In the first two seasons under Jake Messina, who has had many coaching stops around NorCal, Oakmont went a combined 2-18. This year, they are 7-2 and will face Wheatland this week for the Pioneer Valley League title.

Quarterback Beau Ogles has thrown for 1,155 yards, 15 touchdowns and one interception. He has also rushed for 474 yards and seven touchdowns.

PCAL Week 9

Before we get too far into this week’s preview wanted to share a great story about the King City head coach, and what he has done over the past year to support his family and his community. A great story about a really great man. Sometimes Highschool football is not about the wins and losses on the field.

https://www.montereyherald.com/2024/10/20/high-school-football-a-different-kind-of-comeback-story/

Last week 9-3 Overall 97-29

Gabilan- Some interesting story lines are starting to develop in the Gabilan. It appears Soquel and Salinas are destined for a title matchup on 11/1. Monterey seems to have secured at least third place, while Hollister, Aptos and Palma battle for 4th through 6th. PAL Booster says Palma is basically in the playoffs, but he has them at 5-5, I think they finish 4-6. Will that be enough for the final at-large bid? Maybe? Or does the steak end this year. Hopefully the PCAL will let Alvarez go down to a “B” division for a year or 2 in order to build some consistency.

Thu 10/24 Aptos (CA) at Alvarez (Salinas, CA), 7:00pm – Maybe Alvarez last best shot to win a league game. Also seems odd that Alvarez has to ply 3 Thursdays in a row, while Palma and Monterey don’t have any Thursday night games. Aptos needs to win to stay in the playoffs. Aptos 38-7

Fri 10/25 Soquel (CA) at Monterey (CA), 7:30pm- Potential trap here for Soquel. Monterey has some huge playmakers and they have been running the ball well lately. Soquel will do what they always do: dictate the pace of the game, control the line of scrimmage, and clamp down on defenses. Soquel 28-14

Fri 10/25 Arroyo Grande (CA) at Salinas (CA), 7:30pm- 2 schools of thought here: Great to keep the team rolling with a late out of section game against an historically strong program. Or what the hell are you thinking, take the bye get healthy and get ready for the biggest game of the year. If they beat Soquel in 2 weeks genius, if they lose worst scheduling decision ever. Salinas 28-24

Fri 10/25 Palma (Salinas, CA) vs Hollister (CA) at Salinas Sports Complex (Salinas, CA), 7:30pm- I view this (or next week vs Monterey) as an absolute must win for Palma to ensure a post season invite. Problem is, Hollister might be the better team this year. Hollister 27-21

Mission North (Watsonville Bye) -After a couple weeks of chaos, maybe some clarity in the Mission North. NMC will be favored over the next 3 weeks and should win the division. Alisal had a big win last week and will also be favored over the next 3 weeks to finish second. But don’t be surprised if either one of these teams’ falters and allows St Francis, MVC or Scott’s Valley to sneak into the playoffs.

Thu 10/24 Scotts Valley (CA) vs St. Francis (Watsonville, CA) at Cabrillo College (Aptos, CA), 7:30pm- Winner still can have an outside chance of playoffs, loser of this game is probably out. St Francis has been more consistent, but Scott’s Vally has played the tougher schedule. St. Francis 21-18

Fri 10/25 North Monterey County (Castroville, CA) at Monte Vista Christian (Watsonville, CA), 7:30pm- MVC QB and WR1 have some staggering numbers. Like leaders in the CCS and state. Congratulations to them. But NMC is 3-0 in division and probably going to the playoff’s. NMC 27-17

Fri 10/25 Alisal (Salinas, CA) at Seaside (CA), 7:30pm- Alisal had a goal line stand to win last week, probably wont be as close this week. Alisal 27-7

Mission South (PG Bye) – North Salinas took care of Business vs KC last week to set up a battle for first this week vs Carmel. Carmel did allow Ranch to score a season high 14 points last week, but it was in the 2nd half after they took a 41-0 lead into halftime. We will see if NS can really give them a battle. PG, lost for the 2nd time in a row vs Soledad. This sets up Soledad to challenge NS for a playoff spot in 2 weeks.

Fri 10/25 King City (CA) at Rancho San Juan (Salinas, CA), 7:30pm -Rancho may have found something to build on by scoring some touchdowns last week, meanwhile KC will look to get off the mat after being beat up by North Salinas. King City 24-7

Fri 10/25 Greenfield (CA) at Soledad (CA), 7:30pm- I can already smell the Swiss sausage. Leno’s vs Richina (if you know you know). As far as football: Soledad needs to win if it want to try an overtake NS for 2nd place. Soledad 28-24

Sat 10/26 North Salinas (Salinas, CA) at Carmel (CA), 2:00pm -Carmel can not let NS successfully control the clock. NS has 2 offenses one of them being a Wing T formation to try and control the line of scrimmage. The QB is still hurt so they will be trying to run a lot. It may work, But Carmel’s Starting defense is pretty good. Carmel will be able to score. Carmel 42-21

Santa Lucia (RLS BYE) -I understand why RLS starts late because of the boarding school deal, but schedule a game during the bye week for 10 total games. Mission is SF has an open date. Anyway after RLS took care of PV and SLV pulled away from Gonzales late, this should set up a battle for the title next week. @Streakone, RLS needs to go back on the pick’em next week!!! Also of note last week, is Santa Cruz got a win for the first time in 2 years!!

Sat 10/26 Gonzales (CA) at Pajaro Valley (Watsonville, CA), 12:30pm- This game will probably decide third place. Both teams will be looking to get momentum for next year. Gonzales 23-18

Sat 10/26 Santa Cruz (CA) at San Lorenzo Valley (Felton, CA), 2:00pm -Santa Cruz hada great win last week, but unless SLV is looking to far ahead to next weeks showdown with RLS, the wininig streak will stop at 1. SLV 35-7

Sat 10/26 Marina (CA) vs Harbor (Santa Cruz, CA) at Seaside (CA), 7:30pm -2 Struggling programs trying to find something to build upon for next year. Neither one really believes in Defense. Marina 45-40

Here are the games for this week. Picks are due at 5:00 PM on Friday.

Saratoga at Jefferson
Half Moon Bay at San Mateo
Valley Christian at St. Ignatius (Game of the Week)
San Marin at Cardinal Newman
St. Vincent at Ukiah
Moreau Catholic at Bishop O'Dowd
Merced at Atwater
Calaveras at Linden
McNair at Chavez
Foothill-Palo Cedro at Pleasant Valley

Game of the Week Poll - https://norcalpreps.forums.rivals.com/threads/week-10-game-of-the-week-poll.30858/

Prolific loses 2 no 1 players in a month span

Let the rebuild begin….

Sounds like this move will stick.

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Campo JV is surprisingly (to me) bashing the Ugly Eagle JV’s 21-0… and in the CVC Red Zone.

I know the Coug JV squad is good, but so is CVC. I was expecting a close one, thinking CVC would win, actiually…. But the Cougs are doing WORK! 5:48 left.

Link?

Silva had 236 total yards with three touchdown runs and two touchdown passses in Turlock's 33-14 win over Downey. On the year, he has thrown for nearly 1,700 yards and rushed for more than 400 yards.

I can't remember a successful large school having a freshman quarterback who has his hand in this much of the offense.

Is Chris Nixon out at Sheldon? Beloved coach ordered to turn in keys after angry parent issue

Longtime Sheldon Huskies coach Chris Nixon on Monday afternoon was ordered into the principal’s office to speak with administrators and athletic director Jason Bumbaca to address a situation following last Friday’s home Delta League contest against Elk Grove. A father of a Sheldon player, moments after the game finished, allegedly approached Nixon in anger and cursed at him about playing time for his son, an issue in prep sports for decades.

According to several witnesses who observed the incident, including three Sheldon assistant coaches and several players, Nixon was upset that there was no school administrator at that moment to prevent the scene, or to keep spectators from walking onto the field to reach coaches. Bumbaca arrived to speak to Nixon, and the two got into a heated exchanged about fan access to the field.

Nixon on Monday was told he could not curse the athletic director and was ordered to turn in his keys. Was he fired? Suspended? No one seems to know. Reached by The Sacramento Bee, Nixon said he was not allowed to speak about it, nor was he allowed to talk to Sheldon players, as mandated by his administration.

Nixon did emphatically tell The Bee that he did not curse Bumbaca and that he doesn’t even curse in practice or at games. He added that he is deeply “appreciative for all my players and our fantastic coaching staff,” adding that he wants to finish out the season. An assistant coach said Nixon did not curse the athletic director but that he himself cursed in frustration.


(Paywall article)
Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/sports/high-school/article294354739.html#storylink=cpy

Previously committed to San Diego State, Garrestson is now committed to Arkansas.

Kingston Keanaaina 6-foot-0, 205 pounds
Committed to BYU

Sr. Season (7 Games): 170 carries, 1,441 yards, 13 touchdowns
Jr. Season (11 Games): 225 carries, 1,530 yards, 19 touchdowns

Keanaaina has been a star for the Lancers this fall with big rushing games in league wins over Top 10 ranked Serra and St. Ignatius. He is a patient runner who reads his blocks well, but bursts through the hole when he sees a lane. He can run through arm tackles, bend around defenders and has enough speed to run away in the open field. BYU has been one of the surprises of the college football season and have one of the state's most productive backs in its 2025 class.

He should be a starter this year!

One of our better weeks with De La Salle-San Ramon Valley, St. Francis-St. Ignatius, Downey-Turlock and more!

Game of the Week Poll

Jeremiah Tuiilelia 6-foot-2, 240 pounds (Committed to San Diego State

Sr. Stats (8 Games): 66 tackles, 11 sacks
Jr. Stats (15 Games): 130 tackles, 23 sacks

Tuiilelia is an undersized defensive end, but is also one of the most complete defensive players in Northern California. He gets off the ball with a quick first step, has active hands to beat blocks and finishes plays well coming around the edge. While he is a talented pass rusher, he also plays the run well setting the edge and not running himself out of plays. Tuiilelia was an All-NorCal pick as a junior and is on the short list for NorCal Defensive Player of the Year.

Tuiilelia committed to San Diego State on September 22.

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

San Ramon Valley at De La Salle
Arcata at Ferndale
Willits at Kelseyville
Downey at Turlock
Twelve Bridges at Placer
Granite Bay at Rocklin
Oakdale at Central Catholic
Woodside at South San Francisco
St. Francis at St. Ignatius
Pajaro Valley at Stevenson

Game of the Week Poll - https://norcalpreps.forums.rivals.com/threads/week-9-game-of-the-week-poll.30836/

This past week, Santa Cruz beat Marina 57-49 to snap the program's 19 game winning streak. As part of the losing streak was the 2023 season that saw Santa Cruz score 0 points.

We usually talk most about the top level of the sport, but it is always cool to see streaks like this get snapped.