from QB Randy Wright and RB Jeff Badger to keep it close.
Small Schools: St. Margaret's 40, Hamilton 28
Hamilton will put up a good fight, but will not be able to match the depth of the Tartans. Braves will intercept three passes, but David Mothander will still throw for 300 yards with running backs still on the mend.
CalPreps.com computer projections (Courtesy of co-founder Eric Maddy)
Open: Poly 31, Grant 17
Div. I: De La Salle 28, Centennial 27
Div. II: Cathedral 41, St. Mary's 28
Div. III: St. Bonaventure 35, Cardinal Newman 21
Small Schools: St. Margaret's 31, Hamilton 17
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CIF State Championship Football Preview
CIF Open Division Football Preview
December 19, 2008 3:39 PM
Grant of Sacramento wanted to be in the spotlight and now that it's happened, how will the Pacers fare against state's winningest all-time program and a team ranked No. 2 in the nation.
By Mark Tennis & Ronnie Flores
From the North: Grant (Sacramento) 13-0
Head Coach: Mike Alberghini
Last Game: Defeated Burbank of Sacramento, 55-6, in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Div. II title game.
Surprise Factor: Picking Grant instead of De La Salle is the most surprising pick in the three years since the CIF State Championship Bowl Games were implemented. The Pacers are a fine team and could give the Jackrabbits fits in certain areas, but they clearly did not play as tough a schedule as De La Salle despite defeating two small state championship teams.
School Tradition: Alberghini is at the crux of the Pacers' tradition since the first half of his 40-year coaching career at the school was spent more as a baseball coach. He's been the football coach for 18 years and has won six section titles. Among his best players have been Donte Stallworth, Onterrio Smith, Aaron Garcia and current college standouts Worrell Williams, Syd-Quan Thompson and Christian Tupou.
Key Players: QB Kipeli Koniseti is a beast at 6-3, 215 pounds and is tough to bring down when he runs the ball. He's also passed for nearly 1,400 yards and 17 TDs. Junior Devontrae Butler has rushed for 1,856 yards and 36 TDs and has emerged as one of the best juniors in the state. Darvin McCauley is the top receiver with 44 catches for 814 yards and 10 TDs. There's also a ton of playmaking ability among the back seven on defense. Any one of the LBs or DBs can pick it and run it back.
Early Matchup Analysis vs. Long Beach Poly: In the long history of Grant football, there have been only a handful of occasions when the Pacers have played an opponent even close to them in speed in athleticism. Against Long Beach Poly, they get an opponent that may be faster and more athletic. "Those are things we're just going to have to figure out and do that quickly," Alberghini said of facing Poly's speed. "I don't think their speed is going to be truly greater than ours. Both runners they have are very good. There's just going to be speed all over the field."
From the South: Poly (Long Beach) 14-0
Head Coach: Raul Lara (4 Div. I/Pac-Five titles in 8 years)
Last Game: Defeated Tesoro of Las Flores, 20-17, in the CIF Southern Section Pac-Five Division title game.
Surprise Factor: None. The Jackrabbits have been the state's No. 1 team since the third week of the season following De La Salle's two-point loss to Don Bosco Prep of New Jersey. Poly defeated quality non-league opponents and won the toughest playoff division in the state of California.
School Tradition: With its win over Tesoro in its section title game, Poly became the state's all-time winningest program with a reported 684 wins, one more than previous record-holder, Bakersfield High. Poly has been playing football since 1904 and has had a strong program since they've opened the doors. The school is known worldwide for its athletic excellence and is currently is the middle of its greatest era of football, as they have reached the semifinals in the Southern Section's toughest division every year but once (2005) since the 1995 season. That is quite an accomplishment when you consider the school has won 18 section titles and has produced more NFL players than any other program in America. They first won a state title in 1919 with a 21-14 victory over Berkeley and are attempting to become the first school in state history to win one in both the modern era and the period between 1915 and 1927 when the CIF first conducted state playoff games.
Key Players: RB Melvin Richardson (8 TDs in the postseason), QB Morgan Fannell, TE Julian Camper, DE Iuta Tepa, LB Gorge Daily-Lyles, DB/WR Stan McKay, DB Lazari Middleton.
Early Matchup Analysis vs. Grant: Poly has to feel confident going into this matchup, but head coach Raul Lara admits he doesn't know as much about Grant as he does the opponent everyone thought his club would face, De La Salle. "I've never seen Grant, but I've heard about them. This year, we've been keeping an eye on them and from what I hear they would be similar to a good Dominguez team." Ever since Poly beat Orange Lutheran in last year's Pac-Five semifinals, 2-0, the Jackrabbits found a way to defeat teams, outscoring their playoff opponents, 65-27, in the second half. Poly keeps it simple, relying on conservative play calls on offense, the occasional positive broken play by Fannell and the state's best overall defense. Tepa is the state's best defensive end and wreaks havoc against even the big and talented lines like the one Tesoro took to Anaheim Stadium. Grant has to find a way to slow him down. Daily-Lyles is also a play-maker and has been on a mission since missing last year's section title game. Despite graduating four defensive backs who received scholarships last season, McKay and Middleton will be headed to big-time schools. They are fast, aggressive and the defense seems to be making less mental lapses than equally talented units of recent seasons.
If Fannell avoids turnovers and Richardson runs like he's capable, Poly has a good chance to win because the defense is not likely to allow more than the 17 points they did against Tesoro. Poly will also be prepared for and able to handle Grant's team speed better than any opponent they've faced in the Mike Alberghini era. "Don Norford told me 'they are fast' and when a guy like him makes a statement like that, you know they are really fast."
Corrections or comments? Email mark@studentsports.com
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CIF Division II Football Preview
December 19, 2008 3:35 PM
St. Mary's of Stockton comes in after winning Division I title in Sac-Joaquin Section. Cathedral Catholic won Division III in San Diego. Both offenses are potent, but Cathedral's may be more healthy.
By Mark Tennis & Steve Brand
From the North: St. Mary's (Stockton) 12-2
Head Coach: Tony Franks
Last Game: Defeated Pleasant Grove of Elk Grove, 36-14, to win the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I title.
Surprise Factor: With St. Mary's winning the Division I title from the same Sac-Joaquin Section in which unbeaten Casa Roble and Whitney won titles in Division III and Division IV, it's was hard to envision the section endorsing -- officially or unofficially behind closed doors -- any team other than its Division I champ.
School Tradition: St. Mary's has won CIF state titles in girls sports before, particularly basketball, but has never won one in a boys sport. The Rams made it to the Div. III final in basketball once, but had to play nationally-ranked Artesia of Lakewood and it wasn't close.
Key Players: QB Cody Vaz gives the Rams a shot in this game. He's completed 226 of 343 passes for 3,512 yards and 28 TDs. Franks said of him: "He's had a quietly phenomenal year. He doesn't bring a lot of fanfare." But in some of our games when it's over he's 23 of 29 for more than 300 yards. The St. Mary's running game often is equally strong. Junior Maurice Howze has emerged as a top player as the season has evolved and has rushed for more than 1,200 yards. The team's top talent may be junior WR-DB Josh Harper, who was the wide receiver MVP last spring at the Stanford Nike Camp. Harper may be out for Saturday's game with a sprained ankle, however. Still, even without Harper for three quarters of last week's game, Vaz was able to find capable targets and the running game was effective as well. Up front, watch for Fresno State-bound Josh Banks (6-3, 245).
Early Matchup Analysis vs. Cathedral Catholic: Franks has some history with Dons' head coach Sean Doyle as Doyle's brother in law played for Franks at UC Davis. Franks also recruited in San Diego for many years. The key is for the St. Mary's defense to get just enough stops and for its offense to continue to get unsung heroes to step up. "Those guys have been playing great and they've been on a real roll right now," Franks said of his opponent. "It's great to be here. We are hopefully still a football team that wants to get better."
From the South: Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 13-0
Head Coach: Sean Doyle
Last Game: Defeated Valhalla of El Cajon, 49-13, in the CIF San Diego Section Div. III title game.
Surprise Factor: Some. After defending Div. II state champ and front-runner Oceanside tied Ramona in its final regular season game, the Dons were able to take over the top spot in the section and Div. II South ratings. Had Ramona showed itself better in the section playoffs, it could have been the Pirates making a second consecutive appearance.
School Tradition: Completed its first undefeated section title season since the school opened in 1959 as University of San Diego High, right across the street from the University of San Diego. Athletic alums from Uni include Barry Zito, Carlos Quentin, Phil Mickelson, Luke Walton and Mark Prior.
Key Players: RB Tyler Gaffney (Mr. Football candidate, 2,537 yards, section records 51 TDs and 306 points), QB Parker Hipp, K Roman Ferriera, OL Everett Benyard, LB Jordan Lance, LB Ryan Downing, NT Mustafa Jalil (soph.).
Early Matchup Analysis vs. St. Mary's: One of the factors that makes the Dons nearly unstoppable is the number of offensive weapons they utilize. While every opponent unsuccessfully focused on stopping Gaffney, Hipp has been quietly dissecting foes, completing 120 of 177 passes for 2,260 yards and 23 TDs with just five interceptions.
When Cathedral Catholic scores, expect nothing short of perfection from Ferriera. After making his first varsity kick in the 2006 section title game, he has converted all 113 of his attempts, including 84 for 84 this year. His consecutive conversion streak is a new state record and his total is currently No. 5 on the all-time reported state list. This could play in a key factor early in the game, when both teams are feeling each other out and might settle for a field goal instead of taking a risk.
Doyle is very confident in his 50 (3-4 base) defense, as he feels his team has faced quality quarterbacks earlier in the season that are comparable to Vaz. "We faced (Michigan bound) Tate Forcier and 180 of his yards came in the fourth quarter after we put in our second-stringers. Our defensive backs have done a tremendous job."
If Vaz doesn't have Josh Harper at his disposal, it could put tremendous pressure on the St. Mary's defense because Gaffney will likely break off a long run and score at least once, maybe twice.
For corrections or comments, email mark@studentsports.com
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CIF Division III Football Preview
December 19, 2008 3:28 PM
Two teams with state bowl game experience will collide in this one. Defending champ St. Bonaventure has one loss compared to none for Cardinal Newman, but that loss was to Long Beach Poly.
By Harold Abend & Ronnie Flores
From the North: Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 13-0
Head Coach: Paul Cronin
Last Game: Defeated Clayton Valley of Concord, 17-7, in the CIF North Coast Section Class 2A title game.
Surprise Factor: None. Cardinal Newman defeated Central Catholic in its first game and then Central Catholic of Modesto, last season's Div. III rep from Northern California, lost to Hilmar in the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. V final, 17-6, to snap that school's 34-game section playoff game winning streak. With Central Catholic and Hilmar splitting games this season, Cardinal Newman was the natural choice.
School Tradition: The Cardinals once held the state record for longest winning streak. They broke the record in 1977 when they won their 47th straight game, surpassing the previous record of 46, which was set in 1965 by St. Helena and then tied in 1973 by Temple City. Cardinal Newman, coached by Ed Lloyd at the time, held the record for 18 years when it was eclipsed by De La Salle, which took that record to unheard of dimensions.
Key Players: Newman has one of the top two-way players in Northern California in Jeff Badger, who has rushed for 1,409 yards on only 130 carries (a whopping 10.84 yards per carry) with 13 touchdowns. He also has caught 29 balls for 412 yards and two TDs. On defense, Badger has 91 tackles from his middle linebacker position with 33 coming in the three NCS playoff games.
Badger is complemented by Joe Ferguson (678 yards rushing and 11 TDs, 553 yards receiving and five TDs, 61 tackles), who lines up with him on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Randy Wright has been extremely efficient both passing and running the ball. So far, he's thrown for 2,571 yards on 163 of 230 passes with 30 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He's also rushed for 367 yards and eight scores. Plus he punts, kicks off, and been perfect on field goals and extra points in the three playoff games.
Early Matchup Analysis vs. St. Bonaventure: "We know St. Bonnie's has a lot of talent and we have our work cut out for us, but this was our goal from the beginning of the season, to get back to Carson and win a state title. Our boys are ready," Cronin told CalHiSports.com after his team was selected to make the trip down south.
Now they're back after a 17-7 victory over Clayton Valley (Concord) in the NCS Division II title game, and by all accounts with a better team than the one that lost 27-20 in overtime in the inaugural 2006 Division III bowl game.
From the South: St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 13-1
Head Coach: Todd Therrien
Last Game: Defeated Moorpark, 42-7, in the CIF Southern Section Northern Division title game.
Surprise Factor: None. When St. Bonaventure defeated Oaks Christian last season, 41-33, it was an easy call to put the Seraphs in this game despite a loss to Crespi of Encino. With the Lions and Seraphs not playing this season, it was still logical to give the nod to St. Bonnie's despite Oaks Christian winning its sixth consecutive Southern Section divisional title because the defending Div. III state champions clearly played the stronger schedule. The Seraphs' only loss was a 12-7 setback to SoCal open division representative Long Beach Poly.
School Tradition: The Seraphs' rise from a small school power to a statewide power under former coach John Mack was culminated when they took home state team of the year honors from Cal-Hi Sports in 2005. The 29-year old Therrien, a former player under Mack, has kept the program running smoothly. He won a title as a player, and his second CIF Southern Section divisional title in as many years as a coach was the school's 10th title overall.
Key Players: RB/DB Patrick Hall (Mr. Football candidate), LB Dylan Davis, RB Devon Blackledge, OL Giovanni DiPoalo, QB Logan Meyer.
Early Matchup Analysis vs. Cardinal Newman: St. Bonaventure could have had a letdown after losing to Long Beach Poly, but after another dominant run through the Channel League, the Seraphs stepped up their game in the CIFSS Northern Division playoffs.
"We were playing at a pretty good level, but we got pumped up again for the championship game," said athletic director Mike Gianelli. "The boys get themselves really excited for big games."
This definitely qualifies as a big game as the Seraphs will try to win a second consecutive Div. III title against a team that is similar to them in that they don't rely on one superstar player. Hall is as close as you'll get to that, but taking a backseat to RB Darrell Scott last year has only helped him become a better all-around player and he could have a breakout game if Newman doesn't have anyone to handle him. Newman will likely be prepared for Hall, so if someone else on offense such as Blackledge has a big game, the Cardinals could get into trouble. Meyer can't commit any turnovers or else
Newman's opportunistic team could build momentum. One advantage the Seraphs definitely hold is what transpired in the first
Div. III title game in 2006, when a heavily favored Oaks Christian team was taken into overtime by a game Cardinals team. They won't take their NorCal opponent lightly in any way, especially since Hall and a few were on the team when Oaks rolled them in the biggest regular season game of the 2006 season.
"It will help us because that Oaks Christian team beat us pretty bad," Gianelli said. "We recognize the opponent at hand."
For corrections or comments, email mark@studentsports.com and be sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say.
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St. Elizabeth's run comes to an end
By Tony Gonsalez
CORRESPONDENT
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 12/05/2008
SANTA ROSA — After winning last year''s North Coast Section Class B championship, the St. Elizabeth High football team was trying to make it two titles in a row against St. Vincent.
This time, however, St. Vincent proved to be too much as its offense overpowered the St. Elizabeth defense and rolled to a 30-6 win in the championship game of the North Coast Section Division V playoffs at Santa Rosa High.
Josh Wheless threw for 204 yards and 2 touchdowns for and St. Vincent (11-1) finished with 297 yards.
Defensively, St. Vincent was simply too much for St. Elizabeth (8-5), holding it to 92 total yards, including just six rushing yards.
With the championship, St. Vincent still has a chance to represent the small schools section in the California Interscholastic Federation state championships. Hamilton City and Modoc could also be represented, which will be announced on December 15.
"I know it''s tough for the kids to swallow, but you have to tip your hats to (St. Vincent)," St. Elizabeth coach Fred Sims said. "We made too many mistakes out there tonight."
St. Vincent jumped out first, marching 72 yards in seven plays that ended with a Wheless 41-yard pass to Nick McCarthy for a 6-0 lead with 3:32 left in the opening quarter.
Early in the second quarter, St. Elizabeth cornerback Dave Douglas stepped in front of a Wheless pass, picking it off and running it back 38 yards for a 6-6 tie.
Wheless connected with Sonny Gonella for a 28-yard touchdown to cap a 46-yard drive with 3:07 left in the half for a 13-6 St. Vincent lead.
The defense of St. Vincent made a goal-line stand right before the end of the half. St. Elizabeth had a first-and-goal from the St. Vincent 2. Three running plays netted no yards and Douglas was stopped for a 7-yard loss on fourth down.
In the third quarter, St. Vincent put the game away thanks to three turnovers by St. Elizabeth. St. Vincent''s Dillon Irving intercepted a Keith Seales pass and returned it 77 yards to the St. Elizabeth 4. Two plays later Cullen Carroll scored from the 3.
On the ensuing kickoff, St. Vincent recovered the untouched ball at the St. Elizabeth 17. Shawn Rainey kicked a 29-yard field goal and Wheless scored on a 2-yard quarterback sneak.
Douglas was held to 29 yards on 13 carries. Seales threw for 86 yards on 9-of-17 passing.
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CHAMPIONSHIPS
Friday 12/12/2008 7:00pm
D-1 #3 Pittsburg (BVAL) 11-1
D-1 #1 De La Salle (EBAL) 11-1 @ Dublin
Saturday 12/13/2008 7:00pm
D-2 #2 Clayton Valley (DVAL) 12-0
D-2 #1 Cardinal Newman (NBL) 12-0 @ Santa Rosa
Saturday 12/13/2008 7:00pm
D-3 #3 Novato (MCAL) 11-2
D-3 #1 Encinal (BSAL) 12-0 @ Dublin
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Foothill's second visit to DLS gets no better
By Chace Bryson
Staff writer
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 12/05/2008
CONCORD — Seven weeks after losing to the De La Salle High football team by 56 points, Foothill returned to Owen Owens Field on Friday for a North Coast Section Division I semifinal.
If the Falcons were looking for a sign that the second visit to Concord was going to be any different than the first, then the second play of the game wasn't very friendly.
Spartans running back Terron Williams-Ward took the handoff and burst into the middle of the Foothill line, only to re-emerge on the other side and sprint 62 yards for a touchdown. De La Salle never really looked back as it rolled to a 42-7 win.
"I just hit the hole pretty quick, but my linemen were there so I had to bounce out," said Williams-Ward, who later put the De La Salle up 14-0 with a 41-yard scoring run. "I knew (Foothill defensive back Nathan Hinke) had good speed, so I just put a little stutter step on him and tried to get to the corner."
The win moves top-seeded De La Salle (11-1) into the NCS Division I championship game on Dec. 12 at Dublin High. The Spartans will be seeking their 17th straight section title against the winner of tonight's semifinal between No. 7 San Ramon Valley (9-3) and No. 3 Pittsburg (10-1).
For No. 4 Foothill (9-3), Friday night's game was an improvement over its 63-7 East Bay Athletic League loss to De La Salle on Oct. 17. The Falcons gained over 300 yards of offense on Friday, but ultimately came up empty on four of their five trips inside the red zone.
"We needed to come out and play defense, get stops, and move the chains," Foothill receiver Patrick Lynch said. "We did that, but we just couldn't convert when we got downfield."
De La Salle built a 35-0 lead at the half. After Williams-Ward's two scoring runs, Blake Wayne connected on three touchdown passes to Michael Dosen. The first was from nine yards out, the second went for 51 yards, and the final scoring toss went for 42 yards with 34 seconds left in the half.
"I was happy with how we came out and played this game," De La Salle coach Bob Ladouceur said. "We kind of went flat in the second half...but all in all I thought our offense clicked well."
Foothill trailed 42-0 when it eventually got on the scoreboard with a five-play, 56-yard scoring drive. Quarterback Sean Mannion scored on a one-yard dive. Mannion finished the night with 248 yards passing.
"Matt Sweeney does a great job prepping his guys," Ladouceur said. "We just hit on too many things. We were able to run and pass tonight well. It was a good balance for us."
De La Salle finished with 323 yards rushing and 148 passing.
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2008 STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP BOWL GAMES MATCHUPS
Friday, December 19, 2008
Small Schools Division (4:30pm) Hamilton Union, Hamilton City vs. St. Margaret's, San Juan Capistrano
Division I (8:00pm) De La Salle, Concord vs. Centennial, Corona
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Division III (12:00pm) Cardinal Newman, Santa Rosa vs. St. Bonaventure, Ventura
Division II (4:00pm) St. Mary's, Stockton vs. Cathedral Catholic, San Diego
Open Division (8:00pm) Grant, Sacramento vs. Poly, Long Beach
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NCS DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: CARDINAL NEWMAN 17, CLAYTON VALLEY 7
Newman wins NCS title, waits for state selection.
Section championship top requisite for state berth consideration
By RICH RUPPRECHT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Saturday, December 13, 2008
Cardinal Newman is about to find out if it’s warmer in Southern California.
The Cardinals wrapped up their second North Coast Section Division II championship in the past three years with a defense-led 17-7 win against Clayton Valley of Concord on a chilly Saturday night in front of a capacity crowd of 3,000 at Santa Rosa High.
A section championship is the top requisite for being considered for a state berth at the Home Depot Center in Carson next weekend. The victory means Newman is 13-0 and the clear favorite to receive the Division III bowl berth for Northern California. The Division III game will be played at noon Saturday and will be televised live.
“I’d love to play St. Bonaventure,” said Newman receiver/defensive back Wade Amaral, referring to a possible opponent for Newman at state. The selection committee (the 10 section commissioners in the state) meets this morning in Carson and will announce the matchups for the five games this afternoon. Newman’s likely opponent will be either St. Bonaventure or Oaks Christian, the school Newman lost to in overtime in their 2006 state bowl appearance.
While Clayton Valley stayed close for a half — Newman led 3-0 at intermission on the strength of a 23-yard Randy Wright field goal — it was Newman’s defense that seemed in control.
When Wright was intercepted on the fourth play of the third quarter, Clayton Valley (12-1) killed a Newman drive and looked to have a shot if it could generate some offense. But top running back Dozie Iwuagwu, who rushed for 127 yards on 21 carries, fumbled. Newman went 36 yards in five plays, capped by a 1-yard Joe Ferguson touchdown run to take a 10-0 lead.
Wright, who fumbled twice and was intercepted twice — he entered the game with just two interceptions in 12 games — then found Amaral behind linebacker Joe Levine and hit him with a 62-yard TD pass. It was Wright’s 30th TD pass and Amaral’s 14th TD reception on the season.
Newman took the 17-0 lead into the final quarter and Clayton Valley, which had a receiver drop a first-down pass inside Newman’s 5-yard-line in the third quarter, scored on a 6-yard run by Vince Buhagiar with 1:49 left.
Clayton Valley’s onside kick was unsuccessful and a couple of minutes later the Newman team was celebrating at midfield.
“I think we’ve got a great shot,” said Cardinal coach Paul Cronin when asked about going to state. “Actually, I’d be shocked if we didn’t get it (the selection).”
Clayton Valley, a big, physical team that likes to run the ball, looked good on its opening drive, moving to Newman’s 25. On fourth down, a high snap on a field-goal attempt led to an incompletion and Newman took over.
The two teams then exchanged punts and Newman, using a 33-yard screen to Jeff Badger to get into Clayton Valley territory, couldn’t convert on fourth-and-inches from the Eagles’ 19, as Wright fumbled.
On its next possession, Clayton Valley used two complete passes from Levine (the starting quarterback and starting linebacker) to get to Newman’s 20, this time Newman bottling up Iwuagwu for a loss on fourth down.
Wright threw 45 yards to Amaral to set up the field goal. After another fourth-down stop by Newman, the Cardinals tried two long passes in the closing seconds of the half, with Chris Reuter nearly coming up with a TD catch as time expired.
Cronin said Clayton Valley was obviously keying on Badger, who had gained 237 yards rushing in each of Newman’s two previous playoff wins.
He rushed just twice in the first half and finished with 69 yards rushing on nine carries. Wright was 11-of-16 for 185 yards and Amaral had seven catches for 139 yards.
“They’re a very good team,” Badger said of Clayton Valley. “It was a team effort.”
Badger had 10 tackles in the first half and Teyo Green and Blake Ratto had sacks of Levine.
“We really never got into our rhythm offensively in the first half,” Cronin said. “Credit our defense for winning the game.”
“This is one of the best defenses I’ve coached here,” said Newman assistant Bao Alderson. “It’s got a lot of speed, Badger in the middle and the defensive line is always fresh.”
Amaral said the defense felt well-prepared for Clayton Valley.
“We’ve never watched as much film as we did this week,” he said. “We tried to mix it up and give them some new looks.”
Amaral just smiled when asked if he ever thought about going to state once in the playoffs.
“The thought was always there and we figured if we kept playing hard, hopefully we’d get there,” he said.
You can reach Staff Writer Rich Rupprecht at 521-5275 or rich.rupprecht@pressdemocrat.com.
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Selection Sunday CIF State Bowl Rankings
December 14, 2008 1:00 PM
Here's the newest rankings, breakdowns and comparisons that will be presented to the 10 CIF section commissioners prior to their selection meeting for the bowl games to be held on Sunday at The Home Depot Center.
By Mark Tennis, Ronnie Flores & Steve Brand
*Indicates team is not eligible for bowl game consideration.
Division I North
1. (1) De La Salle (Concord) 12-1
2. (2) Grant (Sacramento) 13-0
3. (3) Bellarmine Prep (San Jose) 12-1
4. (6) Junipero Serra (San Mateo) 8-4*
5. (5) Oak Grove (San Jose) 11-1*
6. (4) Pittsburg 11-2*
7. (7) Foothill (Pleasanton) 9-3*
8. (nr) Lincoln (Stockton) 10-2*
9. (10) San Ramon Valley (Danville) 8-4*
10. (nr) Monte Vista (Danville) 8-3*
Others: California (San Ramon) 7-5*, Clayton Valley (Concord) 12-1*, Freedom (Oakley) 10-2*, Granite Bay 9-2*, Laguna Creek (Elk Grove) 9-4*, Lincoln (San Francisco) 10-2, Merced 11-2*, Monte Vista (Danville) 8-3*, North Salinas (Salinas) 9-2.*
Looking Deeper At Each Team/Selection
1. De La Salle's only loss is to nationally-ranked Don Bosco Prep of New Jersey by two points. Bosco won its third straight state title two weekends ago and won every game against in-state foes convincingly. The Spartans also won their North Coast Section playoff games by scores of 52-7, 42-7 and 34-10 on Friday against Pittsburg. This was their 17th consecutive section title. In this time span, from 1992 to the present, DLS also has not lost a single game to any team from Northern California (if you count the Central Section as being from the south). There have been two ties but no losses. Therefore, plus the fact the Spartans are the defending Division I state bowl champion from last year, it seems to be a solid choice for them not just to be in the bowl games this year but also as the Northern California Open Division representative.
2. Grant has wins over two state champions. We wouldn't place that much value on the win over Highland of Pocatello, Idaho, because that team also lost an additional game to a Utah school. You have to give the Pacers much credit, though, for the win over Alta High of Sandy, Utah. Alta not only won the largest-class state title in Utah this year but also won last year as well and its only loss in its last 25 games has been to Grant. In the playoffs, Grant had difficulty in its first game against Granite Bay with a 22-19 victory. Granite Bay, however, was ranked No. 1 by the Sacramento Bee for the first two months of the season with Grant at No. 2 and last year Granite Bay would have been considered the Sac-Joaquin Section's top team overall. Grant won its title game, 55-6, over Burbank of Sacramento. We would not rank this year's team quite as highly as the one that was seriously considered for the bowl games two years ago, but it's an extremely quick, hard-hitting squad.
3. If Bellarmine Prep had not dropped a regular season game to Serra of San Mateo, the Bells not only would be ahead of Grant but also ahead of De La Salle for the open division since DLS only beat Serra by one point (although that was in the first game). Bellarmine came back to beat Serra, 25-7, in the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs and then won in the final 21-0 over Valley Christian of San Jose. We've seen Bellarmine three times and Grant twice. The Bells have some truly special players, maybe 4-5 who will be standouts in college. Grant doesn't have that, but does have superior depth. Bellarmine has at least five players that go both ways. Both teams would be outstanding NorCal representatives for the Division I game. It's a question of Grant not losing any games for the second time in three years (including a huge win over Alta) vs. Bellarmine playing a stronger schedule overall with some star power players but also is a team with a loss.
Division I South
1. (1) Poly (Long Beach) 14-0
2. (2) Centennial (Corona) 14-0
3. (3) Tesoro (Las Flores) 13-1*
4. (4) Chaparral (Temecula) 12-2*
5. (5) Rancho Cucamonga 13-0-1
6. (6) Narbonne (Harbor City) 12-1-1
7. (7) San Pedro 12-1-1
8. (8) Lakewood 10-3*
9. (9) Mission Viejo 10-2*
10. (10) Clovis West (Fresno) 10-3
11. (11) La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 11-2
12. (13) Esperanza (Anaheim) 8-4*
13. (nr) Los Alamitos 8-3*
14. (14) Edison (Huntington Beach) 7-3*
15. (15) Saugus 9-4*
Others: A.B. Miller (Fontana) 11-1*, Buchanan (Clovis) 9-3*, Clovis East (Clovis) 9-4*, Escondido 10-3*, Los Alamitos 8-3*, Loyola (Los Angeles) 6-4*, Murrieta Valley (Murrieta) 9-4*, Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 10-2*, San Clemente 8-3*, Taft (Woodland Hills) 11-2*, Thousand Oaks 10-2*, Upland 11-3*.
Looking Deeper At Each Team/Selection
1. Long Beach Poly opened the season in Miami with a 32-7 win over Miami Northwestern, the consensus national No. 1 team from last year. That team is playing for its third straight Class 6A state title next weekend in Orlando. Poly also has a 12-7 win over St. Bonaventure, which is defending Div. III state champ and has lost only to Poly this year. In addition, Tesoro of Las Flores, Poly's opponent in the CIFSS Pac-Five Division final, was 13-0 and nationally-ranked.
2. Centennial is hoping to get into the CIF state bowl games for the second straight season and probably would like to take another crack at De La Salle, which defeated the Huskies, 38-31, a year ago in the Division I final. Centennial's key wins are over CIF Central Section Div. I champ Clovis West, CIFSS Pac-Five quarterfinalist Mater Dei and two wins over Chaparral of Temecula, which went 12-0 against the rest of its schedule. If Clovis West did not have three losses and if Mater Dei had done better in the Pac-Five playoffs, then Centennial's argument to be in front of Poly would have merit. Those results clearly broke in Poly's favor in the last few weeks.
3. Kudos to the other champions and co-champions in this division. There just isn't a comparison to make against Long Beach Poly and Centennial. And since the Jackrabbits have that win over St. Bonaventure, this also makes them the open division choice with Centennial as the top choice for the Division I bowl game.
4. A Poly-De La Salle Open Division matchup will bring up memories when the two schools played in 2001 when they were No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation. DLS won, 29-15, and there were six or seven players on the field who are now in the NFL.
Division II North
1. (1) Valley Christian (San Jose) 10-3*
2. (2) St. Mary's (Stockton) 12-2
3. (3) Casa Roble (Orangevale) 13-0
4. (4) Whitney (Rocklin) 12-0
5. (6) Encinal (Alameda) 13-0
6. (7) Inderkum (Sacramento) 11-2*
7. (8) Paradise 11-1
8. (5) Novato 11-3*
9. (nr) Sacred Heart Cathedral (SF) 8-5
10. (6) Campolindo (Moraga) 10-2*
Others: Castlemont (Oakland) 9-2-1, Escalon 11-1*, Las Lomas (Walnut Creek) 9-4*, Miramonte (Orinda) 10-3*, Pioneer (San Jose) 10-2*; Placer (Auburn) 9-4*.
Looking Deeper At Each Team/Selection
1. We would still have Valley Christian ahead of St. Mary's in the rankings due to comparative scores and performances in the two teams' game against D1 Bellarmine, but Valley Christian obviously isn't eligible due to losing in the CCS open division final to the Bells.
2. St. Mary's winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 1 title by 36-14 over Pleasant Grove, a D1 school, gives it the edge over Casa Roble, which won the Sac-Joaquin Section D3 title, 27-21, in overtime vs. Inderkum. Prior to beating Pleasant Grove, St. Mary's posted its second win over Lincoln of Stockton (also D1 and 10-0 vs. the rest of its schedule) and then beat Merced (also D1) on the road, 35-24. The Rams are led by Oregon State-bound QB Cody Vaz.
3. Casa Roble has been No. 2 overall behind Grant of Sacramento in the Sacramento Bee's rankings (ahead of Pleasant Grove) and the team is unbeaten compared to two losses for St. Mary's. From a strength of schedule standpoint, however, these Rams have not played any opponent similar to Lincoln, Merced or Pleasant Grove. One team they beat 35-0, Del Campo of Fair Oaks, did play Pleasant Grove and won by one point.
4. Whitney won the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. IV title, 35-14, over Placer of Auburn on Friday and also is unbeaten. Casa Roble beat the same team 42-27. While Casa is ranked higher by local media, the difference between these two teams might not be that much.
5. Last year's D2 bowl game rep from the north, Novato, was beaten by Encinal on Saturday night in the NCS Division III final, 35-28. The Jets ended the season unbeaten. They did not play a D1 school all season, though, so their candidacy to appear in the bowl game, especially compared to St. Mary's and Casa Roble, loses steam.
6. Paradise won its third Northern Section Division I title in the last four years. The team's only loss came in the first game to Pitman of Turlock, a D1 team from the Sac-Joaquin Section that went 7-3 but did not make the SJS D1 playoffs. Remember, St. Mary's won that section crown.
Division II South
1. (1) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 13-0
2. (2) Oceanside 12-0-1
3. (3) Lutheran (Orange) 10-3*
4. (4) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 11-1*
5. (6) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 8-4*
6. (7) Servite (Anaheim) 7-4*
7. (8) Tulare Union 13-0
8. (9) Citrus Hill (Perris) 14-0
9. (11) Charter Oak (Covina) 13-0-1
10. (10) Helix (La Mesa) 10-2-1*
11. (5) Moorpark 12-2*
12. (12) Bishop Amat (La Puente) 8-3*
13. (nr) La Habra 12-2
14. (nr) Crespi (Encino) 6-4*
15. (nr) Laguna Hills 13-0
Others: Alemany (Mission Hills) 11-2*, Atascadero 9-3*, Barstow 10-4*, El Diamante (Visalia) 11-2*, Edison (Fresno) 9-3*, Paso Robles 9-3*, St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 7-3*.
Looking Deeper At Each Team/Selection
1. Cathedral Catholic and Oceanside are about as close to being tied in the rankings as you can get. We don't have ties and since both teams won on Friday the rankings did not change heading into Selection Sunday.
2. The crux of the debate between these two is that Oceanside appears to be the more talented team and has played a stronger schedule, although perhaps not that much stronger and certainly not stronger compared to league foes, while at the same time having a tie on its record. That tie was 33-33 with Ramona, which did not make it out of the semifinals of the division in which Cathedral Catholic played in.
3. Oceanside has won five straight section titles and is the defending Division II bowl champ. The Pirates also have a 25-game unbeaten streak (not a winning streak, though, because of the tie).
4. Of the San Diego area media members we informally polled in the press box at Qualcomm Stadium after they watched both teams play, there was a slight edge for Cathedral Catholic, 5-4. Both correspondents we use for San Diego, who have combined for more than 50 years of experience in covering teams there, went with Cathedral Catholic.
5. Oceanside's perceived advantage in talent is mostly due to speed on the corners. Cathedral Catholic, however, has a bigger offensive line and has one player, RB Tyler Gaffney (section record 51 touchdowns), who would be the best player on the field if the two played.
6. There are some additional undefeated teams on the board in this division who all had outstanding seasons. So why aren't any of those teams considered serious contenders in addition to Cathedral Catholic and Oceanside? The answer is strength of schedule and local consensus in the rankings. Tulare Union, for example, despite being 13-0, is not considered locally to be a better team than Central Section Division I champ Clovis West even though CW has three losses. Cathedral Catholic and Oceanside, on the other hand, are considered the top two teams in the San Diego Section regardless of school size.
Division III North
1. (1) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 13-0
2. (2) Hilmar 12-1
3. (3) Central Catholic (Modesto) 11-2*
4. (4) Sutter 10-1
5. (5) Palma (Salinas) 8-3*
6. (6) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 9-3*
7. (7) Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) 11-1-1*
8. (8) West Valley (Cottonwood) 9-3*
9. (9) King's Academy (Sunnyvale) 10-1-1*
10. (nr) Justin-Siena (Napa) 9-4
Others: Carmel 8-2*, Colfax 6-4*, Menlo School (Atherton) 6-5*, Piedmont 7-3*, Willows 10-2*.
Looking Deeper At Each Team/Selection
1. Cardinal Newman defeated Central Catholic in its first game and then Central Catholic downed Sutter the following week. Cardinal Newman, which lost in overtime to heavily-favored Oaks Christian two years ago in the first CIF Division III state bowl game, also had to get past undefeated D1 school Clayton Valley of Concord, 17-7, on Saturday night to win the North Coast Section Div. II crown.
2. Hilmar lost to Central Catholic of Modesto, 23-7, when those teams played early in the season and then two weeks ago in the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. V final it was the Yellowjackets who came up with a stunning 17-6 triumph. Central Catholic had won 34 straight section playoff games and was going for its seventh straight section title. Hilmar does not have a win on its schedule equal to the wins that Cardinal Newman had in its playoff run against bigger schools, however, so that would give the Cardinals the edge in that comparison.
Division III South
1. (1) St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 13-1
2. (2) Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 14-0
3. (4) Bakersfield Christian 12-1
4. (3) Serra (Gardena) 13-1*
5. (6) Chowchilla 12-1
6. (5) Corcoran 12-1*
7. (7) Paraclete (Lancaster) 11-3
8. (8) Twentynine Palms 10-4*
9. (9) St. Joseph (Santa Maria) 10-2*
10. (10) Exeter 9-2*
Others: Bishop's (La Jolla) 7-7*, Coronado 9-3*, Fowler 10-2*, Harvard-Westlake (N. Hollywood) 8-3-1*, Maranatha (Sierra Madre) 11-2*, Morro Bay 8-5*, St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) 4-6*.
Looking Deeper At Top Teams/Selection
1. Just from looking at the teams in this division, you might think that Oaks Christian should be in the lead. The Lions handed Serra of Gardena, which was No. 3 all season in these rankings, a lopsided loss in Friday's CIFSS Northwest Division title game. They also are the only team to beat Bakersfield Christian, which won the Central Section Div. V title.
2. Looking at teams from outside this division, however, St. Bonaventure is a clear choice. The Seraphs' only loss is to CIFSS Pac-Five champion Long Beach Poly and by only 12-7. They also defeated D2 Crespi of Encino and in the CIFSS Northern Division playoffs (the same division three years ago that produced CIF state Div. I champ Canyon of Canyon Country) they cruised to wins of 38-14 over Newbury Park, 32-7 over Paso Robles, 35-8 vs. Saugus and then 42-7 in the final over Moorpark. Moorpark was 12-1 coming into that game with its first loss by just 17-14 to Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, which got as high as No. 3 overall in the state ratings.
Small Schools North
1. (1) Hamilton (Hamilton City) 10-2
2. (2) Modoc (Alturas) 12-0
3. (3) St. Vincent (Petaluma) 11-1
4. (4) Ferndale 10-1*
5. (5) Rio Vista 10-2*
Others: Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento) 10-2, Capital Christian (Sacramento) 5-6*, Fall River (McArthur) 10-2, Modesto Christian 9-2*, Portola 10-2*, St. Elizabeth (Oakland) 8-5*, Vacaville Christian 9-2*.
Looking Deeper At Top Teams/Selection
1. All three of the teams at the top are solid and would be worthy selections.
2. Hamilton is higher than Modoc in these rankings because it won its title in a higher division of the Northern Section and in its final beat a D3 school. One of Hamilton's losses was to D3 Menlo School of Atherton, 21-17, in a game the Braves led until two minutes left when Jerry Rice Jr. broke loose for a game-winning score. Menlo School also had a win over Justin-Siena of Napa (29-17) and Justin-Siena was the team that knocked off season-long rankings leader Ferndale in the North Coast Section Div. IV playoffs. Hamilton's other loss was by 8-6 to Quincy in a mud bowl. Quincy later lost to Portola and Hamilton beat Portola, 40-0. Modoc beat Portola, 33-10, in its section title game.
3. St. Vincent's only loss was by just 8-7 to Clear Lake. The Mustangs closed strong with a 30-6 win in the North Coast Section Division V playoffs. This is not as strong as Division IV, which is the division Ferndale was trying to win. The only touchdown St. Vincent gave up in its two playoff games was on an interception return. There's just not much in the way of comparative scores to go on to base a choice between St. Vincent and Hamilton and/or Modoc.
4. St. Vincent played in its title game two weeks ago. Hamilton and Modoc played on Thanksgiving. Reports indicate that Hamilton has been practicing in the hope it will be picked.
5. In close picks, it should be appropriate to look at previous season and tradition. Last year, Hamilton went 13-0 and won its section title. The other two main contenders lost in their section finals. Hamilton therefore has won two straight section titles compared to Modoc and St. Vincent, which have not.
Small Schools South
1. (1) St. Margaret's (SJ Capistrano) 14-0
2. (2) Parker (San Diego) 12-1
3. (4) Central Valley Christian (Visalia) 9-3*
4. (nr) Santa Clara (Oxnard) 9-2*
5. (5) Christian (El Cajon) 10-2*
Others: Aquinas (San Bernardino) 10-2*, Brentwood (Los Angeles) 10-2*, Linfield Christian (Temecula) 10-3*, Rio Hondo Prep (Arcadia) 10-3, Riverside Christian 12-2*, Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach) 6-5*.
Looking Deeper At Top Teams/Selection
1. This selection may take even longer than Division I. That's because there are two very deserving teams -- St. Margaret's of San Juan Capistrano and Francis Parker of San Diego.
2. Each has three strong arguments. Parker has played a much tougher schedule, was more impressive in its title game 51-22 win over The Bishop's School and has the best player on either team, junior quarterback Deon Randall, who passed for four TDs and rushed for three in that game. St. Margaret's counters with a better defense as the Tartans just fly to the ball and gang tackle, which was very apparent in their 17-3 win on Saturday night against Twentynine Palms.
3. St. Margaret's has an Orange County record 42 straight wins and sports a 14-0 record while Parker lost its opener to Division II Westview of San Diego, 27-24. Westview, however, finished 9-3 and its three losses were to teams that were 28-6-2.
4. St. Margaret's is led by head coach Harry Welch, who was the head coach in 2006 at Canyon of Canyon Country when it defeated De La Salle in the CIF Division I state bowl game. Welch is 28-0 since he arrived on campus.
5. There is the probability that a game involving Parker might be more high-scoring and entertaining compared to St. Margaret's, which is more defensive-minded.
Corrections or comments? Email mark@studentsports.com and be sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say.
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CIF Bowl Game Matchups: Instant Reaction
December 14, 2008 9:48 PM
The CIF section commissioners have made their votes and the bowl matchups have been officially announced with only one real surprise selection. Read below for the matchups and a quick analysis of all five bowl games set next weekend for the The Home Depot Center.
By Ronnie Flores, CalHiSports.com Managing Editor
OFFICIAL 2008 CIF STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP BOWL GAMES MATCHUPS
(All games at the Home Depot Center in Carson)
Friday, December 19, 2008
Small Schools: Hamilton (Hamilton City) 10-2 vs. St. Margaret's (San Juan Capistrano) 14-0 (4:30 pm)
Division I: De La Salle (Concord) 12-1 vs. Centennial (Corona) 14-0 (8:00pm)
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Division III: Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 13-0 vs. St. Bonaventure (Ventura) 13-1 (12:00pm)
Division II: St. Mary's (Stockton) 12-2 vs. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 13-0 (4:00pm)
Open Division: Grant (Sacramento) 13-0 vs. Poly (Long Beach) 14-0 (8:00pm)
Instant Reaction/Analysis: During the first two years of the CIF State Championship Bowl Games, there were six picks each year for the three bowl games and none of them were surprising. This year with the addition of two games including an open division, where the best team could be selected regardless of division, created the first surprising and controversial pick in three years.
The selection of Sac-Joaquin Section Div. II champion Grant of Sacramento as the NorCal representative in the open division bowl game to take on Southern Section Pac-Five champion Long Beach Poly is surprising in several ways. Most importantly, the strength of schedule criteria that placed once-beaten St. Bonaventure over an undefeated Oaks Christian team that has won 25 consecutive playoff games in Div. III and a two-loss Canyon of Canyon Country team in the inaugural Div. I game seems to be thrown out the window here.
Grant did beat two state champions, but as we explained in our final bowl game ratings, the victory over the Idaho state champ should have been nullified at least a little when it later lost another game to an out-of-state opponent. The Pacers did record a solid victory over the largest-class state champion in Utah, but the schedule De La Salle played en route to its 17th consecutive North Coast Section title was stronger. They did lose one game, but that came against a nationally ranked Don Bosco Prep of New Jersey team by two points. That team recently won its third straight state title and besides, the Spartans clearly played in a tougher league and ran through a tougher group of playoff opponents.
Comparative scores clearly support those findings as De La Salle dominated three playoff opponents with a combined record of 28-9. Grant won league games by such scores as 62-6, 61-0 and 89-0 and then opened the playoffs with a 22-19 victory. It's not as if Grant is not bowl-worthy we sure hope the Pacers show themselves well on Saturday night. They were just are a more logical choice for the Div. I game. The De La Salle-Centennial Div. I rematch might draw extra attention on Friday night, but pitting a team that beat Granite Bay by three points against the No. 1 team in the state that competed in California's toughest playoff division by far might be a gamble.
How the information available on all the bowl eligible teams was presented or overlooked is also big factor and could have swayed some votes. De La Salle being selected over Grant two years ago for the Div. I game could have also been a factor. With the expanded bowl game format, there was room for both teams this year and both got selected, just not in the bowl games we and other knowledgeable sources figured.
In the small schools game, St. Margaret's does enter the game with a Orange County record 42-game winning streak, but this season the Tartans did not play anybody in the regular season that would cause anything more than a yawn.
Whether they are the better team or not is subject to debate since St. Margaret's plays outstanding defense, but there is no question that Parker plays in the Small School equivalent of the Trinity League in the Southern Section. Last year, all four semifinalists in the CIF San Diego Div. V playoffs were from the Coastal League which includes El Cajon Christian, Solana Beach's Santa Fe Christian and The Bishop's school in La Jolla.
Parker's strength of schedule argument also is enhanced since its only loss was by just 27-24 to Westview in the first game. Westview finished 9-3, losing to San Diego Section Div. II champ Oceanside and beating Division IV titlist Valley Center as well. Similar to De La Salle in the open division with its choice to play Don Bosco Prep on ESPNU, would Francis Parker have been the choice at 13-0 if it had chosen a different opponent other than Westview to open the season?
The Div. II game selections do not come as a surprise. Cathedral Catholic, the San Diego Section Div. III champion, was the choice of veteran San Diego prep observers after Oceanside tied Ramona in its last regular season game. The fans will get a real treat watching Cathedral's Tyler Gaffney in action on Saturday afternoon but the same most not hold true for St. Marys' best player, Josh Harper. According to CalHiSports.com's Paul Muyskens, the junior wide receiver was hollering in pain when he went down with an injury in the first half of the Rams' 36-14 victory over Pleasant Grove in the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I title game. That injury could play a big role in the outcome of the Div. II game.
The Div. III game could turn out to the best one on Saturday. St. Bonaventure was dominant in a tough Southern Section playoff division and challenged itself against Long Beach Poly, just coming up short on the road. The Seraphs would seem to be the prohibitive favorites going in, but Cardinal Newman is one of the best-coached teams in California. Newman wasn't given much of a shot two years ago against Oaks Christian and almost pulled out the win with Ryan Lingle playing on basically one leg. Besides a bothersome shoulder for RB/LB Joe Ferguson that hasn't caused him to miss any games, the Cardinals are ready to go.
Clearly, more goes into these decisions than just a strict set of criteria and in defense of the CIF some of these selections were not easy. But in order to secure the best games and attract the best crowd, the criteria regarding strength of schedule must be followed and applied in all cases in light of the other mundane factors, such as posting wins over state champions from small states.
Comments or corrections? Email mark@studentsports.com
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CIF stuns NorCal with pick of Grant
December 15, 2008 5:00 AM
But is it really that much of a controversy? De La Salle still gets to play a top-ranked national opponent in a marquee game and still will be ahead of Grant in every state and national ranking.
By Mark Tennis, CalHiSports.com Executive Editor
When the California Interscholastic Federation expanded its state championship bowl games to five divisions, it was presented that the Open Division game, which would be the last of the weekend, would be the most attractive matchup and would bring together the "best team from Northern California against the "best from Southern California regardless of school enrollment.
After the selections of this year's teams were announced on Sunday afternoon at The Home Depot Center, it's simply not accurate to paint the Open Division in those terms. What there is instead are two showdown games with the Division I matchup looking just as good or better than the Open Division. This also might have been the case if the same format this year had been adopted in previous years.
In the first Open Division final coming up on Saturday (also at The Home Depot Center), Long Beach Poly of the Southern Section (14-0) was chosen to represent Southern California. This was expected after the Jackrabbits downed previously unbeaten and nationally-ranked Tesoro of Las Flores, 20-17, in the Pac-Five Division final on Saturday night. Southern Section Inland Division champ Centennial of Corona (14-0) also was strongly considered for this spot, but the Huskies instead received a bid to play in Friday's Division I state bowl game.
It was not expected what was done for Northern California. The 10 CIF section commissioners voted in what was described by Ken Gunn of the CIF as the one vote that had "tons and tons" of discussion, and they voted to place Grant of Sacramento (13-0) against the Jackrabbits.
This vote went against all state and national rankings, which showed perennial power De La Salle of Concord to be the most logical choice.
De La Salle (12-1) ended its season with a 34-10 win over Pittsburg in the North Coast Section Div. I final. While Grant struggled in one of its playoff games, a 22-19 win over Granite Bay (both teams scored the same number of touchdowns), De La Salle did not with wins of 52-7 and 42-7 in its previous playoff games.
According to Dr. Gunn as well as CIF executive director Marie Ishida, what seemed to sway the votes toward Grant and away from De La Salle were results against opponents from out-of-state.
"The impressive thing about Grant is that they were the only 13-0 team on the board, Gunn said. "They really improved their preseason schedule and they beat two state champions.
Ishida said later on: "Grant understood that they needed to play outside their section (to improve their chances of selection), even outside the state.
Yes, beating two state champions is impressive. But the two state champions that Grant defeated-- Alta of Sandy, Utah, and Capital of Pocatello, Idaho -- might not even be good enough to win a playoff game in the Pac-Five Division. The Alta win clearly is more impressive between the two and the Hawks (14-1) are currently among the top 20 in the ESPN RISE West Region rankings.
The out-of-state team that De La Salle played back in September on ESPNU, Don Bosco Prep of New Jersey, is currently top 15-ranked in the country and the Spartans lost by just 23-21 on a last-second field goal.
Having watched Alta and Don Bosco Prep, there's really no comparison between the two on the field. The Ironmen from New Jersey were and are much better.
If beating state champions is such an important factor, top teams from California might want to start setting up games against top schools from other similar small-sized states as Idaho. Maybe head to Butte, Montana or Cheyenne, Wyoming, perhaps Juneau, Alaska. Shoot, maybe even go up to Maine and Vermont and pick off a pair of them.
Despite going over all those reasons, De La Salle supporters at least don't have to suffer like folks in Austin, Texas, are right now as they watch Oklahoma and its players get all the glory even though their University of Texas Longhorns defeated Oklahoma head-to-head.
The Spartans were chosen to play in a marquee game and that wasn't a guarantee, either, as they had to beat out an extremely strong squad from Bellarmine Prep of San Jose (12-1). Coming into the day, many felt the Bells had a strong case to be in front of both De La Salle and Grant.
Therefore, instead of De La Salle vs. Long Beach Poly on Saturday -- a matchup that would have pitted head coach Bob Ladouceur needing one win to become the all-time winningest coach in state history vs. the school that just moved one win in front of Bakersfield to become the all-time winningest school in state history and a rematch of a 2001 game that will be revered as one of the best ever played in California -- it will be De La Salle vs. Centennial on Friday and then Grant vs. Long Beach Poly.
De La Salle vs. Centennial is a rematch of its own and that game in last year's CIF Division I final was a classic as well, won by the Spartans, 38-31. Centennial also has been pushing Poly for the top spot in the Southern California rankings all year and some polls have had the Huskies higher. It may not have the initial sizzle of DLS vs. Poly, but DLS vs. Centennial is as big a state final nationally as there has been so far this year with both teams in the top 20 of the ESPN RISE FAB 50.
Members of the media and fans also will still get to see four great teams in action and at the end of the weekend all of the rankings probably still will fall into line pretty easily, assuming that Poly beats Grant.
De La Salle still is going to be ranked ahead of Grant in the state and in the nation as well. The reasons for doing so have not changed because a handful CIF section commissioners picked it differently.
The race to be 2008 State Team of the Year, however, would take a strange twist if Grant were to upset Poly. If that's a close game and if the winner between Corona Centennial and De La Salle is more impressive, the Huskies or the Spartans will most definitely be ranked higher in that scenario than Grant. In no way does the winner of Grant vs. Poly automatically assume the state's final No. 1 ranking. Poly could even win an ugly game and Centennial win impressively, for example, and there's an outside shot the final No. 1 ranking could flip. Local consensus might demand it.
The bottom line is that the CIF commissioners might have weakened the allure of their so-called best vs. best matchup at the end of their state championship weekend, but at the same time they strengthened the attraction of their Division I game. It's almost as if we have Open Division 1A and Open Division 1B.
Comments or corrections? Email mark@studentsports.com.
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Cardinal Newman too much for Campolindo
By Curtis Pashelka
Contra Costa Times
Staff writer
Posted: 12/05/2008
SANTA ROSA — Jeff Badger ran into the middle of his offensive line and it appeared the senior running back of the Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa High football team would be stopped for a short gain.
But by the time the fourth-quarter play was over, Badger had carried a host of Campolindo defenders for several yards before he popped up to celebrate a first down.
The Cougars held some aspects of the Cardinals' offense in check during Friday night's North Coast Section Division II semifinal. But they didn't have an answer for Badger, who finished with 217 yards rushing and two touchdowns to lead his team to a 38-28 win.
Top-seed Cardinal Newman (12-0) will play No. 2 and fellow unbeaten Clayton Valley in the Division II section final next week. With a win, the Cardinals, ranked 13th in the state by calhisports.com, will likely advance to the Division III state championship bowl game.
"They're just a bigger, stronger team and they came out a little more prepared than we were," Campolindo receiver/defensive back Anthony Fadelli said. "We knew they were going to pound it with Badger, and (fellow running back Joe) Ferguson, and we just did our best to try and stop that."
Badger had 87 yards rushing on the Cardinals' first three drives, as the hosts built up a 14-0 lead. But Campolindo (10-2) answered back with a nine-play, 57-yard drive that was capped by a 2-yard touchdown run from running back Cookie Kazzaz.
The Cougars actually piled up 183 yards of offense in the first half, largely on passes over the middle. Quarterback Tommy Stephens completed 9 of 15 passes for 129 yards in the first 24 minutes and had one touchdown throw, a 4-yard pass to Garrett Holmes, that cut the Cardinals' lead to 21-14 midway through the second quarter.
But Cardinal Newman used its bruising running game, and Badger in particular, to help score 17 unanswered points and essentially put the game out of reach. Badger scored on a 3-yard run with 10:05 left in the third quarter, and Ferguson scored on a 24-yard run that gave the Cardinals a 38-14 lead with 3:54 left.
Badger had rushed for more than 1,100 yards in 11 previous games this season.
"We just got worn down," Campolindo coach Kevin Macy said. "They did a great job."
Campolindo scored two late touchdowns in the final 1:30, including one on a 7-yard catch by Holmes with 30 seconds left.
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Cardinals flying high
By RICH RUPPRECHT
PRESS DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
Published: Friday, November 28, 2008
It was a routine opening round playoff victory for undefeated Cardinal Newman, 42-6 over Heritage High of Brentwood Friday night before a packed house at Ed Lloyd Field, but behind the scenes it was anything but ordinary.
Newman head coach Paul Cronin learned of the death of his older brother David, a corrections officer with the Sonoma County Sheriffs Department, on Wednesday.
It was just hard to focus when you lose someone you love, Cronin said. The kids have worked so hard and I felt like my mind wasnt in football.
Newman got off to somewhat of a slow start and some of the players thought a week off (opening round bye) could have been the culprit.
After having to punt on its first series, the Randy Wright-led offense seem to get in sync and the Cardinals scored on their second possession, a 6-yard run by Joe Ferguson.
Newman (11-0) scored again on its next possession, but Ferguson left the game and didnt return after hearing a pop in his right shoulder when he straight-armed a Heritage tackler on a 26-yard run.
Ferguson is an important part of both Newmans offense and defense, as a running back and linebacker. Showing its depth, Newman rolled on without him.
Ill do whatever it takes to get back; the team needs me, Ferguson said. You only get one chance at the playoffs.
Newmans other running back, Jeff Badger, did the bulk of the running and wound up with his first 200-yard rushing game this season, finishing with 237 yards on just 20 carries and two touchdowns. Badger had one spectacular run where he hurdled a Heritage tackler and went for 30 yards.
Wright started off slow, but finished with solid numbers. He was 17-of-24 passing for 212 yards and three TDs. Hes now thrown 29 TDs with just two interceptions this season.
Badger made it 14-0 with a 16-yard TD run in the first quarter (Wright has picked up all the kicking duties with an injury to Pat Brown and was 6-for-6 on extra points).
Wyatt North, who had a big night, caught a 17-yard TD pass and Casey Miller an 11-yarder to make it 28-6 at the half.
Badger added a 9-yard TD run in the third quarter and Wade Amaral caught his 13th TD pass of the year for the final Newman score early in the fourth quarter.
Cardinal Newmans defense has been playing superbly of late and it was no different against Heritage (7-5), a team that entered the game averaging 234 yards on the ground. Newmans defense held the Patriots to 66 yards in the first half.
Badger, North, Ryan Rodriguez, Mike Knott, Blake Ratto and Jonathan Steele heard their names called more than a few times. North had two interceptions and Matt Bowman another.
I was a little nervous, Badger said. I dont like byes. We came out pretty fired up. The offensive line was great with Tyler Bowman and Troy Schwedhelm.
Cardinal Newman, the No. 1 seed in the North Coast Section in Division II, will play the winner of tonights Campolindo-Ygnacio Valley game either next Friday or Saturday at Cardinal Newman.
NCS Division II semifinal
AT CARDINAL NEWMAN
Heritage 0 6 0 0 6
C. Newman 14 14 7 7 42
CNJoe Ferguson 6 run (Randy Wright kick)
CNJeff Badger 16 run (Wright kick)
CNWyatt North 17 pass from Wright (Wright kick)
HAnthony Jackson 4 run (kick blocked)
CNCasey Miller 11 pass (Wright kick)
CNBadger 9 run (Wright kick)
CNWade Amaral 6 pass from Wright (Wright kick)
CN rush Badger 20x239, 2 TDs; Ferguson 4x41, TD; Passing Wright 17x24, 212 yards, 3 TDs; CN Receiving Amaral 5x51, TD; Miller 4x40, TD; North 3x70, TD; Ferguson 3x32, Badger 2x19, Felice 1x38.
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Newman, St. Vincent still alive in thinning football playoffs
By RICH RUPPRECHT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Monday, December 1, 2008
And then there were two.
That’s how many Redwood Empire football teams remain in the North Coast Section playoffs after a bad weekend for local schools that elminated Casa Grande, Rancho Cotate, Healdsburg, Middletown and Tomales.
Still alive are top seeds Cardinal Newman in Division II and St. Vincent in Division V.
The tough-to-swallow part is that all the Empire schools were involved in close games and had chances to win.
In Friday games:
No. 7 seed Casa Grande led No. 2 seed Clayton Valley 14-10 heading into the final quarter, but lost 24-14, despite a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Matt O’Brien and an O’Brien interception.
Healdsburg, the No. 7 seed in Div. III, nearly upset No. 2 Miramonte of Orinda, losing 27-20 in the final 11 seconds. David Balestrieri made only his second start at quarterback for the Greyhounds.
No. 2 Middletown lost on a field goal to Salesian of Richmond, 22-21 with 2:37 left in the game in a Div. IV semifinal.
Middletown opened the season with a 49-20 win over Salesian, but Mustangs coach Bill Foltmer knew it would be tougher the second time.
“They controlled the line of scrimmage and if we had won it would have been like stealing one,” he said. It took a 37-yard field goal by a Salesian sophomore and a call of a Middletown receiver being out of bounds at the Salesian 30 with a second remaining for Salesian to get the win.
Then on Saturday:
Rancho Cotate trailed 14-3 at halftime to Las Lomas of Walnut Creek and then played superb defense and took a 17-14 lead with 7:05 left in a Div. II quarterfinal at Rohnert Park.
The Cougars made two fourth down stands against the Knights, but it only took a 59-yard pass play to Diante Jackson to give Las Lomas the win with just 31 seconds remaining.
Jackson caught the pass over cornerback Steven Morales and safety Cody Allen.
Also Saturday, Tomales lost to St. Elizabeth of Oakland, 30-22, in a Div. V semifinal.
Tomales was driving in the final two minutes but was stopped on fourth down at the St. Elizabeth 6-yard line and the Mustangs ran out the clock. Stan Moody rushed 35 times for 180 yards and two TDs for the Braves.
Cardinal Newman and St. Vincent both play Friday night.
The Cardinals (11-0) will host Campolindo (10-1) in a Div. II semifinal with Clayton Valley playing Las Lomas in the other semi.
Newman had no problem in its playoff opener, beating Heritage of Brentwood, 42-6 Friday night.
Cardinal Newman is ranked 14th in the state by CalHiSports and Campolindo, the No. 4 seed, edged Ygnacio Valley, 21-14.
Injured Cardinal Newman running back/linebacker Joe Ferguson, was to be examined by a doctor Monday after hearing a pop in his right shoulder after delivering a straight arm to a tackler in the first quarter. Ferguson had his arm in a sling and didn’t play the rest of the game.
In his absence, Newman running back Jeff Badger rushed for 237 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns.
Newman quarterback Randy Wright threw for 212 yards and three TDs and Wade Amaral caught his 13th TD pass of the season.
St. Vincent of Petaluma will play against St. Elizabeth of Oakland for the NCS Div. V championship Friday at Santa Rosa High.
St. Vincent is in the championship game for the third time in four years.
St. Vincent (10-1) opened the playoffs with a 28-0 win over St. Fork, despite opening the game with turnovers on its first three offensive possessions.
St. Vincent posted its third shutout of the season and the Mustang defense has allowed more than eight points just twice this season.
The Mustangs won the Class B (now called Div. V) championship in 2005 and lost last year’s title game to St. Elizabeth.
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Rancho's season ends with 21-17 heartbreaker
December 1, 2008 --
NCS FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS: No. 6 Las Lomas 21, No. 3 Rancho Cotate 17
Cougars lose heartbreaker after huge fourth-down stops
CRISTA JEREMIASON / The Press Democrat The Las Lomas defense takes down Rancho Cotate's Cody Allen during Saturday's playoff game.
By RICH RUPPRECHT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Saturday, November 29, 2008
ROHNERT PARK — Two fourth-down stops in the final five minutes failed to hold up as Las Lomas quarterback Lucas Gorton threw a 59-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Diante Jackson with 31 seconds remaining to give the Knights a 21-17 North Coast Section Division II playoff win over Rancho Cotate on Saturday night.
Rancho Cotate appeared to have a memorable comeback win all but locked up. The Cougars (9-2) trailed 14-3 at halftime.
A quiet Rancho bench erupted with noise when the Cougars recovered a fumble on the second-half kickoff and scored on a 2-yard, fourth-down run by quarterback Cody Allen. Eduardo Farias added the extra point and the Cougars trailed 14-10.
Rancho’s defense also came alive after halftime, limiting the Knights to one first down in the third quarter.
Rancho Cotate scored again early in the fourth quarter on a 10-play drive that included two Las Lomas 15-yard penalties.
Anthony Bernard ran 27 yards for the Ranch. Brian Dworkin followed with a 17-yard run, and a 15-yard late hit penalty was added. On third-and-1 at the Las Lomas 12-yard line, Allen ran for 7 yards and Dworkin took a pitch and ran the final 6 yards for a score. With 7:05 remaining, Rancho took its first lead, 17-14.
Las Lomas, which beat Eureka in overtime last week to earn the spot against No. 3 seed Rancho, then managed to run 17 plays over the final seven minutes. Following the kickoff, Las Lomas made one first down but failed to convert on fourth down with 5 yards to go. Rancho took over with 4:56 to go but managed to use up only about 30 seconds, as Las Lomas and Rancho both called timeouts.
Las Lomas (8-3) again got the ball back when Rancho failed to convert on fourth down from the Knights’ 30-yard line. Again Las Lomas stalled, this time after Gorton passed for two first downs. However, Gorton, who had four passes tipped by Rancho’s 6-foot-7 lineman, Adam Murray, missed on three straight passes, including a fourth-and-13 on Rancho’s 34.
With 2:34 remaining, Rancho got another chance and was forced to punt with 1:41 left. Rancho opted for a delay of game penalty before punting to run off some more clock, and Las Lomas started on its own 30 with 46 seconds left and no timeouts.
Gorton, a smallish left-handed quarterback who was 15 of 34 for 225 yards, then threw a quick sideline pattern to Darin Thompson for 11 yards.
On the next play, Las Lomas put four receivers to one side and put Jackson on the other. Gorton looked to throw the ball about as far as he could and Jackson, headed to the University of Oregon, avoided a defender’s outstretched arms, caught the pass in stride and then lifted it up to celebrate at about the 10-yard line. He drew a flag for the celebration, but was still credited with the TD. The 35-yard extra point was converted for the final points.
Las Lomas plays No. 2 seed Clayton Valley (11-0) on Friday. Clayton Valley defeated Casa Grande, 24-14 on Friday. No. 1 seed Cardinal Newman (11-0) will play No. 4 seed Campolindo, which beat No. 12 Ygnacio Valley 21-14 on Saturday night.
It was a bitter loss for the Cougars, who did not play well in the first half, generating just 72 yards of offense.
But fueled by the turnover on the kickoff and some big defensive stops, Rancho seemed to have finally gotten the advantage of Las Lomas.
In addition to Murray, who had 10 tackles and the four batted passes, linebacker Ben Kane played well and end Jonathan Torres had an interception to set up Farias’ 32-yard field goal at the end of the first half.
Las Lomas scored first on an improbable 99-yard drive bridging the first and second quarters. Farias had punted to inside the 1-yard line. Michael Morgan capped the drive with a 1-yard run and Torres blocked the PAT.
Later in the second quarter, Marquis Waters scored on a 4-yard run and this time Gorton threw to Morgan Breslin for a 2-point conversion.
You can reach Staff Writer Rich Rupprecht at 521-5275 or rich.rupprecht@pressdemocrat.com.
NCS FOOTBALL SCHEDULEDivision II
Semifinals
Friday
Campolindo at Cardinal Newman, 7 p.m.
Las Lomas at Clayton Valley, 7 p.m.
Dec. 12 or 13
Championship game
Division V
Championship game
Friday
St. Vincent vs. St. Elizabeth
at Santa Rosa High, 7 p.m.
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Casa Grande, Healdsburg, Middletown eliminated
PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Friday, November 28, 2008
After having second-seeded Clayton Valley on the ropes, No. 7 Casa Grande stumbled in the fourth quarter and fell to the unbeaten Eagles, 24-14, on Friday in the North Coast Section Division II quarterfinals.
The Gauchos (8-3-1) led 14-10 entering the fourth quarter before they were doomed by two big plays.
Clayton Valley took a 17-14 lead early in the final quarter on Nick Cole’s 82-yard reception from Joe Levine. The Eagles (11-0) then put the game away with a 10-play, 88-yard march capped by Dozie Iwuagwu’s 50-yard run with 3:30 left.
Casa Grande quarterback Matt O’Brien completed 8 of 14 passes for 129 yards, rushed for 39 yards, had an interception on defense and returned a kickof 90 yards for a touchdown to give the Gauchos a 14-3 lead in the second quarter.
Clayton Valley limited Casa Grande running back Kahlil Keys to 25 yards on 12 carries.
MIRAMONTE 27, HEALDSBURG 20
At Orinda, second-seeded Miramonte scored a touchdown with 11 seconds left to turn back No. 7 Healdsburg, which had rallied from an early 10-0 deficit, in the Division III quarterfinals.
David Balestrieri had a 6-yard run and Andy Phillips scored on a 3-yard run for the Greyhounds (8-4), while Colin Brown had field goals of 31 and 23 yards.
Miramonte improved to 10-2.
SALESIAN 22, MIDDLETOWN 21
At Middletown, third-seeded Salesian beat the No. 2 Mustangs on Stephen Castaneda’s 37-yard field goal with 2:37 remaining in the Division IV semifinals.
Middletown (10-2) responded by driving to Salesian’s 35 yard line as time expired.
Trailing 13-7 in the third quarter, the Mustangs scored on Tony Zagajowski’ 10-yard pass from Matt Outen and Tyler Owen’s 10-yard run to take a 21-13 lead late in the quarter.
Salesian (9-2) cut the gap to 21-19 on Matthew Ching’s 24-yard run in the fourth quarter before converting two fourth-down conversions on their drive for the game-winning field goal.
Ching had 237 yards on 21 carries and scored on runs 30, 1 and 24 yards.
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NCS PLAYOFF SCORES
November 30, 2008 --
Friday 12/5/2008 7:00pm
D-2 #4 Campolindo (10-1)
D-2 #1 Cardinal Newman (11-0)
D-1 #4 Foothill (9-2)
D-1 #1 De La Salle (10-1)
D-3 #5 Marin Catholic (9-3)
D-3 #1 Encinal (11-0)
D-5 #2 St. Elizabeth (8-4)
D-5 #1 St. Vincent (10-1)
D-2 #6 Las Lomas (9-3)
D-2 #2 Clayton Valley (11-0)
D-4 #4 Justin-Siena (8-4)
D-4 #3 Salesian (9-2)
Saturday 12/6/2008
D-3 #2 Miramonte (10-2)
D-3 #3 Novato (10-2)
D-1 #7 San Ramon Valley (9-3)
D-1 #3 Pittsburg (10-1)
NCS PLAYOFF SCORES
11/29/2008
D-1 #3 Pittsburg (CA) (BVAL) 10-1, 17
D-1 #6 California (San Ramon, CA)(EBAL) 6-4, 9
D-1 #4 Foothill (Pleasanton, CA) (EBAL) 9-2, 48
D-1 #5 Freedom (Oakley, CA) (BVAL) 10-1, 41
D-2 #6 Las Lomas (Walnut Creek, CA)( DFAL) 9-3, 21
D-2 #3 Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park, CA) (NBL) 9-1, 17
D-2 #4 Campolindo (Moraga, CA) (DFAL) 10-1, 21
D-2 #12 Ygnacio Valley (Concord, CA) (DVAL) 8-3, 14
D-3 #3 Novato (CA) (MCAL) 10-2, 52
D-3 #11 Fortuna (CA) (HDNL) 7-4, 7
D-4 #4 Justin-Siena (Napa, CA)(MCAL) 8-4, 22
D-4 #1 Ferndale (CA) (HDNL) 10-0, 15
D-5 #1 St. Vincent (Petaluma, CA) (NCL 1 N) 10-1, 28
D-5 #4 South Fork (Miranda, CA) (HDNL L 5) 7-4, 0
D-5 #2 St. Elizabeth (Oakland, CA) (BFL) 8-4, 30
D-5 #3 Tomales (CA) (NCL 2 S) 8-2, 22
11/28/2008
D-1 #1 De La Salle (Concord, CA) (EBAL) 10-1, 52
D-1 #9 Deer Valley (Antioch, CA) (BVAL) 7-3, 7
D-1 #7 San Ramon Valley(Danville, CA) (EBAL) 9-3, 43
D-1 #2 Monte Vista (Danville, CA) (EBAL) 8-2, 36
D-2 #1 Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa, CA)(NBL) 11-0, 42
D-2 #8 Heritage (Brentwood, CA) (BVAL) 7-4, 6
D-2 #2 Clayton Valley (Concord, CA) (DVAL) 11-0, 24
D-2 #7 Casa Grande (Petaluma, CA) (SCL) 8-2-1, 14
D-3 #2 Miramonte (Orinda, CA) (DFAL) 10-2, 27
D-3 #7 Healdsburg (CA) (SCL) 8-3, 20
D-3 #1 Encinal (Alameda, CA) (BSAL) 11-0, 56
D-3 #9 J.F.Kennedy (Fremont, CA) (MVAL) 6-5, 8
D-4 #3 Salesian (Richmond, CA) (BFL) 9-2, 22
D-4 #2 Middletown (CA) (NCL 1 N) 10-1, 21
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Cardinal Newman moves into the #2 overall spot
Cardinal Newman moves into the #2 overall spot in the NorCalPreps Coaches Poll, behind only DLS. Here's the list: 1 De La Salle Concord 10-1 Coming off a first round bye, De La Salle made quick work of Deer Valley in a 52-7 blowout. The Spartans scored touchdowns on their first five possessions and were led by the two catches for 112 yards by tight end Bo Walter. Kylan Butler also added three touchdowns. De La Salle will face Foothill in the semi finals, who they beat earlier this year.
2, Cardinal Newman Santa Rosa 11-0, Cardinal Newman continues to run roughshod over their opponents, this time Heritage was on the short end of a 42-6 beating. A talented and tested Campolindo squad awaits Newman in the semi finals.
3, Grant Sacramento 12-0, Grant rushed their way to a 41-14 win over Woodcreek behind 197 yards rushing from Devontae Butler and 125 yards rushing from Kipeli Koniseti. The Pacers will face Burbank for the section title.
4, Bellarmine Prep San Jose 11-1, The Bells avenged their only loss of the year behind the legs of Usua Amanam and defeated Serra 25-7. Bellarmine now faces yet another rematch against Valley Christian in the CCS Open Division Championship. Bellarmine beat the Warriors 27-16 earlier this year.
5, Merced Merced 11-1, Merced got by Johansen 22-14 last week behind 161 yards rushing from Bernard Bolden. The Merced defense will need to work hard this week as they gave up 219 rushing yards to Johansen's Joe Reynosa. Merced will face St. Mary's this weekend.
6, Casa Roble Orangevale 12-0, Casa took care of business against Rodriguez 52-35 last week. Matt Satchwell ran for 246 yards and five rushing touchdowns. Satchwell also returned a kickoff 99 yards for a score. Casa Roble will play Inderkum this week.
7, Valley Christian San Jose 10-2, Cameron Marshall and his 141 yards rushing led the way for a Warrior come back as they defeated top seeded Oak Grove. The story of the game though is the Warrior defense that held Oak Grove scoreless on two possessions within the final two minutes of the game.
8, Oak Grove San Jose 11-1, A called back touchdown in the final seconds that led to a missed field goal doomed Oak Grove's dream season as they fell 23-20 against Valley Christian. Omari Carr went down with a leg injury in the second quarter and was not able to return for the Eagles.
9, Central Catholic Modesto 11-1, Central Catholic overwhelmed Escalon 38-6 behind three touchdown passes from Dylan Swartz. Swartz passed for 210 yards and hit three different receivers for touchdowns. The Raiders will face Hilmar for the section title at the University of Pacific.
10, Pittsburg Pittsburg 10-1, In a rematch of last year's NCS quarterfinals, Pitt took down California 17-9. While the Pirate offense was unable to break loose, the defense held Cal's LeRoy Green under 100 yards rushing for the first time all season long. Pitt will now face San Ramon Valley and Joe Southwick.
11, St. Mary's Stockton 10-2, The Rams edged out Lincoln for the second time this year 32-31 with 19 points in the final quarter. Cody Vaz threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Maurice Howze also ran for 146 yards on the night.
12, Foothill Pleasanton 9-2, Since the last time Foothill and De La Salle met, the Falcons have run off five wins. The problem is, that last meeting ended in a 63-7 loss. Foothill, led by quarterback Sean Mannion will look to avenge that loss to the Spartans.
13, Encinal Alameda 11-0, It has been four games since the Jets' defense has allowed 10 points or more with the latest being a 56-8 dismantling of Kennedy. In the semi-finals this week, a Marin Catholic team that soundly beat fellow East Bay power Bishop O'Dowd.
14, Whitney Rocklin 11-0, Whitney continues their rise in the rankings after a 42-14 win over Foothill of Sacramento. Zack Graves ran for 256 yards and Taylor Irwin ran for 110 yards. Whitney will now face Sierra this weekend.
15, Paradise Paradise 11-1, Paradise finished their season last week with a win over Shasta to clinch their third section title in four years. Paradise capitalized on four big time runs that resulted in three touchdowns.
16, Clayton Valley Concord 11-0, The Eagles used 14 fourth-quarter points and a balanced offensive attack to defeat Casa Grande 24-14. Joe Levine threw for 225 yards and Dozie Iwuagwu rushed for 139 yards. Clayton Valley will now face Diante Jackson and Las Lomas.
17, San Ramon Valley Danville 9-3, Dave Kravitz has SRV playing well in the playoffs once again and pulled of their second win against Monte Vista this year. Joe Southwick shredded the Mustang defense for 459 yards passing and four touchdowns. Up next, Pittsburg.
18, Monte Vista Danville 8-3, Monte Vista's season came to a disappointing close as they lost yet again to cross town rival San Ramon Valley 43-26. The defense yet again could not contain Joe Southwick and the Wolves' aerial attack.
19, North Salinas Salinas 9-2, North Salinas was idle last week after falling in the first round of the CCS playoffs to Valley Christian.
20, Junipero Serra San Mateo 8-4, The Padres saw a spectacular season come to a close this past weekend as they lost to WCAL foe Bellarmine 25-7. Serra had reeled off seven straight wins before the fall. Seniors Cody Jackson and Jared Braun will end their careers on a low note but the Padres will look to bring back Adonis Smith as a playmaker next season.
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NCS FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS PREVIEWS
NCS D1
Game 1: De La Salle (Concord, CA) has a bye
Game 2: Deer Valley (Antioch, CA) at Berkeley (CA) (Friday, November 21st, 7:00pm) [projection: Deer Valley (Antioch, CA) 21-14]
Game 3: Foothill (Pleasanton, CA) has a bye
Game 4: Logan (Union City, CA) at Freedom (Oakley, CA) (Friday, November 21st, 7:00pm) [projection: Freedom (Oakley, CA) 31-12]
Game 5: Pittsburg (CA) has a bye
Game 6: California (San Ramon, CA) at Washington (Fremont, CA) (Friday, November 21st, 7:00pm) [projection: California (San Ramon, CA) 34-14]
Game 7: Monte Vista (Danville, CA) has a bye
Game 8: San Leandro (CA) vs San Ramon Valley (Danville, CA) at Burrell Field (San Leandro, CA) (Saturday, November 22nd, 7:00pm) [projection: San Ramon Valley (Danville, CA) 35-28]
Quarterfinals
Game 9: De La Salle (Concord, CA) vs winner game 2 (Friday, November 28th, 7:00pm)
Game 10: Foothill (Pleasanton, CA) vs winner game 4 (Saturday, November 29th, 7:00pm)
Game 11: Pittsburg (CA) vs winner game 6 (Saturday, November 29th, 7:00pm)
Game 12: Monte Vista (Danville, CA) vs winner game 8 (Friday, November 28th, 7:00pm)
NCS D2
Game 1: Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa, CA) has a bye
Game 2: Redwood (Larkspur, CA) at Heritage (Brentwood, CA) (Friday, November 21st, 7:00pm) [projection: Heritage (Brentwood, CA) 31-13]
Game 3: Campolindo (Moraga, CA) has a bye
Game 4: Ygnacio Valley (Concord, CA) at Ukiah (CA) (Friday, November 21st, 7:00pm) [projection: Ukiah (CA) 31-19]
Game 5: Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park, CA) has a bye
Game 6: Las Lomas (Walnut Creek, CA) at Eureka (CA) (Saturday, November 22nd, 7:00pm) [projection: Las Lomas (Walnut Creek, CA) 31-27]
Game 7: Clayton Valley (Concord, CA) has a bye
Game 8: Concord (CA) at Casa Grande (Petaluma, CA) (Friday, November 21st, 7:00pm) [projection: Casa Grande (Petaluma, CA) 28-19]
Quarterfinals
Game 9: Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa, CA) vs winner game 2 (Friday, November 28th, 7:00pm)
Game 10: Campolindo (Moraga, CA) vs winner game 4 (Saturday, November 29th, 7:00pm)
Game 11: Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park, CA) vs winner game 6 (Saturday, November 29th, TBA)
Game 12: Clayton Valley (Concord, CA) vs winner game 8 (Friday, November 28th, 7:00pm)
NCS D3
Game 1: Encinal (Alameda, CA) has a bye
Game 2: Kennedy (Fremont, CA) at El Cerrito (CA) (Friday, November 21st, 7:00pm) [projection: El Cerrito (CA) 20-19]
Game 3: Analy (Sebastopol, CA) at Marin Catholic (Kentfield, CA) (Saturday, November 22nd, 1:00pm) [projection: Marin Catholic (Kentfield, CA) 34-6]
Game 4: Tamalpais (Mill Valley, CA) at Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, CA) (Saturday, November 22nd, 1:00pm) [projection: Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, CA) 35-8]
Game 5: Drake (San Anselmo, CA) at Novato (CA) (Saturday, November 22nd, 1:00pm) [projection: Novato (CA) 44-3]
Game 6: Fortuna (CA) at Piedmont (CA) (Friday, November 21st, 7:00pm) [projection: Piedmont (CA) 31-21]
Game 7: McKinleyville (CA) vs Healdsburg (CA) at Rec Park (Healdsburg, CA) (Saturday, November 22nd, 7:00pm) [projection: Healdsburg (CA) 26-21]
Game 8: Del Norte (Crescent City, CA) at Miramonte (Orinda, CA) (Friday, November 21st, 7:00pm) [projection: Miramonte (Orinda, CA) 42-10]
Quarterfinals
Game 9: Encinal (Alameda, CA) vs winner game 2 (Friday, November 28th, 7:00pm)
Game 10: winner game 3 vs winner game 4 (Friday, November 28th, 7:00pm)
Game 11: winner game 5 vs winner game 6 (Friday, November 28th, 7:00pm)
Game 12: winner game 7 vs winner game 8 (Friday, November 28th, 7:00pm)
NCS D4
Game 1: Dougherty Valley (San Ramon, CA) at Ferndale (CA) (Saturday, November 22nd, 1:00pm) [projection: Ferndale (CA) 42-3]
Game 2: St. Patrick/St. Vincent (Vallejo, CA) at Justin-Siena (Napa, CA) (Friday, November 21st, 7:00pm) [projection: Justin-Siena (Napa, CA) 22-14]
Game 3: Fort Bragg (CA) at Salesian (Richmond, CA) (Saturday, November 22nd, 1:00pm) [projection: Fort Bragg (CA) 28-24]
Game 4: Clear Lake (Lakeport, CA) at Middletown (CA) (Friday, November 21st, 7:00pm) [projection: Middletown (CA) 35-7]
NCS D5
Game 1: St. Vincent (Petaluma, CA) has a bye
Game 2: Anderson Valley (Boonville, CA) at South Fork (Miranda, CA) (Saturday, November 22nd, 7:00pm) [projection: South Fork (Miranda, CA) 27-6]
Game 3: St. Bernard's (Eureka, CA) at Tomales (CA) (Saturday, November 22nd, 7:00pm) [projection: Tomales (CA) 24-21]
Game 4: Rincon Valley Christian (Santa Rosa, CA) vs St. Elizabeth (Oakland, CA) at Burrell Field (San Leandro, CA) (Friday, November 21st, 7:00pm) [projection: St. Elizabeth (Oakland, CA) 26-10]
Semifinals
Game 5: St. Vincent (Petaluma, CA) vs winner game 2 (Friday, November 28th, 7:00pm)
Game 6: winner game 3 vs winner game 4 (Friday, November 28th, 7:00pm)
Semifinals
Game 5: winner game 1 vs winner game 2 (Friday, November 28th, 7:00pm)
Game 6: winner game 3 vs winner game 4 (Friday, November 28th, 7:00pm)
Gauchos enter playoffs with five-game win streak
10 Empire teams get the postseason started this weekend
By RICH RUPPRECHT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Thursday, November 20, 2008
Concord (7-2-1) at Casa Grande (7-2-1), 7 p.m.
It’s the first ever meeting between the Minutemen and Gauchos, thanks to the new NCS division and North Bay/East Bay playoff alignment. Concord, the No. 10 seed, finished in a three-way tie for second in the Diablo Valley Athletic League, beating Ygnacio Valley by a point and losing to No. 2 seed Clayton Valley, 29-22. Concord runs a shotgun spread offense, but likes to give the ball to halfback Forrest Hightower and fullback Nick Pica. Wide receiver CJ Porter is headed to Utah. Casa, the No. 7 seed, has been playing its best ball the second half of the season and has won five straight, in that span outscoring opponents 178-21. QB Matt O’Brien is completing 59 percent of his passes and has thrown 19 for TDs with four interceptions. His favorite targets are Matt Nadolski (39x539, 7 TDs) and Matt Gallo (19x405, 8 TDs). RB Kahlil Keys has rushed for 1,011 yards and 8 TDs. The Gauchos defense, led by lineman Zach Burnett and leading tackler Blaine Peterman, has been extremely stingy of late. O’Brien also has 6 interceptions and plays corner along with Nadolski. The X-factor for Casa has been kicker Conner Derby, who regularly kicks off into the end zone. Derby also has the school record for most field goals.
DIVISION IV
Clear Lake (6-3-1) at Middletown (9-1), 7 p.m.
This is an NCL I rematch that saw Middletown win 34-0 in the fourth week of the season. Clear Lake, lost heavily to graduation after losing just one game in the regular season last year. Junior QB Ryan Richardson has played better of late and has run for 340 yards and thrown for 942. Junior RB Kevin Burt has rushed for 811 yards and 7 TDs. Richardson also leads the Empire with 8 interceptions. LB Christian Coddington is one of the Cardinals’ top defensive players. Middletown will run the ball until they get stopped, but it doesn’t mean QB Matt Outen won’t throw. Outen, who completes 60 percent of his passes, has thrown for 1,051 yards, 12 TDs and has just four interceptions. Eric Tomko (1,006 yards rushing and 12 TDs) and Tyler Owen (806 yards rushing and 12 TDs) are as good a tandem as there is in the small school ranks. Both also lead the team in tackles from their linebacker spots. Middletown, who missed the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons last year, have won three NCS championships (1997, 1999, 2001).
DIVISION V
RV Christian (5-3) vs. St. Elizabeth (6-4) at San Leandro, 7 p.m.
St. Elizabeth of Oakland was last year’s Class B champ, which in effect is this year’s Div. V. St. Elizabeth is the No. 2 seed and did defeat Tomales, 22-14, during the preseason. Tomales is the No. 3 seed and defeated RVC last week 46-16. Dave Douglas and Lavelle Brisco are the top running backs and Douglas was the standout in last year’s title game. The Mustangs also have three 300-pounders on their offensive line. RVC runs the spread offense with QB Ty Cazet throwing to a trio of receivers 6-foot-3 and taller. Eric Hanson caught eight passes for 173 yards and Ben Jorgensen seven for 107 last week against Tomales. Leading rusher Aaron Bleyhl has 650 yards on the ground. The Tomales game could have been closer as the Braves came up with four interceptions, two off deflections that looked like TDs.
SATURDAY
DIVISION II
Ygnacio Valley (6-4) at Ukiah (8-2), 7 p.m.
Long before De La Salle jumped into national prominence with its football program, it could be argued Ygnacio Valley was the top power of the East Bay. The Warriors have lost two straight, 42-41 to Concord, and 26-7 to No. 2 seed Clayton Valley. The Warriors don’t pass all that much and run an offense similar to The Toss that features running back Petrone Wood II, a 5-11, 260-pound punishing runner who has rushed for 1,798 yards and 19 TDs. Last week he rushed for 115 yards and the Warriors only score against Clayton Valley. Ygnacio Valley does have a 48-14 loss to Redwood, also in the Div. II playoffs. Ukiah is a well-balanced team between running and throwing. Marcos Hernandez has over 1,000 yards rushing and QB Kyle Morris has thrown for over 2,000 yards and 20 TDs. His favorite targets are Kyle Mayfield and Gabe Ott. Ukiah’s only loss at home this season was 35-32 to Rancho Cotate in the final minute. Ukiah’s ability to stop Wood has to be a priority.
DIVISION III
Analy (5-5) at Marin Catholic (7-3), 1 p.m.
A dream season turned into a nightmare for the Tigers, who opened the season 5-0. Injuries have been the main factor in the Tigers’ recent struggles, particularly playing without their main offensive weapon, RB/WR Joe Maloney, out since the third game with a broken foot. Injuries to linemen have also caused Analy to rely on the throwing of QB David Glass. We just have to rally up some more emotion,” said Analy coach Dan Bourdon. Marin Catholic, coming off a 21-0 loss to Div. III No. 3 seed Novato, likes to run the ball with Nico Dumont, who has rushed for 887 yards and 11 TDs. Nate Kristoff has stepped in at QB following an early season injury.
McKinleyville (7-3) at Healdsburg (7-3), 7 p.m.
It’s been a good season for McKinleyville after a long stretch of losing. This is a repeat matchup from Week 1, a game won by Healdsburg, 31-22 at Rec Park. Healdsburg is the No. 7 seed and McKinleyville No. 10. The Panthers run a spread offense and like to throw. Two of their losses were to Ferndale, including 54-14 last week. Healdsburg has also been hit hard by injuries, including losing QB Zach Shippey to a serious broken foot. Coach Tom Kirkpatrick said he may use both Killian Collins and David Balestrieri at QB, the latter returning from injury. Andy Phillips leads the ‘Hounds in rushing with over 700 yards and is also one of the team’s top tacklers at linebacker. The ‘Hounds hope to rediscover their passing game this week, after back-to-back one-sided losses to Casa and Petaluma.
DIVISION IV
Fort Bragg (8-2) at Salesian (7-2), 1 p.m.
The Timberwolves, No. 6 seed, will visit No. 3 Salesian of Richmond, a team beaten by Middletown, 49-20, in a season opener. Injuries have reduced the ‘Wolves’ roster to just 19, but there are some good players among those 19. Jake Cimolino rushed for 318 yards last week against Willits and now has an Empire-best 1,966 yards and 26 TDs. Cody Lowe plays a number of positions, including fullback, long snapper and leading tackler on special teams. QB Brent Moyer has thrown for 852 yards and seven TDs and can also run. Ft. Bragg’s line has performed well, including center Nathan Mitchell and offensive players Josh House and Antonio Renteria. Seniors Donnie Applegate and Jake Walsh head the defense. Salesian, a Bay Football League champ, both runs and throws. Salesian has been a perennial playoff team of late.
DIVISION V
St. Bernard (5-5) at Tomales (7-2), 7 p.m.
The small private school from Eureka, like Tomales, was a fixture of the old Class B playoffs. St. Bernard won NCS championships in 2000 and 2003, while the Braves won in 1998, 2001 and 2002. St. Bernard has lost its last two games to South Fork (12-0) and Ferndale (47-12). Tomales won the NCL II and went unbeaten in league for the third straight year. Stan Moody, a 205-pounder running out of the Braves’ Toss Offense, has rushed for 1,400 yards and scored 21 TDs. Moody is also one of the Braves’ leading tacklers. A couple of the best linemen in the NCL II are the Braves’ Andrew Murphy (6-2, 265) and tight end/linebacker Brett Bell (6-4, 205). Jo Jo Tucker hasn’t had to throw much at QB for the Braves.
Anderson Valley (6-1) at South Fork (6-4), 7 p.m.
The Panthers aren’t all that unhappy about traveling to Miranda, just outside of Garberville, considering they didn’t have a football program last year. The Panthers use both Jordan Bright and David Swanson at running back and quarterback. Barry Brown and Travis Stone are the top defensive players at linebacker. Anderson Valley gave Tomales its closest league game, a 12-0 loss. Coach Bill Nobles has a pair of college standouts as his top assistants — Logo Teveasu (SRJC, TCU) and John Toohey (Mendocino College, Nebraska State). South Fork is coming off a 12-0 win against St. Bernard, following back-to-back losses to McKinleyville (34-14) and Ferndale (35-0).
— Rich Rupprecht, The Press Democrat
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Casa Grande's mean green machine rolls over Concord
No. 2 seed Clayton Valley next for Gauchos
By JOHN JACKSON
ARGUS-COURIER SPORTS EDITOR
Published: Friday, November 21, 2008
Casa Grande High School’s mean green machine rolled over another obstacle Friday night, disposing of Concord’s befuddled Minutemen, 38-12, in the first round of the North Coast Section Division II playoffs.
The win was the sixth straight for the Sonoma County League champions and sends them to Clayton Valley next Friday night for a second-round playoff match against the No. 2 seeded Eagles, who are 10-0 on the season.
Casa (8-2-1) goes into the game with all parts of its machine functioning at maximum efficiency.
“We are really playing well on all three levels (offensively, defensively and with special teams),” pointed out Casa Grande coach Rick O’Brien after the Gauchos had dominated Concord in a game that wasn’t even as close as the final 26-point difference might indicate.
Offensively, the Casa Grande front line — Daniel Gustafson, C.J. Ramierez, Dillion McEwan, Tyler Basque and Jake Schloatter —, aided and abetted by lead-blocking fullback Conner Waggoner, produced big holes for hard-running Kahlil Keys.
Once into the Concord secondary, Keys proved his own best downfield blocker, simply running over or carrying would-be tacklers for additional big chunks of yardage. By halftime when Casa Grande had opened up a 24-6 lead, he had gained 196 yards. He finished unofficially with 224 yards on 28 carries. In addition, he had several runs, including one 63-yard would-be scoring scamper, flagged back by penalties.
When Concord loaded the box with seven defenders to try to contain Keys, the Gauchos went airborne with both second-half touchdowns coming on similar-looking slant passes from Matt O’Brien to Matt Nadolski and Matt Gallo.
On defense, the Gauchos contained Concord’s alternating quarterbacks Raymond Buford and Ricky Lloyd, allowing them short completions, but little of damaging length.
Concord’s running game, shackled by both a quick and growing Casa Grande lead and the loss of super fast rushing leader Forrest Hightower to an injury, was almost non-existent.
Casa linebacker Blaine Peterman not only set a school record for career tackles, but punctuated an outstanding game with a pass interception and a fumble recovery. Among many other notable Gaucho defenders were Makana Garrigan, Ian Phoenix, Waggoner, Tyler Selna up front, and deep defenders O’Brien and Nadolski.
On special teams, the Gauchos had field position all night long, thanks to the long-kicking of Conner Derby and intelligent decision making and strong returns of O’Brien and Nadolski on less-than-booming Concord punts.
Seven times Derby kicked off and seven times Concord started from its 20-yard line after the ball sailed into, and in most cases, out of, the end zone. By contrast, Concord kicked off three times, twice trying unsuccessful onside kicks that gave the Gauchos’ immediate possession in Minuteman territory.
By the numbers, the Gaucho domination went like this:
After Concord went three and out in its first possession, Casa Grande used three Keys carries to go 44 yards with the junior halfback scoring on a 17-yard run. Derby converted to make it 7-0.
Concord gained a first down before punting in its next possession and Casa Grande overcame a holding penalty that wiped out most of a 54-yard run by Nadolski on a reverse to go 60 yards for Keys’ second touchdown, a 2-yard plunge. Derby converted to make it 14-0.
The second quarter was just three plays old when Derby booted true on a 27-yard field goal to make it 17-0.
Using a no-huddle, sprint-to-the-ball offense, Concord swiftly passed its way on a 74-yard march that culminated with Nick Pica pushing into the end zone from four yards out. A pass attempt for a two-point conversion was incomplete, making it temporarily a ball game at 17-6.
After Concord gave the Gauchos another short field with an aborted onside kick try, the Gauchos ran Keys five times for 47 yards and O’Brien once for four yards and a touchdown. Derby converted to make it 24-6 at the half.
Peterman’s interception midway through the third quarter gave the Gauchos possession at the Concord 19-yard line and, with the Minutemen now intensely interested in Keys, O’Brien passed 15 yards to Nadolski to get close and five yards to the same receiver for a touchdown. Derby converted to make it 31-6.
Lloyd passed 15 yards to C.J. Porter to give the Minutemen a measure of second-half satisfaction, although Lloyd’s conversion pass was incomplete, making it 31-12.
Concord, desperately trying to stay in the game, handed Casa Grande excellent field position, by trying to convert a fourth-and-13 situation from the Casa Grande 15-yard line. The Minutemen came up short and two-plays later, O’Brien fired to Matt Gallo for a 21-yard touchdown on a slant play to make the final, 38-12.
The scoring doesn’t chronicle the touchdown Keys lost to a penalty, two other potential Casa drives that were stalled by holding calls or the 34-yard Derby field goal attempt that was partially blocked.
However, the scoring the Gauchos did get was more than enough to send them to Clayton Valley.
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NCS SCORES
D-1 #7 San Ramon Valley(Danville, CA) (EBAL) 42
D-1 #6 California (San Ramon, CA)(EBAL) 41
D-1 #11 Washington (Fremont, CA) (MVAL) 0
D-1 #5 Freedom (Oakley, CA) (BVAL) 34
D-1 #12 James Logan (Union City, CA) (MVAL) 14
D-1 #9 Deer Valley (Antioch, CA) (BVAL) 24
D-1 #8 Berkeley(CA) (ACCAL) 20
D-1 #10 San Leandro(CA) (HAAL) 14
D-2 #8 Heritage (Brentwood, CA) (BVAL) 21
D-2 #9 Redwood (Larkspur, CA) (MCAL) 7
D-2 #7 Casa Grande (Petaluma, CA) (SCL) 38
D-2 #10 Concord (CA) (DVAL) 12
D-2 #12 Ygnacio Valley (Concord, CA) (DVAL) 34
D-2 #5 Ukiah (CA) (NBL) 33
D-2 #6 Las Lomas (Walnut Creek, CA)( DFAL) 35
D-2 #11 Eureka (CA) (HDNL) 34
D-3 #7 Healdsburg (CA) (SCL) 28
D-3 #10 McKinleyville (CA) (HDNL L 5) 14
D-3 #11 Fortuna (CA) (HDNL) 35
D-3 #6 Piedmont (CA) (BSAL) 14
D-3 #2 Miramonte ((Orinda, CA) (DFAL) 28
D-3 #15 Del Norte (Ca) (HDNL Big 4) 12
D-3 #9 J.F.Kennedy (Fremont, CA) (MVAL) 34
D-3 #8 El Cerrito (CA) (ACCAL) 9
D-3 #5 Marin Catholic (Kentfield, CA) (MCAL) 49
D-3 #12 Analy (Sebastopol, CA) (SCL) 8
D-3 #3 Novato (CA) (MCAL) 49
D-3 #14 Drake (San Anselmo, CA) (MCAL) 7
D-4 #1 Ferndale (CA) (HDNL) 56
D-4 #8 Dougherty Valley (San Ramon, CA) (DFAL) 8
D-4 #3 Salesian (Richmond, CA) (BFL) 42
D-4 #6 Fort Bragg (CA) (NCL 1 N) 7
D-4 #2 Middletown (CA) (NCL 1 N) 34
D-4 #7 Clear Lake (Lakeport, CA) (NCL 1 S) 7
D-4 #4 Justin-Siena (Napa, CA)(MCAL) 34
D-4 #5 St. Patrick/St. Vincent(Vallejo,CA)BSAL) 19
D-5 #4 South Fork (Miranda, CA) (HDNL L 5) 44
D-5 #5 Anderson Valley(Boonville, CA) (NCL 2 N) 0
D-5 #3 Tomales (CA) (NCL 2 S) 36
D-5 #6 St. Bernard's (Eureka, CA) (HDNL L 5) 7
D-5 #2 St. Elizabeth (Oakland, CA) (BFL) 44
D-5 #7 RVC (Santa Rosa,CA) (NCL 2 S) 7
NEXT ROUND
Friday
D-3 #7 Healdsburg (CA) (SCL) 8-3
D-3 #2 Miramonte ((Orinda, CA) (DFAL) 9-2 Miramonte
D-2 #8 Heritage (Brentwood, CA) (BVAL) 7-4
D-2 #1 Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa, CA)(NBL) 10-0 Cardinal Newman
D-1 #9 Deer Valley (Antioch, CA) (BVAL) 8-3
D-1 #1 De La Salle (Concord, CA) (EBAL) 9-1 De La Salle
D-3 #9 J.F.Kennedy (Fremont, CA) (MVAL) 6-5
D-3 #1 Encinal (Alameda, CA) (BSAL) 10-0 Encinal
D-5 #4 South Fork (Miranda, CA) (HDNL L 5) 7-4
D-5 #1 St. Vincent (Petaluma, CA) (NCL 1 N) 9-1 Santa Rosa
D-1 #7 San Ramon Valley(Danville, CA) (EBAL) 8-3
D-1 #2 Monte Vista (Danville, CA) (EBAL) 8-2 TBA
D-2 #7 Casa Grande (Petaluma, CA) (SCL) 8-2-1
D-2 #2 Clayton Valley (Concord, CA) (DVAL) 10-0 TBA
D-4 #3 Salesian (Richmond, CA) (BFL) 8-2
D-4 #2 Middletown (CA) (NCL 1 N) 9-1 TBA
Saturday
D-3 #11 Fortuna (CA) (HDNL) 7-4
D-3 #3 Novato (CA) (MCAL) 9-2 Novato
D-4 #4 Justin-Siena (Napa, CA)(MCAL) 7-4
D-4 #1 Ferndale (CA) (HDNL) 10-0 TBA
D-2 #12 Ygnacio Valley (Concord, CA) (DVAL) 8-3
D-2 #4 Campolindo (Moraga, CA) (DFAL) 9-1 Campolindo
D-2 #6 Las Lomas (Walnut Creek, CA)( DFAL) 8-3
D-2 #3 Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park, CA) (NBL) 9-1 Rancho Cotate
D-5 #2 St. Elizabeth (Oakland, CA) (BFL) 7-4
D-5 #3 Tomales (CA) (NCL 2 S) 8-2 TBA
D-1 #6 California (San Ramon, CA)(EBAL) 6-4
D-1 #3 Pittsburg (CA) (BVAL) 9-1 TBA
D-1 #5 Freedom (Oakley, CA) (BVAL) 9-1
D-1 #4 Foothill (Pleasanton, CA) (EBAL) 8-2 TBA
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California Championships
December 1, 2007 - 10:50 AM --
Bowl I
Bowl II
Bowl III
Central Coast, Large champions: Palo Alto (CA)
[11/30 Palo Alto (CA) 14 Menlo-Atherton (Atherton, CA) 7]
Central Coast, Medium championship:
12/01 Riordan (San Francisco, CA) vs Live Oak (Morgan Hill, CA)
Central Coast, Open champions: Oak Grove (San Jose, CA)
[11/30 Oak Grove (San Jose, CA) 46 Gilroy (CA) 35]
Central Coast, Small championship:
12/01 Santa Cruz (CA) vs Pacific Grove (CA)
Central, I champions: Bakersfield (CA)
[11/30 Bakersfield (CA) 19 Clovis West (Fresno, CA) 16]
Central, II champions: El Diamante (Visalia, CA)
[11/30 El Diamante (Visalia, CA) 63 Tulare Union (Tulare, CA) 14]
Central, III champions: Tehachapi (CA)
[11/30 Tehachapi (CA) 33 Foothill (Bakersfield, CA) 24]
Central, IV champions: Taft (CA)
[11/30 Taft (CA) 28 Corcoran (CA) 14]
Central, V champions: Bakersfield Christian (Bakersfield, CA)
[11/23 Bakersfield Christian (Bakersfield, CA) 35 Fowler (CA) 34]
Los Angeles, 8 Man champions: Fulton Prep (Van Nuys, CA)
[11/30 Fulton Prep (Van Nuys, CA) 62 Annenberg (Los Angeles, CA) 36]
Los Angeles, City Championship championship:
12/07 Birmingham (Van Nuys, CA) vs Carson (CA)
Los Angeles, Invitational championship:
12/07 University (Los Angeles, CA) vs Garfield (Los Angeles, CA)
North Coast, 2A
North Coast, 3A
North Coast, 4A East Bay championship:
12/08 De La Salle (Concord, CA) vs California (San Ramon, CA)
North Coast, A championship:
12/01 St. Patrick/St. Vincent (Vallejo, CA) vs Ferndale (CA)
North Coast, B championship:
12/01 St. Vincent (Petaluma, CA) vs St. Elizabeth (Oakland, CA)
Northern, 8 Man champions: Champion Christian (Chico, CA)
[11/17 Champion Christian (Chico, CA) 22 Princeton (CA) 21]
Northern, I champions: Foothill (Palo Cedro, CA)
[11/21 Foothill (Palo Cedro, CA) 39 Pleasant Valley (Chico, CA) 21]
Northern, II champions: Sutter (CA)
[11/21 Sutter (CA) 21 West Valley (Cottonwood, CA) 20]
Northern, III champions: Hamilton (Hamilton City, CA)
[11/21 Hamilton (Hamilton City, CA) 7 Live Oak (CA) 0]
Northern, IV champions: East Nicolaus (Nicolaus, CA)
[11/21 East Nicolaus (Nicolaus, CA) 20 Modoc (Alturas, CA) 6]
Northern, V champions: Fall River (McArthur, CA)
[11/21 Fall River (McArthur, CA) 14 Maxwell (CA) 13]
Oakland, OAL champions: McClymonds (Oakland, CA)
[11/23 McClymonds (Oakland, CA) 8 Castlemont (Oakland, CA) 7]
Sac-Joaquin, I championship:
12/08 Napa (CA) vs St. Mary's (Stockton, CA)
Sac-Joaquin, II champions: Granite Bay (CA)
[11/30 Granite Bay (CA) 49 Del Oro (Loomis, CA) 14]
Sac-Joaquin, III championship:
12/01 Bethel (Vallejo, CA) vs Rodriguez (Fairfield, CA)
Sac-Joaquin, IV championship:
12/01 Oakdale (CA) vs Whitney (Rocklin, CA)
Sac-Joaquin, V championship:
12/01 Central Catholic (Modesto, CA) vs Patterson (CA)
Sac-Joaquin, VI champions: Lindhurst (Olivehurst, CA)
[11/30 Lindhurst (Olivehurst, CA) 26 Capital Christian (Sacramento, CA) 25]
Sac-Joaquin, VII champions: Vacaville Christian (Vacaville, CA) [11/23 Vacaville Christian (Vacaville, CA) 50 Calvary Temple (Modesto, CA) 28]
San Diego, 8 Man champions: San Pasqual Academy (Escondido, CA) [11/10 San Pasqual Academy (Escondido, CA) 46 Warner (Warner Springs, CA) 6]
San Diego, I championship:
12/07 Rancho Buena Vista (Vista, CA) vs Poway (CA)
San Diego, II championship:
12/07 Oceanside (CA) vs Mission Hills (San Marcos, CA)
San Diego, III championship:
12/07 Point Loma (San Diego, CA) vs Cathedral (San Diego, CA)
San Diego, IV championship:
12/08 Mission Bay (San Diego, CA) vs Valley Center (CA)
San Diego, V championship:
12/07 Christian (El Cajon, CA) vs Bishop's (La Jolla, CA)
San Francisco, AAA champions: Lincoln (San Francisco, CA)
[11/22 Lincoln (San Francisco, CA) 49 Washington (San Francisco, CA) 0]
Southern, 8 Man Division I champions: Joshua Springs (Yucca Valley, CA)
[11/30 Joshua Springs (Yucca Valley, CA) 36 Faith Baptist (Canoga Park, CA) 32]
Southern, 8 Man Division II champions: South Bay Lutheran (Inglewood, CA)
[11/30 South Bay Lutheran (Inglewood, CA) 58 Cuyama Valley (New Cuyama, CA) 28]
Southern, Central (V)
Southern, East Valley (XII)
Southern, Eastern (VIII)
Southern, Inland (II)
Southern, Mid-Valley (XI)
Southern, Northeast (XIII)
Southern, Northern (IV)
Southern, Northwest (X)
Southern, Pac-5 (I) championship:
12/08 Poly (Long Beach, CA) vs Crespi (Encino, CA)
Southern, Southeast (VII)
Southern, Southern (IX)
Southern, Southwest (VI)
Southern, Western (III)
|
Newman stopped a step from state
By RICH RUPPRECHT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
OAKLAND -- In a game of huge momentum swings and stellar quarterback play, San Ramon Valley overcame a 21-7 deficit and defeated Cardinal Newman, 38-28, Saturday at the Oakland Coliseum to win a North Coast Section 3A championship.
The loss means Cardinal Newman will not get the chance to return to the Home Depot Center in Carson for another state Division III title game. Only section champions will be considered by today’s state selection committee, which practically guarantees Central Catholic of Modesto of claiming the Div. III Northern California slot. Newman and Central Catholic tied 35-35 in the first game of the season.
“I’m happy and I had a lot of fun,” said Cardinal Newman defensive end David Azevedo. “I feel blessed that we made it here.”
Like most of the 20 seniors on this year’s team, Azevedo, who said he planned on only playing basketball when he entered Newman, has a resume that includes three NCS Redwood Empire championships, two 3A NCS Redwood Empire/East Bay championship game appearances, a state appearance and 24 wins in two seasons.
If you had tuned in for just the first quarter for Saturday’s game, you might have thought Newman would win in a walk.
But if you watched just the third quarter, when San Ramon junior quarterback Joe Southwick did his best Joe Montana impersonation, then it was San Ramon who looked like a dominant winner.
Throw it all together and Newman, led by quarterback Max Pond and a pressuring defense, built a 21-7 lead and Southwick, who ran just as impressively as he passed, led San Ramon to three unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter when the Wolves took the lead for good.
“They’re an awesome team and coach told us we were fortunate only to be down seven at the half,” said San Ramon linebacker Harmon Bruno.
“Practice and a game are different and we watched Newman (on film) but they were more impressive out here,” Bruno said.
Turnovers helped Newman greatly in the first half, four by San Ramon Valley that included two fumbles and two interceptions (by Newman’s Randy Wright and Jordan Reyes).
San Ramon scored first, on its first possession capped by an 11-yard run by Southwick. But after that it wasn’t until the final two minutes of the first half when the Wolves would score again.
First Newman’s defense pressured Southwick into a safety — an intentional grounding in the end zone call.
Next, Pond connected on consecutive passes of 24 yards (Bari Mims), 14 yards (Kyle Sanders) and 19 yards (Mims). Sanders ran an end around for the final five yards and a TD. Newman failed on a two-point conversion try.
That gave Newman an 8-7 lead, which was expanded to 15-7 when San Ramon fumbled the kickoff and Newman took over on the Wolves’ 26. Pond connected with Mims on a 15-yard TD pass. Mims was the top receiver for either team, winding up with nine catches for 90 yards.
Newman’s lineman/kicker, Pat Brown, connected on back-to-back 28 and 24-yard field goals in the second quarter, making it 21-7.
But San Ramon went 64 yards with just under two minutes remaining in the half, the big play being a 25-yard run by Southwick.
“I think the biggest thing for us was that last drive of the first half,” Southwick said. “They were dropping a lot of guys in coverage. I really respect Newman. They have good speed and they’re very disciplined.”
The third quarter was all San Ramon Valley, as the Wolves started to use their superior size on the line to control the ball and Southwick began figuring out he didn’t have to throw to be successful.
A seven-play scoring drive on the first series of the second half, ending with a 23-yard TD pass from Southwick to Joey Tidwell, tied the game at 21.
Newman went three and out and San Ramon scored again, this time using its ground game, specifically lineman/running back Cole Huntley, who rumbled nine yards for the score. That made it 28-21 and the San Ramon lead was upped to 35-21 and the Wolves’ third successful drive of the quarter. This time Huntley chugged in from two yards.
Newman scored next, Pond returning a kickoff 36 yards for good field possession at the 50. Three more completions to Mims and a six-yard TD pass to Reyes made it 35-28.
Newman’s defense then forced San Ramon Valley to punt, but Pond was intercepted on Newman’s second play from scrimmage and San Ramon kicker Steve Roberts clinched it with a 32-yard field goal.
Pond, who was admittedly tired after playing both offense and defense, punting and returning kicks and punts, said he could have played better, but San Ramon’s defense stepped it up in the second half.
“They were fast and their backs just kept dropping back and we couldn’t create space (for the receivers),” Pond said. “The loss wasn’t our defense’s fault. “They were filling every hole and then you don’t trust your eyes when you look to pass. I’m just proud of all the guys and have no regrets.”
Pond’s numbers were, well, un-Pond like. During one stretch he threw 11 consecutive incompletions (but there were at least three dropped passes in that sequence).
Pond finished 12-of-28 passing for 129 yards. He rushed for just 35 yards on 18 carries, and was sacked twice.
Southwick, who was 11-of-13 for 139 yards in the third quarter, finished 23-of-31 for 236 yards and was also his team’s leading rusher with 89 yards on nine carries.
“Players on this team are just amazing,” said Newman head coach Paul Cronin. “When we look back and when these players come back as alums, I’ll hug every one of them and then we’ll remember all that they did.”
Newman finished 11-2-1 and San Ramon Valley, which probably won’t get serious consideration for the state playoffs in Div. I, finished 12-1-1.
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Semifinals
3A #2 Rancho Cotate 31 #3 Casa Grande 10,
3A #1 San Ramon Valley 59 #4 College Park 7
3A #3 Pinole Valley 35 #7 Washington 28
3A #1 Cardinal Newman 37 #4 Sonoma Valley 6
2A #1 Las Lomas 35 #5 Ygnacio Valley 20,
2A #1 Novato 53 #4 Terra Linda 21
2A #3 Del Norte 25 #2 Healdsburg 14
2A #7 Campolindo 28 #3 Encinal 8
4A #3 California 27 #2 James Logan 9,
4A #1 De La Salle 50 #4 Monte Vista 15
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Updates from Newman-Rancho
December 1, 2007 - 10:32 AM --
By THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
PREGAME
We're here. It's championship night at Santa Rosa High School's football stadium. A huge crowd is gathering already. It's cold, only a slight breeze. Rancho is wearing its road whites -- of couse -- and the Cardinals are wearing their home cardinal red.
The winner tonight advances to the North Coast Section championship game next Saturday at Oakland Coliseum, so this is the final football game of the season in the Redwood Empire. A fitting conclusion, the No. 1 seed vs. the No. 2 seed in the tournament, two old rivals, two terrific programs. This should be good.
We'll be back again for the pregame information.
-- Jim Barger
Newman wins the toss and defers until the second half. Rancho will receive and defend the south goal.
This place is packed and people are still coming in.
Each player in uniform is being introduced to the crowd. A nice touch. These young men know this is a special occasion. So do their fans.
The kickoff is next.
FIRST QUARTER
Sean Mitchell fields the opening kick at his 5 and returns it to the 24. Cody Allen in control of the veer offense.
First play, Josh McFarlane up the middle for 5, the again up the middle for 7 and a first down. Newman's David Azevedo is slow to get up. He's out for one play.
First down at the 37, Andrew Rush gains 3 over right tackle.
Allen makes a nice fake to McFarlane on the dive and goes around left end on the option. Gain of 5, third and 2.Azevedo back in the game.
McFarlane is stopped short. It's fourth and a little less than 2 at the Rancho 46. The Cougars send in the punt team.
37-yard punt puts Newman at its 17. Max Pond in shotgun formation, runs to the 21.
Pond forced from the pocket, takes off around left end for a 3-yard gain. Third and 4.
No huddle offense. Pond in shotgun. He's changing the play. A quick pass to Bari Mims for a gain of 5 and first down.
From the 33, a quick pass to Shayne Hastings in the right flast. Gain of 11, another first down.
Joe Ferguson takes a pitch and gets 12 around right end. On first down at the Rancho 49, Ferguson is stuffed in the middle for no gain.
Jeff Badger takes a quick handoff, breaks the line and goes all the way. Newman speed wins round 1. Pat Brown's kick is blocked and with 6:06 to go in the first quarter ...
CARDINAL NEWMAN 6, RANCHO COTATE 0
Short kick and Ben Kane returns it to the 34, first down for the Cougars.
McFarlane up the middle for 7. He's running hard and the Rancho interior has that terrific size advantage.
McFarlane again for 5 and a first down at Rancho's 46.
Rush into the line gets walloped by Badger after just 1 yard.
A pass delivered on a line from Allen to Anthony Alicea. 18 yards on the slant puts the Cougars at Newman's 35.
Allen keeps it on the option around left end. He drags tacklers, picks up 15 and another first down.
A delay penalty sets the Cougars back to the 25.
Allen keeps it again after an effective fake to McFarlane. He goes right this time and picks up 8. Second and 7 at the 17.
Rush takes the pitch wide around right end and gets to the 9. First and goal.
Rush on the counter to the left is hauled down by Tyler Carr for a loss of 1.
Pass in the right flat to Rush is good but tains less than a yard. It's third-and-goal at the 9. And that's the end of the first quarter ...
CARDINAL NEWMAN 6, RANCHO COTATE 0
SECOND QUARTER
Allen makes a nice fake to McFarlane then follows him through the hole and gets to the end zone.
Mithcell Rowan's kick is good and with 11:57 to to in the second quarter it's...
RANCHO COTATE 7, CARDINAL NEWMAN 6
Starting from their 28, Newman begins only its second possession of the game with a 2-yard run by Ferguson.
Pond on a keeper gets to the 35. Third and 3.
Pond again up the middle gets to the 41. First down.
Quick pass to left gets 4. Then Pond throws deep down the right sideline to Wyatt Zanardi, who breaks free from his defender and goes all the way for a 56-yard scoring play.
The Cardinals go for two and Pond's pass is incomplete. With 9:24 left in the half it's ...
CARDINAL NEWMAN 12, RANCHO COTATE 7
Rancho starts at its 36 after the kickoff. McFarlane gets 5 up the middle, but Rush is held to 2 on second down. The Cougars call a timeout -- their third and last of the half -- with 8:22 to go. It's third and 3 at the 43.
Allen keeps it on the option and follows Adam Murray's block to get the first down at the 47.
Allen is wrapped up in the backfield by Tyler Carr for a 2-yard loss. Second and 12.
Pass to Ryan Decker on the left sideline gets 4. Third and 8.
Third down pass is nearly intercepted by Jordan Reyes, who would have gone about 60 for a touchdown but he just could get a handle on it.
The punt pins Newman inside its 5 with 6:07 to go in the half.
Pond's pass to Hastings gets 9.Then Pond keeps it, first up the middle and then he breaks outside to the right. Another 9 yards.
Pass in the left flat to Reyes gets 6 to the 29.
Pond keeps again and is snowed under for a minimal gain. Third and nearly 4.
Quick slant to Hastings gets the ball all the way out to the 47. .First down.
Pond again up the middle for 3, then throws to Reyes on the right sideline for 5 more. Third and 1. Ferguson tgakes and handoff and dances into the line. He's stopped for no gain at the Rancho 44 and Newman isn't punting.
Pond fakes to Badger then rolls left and passes to Reyes. First down at the Rancho 37.
Pass to Hastings for 5. Forced from the pocket, Pond gets 2.
Hastings just misses hauling down a high pass over the middle. It's fourth-and-3 and Newman will go for it again at the 35. False start on the Cardinals. It's fourth-and-8, 41 seconds left in the half.
Long pass Mims down right sideline is incomplete. Penalty flag -- offensive interference. With the loss of down, Rancho has it at Newman's 49 with 38 seconds to go.
Allen runs left for 6 but Rancho has no timeouts. He spikes it on second down. Third and 4 at the 43 with 16 seconds left.
Azevedo and Carr sack Allen and that's the end of the half ...
CARDINAL NEWMAN 12, RANCHO COTATE 7
THIRD QUARTER
Newman will receive and defend the north goal. Kick goes into the end zone.
First and 10 at the Cardinal Newman 20.
Pond pitch to Badger around left end gains 1, then Badger up the middle for 3 more. Pond fakes to Ferguson then races around left end for a big gain to the 37. First down.
Ferguson gets 3 on a pitch to the right. Pass to Kyle Sanders is incomplete and Newman has a third-and-7 at its 40. The Newman line jumps. It will be third-and-12.
Pass to Hastings gets to the 45 but the Cardinals will be 2 yards short of a first down. Rancho calls a timeout. On fourth-and-2 at the Newman 45, now the Cardinals call a timeout. The pace isn't the best right now. And Pond drops back in punt formation. Allen takes it at the 22 and returns it to the 30.
Andrew Rush takes the handoff, breaks to the left and gains 8. Allen is forced out of the pocket and he scrambles to the 41 for a first down.
Rush gets spilled in the backfield by Tyler Carr for a 3-yard loss.
Allen keeps it on the option and races across midfield to Newman's 47. Allen is a smooth article running this veer offense.
A pass is zipped to Anthony Alicea for a 15-yard gain to the 32. First down.
Rush sprints around left end for another big gain, 13 yards to the 19. Rancho is showing impressive speed, which was supposed to be Newman's big advantage.
Allen keeps it for a yard. He keeps it again and gets another yard. Third-and-8 at the 17. Rush is stopped in the middle of the line and the Cougars will try a 32-yard field goal by Mitchell Rowan. It's wide right and with 3:46 to go in the third quarter, it's still ...
CARDINAL NEWMAN 12, RANCHO COTATE 7
Newman takes over at its 20 and a run around left end by Joe Ferguson gets them a first down just past the 30. Badget breaks quickly through the line, breaks a tackle near midfield and finishes 48 yards later at the Rancho 22.
The ball is knocked from Pond's hands. He recovers, but the loss it back to the 32.
A quick pass to Mims who makes to quick moves and gets to the 2, a 30-yard gain and a first-and-goal.
Ferguson dives in the middle and scores. Brown on for the kick. It's good and with 1:32 to go in the quarter, it's ...
CARDINAL NEWMAN 19, RANCHO COTATE 7
Allen returns Brown's kick to the 24 but is belted on the tackle and Drew Silveri comes in at QB. Rancho is up against it now. The Cougars need a touchdown.
McFarlane breaks into the secondary and goes all the way to the 48, a 24-yard gain.
A fumbled pitch costs the Cougars 7 yards.
Silveri is sacked and there's a holding call oin Rancho, backing the Cougars back to the 32. It's second-and-25. McFarlane bulls his way forward and gets to the 46, but it's still third and 11. And that's the end of the third quarter ...
CARDINAL NEWMAN 19, RANCHO COTATE 7
FOURTH QUARTER
Silveri passes 16 yards to Decker. The Cougars are moving.
Rush on a sweep left but Pond makes a nice one-on-one tackle to hold the run to a yard. It's second-and-9 at Newman's 37.
Silveri keeps for 2. Third-and-7. Moving clock approaching 10 minutes to play. This drive is critical for the Cougars. This play is critical.
A pitch gets away and Rush has to race to fall on the loose ball back at the Newman 49. The Cougars will have to punt. Short kick goes out of bounds and the Cardinals will start at their 28.
Ferguson gets 4 up the middle then sweeps right end for 3 more. Pond connects with Reyes for 14 yards. First down at the 49. Clock stopped on a timeout with 7:57 to go.
Badger gets 5 up the middle, the Ferguson spins his way into the secondary for a 16-yard gain. Running clock moves inside 7 minutes.
Ferguson again cutting left to the outside and taking it to the 20.
Badger up the middle for 4, then sweeps left on a pitch. The ball is at the 13, third-and-3. And the clock moves inside 6 minutes.
Pond passes to Reyes alone in the right flat and the Cardinals are first-and-goal at the 4.
Ferguson goes around right end for the score and this one seems very much over. Brown's kick is good and with 5:20 to play, it's ...
CARDINAL NEWMAN 26, RANCHO COTATE 7
Rancho will receive but those 11 sets of shoulders on the field are slumping badly. The Cougars return it to the 34. Silveri still at quarterback.
McFarlane bursts through the line and gets to the 49, a gain of 15. He hasn't stopped playing. He's been the best player on the field in a white uniform.
McFarlane again for 5.
Rush reverses field when a option pitch goes bad and he's chased down for a 14-yard loss. It's third down and a mile. The handoff squirts loose and Newman gets the ball at Rancho's 42 with 3:09 to play.
A holding call negates a 15-yard run by Ferguson and Newman is moved back to its 49. McFarlane on a blitz sacks Pond back to the 45. The clock moves past 2 minutes.
Ferguson gets back about 8 yards across midfield, then Badger blasts ahead down to the 37. It's fourth-and-6 and the clock moves into the final minute. Newman calls a timeout with 25 seconds to play, just to avoid the delay penalty. They get a penalty anyway because they've already used their three timeouts. About the only thing Cardinal Newman has done wrong since halftime. Badger runs it. He's stopped short and Rancho will get one more crack at it with 21 seconds to play.
It's on to Oakland next Saturday for Cardinal Newman, and who knows where after that.
Silveri gains 9 but the clock is going to run out. This one is in the books ...
CARDINAL NEWMAN 26, RANCHO COTATE 7
Congratulations to both teams. There are no losers playing this late in the season.
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Playoffs
11/23/2007 semifinals
3A #1 Cardinal Newman 10-1-1, 37
3A #4 Sonoma Valley 8-2-1, 6
4A #1 De La Salle 11-0, 50
4A #4 Monte Vista 8-3,15
2A #3 Del Norte 11-0, 25
2A #2 Healdsburg 10-1, 14
2A #7 Campolindo 8-3, 28
2A #3 Encinal 9-2, 8
3A #1 San Ramon Valley 10-1-1, 59
3A #4 College Park 9-2, 7
11/17/2007
4A #4 Monte Vista 8-3, 35
4A #5 San Leandro 8-2, 13
3A #3 Casa Grande 9-1-1, 13
3A #6 Santa Rosa 7-3, 7
3A #4 Sonoma Valley 8-2-1, 14
3A #5 Montgomery 6-3-1, 0
3A #3 Pinole Valley 8-1-1, 28
3A #6 Arroyo 18
2A #5 Ygnacio Valley 7-4, 21
2A #4 Bishop O’Dowd 8-2, 14
2A #3 Encinal 9-2, 46
2A #6 Acalanes 6-4, 7
4A #3 California 10-1, 21
4A #6 Pittsburg 6-4, 7
2A #3 Del Norte 11-0, 46
2A #6 Fortuna 7
11/16/2007
2A #2 Healdsburg 10-1, 42
2A #7 Analy 13
3A #2 Rancho Cotate 35
3A #7 Petaluma 28
4A #1 De La Salle 11-0, 59
4A #8 Berkeley 6-4-1, 0
4A #2 James Logan 11-0, 31
4A #7 Foothill 6-5, 7
2A #1 Las Lomas 11-0, 56
2A #8 Piedmont 7-4, 21
3A #1 Cardinal Newman 10-1-1, 35
3A #8 Redwood 7-4, 14
3A #4 College Park 9-2, 22
3A #5 Alameda 7-3, 15
2A #7 Campolindo 8-3, 42
2A #2 Heritage 7-4, 14
2A #4 Terra Linda 6-5, 17
2A #5 Lower Lake 6-4-1, 6
3A #1 San Ramon Valley 10-1-1, 55
3A #8 American 6-5, 7
3A #7 Washington 5-5-1, 21
3A #2 Newark Memorial 9-2, 7
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Prep Playoffs Scoreboard
Football playoff scores
By THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Class 3A
Cardinal Newman 37, Sonoma Valley 6
Class 2A
Del Norte 25, Healdsburg 14
Class B
St. Vincent 34, Point Arena 18
SATURDAY'S GAME
Class 3A
Rancho Cotate at Casa Grande, 7 p.m.
Article Last Updated: 11/23/2007
FRIDAY'S GAMES
NCS 4-A
No. 1 De La Salle 50, No. 5 Monte Vista 15 (final)
NCS 3-A
No. 1 San Ramon Valley 59, No. 4 College Park 7 (final)
NCS 2-A
No. 7 Campolindo 28, No. 3 Encinal 8 (final)
NCS Class A
No. 1 St. Patrick-St. Vincent 42, No. 5 King's Academy 3 (final)
OAL Silver Bowl
McClymonds 8, Castlemont 7 (final)
SATURDAY'S GAMES
NCS 4-A
No. 3 California at No. 2 James Logan, 7 p.m.
NCS 3-A
No. 7 Washington at No. 3 Pinole Valley, 7 p.m.
NCS 2-A
No. 5 Ygnacio Valley at No. 1 Las Lomas, 7 p.m.
NCS Class A
No. 3 Salesian at No. 2 Ferndale, 1 p.m.
NCS Class B
No. 6 South Fork vs. St. Elizabeth at Burrell (S.L.), 7 p.m.
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Class 2A: Healdsburg loses to Del Norte
By THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Second-seeded Healdsburg couldn’t maintain an eight-point halftime lead and fell to No. 3 Del Norte 25-14 Friday night in the Class 2A Redwood Empire semifinals in Crescent City.
The Warriors (11-0) trailed 14-12 after three quarters, but rallied to win on a punt return for a touchdown and a scoring catch from Del Norte junior wide receiver Cody Hoffman.
The Greyhounds (10-2), who reached the Class 2A semifinals for the second time in three years, entered averaging 34.8 points a game. But they were held to their second-lowest point total of the season as the Warriors limited them to 32 rushing yards — 113 below their average — and 1.9 yards per attempt.
“They are a very good team,” Healdsburg coach Tom Kirkpatrick said. “They disrupted our running game completely.”
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Newman steamroller
By RICH RUPPRECHT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Cardinal Newman is the first team to reach the North Coast Section 3A Redwood Empire championship game next week after handily putting away yet another Redwood Empire opponent — Sonoma Valley — Friday night before a standing room only crowd at Ed Lloyd Field.
The Dragons (8-3-1) were the first team to moved the ball down the field into scoring position, but settled for a short field goal try and Newman blocked it. The Cardinals then methodically went 97 yards on 16 plays and that was pretty much game, set and match. Newman won 37-6 a week after defeating Redwood in its playoff opener 35-14.
Next for the No. 1 seed in the 3A Redwood Empire playoffs is the winner of tonight’s game at Casa Grande between No. 2 Rancho Cotate and the No. 3 Gauchos.
Is there a way of stopping Newman’s high-powered offense. Probably not. But Sonoma would have been satisfied just slowing it down some.
“A team would have to play man coverage against them and then you have to score against them,” said Sonoma coach Mick O’Meara. “That’s an awfully good team. They are so good offensively and their defense has improved throughout the season.”
Three times Sonoma went for first downs on 4th-and-short and three times Newman’s defense stuffed the play for no gain or losses.
Newman noseguard Travis Amaral had a big game as did defensive end David Azevedo and linebacker Jeff Badger.
Following its 97-yard scoring drive, capped by Badger’s 5-yard touchdown run, Newman got on one of its patented scoring rolls.
Led by quarterback Max Pond, the Cardinals (10-1-1) scored three TDs in the second quarter and led 28-0 at the half.
First Pond ran 50 yards for a score, then threw a 20-yard TD pass to Shayne Hastings and then found Brandon Borello for a 24-yard TD pass.
Newman nearly scored as time expired in the half, Pond throwing a long pass to Borello in the end zone, but Borello was ruled to have caught the ball out of bounds.
“We’ve been pretty focused in practice and the coaches just have us well prepared,” Badger said.
Newman’s offense hibernated in the third quarter, but Azevedo sacked Sonoma quarterback Jake Powers in the end zone for a safety.
Sonoma scored its lone TD on a 23-yard TD run by Matt Darnell near the end of the third quarter.
Newman finished the scoring with a short nine-yard scoring drive with Badger picking up his second rushing TD of the night, a 4-yarder.
Darnell, one of the premier backs in the Empire, rushed for 133 yards on 26 carries.
Defensively, Sonoma linebackers Michael Mulas and Nick Pappas played well, but Newman did a good job of picking up blitzes and Pond of running away from pressure.
Newman rushed for 285 yards — Pond rushed for 106, Badger for 98 and Joe Ferguson for 81 yards. Pond was 18-of-29 passing for 197 yards.
Borello caught seven passes for 63 yards, Hastings four for 52 and Jordan Reyes four for 49 yards.
“Our line is playing well and so is our defense,” Newman coach Paul Cronin said.
“We’re just happy to still be playing. We earned a shot at another game.”
Cronin, who admits to being something of a perfectionist, said his team didn’t execute as well as it should have in the second half.
“But the defense has gotten better. From Game 1 to now, it’s amazing,” he said.
Of course Newman isn’t looking ahead, but anyone can take a look at the playoffs and figure out Newman is just two wins away from a 3A overall section championship and maybe just two wins away from another appearance at a state title game.
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High school football playoffs
November 16, 2007 --
Contra Costa Times
Article Launched: 11/17/2007
CLASS 4A
First round
Friday
De La Salle 59, No. 8 Berkeley (6-4-1) 0
James Logan 31, No. 7 Foothill (6-5) 7
Today
No. 4 Monte Vista (7-3) vs. No. 5 San Leandro (8-2), at Burrell Field, 7 p.m.
No. 3 California (9-1) at No. 6 Pittsburg (6-4), 7 p.m.
Semifinals
Nov. 23
Monte Vista/San Leandro winner at No. 1 De La Salle (10-0), 7 p.m.
Nov. 24
California/Pittsburg winner at No. 2 James Logan (11-0), 7 p.m.
CLASS 3A EAST BAY
First round
Friday
San Ramon Valley 55, No. 8 American (6-5) 7
Washington 21, No. 2 Newark Memorial (9-2) 7
Today
No. 5 Alameda (7-3) at No. 4 College Park (8-2), 1 p.m.
No. 6 Arroyo (6-4) at No. 3 Pinole Valley (8-1-1), 7 p.m.
Semifinals
Nov. 23
Alameda/College Park winner at No. 1 San Ramon Valley (9-1-1), 7 p.m.
Nov. 24
No. 7 Washington (5-5-1) vs. Arroyo/Pinole Valley winner, at TBA, 7 p.m.
CLASS 2A EAST BAY
First round
Friday
Las Lomas 56, No. 8 Piedmont (7-4) 21
Campolindo 42, No. 2 Heritage (7-4) 14
Today
No. 5 Ygnacio Valley (6-4) at No. 4 Bishop O'Dowd (8-2), 1 p.m.
No. 6 Acalanes (6-4) at No. 3 Encinal (8-2), 7 p.m.
Semifinals
Nov. 23
No. 7 Campolindo (8-3) vs. Acalanes/Encinal winner, at TBA, 7 p.m.
Nov. 24
Ygnacio Valley/Bishop O'Dowd winner at No. 1 Las Lomas (11-0), 7 p.m.
CLASS A
First round
Friday
St. Patrick-St. Vincent 56, No. 8 Cloverdale (7-4) 14
Today
No. 5 The King's Academy-Sunnyvale (7-2) at No. 4 Clear Lake (9-0-1), 7 p.m.
No. 6 Justin-Siena-Napa (6-4) at No. 3 Salesian (9-1), 1 p.m.
No. 7 Sacred Heart Prep-Atherton (8-2) at No. 2 Ferndale (9-1), 1 p.m.
Semifinals
Nov. 23
The King's Academy/Clear Lake winner at No. 1 St. Patrick-St. Vincent (11-0), 7 p.m.
Nov. 23-24
Justin-Siena/Salesian winner vs. Sacred Heart Prep/Ferndale winner, TBA
First round NCS 4A De La Salle 59, Berkeley 0
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The CIF North Coast Section Playoffs
November 17, 2007 --
4A East Bay
(8) Berkeley @ (1) De La Salle
(5) San Leandro @ (4) Monte Vista
(7) Foothill @ (2) James Logan
(6) Pittsburg @ (3) California
3A East Bay
(8) American @ (1) San Ramon Valley
(5) Alameda @ (4) College Park
(7) Washington @ (2) Newark Memorial
(6) Arroyo @ (3) Pinole Valley
3A Redwood Empire
(8) Redwood @ (1) Cardinal Newman
(5) Montgomery @ (4) Sonoma Valley
(7) Petaluma @ (2) Rancho Cotate
(6) Santa Rosa @ (3) Casa Grande
2A East Bay
(8) Piedmont @ (1) Las Lomas
(5) Ygnacio Valley @ (4) Bishop O’Dowd
(7) Campolindo @ (2) Heritage
(6) Acalanes @ (3) Encinal
2A Redwood Empire
(1) Novato - Bye
(5) Lower Lake @ (4) Terra Linda
(7) Analy @ (2) Healdsburg
(6) Fortuna @ (3) Del Norte
Class A
(8) Cloverdale @ (1) St. Patrick/ St. Vincent
(5) King’s Academy @ (4) Clear Lake
(7) Sacred Heart Prep @ (2) Ferndale
(6) Justin-Siena @ (3) Salesian
Class B
(1) St. Vincent - Bye
(5) Hoopa Valley @ (4) Point Arena
(2) St. Elizabeth - Bye
(6) South Fork @ (3) Tomales
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football playoffs
November 18, 2007 --
Friday 7/23 Semifinals
7:00pm
4A #4 Monte Vista 8-3
4A #1 De La Salle 10-0 @ De La Salle
4A #3 California 10-1
4A #2 James Logan 11-0 @ James Logan
Round 1 Results
4A #4 Monte Vista (8-3) 35
4A #5 San Leandro (8-2) 13
4A #1 De La Salle (10-0) 59
4A #8 Berkeley (6-4-1) 0
4A #2 James Logan (11-0) 31
4A #7 Foothill (6-5) 7
4A #3 California (10-1) 21
4A #6 Pittsburg (6-4) 7
Friday 7/23 Semifinals
7:00pm
3A #3 Casa Grande 9-1-1
3A #2 Rancho Cotate 9-2 @ Rancho Cotate
3A #4 College Park 9-2
3A #1 San Ramon Valley 9-1-1 @ San Ramon Valley
3A #4 Sonoma Valley 8-2-1
3A #1 Cardinal Newman 9-1-1 @ Cardinal Newman
Saturday
1:00pm
3A #7 Washington 5-5-1
3A #3 Pinole Valley 8-1-1 @ Pinole Valley
Round 1 Results
3A #1 Cardinal Newman (9-1-1) 35
3A #8 Redwood (7-4) 14
3A #4 College Park (9-2) 22
3A #5 Alameda (7-3) 15
3A #3 Casa Grande (9-1-1) 13
3A #6 Santa Rosa (7-3) 7
3A #4 Sonoma Valley (8-2-1) 14
3A #5 Montgomery(6-3-1) 0
3A #1 San Ramon Valley (9-1-1) 55
3A #8 American (6-5) 7
3A #7 Washington (5-5-1) 21
3A #2 Newark Memorial (9-2) 7
3A #2 Rancho Cotate (9-2) 35
3A #7 Petaluma 28
3A #3 Pinole Valley (8-1-1) 28
3A #6 Arroyo 18
Friday 7/23 Semifinals
7:00pm
2A #7 Campolindo 8-3
2A #3 Encinal 9-2 @ Encinal
2A #4 Terra Linda 6-5
2A #1 Novato 10-0 @ Novato
2A #2 Healdsburg 10-1
2A #3 Del Norte 10-0 @ Del Norte
2A #5 Ygnacio Valley 7-4
2A #1 Las Lomas 11-0 @ Las Lomas
Round 1 Results
2A #3 Del Norte (10-0) 46
2A #6 Fortuna 7
2A #5 Ygnacio Valley (7-4) 21
2A #4 Bishop O’Dowd(8-2) 14
2A #3 Encinal (9-2) 46
2A #6 Acalanes (6-4) 7
2A #2 Healdsburg (10-1) 42
2A #7 Analy 13
2A #1 Las Lomas (11-0) 56
2A #8 Piedmont (7-4) 21
2A #7 Campolindo (8-3) 42
2A #2 Heritage (7-4) 14
2A #4 Terra Linda (6-5) 17
2A #5 Lower Lake (6-4-1) 6
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