Friday Bowl Game Previews

[Streak One]

1-AA: Folsom (10-3) at De La Salle (10-2)

De La Salle won at Folsom 31-10 to start their current seven game winning streak. When it beat Pittsburg for the NCS Open Division title two weeks ago, Charles Greer had 189 total yards and two touchdowns. For Folsom, they got quarterback Tyler Tremain back for the postseason but it has been the defense that has stood out. The Bulldogs gave up 13 points per game against Lincoln-Stockton, Jesuit and Rocklin. All of those teams were averaging at least 35 points.

2-AA: Bullard (9-4) at Central Catholic (12-1)

This year’s squad could be Central Catholic’s best in the state bowl era. The Raiders have a strong one-two running punch with seniors Julian Lopez and Aiden Taylor. In the section finals against Monterey Trail, the duo ran for 246 yards and five touchdowns. Bullard got into the regional game after beating Bakersfield 45-21. Jayden Davis and Herman Zamora each have 14 touchdowns.

3-AA: Vanden (11-2) at Windsor (11-1)

Head coach Paul Cronin is leading his second school to a NorCal game and Windsor has a potent offense that has two wide receivers with at least 900 yards and a running back that has topped 1,000 yards. Vanden counters with its own exciting offense as junior Tre Dimes threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns in a section final win over Merced. Sean Davis had 95 rushing yards and 56 receiving yards. Rancho Cotate owns wins over both programs.

4-AA: Escalon (12-1) vs. Marin Catholic (12-1)

Marin Catholic is coming off maybe its best game of the year in a 42-7 win over Cardinal Newman. Michael Ingrassia had three passing touchdowns and three rushing scores. Escalon is led by a sophomore quarterback in Donovan Rozevink and a slew of juniors at the skill spots. Its only loss came to Kimball. In Escalon’s 12 wins, they are giving up 12 points per game.

5-AA: San Marin (12-1) vs. Sutter (10-1)

Sutter is coming off a thrilling 34-31 win over Paradise in the section finals. The Huskies have won eight in a row since a 21-0 loss to section runner-up Foothill-Palo Cedro. They have scored at least 34 points in seven of those eight games. San Marin is led by running back Justin Guin, who has more than 2,000 yards and 32 touchdowns. Its only loss was a seven point defeat to Marin Catholic.

6-AA: St. Vincent (11-1) at Argonaut (10-3)

Argonaut employs a multiple runner attack averaging nearly 300 yards on the ground per game. It is 10-1 since a 0-2 start. Dante Antonini is one of the more complete players in NorCal. He has more than 600 rushing and receiving yards to go with 103 tackles, six sacks and two interceptions. St. Vincent went 4-0 in one possession games.

7-AA: Le Grand (8-5) at Fall River (11-0)

Le Grand played in the small school state bowl in 2011 and is back in post-section play after beating Woodland Christian 35-12. Ronnie Ramirez had an interception return last week. Fall River has given up 58 total points this season. Ryan Osborne has thrown for almost 1,500 yards and is the team’s leading rusher at 1,330 yards and 26 touchdowns.

 

[FBAddict]

3-AA: Vanden (11-2) at Windsor (11-1)

Head coach Paul Cronin is leading his second school to a NorCal game and Windsor has a potent offense that has two wide receivers with at least 900 yards and a running back that has topped 1,000 yards. Vanden counters with its own exciting offense as junior Tre Dimes threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns in a section final win over Merced. Sean Davis had 95 rushing yards and 56 receiving yards. Rancho Cotate owns wins over both programs.

Has any other coach other than Paul Cronin and Harry Welch (Santa Margarita & St. Margret's) taken two different schools to the SBG games?

 

[Streak One]

Has any other coach other than Paul Cronin and Harry Welch (Santa Margarita & St. Margret's) taken two different schools to the SBG games?

I was trying to come up with a list for this. I think Mark Cooley has with Hamilton and Pleasant Valley.

 

[FBAddict]

I was trying to come up with a list for this. I think Mark Cooley has with East Nicolaus and Pleasant Valley.

Oh yes, I think I remember Mark Cooley took Hamilton to the SBG in 2008.

 

[Streak One]

Oh yes, I think I remember Mark Cooley took Hamilton to the SBG in 2008.

I was up in Chico that year and went out to a Hamilton practice before that game. I knew they were big underdogs but Mark sold me on their plan. Was writing up a story thinking maybe they have a shot.

Didnt work out that way

 

[Streak One]

Has any other coach other than Paul Cronin and Harry Welch (Santa Margarita & St. Margret's) taken two different schools to the SBG games?

He didn’t take two schools to SBG games but Casey Taylor has taken two schools to NorCal games.

 

[bella123]

Oh yes, I think I remember Mark Cooley took Hamilton to the SBG in 2008.

If I recall I think most wanted to forget that game. It was terrible and very one sided.

 

[FBAddict]

I was up in Chico that year and went out to a Hamilton practice before that game. I knew they were big underdogs but Mark sold me on their plan. Was writing up a story thinking maybe they have a shot.

Didnt work out that way

Mark had no concept of how good St. Margaret's (SM) was that year. I had a short exchange with him the following spring. He was astounded how the plays by SM could get such a jump on his team of boys. As I recall, he realized training for quickness was just as important as strength and smart strategy. Mark is a good coach and probably that experience made him a better coach.

 

[NCS707]

Mark had no concept of how good St. Margaret's (SM) was that year. I had a short exchange with him the following spring. He was astounded how the plays by SM could get such a jump on his team of boys. As I recall, he realized training for quickness was just as important as strength and smart strategy. Mark is a good coach and probably that experience made him a better coach.

He did an AMAZING job at Hamilton. A rural public school of about 250 in the middle of the valley, full of mostly low income farm worker kids. Not “powerhouse demographics.” Down In the NCS public schools now that size or demographic profile barely field 1 8 man team if they’re lucky. NS is just slightly better with the tiny schools.