Meanwhile, the Maxpreps records are back now.

10) Rocklin
9) Woodside
8) Central Catholic
7) St. Ignatius
6) DLS 34-21
5) Twelve Bridges
4) Turlock
3) Stevenson
2) Kelseyville
1) Arcata

Interestingly, when I did this just now, the records were wiped clean on MaxPreps. Good thing Calpreps is around...

I wou

dlew66 said:

Any good team would struggle any year in the WCAL. This is actually a slightly down year for them and it’s still, like most seasons, one of the best (if not the best) Nor Cal leagues.

EBAL’s top three may be the best trio in Nor Cal this year.

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l wouldn't call WCAL down. Been following the league since late 1970s. Serra is young and down from last season but still good enough to defeat the best team in the SJS in Folsom. Bells have been down for years and SHC is in a tough spot, but rest are quality teams with top 4 as tough as any league in Norcal (maybe only Tri-river in Central Section is stronger but debatable and in East Bay Mountain DLS skews the league but top 3-4 teams are very good and would rank as better).

SF v SI is probably for league title in the WCAL and two of the better teams in NorCal

Downey vs Turlock or SF vs SI. IMO, Downey vs Turlock is the best answer. The rest are definitely good possibilities in other weeks...if the aforementioned games were on different weeks.

Nice to see. That is big time ball.

colhenrylives said:

It is not impossible to turn the Riordan season around.

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V/C defense is ran by a St Francis grad who learned the defense scheme from some of the great wcal coaches of all time. Go back and check the books from literally the mid 70's to the 2000 the Lancer defense was very tough, without a bunch of D-1 guys. Scheme and smart really works

NorCalSportsFan said:

Folsom lines weren't very good against Serra. WCAL at the top is stronger than SFL this season. Folsom would have tough games against St Francis and SI. WCAL team plays defense and Folsom has trouble against ball control teams that play really good defense. Folsom would have tough time competing in WCAL this season.

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Any good team would struggle any year in the WCAL. This is actually a slightly down year for them and it’s still, like most seasons, one of the best (if not the best) Nor Cal leagues.

EBAL’s top three may be the best trio in Nor Cal this year.

DLS will be challenged by Pittsburg, and I might pick Pittsburg to beat DLS in the NCS Open. I agree the winner of the NCS Open should be the NorCal Open rep.

The NCS D1 champion and Clovis East (if can finish undefeated) should face off in the NorCal D1AA regional.

I envision SJS D1 champion (Folsom) facing CCS Open champion for NorCal D1A. I consider the Folsom loss to Serra a fluke and Folsom representing NorCal for D1A.

I envision SJS D2 champion facing CCS D1 or SJS D3, whichever is ranked higher, for NorCal D2AA. My guess it will be CCS D1 champion selected and not SJS D3, because Grant will be battling with Rocklin, St. Mary’s, and Manteca in SJS D2. Rocklin should be the favorite to represent NorCal D2AA. But, St Mary’s offense may have something to say in a potential SJS D2 section title game. The Rams offense is quite a notch better this year with both Moore and Gayles a year older (still just a junior and sophomore). Just ask DLS. But, early common opponent Bishop Manogue was easily defeated by Rocklin (17-48) vs a well-earned close victory against St Mary’s (21-14). But, note BM also lost to Central Catholic (2-41), yet St Mary’s had their way with Central Catholic (27-14) just the week after losing to BM. So, throw the common opponent analysis out the window (like always). lol

In any case the SJS D2 section championship should be a good one and IMO the winner will be a solid NorCal D2AA rep.

Just my take, which is NOT always right and probably more unpredictable than prior years considering how it’s going for me in the NorCal pick’ems so far (not bad, just not as good compared to last 2 years) lol.

FBAddict said:

There is no doubt that Riordan created a good schedule. And you are right that their losses are typically from top rated teams. So everything you post seems right. It would, however IMO, be disgraceful for them to be moved to CCS DII playoffs.

Even though you are correct about Riordan's record, I am sure the negative tone towards them right now is related to disappointment of their talent potential vs their actual field play. I, for one, thought they would have an exceptional year. And a few proponents suggested this was Riordan's year to shine bright in NorCal. So far, none of these expectations has materialized. And now to consider a CCS DII placement is just such a low expectation.

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You’ve got to keep in mind that this Riordan regime is still in their infancy. If my memory serves me right, Ravipati didn’t even get hired until like May of his first season. He didn’t take over Folsom like Doherty did or even Grant like Carl Reed did. He took over a program that was in perennial bottom dweller in the WCAL. The notion that they were a real threat to re-claim the state came from people being enamored with the offers. Let’s not forget that before Serra’s recent NorCal reign, they consistently fell flat on their faces time and time again. Hell, their only state Championship thus far is at the Division 2AA Level in their own right!

Of course there’s going to be growing pains. A deep playoff run wherever they are placed will do a lot of good here

observer22 said:

Would Riordan even be playoff eligible at 4-6?

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Yes because of Power Points. I actually think a win against Bellarmine gets them in if I’m being honest.

THEOC89 said:

And big deal about their schedule…. It’s not like they played Serra’s schedule….

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Oh, wow LOL! So Serra played Folsom who was gifted a Division 1 State title by St. Bonaventure, Bosco who failed to “running clock” Pitt, something they’ve do to Serra each and every time they play and De La Salle who just played McClymonds last year and failed to mercy rule them. Yeah, Serra’s schedule was better but not by much and given the match up, I’m not sure Serra beats Mack this year! I’m positive they get boat raced by Pitt

Adam007 said:

I wouldn’t say that Bell’s team success was due to one individual. They had players flying around on both sides of the ball. Go back and watch that game, they had huge plays from a handful of contributors.

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The degree or level of their success was most definitely due to one individual.

A couple of 4th down miracles by Martig allowed the Bells to steal one at Del Oro, without which they wouldn’t have even been in the Regional against Folsom in the first place. Then Martig was also the key ingredient that took down Folsom.

No other QB the Bells could have had behind center those particular days could have led the Bells to wins in either of those games, let alone both. Martig was that good.

They were a very good team without Martig, but not league, section, and regional champion good.

4 of their WCAL wins were by 8 points or less, and 2 of those were by mere 2 and 3 point differences.

W/O Martig they definitely lose to Del Oro (really should have anyway) and were very unlikely to win all 4 of those closely contested league games (they did lose to St. Francis that season).

colhenrylives said:

Schedule:

SHC, 1-2, at Valley Christian, 3-0, Friday at 7 p.m.
St. Francis, 3-0, at St. Ignatius, 3-0, Friday at 7 p.m. (double-check time)
Bellarmine, 0-3, at Riordan, 1-2, Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Mitty, 0-3, at Serra, 1-2, Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

Notes:

VC heavy favorite vs. SHC
SF vs. SI is a tossup
Riordan heavy favorite vs. Bellarmine
Serra heavy favorite vs. Mitty

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I am not sure we can say Serra is a heavy favorite, except when they play they Bells. This Serra team is very average. They could easily lose to Riordan, and Valley, 3-4 in league, 4-6 overall is a possibility. Can they make CCS if they have a below 500 record? I am not sure how they beat Folsom

Beenthere2497 said:

LL
I agree with you this is gonna be a tough league to win. Windsor, CN or MC will be tough to beat. Staying away from Open Division might be a place to avoid

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Yeah it comes down to a lot of little things. A PAT in the case of Windsor. Hope Newman can course correct a little offensively because they need to clean that up. As long as Anderson is utilized correctly for Windsor they have a shot. I would put him in wildcat more and let him do his thing.

larry legend33 said:

2 key things I took away.
1. Windsor had a great game plan like you said. Shortening the game, run the clock, dominate time of possession. It worked greatly.
2. Newman's offense is just not very in synch and put way to much emphasis on passing game which like you said led to some long 3rd downs. You got one of the best RB in the section (gentry) so why not utilize him? The lack of offensive schemes by Newman nearly cost them this game.

The better team won but Windsor's game plan was so much better they almost pulled it out. Recall last year Windsor had so much speed they did the opposite and spread out Newman.

Lots of Football left to play and I think 1 and 2 in league this year will be Newman and Windsor with MC knocking on the door.

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LL
I agree with you this is gonna be a tough league to win. Windsor, CN or MC will be tough to beat. Staying away from Open Division might be a place to avoid

You are the Data King. The CCS playoff power point structure has always been a beast, but with all the new augmentation and limitation rules, it is a nightmare. Hats off to you, my friend!

THEOC89 said:

I agree with you on SRV..,,, I think their Big Missing Piece from the last 2 years is Luke Baker who is playing Both FB and Baseball at Sac State this year….. that kid is an incredible athlete and leader..,,,,

After watching Cal vs SRV I think DLS will neutralize Marco Jones and dictate the game to SRV and win like 31-17…..

PITT is the big problem I see for DLS with their offense…. If that game happens I see it like when DLS played Cen10 in the Open and won 60 something to 40 something….. not sure that PITT will be able to stop this version of the DLS veer….

Folsom will Destroy whoever they pay in any Regional play in game…. I still can’t figure out how Serra beat them…, 🤣

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Folsom lines weren't very good against Serra. WCAL at the top is stronger than SFL this season. Folsom would have tough games against St Francis and SI. WCAL team plays defense and Folsom has trouble against ball control teams that play really good defense. Folsom would have tough time competing in WCAL this season.