1. Serra (2-0)

Last Week: Beat #2 De La Salle 28-0
This Week: September 8 at #8 Central Catholic

Much like last season, Serra has notched opening wins over Folsom and De La Salle to cement its current status as the No. 1 team in Northern California. The defense has been excellent and the offense put together two scoring drives of at least 80 yards against the Spartans.

2. St. Mary’s-Stockton (3-0)

Last Week: Beat Manteca 44-7
This Week: Idle

The Rams are averaging more than 40 points per game against Top 20 type teams. Last week, the defense held Manteca to 94 rushing yards on 40 carries. Samson Hunkin has thrown for 438 yards and five touchdowns the past two weeks.

3. Folsom (2-1)

Last Week: Beat Edison-Stockton 48-15
This Week: September 8 at Turlock

Folsom was tied with Edison at seven following the first quarter before scoring 21 second quarter points. Coming up this week, Folsom will play its fourth straight road game to start the season.

4. De La Salle (0-2)

Last Week: Lost to #1 Serra 28-0
This Week: September 8 at #7 St. Francis-Mountain View

There was a thought to keep De La Salle at No. 2 with Folsom and St. Mary’s still on their schedule and the Spartans’ losses coming to Top 10 teams in the state. However, the Spartans take a two spot drop with the Rams overall resume strength and Folsom looking better in their matchup against Serra. In both of its losses, De La Salle played about even through a half, but lost contact in the third and fourth quarters.

5. Oak Ridge (3-0)

Last Week: Madison-San Diego 22-20
This Week: September 9 vs. #11 Clayton Valley Charter

Despite playing without two key defensive starters, Oak Ridge notched four sacks (two from Kaleb Edwards). Madison came in averaging 34 points per game. This week, the Trojans host the NorCal Honor Bowl.

6. Pittsburg (2-0)

Last Week: Beat Granite Bay 41-21
This Week: September 8 vs. Monterey Trail

Marley Alcantara has completed 69 percent of his passes for 504 yards and seven touchdowns. Three of those scores have gone to Makari Kenion. Defensively, the Pirates are giving up less than three yards per carry against Sacred Heart Cathedral and Granite Bay.

7. St. Francis-Mountain View (1-1)

Last Week: Beat Monterey Trail 28-21
This Week: September 8 vs. #4 De La Salle

St. Francis led 28-7 after three quarters en route to the seven point win over Monterey Trail after the Mustangs won in Mountain View last year. The Lancers have given up about half of their points in the fourth quarter this season.

8. Central Catholic (2-1)

Last Week: Beat Bishop Manogue 16-7
This Week: September 8 vs. #1 Serra

Central Catholic is averaging 278 yards per game at a clip of seven yards per carry. Three players total between 61-101 yards per game, led by junior Joey Alcutt. Can this running prowess continue against Serra?

9. San Ramon Valley (2-0)

Last Week: Beat Acalanes 44-21
This Week: September 8 at Elk Grove

The Wolves have scored at least 40 points in each of their first two games and Luke Baker has thrown four touchdowns to four different players. John Pau Mendoza has four rushing touchdowns after scoring 10 times as a junior.

10. Grant (2-1)

Last Week: Beat Reno 40-0
This Week: September 8 vs. El Cerrito

Wayshawn Parker had two rushing touchdowns and Kingston Lopa had two receiving touchdowns in a shutout win over Reno. In off the field news, Devin Green’s transfer was denied, according to John Hull of the Elk Grove Citizen.

11. Clayton Valley Charter (1-1)

Last Week: Lost to Higley-Arizona 37-27
This Week: September 9 at #5 Oak Ridge

Mason Lovett threw two touchdowns to Logan Knapp and ran for another score, but the Eagles gave up 15 straight points to end the first half and were never in the lead again against one of the top programs from Arizona.

12. Manteca (2-1)

Last Week: Lost to #2 St. Mary’s-Stockton 44-7
This Week: September 9 vs. #13 Rocklin

Playing without standout running back Bryson Davis for a second straight week, Manteca took its first loss of the season at St. Mary’s. Their points scored have gone down in each contest, but they have also split against ranked teams.

13. Rocklin (3-0)

Last Week: Beat Buchanan 42-20
This Week: September 9 vs. #12 Manteca

The Thunder have given up 23 total points in three games, including two games against teams with positive CalPreps rankings. Rocklin has youth in their backfield with sophomore quarterback Reeve Slone and junior running backs Derek Keeley and Rafi Merino.

14. Palma (2-0)

Last Week: Beat King City 42-0
This Week: September 8 vs. Yuma Catholic

Palma led 35-0 at the half against King City heading into its toughest non-league matchup of the season. Thomas Nunes threw for three touchdowns to three different receivers and ran in a touchdown for the game’s opening score,

15. Granite Bay (1-2)

Last Week: Lost to #6 Pittsburg 41-21
This Week: September 8 vs. Antelope

For the second straight week, Granite Bay was held to less than 3.5 yards per carry in losing in back-to-back weeks. Against Pittsburg, it was 21-14 through three quarters before the Pirates scored 20 points over the final 12 minutes.

16. Del Oro (3-0)

Last Week: Beat Placer 35-20
This Week: September 8 vs. Lincoln-Stockton

Rekindling a matchup with neighbor Placer, Del Oro stayed undefeated as Caden Pinnick threw for 209 yards and three touchdowns at more than 17 yards per completion. He also ran for 60 yards and a score.

17. Escalon (3-0)

Last Week: Beat Windsor 42-39
This Week: September 8 at California

The road warrior Escalon Cougars move into the rankings off a thrilling victory at previously ranked Windsor. Escalon ran for more than 300 yards led by Josh Graham. The Cougars also have a win at Buchanan.

18. Los Gatos (2-0)

Last Week: Beat Liberty 35-34
This Week: September 8 at Live Oak-Morgan Hill

Down by 20 points in the second half, Los Gatos scored the final 21 points to move past Liberty. Boxer Kopcsak-Young had four total touchdowns. The Wildcats next three opponents (Live Oak, Palo Alto and Pittsburg) are all currently 2-0.

19. Riordan (2-0)

Last Week: Beat Moreau Catholic 60-29
This Week: September 9 vs. St. Bonaventure

Another week, another blowout win for Riordan heading into this week’s anticipated matchup with St. Bonaventure. The Crusaders are looking for their first winning season since 2015.

20. Marin Catholic (2-0)

Last Week: Beat Spanish Springs-Nevada 29-7
This Week: September 8 at San Joaquin Memorial

Charles Williams had two touchdown runs and an interception return for a score in the win over Spanish Springs. In terms of comparison, Oak Ridge beat this same Spanish Springs squad 54-14 in week one.

Padres defense dominant in shut-out over Spartans. Spartans had plenty of chances with good field position in first 1/2, but unable to find the end zone. The Spartans missed 2 FG's
and were stopped at 4th and goal from the 3 in the 2nd 1/2. Both QB's had 2 Int's and Serra had a punt blocked and another punt go 15 -yards. Serra had a pick-6 towards end of game when DLS was in desparation mode. Serra's D looked good through-out and looks tocarry the team going forward. Serra's TE Cole Harrison was Serra's best offensive weapon and the Spartan's did not have an answer in covering the 6'6 Harrison.

Here are the games for this week. Picks are due by 7:00 PM on Friday. Game of the Week is Serra-DLS

De La Salle at Serra
Escalon at Windsor
Pittsburg at Granite Bay
Los Gatos at Liberty
Manteca at St. Mary's
Vacaville at Cardinal Newman
Bellarmine vs. McClymonds at SJCC
St. Francis at Monterey Trail
Patterson at Sequoia
Yuba City at Pleasant Valley

Junipero Serra High School (San Mateo)​

Serra High School is excited to announce that Mat Keplinger has been named Serra’s new varsity baseball coach. Keplinger brings more than a decade of baseball coaching experience and a lifetime of experience as a baseball player.

Along with his role as the head varsity baseball coach, Keplinger will join Serra’s administration as the associate dean of students alongside Dean of Students Ray Baldonado.

This blended role provides an opportunity for Keplinger to make connections with the Padres on and off of the baseball diamond.
“Having this administrative seat will make me a better coach. Understanding the policies and procedures at the highest level is a great opportunity to strengthen my relationships with students and build a tighter community,” Keplinger said.

Principal Charlie McGrath said that he is particularly happy to see how well Keplinger’s coaching expertise will help him in his new role.

“This key role supports our student body as they learn what it means to embrace and live out the ideals of the brotherhood - respect, integrity, inclusion and compassion. What it means to be a Padre. Mat’s coaching experience will add tremendous value to this role.”

A Stockton native, Keplinger played youth baseball his entire life. He attended University of Nevada, Reno, where he played Division 1 baseball as a pitcher.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, he moved to Germany to play professional baseball. Keplinger said baseball was the vehicle that propelled him to Germany, but it was the work he did with youth baseball there that crystalized his desire to dedicate his life’s work to baseball and education.

“When I returned from Germany, the next few years were truly transformational.

I realized exactly what I wanted to do. I started at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton and spent seven years coaching and as a professor of health and kinesiology and I truly fell in love with all the aspects of what goes into teaching and coaching,” he said.

During his time at Delta, he earned a master’s of arts in kinesiology from Fresno Pacific University.

After seven years at Delta as a professor, assistant baseball coach, recruiting coordinator and strength and conditioning coordinator, Keplinger went to the University of San Francisco, where he worked as the interim head baseball coach, pitching coach and recruitment coordinator. In 2022, he went to San Jose State University, where he worked as an assistant baseball coach.

Keplinger said he is thrilled to head Serra’s baseball team.

“This program is so rich in history with so many great alumni, I am looking forward to connecting with everyone who wants to be a part of what we’re building.

This is a passionate baseball community and I am very excited to meet the players and connect with them,” he said. “ We will be a fundamentally sound team with a high baseball IQ. We want to be physical, fast, and aggressive, while being committed to playing one pitch at a time.”

Acknowledging that baseball is a game of failure, Keplinger said that while winning baseball games is challenging, it is something that a team can accomplish when it works together. Community means everything, he said.

“When you define roles and everybody embraces them and understands what it is - that’s the competitive piece to all of this. Knowing the end goal is part of building culture,” he said.

While his coaching philosophy boasts responsibility and community, Keplinger has developed a PADRE pillar guideline for this role at Serra.

“I have developed program pillars that our team will live by using the PADRE acronym. P - Process - master what we can control; A - Achieve - this is achievement in the classroom, community and on the field; D - Development - instill mental skills necessary for the game and for life, which include skill development, strength and conditioning; R - Respect - Respect the history of the program and the brotherhood and be present in the moment while being grateful for it; E - Execute - we will go pitch by pitch but we will execute in baseball, school and in life.”

He said these pillars will translate to wins on the field, but as important, wins off the field as well. My ultimate vision is to help our student-athletes have a successful transition to college and into the community.

He added, “If we can accomplish this - the wins on the field are going to be great!”

Serra Athletics Director Justin Ferdinand said he is very excited for Keplinger to come on board.

“We are thrilled to have Mat join us as the new baseball coach. His high-level coaching experience, coupled with his baseball acumen and his overall vision for the program, will propel the team forward and continue to produce great baseball players and even better people.”

Keplinger lives in San Mateo with his wife, Yemisi, and two young daughters, Abisola, 2, and Kemi, who is 5 days old.

Keplinger will begin his new role on September 18.

Javion Thomas went 27 yards on his 1st carry for Cal

No Trinity League vs. Texas game this year to the best of my knowledge but I do know that Balboa-San Francisco will be traveling to Florida to take on Wakulla.

Any other CA vs. The Nation games we should all be made aware about? Good luck to the Buccaneers this weekend!

I'm watching the DLS at Serra frosh game because that's how exciting my life is. There's a scoreboard on the left side of the screen but I can't make out the numbers. And the PA announcer never gives the score.

1. In McClymonds’ 40-0 opening win over Bellarmine, the Warriors saw its defensive line lead a dominating effort with seven sacks. Senior Ta’Jir Golden ran for more than 150 yards behind a physical offensive line. McClymonds were able to hit some big plays in the third quarter to blow open a 14-0 halftime lead.

2. Two weeks and two road wins for Pittsburg after the Pirates beat Granite Bay 41-21. Elijah Bow ran for 112 yards and a touchdown and Marley Alcantara threw for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns. The Pirates have their home opener on September 8 against Monterey Trail.

3. For the second straight week, Valley Christian-San Jose knocked off one of the better public schools in the CCS with a 16-8 win over Salinas. The Warriors now have four interceptions in two games. Last year, Valley Christian went 1-9 and lost to Wilcox and Salinas (the first two opponents this year) by an average of 24.5 points.

4. In looking at the tiers of Northern California football, it was thought that Serra, De La Salle and Folsom are in tier one with St. Mary’s in tier two. Oak Ridge (and Pittsburg noted above) has made their case to be part of that group too. Playing at the Honor Bowl in Southern California, Oak Ridge beat Madison-San Diego 22-20. The Trojans led 16-7 at the half and got two touchdown passes from Joaquin Graves-Mercado.

5. There wasn’t a bigger surprise in Week 3 than Cardinal Newman beating Vacaville 27-7. The Cardinals defense was the story in holding the Bulldogs to 100 total yards. Through two games, Cardinal Newman is giving up 10 points per game.

6. Monte Vista is off to a 2-0 start after going 2-8 last season. The Mustangs, which beat San Leandro 50-8 on Friday, got four first half touchdowns from standout junior back Julian McMahan. They complete the non-league against Bellarmine, Amador Valley and Campolindo.

7. A week after winning on a last second field goal at Buchanan, Escalon traveled to Top 20 ranked Windsor to beat the Jaguars 42-39. Escalon was strong on the ground, led by more than 150 yards from senior Joshua Graham. All three of the Cougars’ wins have been by one possession.

8. Rocklin led 28-6 at the half en route to a 42-20 win over Buchanan that is sure to move the Thunder up the rankings next week. They have outscored their first three opponents 115-23 and take on Manteca this coming Friday.

9. Los Gatos staged a second half comeback to beat Liberty 35-34 and improve to 2-0. Boxer Kopcsak-Yeung had four total touchdowns for the Wildcats, which are 25-2 in their past 27 regular season games.

10. Lucas Benson completed both of his passes for 48 yards and a touchdown in addition to 83 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a 35-0 win over Yuba City. It only gets tougher from here with games against Oak Ridge (September 15) and Central Catholic (September 22) on deck.

Really interested to see what the kid is up to. I know OTE has helped guys, but Lewis seems to be the one that was a former five star and now has nothing going for him, college/basketball wise.

If anyone has an update would be awesome to hear how the kid is doing!

Irvington hs needs a triple header. If you have availability contact Relittleton@yahoo.com.

Thanks!

Oakland High is looking for one more team to complete the field for our annual JV tournament 11/29/23 - 12/2/23. 3 games (first round games are split between Wed 11/29 and Thu 11/30 so teams won't have to miss class on a weekday). Please contact ohighbasketball@gmail.com if interested.

Lots of activity in the WCAL this Spring. New coaches at St. Ignatius and Bellarmine should continue and improve their already successful programs. Perennial favorites St. Francis and Serra have a great core returning and continue reloading with strong freshman classes. Mitty loses a lot, but program is on the upswing with their HC of the year. VC returns a good amount of players and SHC looks to continue their upswing.
Riordan looks to improve with Coach Adhir in his 2nd season with the Crusaders. They return a good core and a promising freshman class.

1. Serra (1-0)

Last Week: Beat #3 Folsom 21-14
This Week: September 2 vs. #2 De La Salle

The Padres showed no early season hesitation with a trick play on its first offensive play of the season and got out to a 21-0 lead en route to the seven point win. Serra boasts the best group of linebackers/defensive backs in Northern California.

2. De La Salle (0-1)

Last Week: Lost to Orange Lutheran 35-14
This Week: September 2 vs. #1 Serra

De La Salle was tied at 14 at the half, but gave up 21 second half points in losing a matchup of Top 10 state teams according to CalHiSports. The Spartans gave up more than 200 rushing yards at six yards per carry in the loss.

3. Folsom (1-1)

Last Week: Lost to #1 Serra 21-14
This Week: September 1 at Edison-Stockton

Folsom’s defense remained solid as it held the Padres in check after a couple of big plays in the first quarter of their loss. Through two games, the Bulldogs have run the ball 45 times for 130 yards with quarterback Ryder Lyons being the top rusher.

4. St. Mary’s-Stockton (2-0)

Last Week: Beat #8 Central Catholic 42-33
This Week: September 1 vs. #12 Manteca

Senior Samson Hunkin went 11-for-19 for 221 yards and two touchdowns as well as 52 rushing yards and a score in the Top 10 win over the Raiders. The Rams trailed 33-28 after three quarters before scoring the final 15 points.

5. Oak Ridge (2-0)

Last Week: Beat #10 Grant 21-18
This Week: September 1 vs. Madison-San Diego at Cathedral HS

The Trojans trailed 12-0 at the half, but scored 21 third quarter points to win the key Sacramento area contest. They had 12 tackles for loss with senior Bo Gordon having 14 total tackles (two for loss).

6. Pittsburg (1-0)

Last Week: Beat Sacred Heart Cathedral 49-13
This Week: September 1 at #13 Granite Bay

New starting quarterback Marley Alcantara went 18-for-23 from 210 yards and four touchdowns with two scores to junior Makari Kenion. Junior Jaydn Hudson had a touchdown catch and an interception return for a score.

7. St. Francis-Mountain View (0-1)

Last Week: Lost to Helix-San Diego 45-21
This Week: September 1 at Monterey Trail

St. Francis got the first score on a Kingston Keanaaina rushing touchdown, but Helix scored the next 25 points to win in Mountain View. Keanaaina finished with 126 rushing yards.

8. Central Catholic (1-1)

Last Week: Lost to #4 St. Mary’s 42-33
This Week: September 1 at Bishop Manogue

Joey Alcutt has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the first two games and Tyler Wentworth (Clemson baseball commit) has three touchdown passes and three touchdown runs. Trace Hernandez was the top receiver against the Rams with eight catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

9. San Ramon Valley (1-0)

Last Week: Beat St. Ignatius 42-14
This Week: September 1 at Acalanes

One week in, it looks like San Ramon Valley will be hard to slow down on offense with quarterback Luke Baker (Santa Clara baseball commit) at the helm. He went 17-for-23 for 321 yards and two touchdowns with completions to seven different players.

10. Grant (1-1)

Last Week: Lost to #5 Oak Ridge 21-18
This Week: September 1 vs. Reno

The Pacers saw standouts Kingston Lopa (Oregon) and Wayshawn Parker miss game time due to injury, but not before Lopa had three catches for 60 yards and Parker ran for 179 yards and score.

11. Clayton Valley Charter (1-0)

Last Week: Beat Salinas 17-0)
This Week: September 1 vs. Higley-Arizona

Mason Lovett had a touchdown pass and a touchdown run in support of a defensive shutout for the Ugly Eagles in the opener. They gave up less than 200 total yards to Salinas.

12. Manteca (2-0)

Last Week: Beat #13 Granite Bay 15-0
This Week: September 1 at #4 St. Mary’s-Stockton

A week after Bryson Davis ran for more than 300 yards against Vista del Lago, the Buffaloes beat Granite Bay without him as the defense held the Grizzlies to 140 total yards. It was scoreless at the half before Manteca scored a touchdown in the third and fourth round.

13. Granite Bay (1-1)

Last Week: Lost to #12 Manteca 15-0
This Week: September 1 vs. #6 Pittsburg

Expected starting quarterback Nick Harris is out with an ankle injury, but after scoring 27 points against Elk Grove in Week 1, the Grizzlies were shutout by Manteca. They ran just 41 plays compared to 54 for the Buffaloes.

14. Palma (1-0)

Last Week: Beat Soledad 41-12
This Week: August 31 at King City

Notre Dame bound Logan Saldate caught six of the seven completions for 171 of the 186 passing yards and both touchdowns. Drew Molinari had three rushing touchdowns. For the second straight week, Palma will play on Thursday this week.

15. Windsor (0-0)

Last Week: Idle
This Week: September 1 vs. Escalon

While Windsor hasn’t started its season yet, Escalon added to its early resume with a win at Buchanan this past week. The Jaguars have gone 21-5 the past two seasons.

16. Del Oro (2-0)

Last Week: Beat Reed-Nevada 55-9
This Week: September 1 at Placer

Caden Pinnick threw for 211 yards and three touchdowns and ran for a team high 82 yards and two scores. His three touchdown passes went to three different receivers.

17. Los Gatos (1-0)

Last Week: Beat Soquel 45-14
This Week: September 1 at Liberty

In the season opener, AJ Minyard threw for 244 yards and five touchdowns with three scores to Scott Garwood and a pair of touchdowns to Jaylen Thomas. Los Gatos led 24-14 at the half en route to a 21-0 second half.

18. Vacaville (2-0)

Last Week: Beat Sheldon 41-6
This Week: September 1 at Cardinal Newman

Cristian Diosdado ran for 161 yards and two touchdowns and Vacaville started the year with seven straight shutout quarters before giving up a touchdown in the fourth quarter against Sheldon. The Bulldogs head out on the road for the first time on Friday.

19. Riordan (1-0)

Last Week: Beat Sacred Heart Prep 36-17
This Week: September 1 at Moreau Catholic

Michael Mitchell Jr. threw for more than 300 yards with scores to Tyrone Jackson (two) and Chris Lawson. The Crusaders led 33-3 at the half. They will host St. Bonaventure on September 9.

20. Marin Catholic (1-0)

Last Week: Beat Freedom 52-0
This Week: September 2 vs. Spanish Springs

In the debut for sophomore Caedon Afsharipour, he threw for 285 pounds and two touchdowns. Standout running back Charles Williams had three rushing touchdowns. Marin Catholic led 46-0 at the half.

Interesting article from CalHiSports:


This is HUGE NEWS, in my opinion, and impacts CCS and SJS the most. To read that St. Mary’s (Stockton), which plays in a D1 league, will be placed in D2 for section playoffs (no longer D1, until it wins 3 straight section championships at D2 per SJS Bylaws) based “purely on its enrollment” where technically they may fall into D3 or D4 based on enrollment, but can’t go lower due its league being D1 and the bylaws state it can’t drop into a division more then 1 division lower than the division it’s league belongs to.

Can anyone please confirm? Recall last year that a few teams, like Central Catholic, had pre-season agreements in place that assigned them to preset divisions for playoffs. For example, Central Catholic played in D1 and lost to Folsom. Any pre-season agreements this year? Based on the enrollment document and the footnotes, we might have more insight to which divisions the SJS teams in question will participate for playoffs. Central Catholic and Monterey Trail will be D1; and Del Oro, Manteca, Elk Grove, St. Mary’s, and a few others cannot be in a division lower than D2, even if their enrollment has them drop to a lower division.

I’m still hopeful for St. Mary’s to have some kind of exception/agreement in place to participate in D1 (not D2 as the article shares). Would be nice to redeem itself in D1 for the upset vs Turlock, much of this years Rams team experienced as juniors. Would be nice to compete against the likes of Oak Ridge and Folsom. But, right now, St. Mary’s must focus on Manteca this upcoming Friday, which they may see again in the playoffs. I also feel St Mary’s being subjected to D2 for playoffs pretty much eliminates any thought of St. Mary’s getting picked for the Open, even if they would finish undefeated and Serra would take a loss (ie. vs DLS or in the playoffs).

Too early? It’s early indeed, but playoff talks always seem to get started early on as teams jockey for playoff seedings.

Don't be surprised if we see some postponements this weekend...

It is cooling off, though, maybe that'll improve the air quality, sure hope so..

Just wanted to give a shout out to NorCal/Antelope HS/Sac State product, Elijah Dotson. Son of former Grant Union Pacer great Robert Dotson. And Jake Browning, the all-time great Folsom Bulldog QB.

Dotson made the Chargers initial 53-man roster today. That, of course, could change at any time. But he's made it for now, which is quite the accomplishment for the undrafted rookie who played 3 seasons at Sac State.

Browning has won the backup job behind Joe Burrow after several years of bouncing around various practice squads. Also quite the accomplishment.

Both are officially NFL players now.

Also, it appears that former Sac State Hornet stars DeAndre Carter and Marte Mapu also made the cut.

As of 3pm, Carter wasn't listed as a cut by the Las Vegas Raiders and Mapu was expected make the Patriots roster as a 3rd round pick. Apparently Mapu has been good in camp and fellow players have lauded his versatility.

That's 4 former Hornets on an NFL roster and 3 former Sac area NorCal HS stars (DaRon Bland is the 3rd).

Please feel free to call out anybody I missed.

1. Mt. Diablo 2024 running back Herschel Turner Jr. (5-foot-10, 190 pounds) was terrific in the opener with 377 yards and six touchdowns against Deer Valley. He looks to get outside and has the speed to turn the corner and run away from defenders. He also keeps his speed getting in and out of cuts.

2. There aren’t many quarterbacks who have the command of their offense like San Ramon Valley senior Luke Baker. He makes quick decisions, is accurate to multiple levels and can put pressure on the defense with his mobility to get out of the pocket. Against St. Ignatius, he went 17-for-23 for 321 yards and two touchdowns.

3. St. Ignatius 2025 offensive tackle John Mills (6-foot-6, 320 pounds) started the season ranked No. 14 in the class and has a case to be top ranked at his position. He plays with good technique, is punishing in the run game and is steady in the pass game.

4. Serra 2024 tight end Cole Harrison is a prospect who could see his stock shoot up this season. In the opening win over Folsom, Harrison caught a 60 yard touchdown as part of a 21-0 first quarter. He lined up in multiple spots last week and found success as a receiver and blocker. He picked up an offer from Sacramento State this week.

5. Folsom 2026 wide receiver Jameson Powell (5-foot-10, 160 pounds) had seven catches for 89 yards in the 21-14 loss to Serra. He has burst off the line and can get open over the middle of the field.

6. Palma 2024 wide receiver Logan Saldate (Notre Dame) had a dominant opener with six catches for 171 yards and two touchdowns against Soledad. He made plays on short, intermediate and long routes as well as a 31 yard run on a fly sweep.

7. Moving forward to this week, McClymonds get its season started at San Jose City College against Bellarmine. The Bells won their opener 17-14 over Menlo-Atherton and are hoping to avenge last year’s loss in Oakland. Reece McKeever had more than 100 rushing yards in the win.

8. Neither Liberty or Los Gatos were seriously challenged in their openers and will meet on Friday in Brentwood. A player to watch in this game is Liberty sophomore running back Jaxon Bell, who rushed for 194 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries against Enochs.

9. St. Francis and Monterey Trail will face off on Friday with both teams looking to avoid a 0-2 start. Both schools had losses to some of the state’s top teams in Helix and Folsom respectively. In the 35-0 loss to Folsom, Monterey Trail had three players with at least 14 carries including quarterback Joseph Barrientos.

10. Pleasant Valley took over as the top ranked team in the Northern Section this week and will start out on a gauntlet of four non-league games against Yuba City, Oak Ridge, Central Catholic and Rancho Cotate. Last year, the Vikings beat Pleasant Valley 31-15.

2 different Bay Area HS football games were halted prior to the 3rd quarter due to fighting among spectators this weekend.

Willow Glen at Piedmont Hills was stopped at halftime with PH up 10-0.

College Park at Fremont (Oakland) was called during the 2nd quarter with CP up 14-0.
TheOC89, were you at the game? Any intel on what took place?

Sac-Joaquin Section

1. Folsom (1-1)
2. St. Mary’s-Stockton (2-0)
3. Oak Ridge (2-0)
4. Central Catholic (1-1)
5. Grant (1-1)
6. Manteca (2-0)
7. Granite Bay (1-1)
8. Del Oro (2-0)
9. Vacaville (2-0)
10. Jesuit (1-0)
11. Monterey Trail (0-1)
12. Casa Roble (2-0)
13. Vista del Lago (1-1)
14. Elk Grove (1-1)
15. Downey (2-0)

Thought Bubble: A week after saying Manteca might be the best non Top 20 team in the region, the Buffaloes shutout Granite Bay and moved up to No. 6 in the section. Three section teams host CCS opponents with Monterey Trail-St. Francis, Jesuit-St. Ignatius and Elk Grove-Menlo-Atherton.

North Coast Section

1. De La Salle (0-1)
2. Pittsburg (1-0)
3. San Ramon Valley (1-0)
4. Clayton Valley Charter (1-0)
5. Windsor (0-0)
6. Marin Catholic (1-0)
7. Campolindo (1-0)
8. San Marin (1-0)
9. Acalanes (0-1)
10. El Cerrito (1-0)
11. Liberty (1-0)
12. Cardinal Newman (1-0)
13. Monte Vista (1-0)
14. Heritage (1-0)
15. Redwood (1-0)

Thought Bubble: Pittsburg, San Ramon Valley and Clayton Valley Charter were all impressive in their openers. Heritage and Redwood make their rankings debut with the final spot coming down to Redwood and Rancho Cotate. Those two teams play on Saturday.

Central Coast Section

1. Serra (1-0)
2. St. Francis-Mountain View (0-1)
3. Palma (1-0)
4. Los Gatos (1-0)
5. Riordan (1-0)
6. Salinas (0-1)
7. Mitty (1-0)
8. St. Ignatius (0-1)
9. Bellarmine (1-0)
10. Valley Christian-San Jose (1-0)
11. Wilcox (0-1)
12. Sacred Heart Prep (0-1)
13. Aptos (0-1)
14. Christopher (1-0)
15. Menlo-Atherton (0-1)

Thought Bubble: While Serra posted a big win over Folsom, it was a tough opening week for the section with seven of the 15 teams being defeated. Valley Christian was the biggest riser following with a 16-15 win over Wilcox.

Northern Section

1. Pleasant Valley (1-0)
1. Foothill-Palo Cedro (0-1)
3. Enterprise (1-0)
4. Chico (1-0)
5. Orland (0-1)

Thought Bubble: Pleasant Valley moves into the top spot with a challenging non-league left against Yuba City, Oak Ridge, Central Catholic and Rancho Cotate. After being shut out by Edison-Stockton, Foothill will host San Marin this week.

Oakland

1. McClymonds (0-0)
2. Fremont-Oakland (0-1)
3. Oakland Tech (0-0)

Thought Bubble: Fremont was the only team in action in a 14-0 loss to College Park. All three of the ranked teams hit the road with Fremont against American Canyon, McClymonds versus Bellarmine and Oakland Tech at St. Vincent.

San Francisco

1. Lincoln-San Francisco (0-1)
2. Balboa (0-0)
3. Lowell (0-0)

Thought Bubble: Lincoln lost its opener to Analy 26-7 despite 158 rushing yards and a touchdown from senior Jamelle Newman. Balboa is scheduled to play in Florida on Thursday.

I will start. Escalon over Buchanan. D5 goes to D1 home and comes away with a win over the # 3 team from Central Section. Looks like a battle in the Corral in 3 week!