Increasingly, it seems, teams from the area head to distant lands to compete in top level tourneys. Last year, for example, Carondelet played in Hawaii.

Two questions:

1. Who pays for the trip? I know these are mostly (entirely?) private schools, but aren't these pricey boondoggles?
2. Are there rules about how many games a team can play or are such things outside the CIF's purview?

Monterey Trail is the talk of Northern California following its 35-34 win over Grant for its sixth straight win. The Mustangs boast a pair of senior WR/DB that should be drawing college attention.

Arik Phillips (5-foot-10, 165 pounds) is the team’s leading receiver with more than 400 yards and five touchdowns. He has good speed and locates the ball well in the air. Defensively, he grabbed an interception against the Pacers by reading routes well and coming off his man to make the play on the hash.

Damian McAlister (6-foot-5, 185 pounds) stands out in the secondary with his size and has two interceptions on the year. He runs well and plays with some physicality. McAlister also plays basketball and averaged seven points per game last season.

☔️🏀☔️

Anyone know where to stream this game today? YouTube? Hudl?

It's a week before high school basketball get's rolling and no chatter going on, what's up out there...

Rankings, Open teams, Teams & players to watch, etc.

This new foul rule will will certainly have an impact. Once you reach five team fouls per quarter, opposing team is rewarded with two foul shots. Each quarter starts fresh. There will be no more one on one.

Start the chatter...

Berwick College, a high school in Australia will be in the Bay Area from Dec 8th to Dec 12th. They are looking for both boys' JV and varsity games; if you have an opening please email me at oaklandhighbasketball@gmail.com

Grant running back Wayshawn Parker (5-foot-10, 185 pounds) is a star. He can hit a big run whenever he touches the ball, but also run through tackles too. In Friday’s loss to Monterey Trail, Parker had two electric runs. First, he changed direction and bounced a run out wide, beat multiple defenders to the edge and ran away down the sideline. Second, Parker showcased his quick movements by making one cut and accelerating to register a long touchdown without getting touched.

After more than 200 yards against Monterey Trail, he has rushed for 1,202 yards and 15 touchdowns through seven games of action. Parker is averaging 13 yards per carry.

Parker is a two-way standout for the Pacers, but will play running back at Washington State next year.

Week 11 Game of the Week Poll

Maria Carrillo High School in Santa Rosa is looking for teams to fill our Annual Maria Carrillo Lady Pumas Varsity Invitational Tournament. Dates are December 7-9. If you are unable to commit to all three days, we are also looking for teams that can play a single game on 12/7, 12/8 or 12/9. If you are interested, please contact Coach Jeff Paul, mcladypumasbasketball@gmail.com or 707-483-4005.

Teams Committed: Analy, Eureka, Sonoma, Maria Carrillo, San Domenico

Former SMB & UC Berkeley Star Mikayla Cowling was injured in an attack while playing overseas.

Dan Serafini was a hell of pitcher for Serra and then had a MLB career. This has been all over the news.

Here are the games for this week. Picks are due by 7:00 PM on Friday

West Park at Placer
Grant at Monterey Trail
Los Banos vs. Lathrop
Manteca at Central Catholic
San Ramon Valley at California
Amador Valley at Granada
Clear Lake at Willits
Hamilton at Biggs
Riordan at Serra
Scotts Valley at Seaside

Game of the Week Poll - https://norcalpreps.forums.rivals.com/threads/week-10-game-of-the-week-poll.29198/

PCAL Week 9

Last weeks post was titled Week 9, when in actuality it was only 8, so this week part 2



Last week 10-2 Overall 88-30



Gabilan

“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated” Mark Twain, 1897 & Palma Football, 2023. So after forfeiting preseason wins and a loss to Monterey, most people, myself included ,thought Palma’s 38 straight playoff appearance might be over. After a victory over Hollister and Aptos last week, they should finish top 4, securing an automatic berth. And they still have a shot to win the title. Another big hurdle this weekend with Soquel. Meanwhile, now Aptos will be fighting for its post-season chance as it visits Monterey. I still think Salinas is the best team, but this league, top to bottom, is more competitive than it has ever been. And is providing some great matchups every week.



Fri 10/20 Salinas (CA) at Alvarez (Salinas, CA), 7:30pm -With the way the year has gone in the Gabilan, an Alvarez victory here would not be a complete shock. I don’t think it will happen, butt.. Salinas 24-21



Fri 10/20 Palma (Salinas, CA) vs Soquel (CA) at Salinas Sports Complex (Salinas, CA), 7:30pm- Palma has ben playing great lately, but I still think that Soquel has been much more consistent on both sides of the ball. Soquel 21-20



Sat 10/21 Aptos (CA) at Monterey (CA), 2:00pm – Aptos has beaten North Salinas and Alvarez. They have had some close games, but they are in real danger of not making the playoffs. Monterey gave Salinas all it could handle last week. But they have had some inconsistencies due to lack of depth. Aptos 35-32



Mission North

You know it’s a big game if @StreakOne chooses you for the weekly Pickem! Scott’s Valley makes the trip down to Seaside, with 1st place on the line. SV defense gives up less than 9 pts a game (less than 3 in league), but they have not faced on offense like Seaside. QB1 for Seaside maybe the best playmaker in the whole PCAL (and one of the tops in CCS), he is hard to contain. Should be a great game. Santa Cruz finished last weeks game with just 13 kids, hoping they play this week.



Fri 10/20 Santa Cruz (CA) at Monte Vista Christian (Watsonville, CA), 7:30pm – Same thing as last week. MVC will win easily, can Santa Cruz score? MVC 35-6



Sat 10/21 Scotts Valley (CA) at Seaside (CA), 6:30pm- A great defense vs a great offense. What more could you ask for? I think Scott’s Valley slows Seaside QB1 down enough to pullout the victory. Scott’s Valley 20-18



Sat 10/21 Watsonville (CA) at St. Francis (Watsonville, CA), 12:30pm- So a St Francis Win should set up a showdown latter with Monte Vista Christian for bragging rights of “The best team in Watsonville”. Maybe a strawberry or apple trophy? St Francis 21-7



Mission South

On paper 6-1 Pacific Grove Vs 6-1 Alisal looks like a great game. But North Salinas finally exposed PG last week 50-6. I expect a similar score this week. Carmel, coming off it’s bye should finish the year undefeated, grab a top seed in DIII or low seed in DII and lose in the first round because they can’t stop anybody on defense. Alisal and North Salinas have 1 more week before their showdown for 2nd place and an automatic playoff berth.



Fri 10/20 Alisal (Salinas, CA) at Pacific Grove (CA), 7:30pm – PG started 6-0, They could possibly finish 6-4. Alisal will be too tough upfront for PG. Alisal 35-7



Fri 10/20 North Salinas (Salinas, CA) at Rancho San Juan (Salinas, CA), 7:30pm – This game could become a good rivalry game in the next 5 years or so. But this year North Salinas is just better. North Salinas 28-10



Sat 10/21 King City (CA) at Carmel (CA), 2:00pm- Speaking of long time rivals. These old MTAL foes face off in a league battle. Carmel has played King City (and Gonzales) almost as many times as it has Pacific Grove. Even when not in the same league, these 2 programs still try and schedule a game. Good to keep traditions going. I am rambling because the game is probably going to be a blowout. Carmel 48-20



Santa Lucia

Not upset with @StreakOne for excluding RLS v Greenfield, (sigh) just disappointed. The top 3 teams (Gonzales the 3rd) start their round robin this week. The winner of this game will be in the driver’s seat for the championship and the automatic playoff berth. Greenfield is probably the better team; they have been more impressive in their victories. But RLS is scrappy and their QB is starting to learn the system and make plays. The other team in the division will just be looking for any improvements to build towards next season.





Fri 10/20 Pajaro Valley (Watsonville, CA) at Harbor (Santa Cruz, CA), 7:00pm – Pajaro has only 1 win , but they have some close losses as well. They are playing better football of late. Harbor started very strong, lost 3 straight and then got 1 point victory over Marina. I think Pajaro gets the close win. PV 20-17



Fri 10/20 San Lorenzo Valley (Felton, CA) vs Marina (CA) at Monterey Peninsula College (Monterey, CA), 7:30pm – SLV has a hard time scoring points, Marina has a hard time stopping people from scoring. Something has to give: A shootout or a defensive struggle? SLV SLV 21-20



Fri 10/20 Stevenson (Pebble Beach, CA) at Greenfield (CA), 7:30pm – Greenfields success this year is partly due to its ability to pass off the play action. One of RLS’s biggest weakness has been defense. Giving up 28 and 29 Points to Marina an Pajaro does not bode well for the Pirates. Greenfield should be able to score easily. But they won’t!!!! RLS 24-23

Cowboy RB Kamarri Robinson rushed for 534 yards (and 5 scores) in a win over Dublin. That's top 5 ALL-Time in CA. Reminiscent of LHS back Drew who earned his Golden Bear scholarship in the East Bay's win over Sacto in the 2011 All-Star game.

Nice to see a small (unheralded) school standout in the books.

Should be a good weekend of high school football

Knew him a little but came off as a really good man and that has been backed up by some of the comments by those who knew him best in the HS football community

Game of the Week Poll

PCAL WEEK 8



Last week 11-1 Overall 78-28



Gabilan-

Monterey beats Palma, Palma beats Hollister, Hollister beats Monterey. Yep, that all makes perfect sense. Salinas has established itself as the top school, again, in the Gabilan. They may of gotten a scheduling break by getting Soquel before the transfers came on, but they can’t control their league schedule. As far as second best? Maybe Soquel, not quite sure. Monterey has looked very bad the past couple weeks; Aptos is strong but not as dominant as in years past and Palma may be without its best playmaker. The rest of the season should be very entertaining.



Fri 10/13 Monterey (CA) at Salinas (CA), 7:00pm -Salinas is too deep for Monterey. They have found a RB1 who can run behind that big O-line. Monterey’s speed is still there, but they just do not have the depth to compete with Salinas. Salinas 34-14



Fri 10/13 Hollister (CA) at Soquel (CA), 7:30pm- Hollister had it best win of the season last week, but this Soquel team is much better with their transfers now eligible. Soquel 24-7



Sat 10/14 Palma (Salinas, CA) at Aptos (CA), 7:00pm- I have seen this game listed for Thursday night as well, either way Palma needs to win to help maintain the 38 year playoff streak. Aptos has been great running the ball until the red zone then nothing. They need to finish. Aptos 24-23



Mission North-

Santa Cruz still has not scored, but at lest they were able to play for all 4 qtrs last week. The division is still a 2 team race between Scott’s Valley and Seaside. They will settle that next week. North County gave Seaside all it could handle last week, but Seaside’s QB1 turned out to be too much.



Fri 10/13 North Monterey County (Castroville, CA) at Santa Cruz (CA), 7:30pm -Just rooting for santa Cruz to score. North County 42-7



Fri 10/13 Monte Vista Christian (Watsonville, CA) at Scotts Valley (CA), 7:30pm – if Scott’s valley were to get upset, this might be it. MVC has a qb that likes to throw a lot, sometimes that can cause havoc to a high school secondary. SV can not be caught looking ahead to next weeks game. Scott’s Valley 21-18



Fri 10/13 Seaside (CA) at Watsonville (CA), 7:30pm- Seaside should be able to take care of business vs Watsonville, setting up for a great matchup vs Scott’s Valley. Seaside 35-14



Mission South

Carmel takes it bye sitting in first place and undefeated. I don’t see them losing till the playoffs, Pacific Grove is also undefeated, but they have North Salinas, Alisal, King City and Carmel. they will be favored in only one of those games. The third place team, if it’s either North Salinas or Alisal, has a strong shot at an large bid this year as well.

Fri 10/13 King City (CA) at Alisal (Salinas, CA), 7:30pm -King City has been playing better, but Alisal ground an pound will eventually were down the Mustangs. Alisal 21-7



Fri 10/13 North Salinas (Salinas, CA) vs Pacific Grove (CA) at Salinas Sports Complex (Salinas, CA), 7:30pm- Ok PG time to pay up. Congratulations on getting to 6-0. But now you have to play B division teams with winning records. North Salinas 28-14



Fri 10/13 Rancho San Juan (Salinas, CA) at Soledad (CA), 7:30pm This might be Soledad’s best chance to earn a victory on the field. Rancho looks snap a 3 game skid. Rancho 20-18



Santa Lucia

This division is like the old Gabilan: RLS, Greenfield and Gonzales are clearly the top 3 teams while SLV, Harbor, Pajaro and Marina are a tier below. (And yes I just compared RLS, Greenfield and Gonzales to Salinas, Palma and Aptos. ) This is the last week of “lopsided” games then the top 3 start playing each other. There will only be 1 playoff berth, so it is important to win the title.



Sat 10/14 Stevenson (Pebble Beach, CA) at Pajaro Valley (Watsonville, CA), 12:30pm: Pajaro has a nice win over SLV, but RLS is much better than SLV. RLS 35-10



Sat 10/14 Gonzales (CA) at San Lorenzo Valley (Felton, CA), 12:30pm It is long trip to the Santa Cruz mountains for a Saturday afternoon game for Gonzales. I expect a slow start with a strong finish. Gonzales 28-17



Sat 10/14 Greenfield (CA) vs Marina (CA) at Seaside (CA), 7:30pm- Greenfield is just much better than marina this year. Greenfield 35-7

Shout out to Sha'rae who was hired full time as a NBA official this year.

I finally gave in and tried to watch a wnba game. well i watched the 2nd half.... and a lot of talk is about sabrina.... BUT CHELSEA GRAY SAID YALL BETTER PUT SOME RESPECT ON HER NAME!!!

Anyone know why the varsity game was canceled?

Archbishop Riordan (aka SFBC) goes 4-0 to take the Pacific Division bracket at the Border League held this weekend in Las Vegas.

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