1. Serra (3-0)

Last Week: Beat #8 Central Catholic 38-7
This Week: Idle

Serra’s defense added another impressive performance in holding Central Catholic to less than 200 yards. They have improved their scoring total in each week of the non-league schedule.

2. St. Mary’s-Stockton (3-0)

Last Week: Idle
This Week: September 15 at #4 De La Salle

The Rams have an extra week of rest heading into this week’s trip to De La Salle. They are averaging 41 points per game against good competition in Clovis West, Central Catholic and Manteca.

3. Folsom (3-1)

Last Week: Beat Turlock 49-7
This Week: Idle

Folsom heads into a bye week before its September 22 home game against De La Salle. The Bulldogs, which have scored at least 35 points in three of their four wins, are giving up nine points per game.

4. De La Salle (1-2)

Last Week: Beat #7 St. Francis 35-17
This Week: September 15 vs. #2 St. Mary’s-Stockton

De La Salle scored the final 14 points in earning its first win of the season. Junior running back Dominic Kelley had 25 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown. Junior quarterback Toa Faavae had three rushing touchdowns.

5. Oak Ridge (4-0)

Last Week: Beat #13 Clayton Valley Charter 28-0
This Week: September 15 at Pleasant Valley

After winning the previous two games by a combined five points, Oak Ridge was in control throughout in a 28-0 win over Clayton Valley Charter. Four different players scored for the Trojans.

6. Pittsburg (3-0)

Last Week: Beat Monterey Trail 10-7
This Week: September 15 vs. #17 California

In a closer than expected game, Pittsburg stayed undefeated in the home opener for new head coach Charlie Ramirez. The Pirates kicked the game winning field goal midway through the fourth quarter.

7. St. Francis-Mountain View (1-2)

Last Week: Lost to #4 De La Salle 35-17
This Week: Idle

Junior running back Kingston Keanaaina had more than 100 total yards, but the Lancers dropped their second of three non-league games. The Lancers are giving up 33 points per game.

8. Central Catholic (2-2)

Last Week: Lost to #1 Serra 38-7
This Week: Idle

After scoring 75 total points in their first two games, the Raiders have been held to 23 points the last two games in splitting with Bishop Manogue and Serra. They will play Pleasant Valley in two weeks to end the non-league.

9. San Ramon Valley (3-0)

Last Week: Beat Elk Grove 45-7
This Week: September 15 at #20 McClymonds

Luke Baker had a near perfect game going 16-for-18 for 384 yards and six touchdowns against Elk Grove. Owen Scott had a team high 193 yards and Hudson Brinton had three touchdowns.

10. Grant (3-1)

Last Week: Beat #17 Los Gatos 22-21
This Week: September 15 vs. Burbank

Despite getting down 14-0, Grant staged a comeback to win at Los Gatos in a game that was set up earlier this week. The Pacers had 500 total yards of offense led by 214 rushing yards from junior Leon Martin.

11. Rocklin (4-0)

Last Week: Beat Manteca 35-14
This Week: Idle

The Thunder keep moving up the rankings following a convincing win over Manteca. Sophomore quarterback Reeve Slone threw for 299 yards and four touchdowns with junior Mavrik Collins hauling in 98 of those yards and two scores.

12. Del Oro (4-0)

Last Week: Beat Lincoln-Stockton 39-7
This Week: September 15 at Casa Roble

The Golden Eagles have scored at least 35 points in each game with dual threat quarterback Caden Pinnick leading a big play attack. Del Oro travels to undefeated Casa Roble this week.

13. Clayton Valley Charter (1-2)

Last Week: Lost to #5 Oak Ridge 28-0
This Week: September 15 at Turlock

The Eagles are a tough team to peg with their win coming over 0-3 Salinas with the losses against undefeated Higley-Arizona and Oak Ridge. For now, they drop just two spots to No. 13 with a trip to Turlock this week.

14. Manteca (2-2)

Last Week: Lost to #11 Rocklin 35-14
This Week: Idle

Still without running back Bryson Davis, Manteca lost its second straight game with a loss to Rocklin at the NorCal Honor Bowl. Kaden MacDannald and Jhadis Luckey had touchdowns for the Buffaloes.

15. Granite Bay (2-2)

Last Week: Beat Antelope 51-14
This Week: September 15 at Vacaville

Junior Carter Jackson had 130 rushing yards and three touchdowns and the Grizzlies ran for 273 yards in last week’s win. Defensively, they held Antelope to less than 250 yards and grabbed three interceptions.

16. McClymonds (2-0)

Last Week: Beat Bishop O’Dowd 45-0
This Week: September 15 at #9 San Ramon Valley

Two weeks and two shutouts for the Warriors. Tajir Golden and John Tamale formed the running duo for McClymonds, which has outscored its opponents 85-0.

17. California (2-1)

Last Week: Beat Escalon 42-21
This Week: September 15 at #6 California

Jayden Macedo threw for 224 yards and five touchdowns with Nick Fox (163 yards and three touchdowns) being his top target. The defense was able to get three interceptions to help offset more than 300 rushing yards from Escalon.

18. Los Gatos (2-1)

Last Week: Lost to #10 Grant 22-21
This Week: September 15 vs. Palo Alto

Los Gatos had three different players catch touchdowns, but they ran only 33 plays compared to 70 for Grant in losing one of the better non-league matchups to date. This week, they play old league foe Palo Alto.

19. Riordan (2-1)

Last Week: Lost to St. Bonaventure 24-14
This Week: Idle

Michael Mitchell Jr. connected with Chris Lawson for more than 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but the Crusaders dropped their final non-league game. They will play three of their first four league games at home.

20. Marin Catholic (3-0)

Last Week: Beat San Joaquin Memorial 40-0
This Week: September 15 at Logan

Sophomore Caedon Alsharifpour threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns as Marin Catholic notched its most impressive win of the young season. The Wildcats have given up seven points through three games.

Week 3

Last week had a few upsets but nothing I would say was super surprising, nice to see SLV get a win, and it looks like Greenfield is the top team in the south Salinas Valley (besides Palma 😉).

Greenfield and Palma are both 2-0, because they beat King City and Soledad. For the record, Palma and Greenfield should not be playing the same pre-season schedule. This weekend Palma finally has a game vs a “real” opponent as they take on Yuma Catholic. Let’s see if they get tested. Safe to say the Gabilan is down a little bit at the top this year as Salinas, Aptos and Hollister all took losses vs other “good but not great CCS programs”.

It is nice to see Harbor and Greenfield enjoying some early season success. But Santa Cruz appears to be in for a long season as they were shut out again, by a lot. Apparently, kids have left the program to play for neighboring Soquel which is in the same school district. Not sure what type of policy the district has but not looking good for Santa Cruz.



Last week 16-6 Overall 28-11

Gabilan

Thu 09/07 Salinas (CA) at Clovis (CA), 7:00pm -Salinas’s tough non league schedule continues. This team is still trying to iron out things on offense and I still expect them to compete for a league title. Their Defense is very good, just taking the offense a bit of time to catch up. Salinas 14-10

Fri 09/08 Alvarez (Salinas, CA) at Atascadero (CA), 5:00pm – Nice win last week vs oak Grove, Atascadero is gong to be a bit tougher of a match up. Atascadero 24-14

Fri 09/08 Aptos (CA) at Mission Prep (San Luis Obispo, CA), 7:00pm Mission Pre is one of those schools that is great some years and not so good other years. This may be one of those great years. Mission Prep 24-20

Fri 09/08 Yuma Catholic (Yuma, AZ) vs Palma (Salinas, CA) at Salinas Sports Complex (Salinas, CA), 7:30pm -Finally Palma will play somebody on their level. Apparently, Gonzales already had a game. I know scheduling 3 non-league games is tough. But Palma can do better. Palma 35-34

Fri 09/08 Soquel (CA) at Santa Cruz (CA), 7:30pm - Apparently this will be a homecoming game for a lot of the Soquel players. This one could get ugly really quick. Soquel 48-0

Fri 09/08 Hollister (CA) at Valley Christian (San Jose, CA), 7:00pm -It’s Hollister’s turn to play Valley Christian, who beat Salinas last week. Because I still believe Salinas is better than Hollister, I have to go with the home team here. Valley Christian 21-12



Mission North

Thu 09/07 Sobrato (Morgan Hill, CA) at North Monterey County (Castroville, CA), 7:30pm – NMC has been more competitive than I thought they would be, and they have lost to 2 good teams. If they play hard they should get their first W. North Monterey County 35-21

Fri 09/08 Rancho San Juan (Salinas, CA) at Monte Vista Christian (Watsonville, CA), 7:30pm – I like this match up, should be one of the better games in the area. Rancho has played a bit tougher of a schedule so I am giving them the advantage. Rancho 21-20

Sat 09/09 Watsonville (CA) at Menlo (Atherton, CA), 2:00pm – Watsonville got it’s first win last week, but this is not Pajaro. Not a good match up for the Cat’z. Menlo 45-14

Sat 09/09 San Lorenzo Valley (Felton, CA) at Scotts Valley (CA), 2:00pm -Scotts Valley defense gave up some point last week to an average Willow Glenn team, meanwhile San Lorenzo Valley had a nice win vs Gunderson. Things get back to normal. Scott’s Valley 24-7

Sat 09/09 Greenfield (CA) at St. Francis (Watsonville, CA), 12:30pm -Greenfield has beaten 2 of their 3 south county neighbors, they are the early surprise of the PCAL. St Francis held off a determined, feisty, valiant RLS team last week. I am going to pick the Bruins. Greenfield 24-17



Mission South

Thu 09/07 Alisal (Salinas, CA) at Sequoia (Redwood City, CA), 7:00pm – Alisal has a couple nice wins, Sequoia mad the road trip to Hawaii for a win, then came back to get beat up pretty badly by Patterson. Giving the edge to the home team. Sequoia 20-18

Fri 09/08 Soledad (CA) at Branham (San Jose, CA), 7:00pm -Soledad has not looked good this year, Branham beat a bad Cupertino team. Branham 28-16

Fri 09/08 North Salinas (Salinas, CA) at Gilroy (CA), 7:30pm – North Salinas should have a good chance to go 3-0 vs their formal league rival. North Salinas 28-13

Fri 09/08 King City (CA) at Gonzales (CA), 7:30pm -The battle of the megaphone. Monterey County’s oldest high school rivalry. This game should be scheduled at the end of the year. Neither team has looked very impressive this year. KC get the nod because they have played a bit tougher of a schedule. King City 13-12

Sat 09/09 Pacific Grove (CA) at Pajaro Valley (Watsonville, CA), 12:30pm- Pacific Grove schedules easy so I have to pick them. I know they do this on purpose. PG 35-7



Santa Lucia

Fri 09/08 Saratoga (CA) at Harbor (Santa Cruz, CA), 7:00pm – Harbor has outscored it’s opponents 110-6 in 1.5 games. That’s good no matter what type of schedule you have. Harbor 45-12

Sat 09/09 Marina (CA) at Lick (San Jose, CA), 3:00pm – I am picking marina, because according to CAL PRESP Lick has a -91.4. That is not good. Marina 32-6

Sat 09/09 Carmel (CA) at Stevenson (Pebble Beach, CA), 2:00pm -This game has a lot riding on it for me. I am an RLS alumna, while my 3 children all graduated from Carmel. Needles to say bragging rights are depended on this. What stinks is Carmel has seemed to find it old offensive mojo this year, while the defending Santa Lucia League Champions RLS Pirates, are in slight rebuild. Good thing that I don’t care about that and no way in heck am I picking Carmel. RLS 45-44 (No way RLS scores this many points😢)

If you have a game that you want to see on there, post it here!

Del Oro 2024 quarterback Caden Pinnick (6-foot-0, 175 pounds) has been a highlight reel for the Golden Eagles and among the best players in the region. What makes him tough to corral? He has accuracy on short to long throws and while he looks to move around and out of the pocket, he does it with a plan and keeps his eyes down the field.

Pinnick, who also plays basketball and baseball, was the Auburn Journal’s boys athlete of the year last school year.

Coming into this season, Pinnick was ranked No. 43 overall in the 2024 class.

Season Stats: 54-for-71 (76% completion percentage) for 893 yards and 12 touchdowns. Rushing, he has 18 attempts for 227 yards and four touchdowns. The yardage total has surpassed his junior year total and his four scores equals his 2022 mark.

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

Friday

Marin Catholic at San Joaquin Memorial
Windsor at Campolindo
Serra at Central Catholic
De La Salle at St. Francis
Los Gatos vs. Grant
Bellarmine at Monte Vista

Saturday

Manteca vs. Rocklin at Oak Ridge HS
Clayton Valley Charter at Oak Ridge
St. Bonaventure at Riordan
Patterson at Menlo-Atherton

Game of the Week Poll - https://norcalpreps.forums.rivals.com/threads/week-4-game-of-the-week-poll.29038/

Just getting the thread started.

I’m out at Del Oro for Lincoln-Stockton at DO.

JV game is tied at 14 with 1:41 remaining.

EDIT: DO JV forced a fumble via a QB sack on 3rd and 10 and recovered. They converted for a TD not long later.

DO JV holds on as time expires and beats Lincoln-Stockton JV 21-14.

My scheduling is completely CrissCrossed…

I thought it was a Bye week and was happy because of weather in SF this AM.

I find out from a text that Riordan played and at kick off it was 73 degrees.

Any game notes!??

Rocklin v Manteca in a bit…

An interesting article on former McClymonds & Chico St. guard Damario Sims:

Aguilar, alum of Freedom HS and Diablo Valley College, nearly led Appalachian State to an upset of #17 UNC today. In the 2OT 40-34 loss, he was 22 for 43 for 275 yards passing including 2 TD's.

End of first q, Clovis scored last play to take a 14-7 lead over Provo.

Serra Explodes In Second Half, Beats Central Catholic

Terry Bernal Daily Journal staff

MODESTO — Despite the Serra Padres’ 3-0 start this season, there is something about the way the team is winning that presents something of an enigma.

Friday’s 38-7 win at Central Catholic is a prime example.

It took the Padres (3-0) just three plays from scrimmage to reach the end zone but seemed out of sync for the rest of the half.

Then, after taking a slight 10-7 lead into the break, Serra returned to the field and turned the second half into showtime.

Granted, this year’s meeting was a more decisive win than last year’s Serra victory over a Central Catholic team that has ruled the Oak Valley League for many years.

Last year the Padres topped the Raiders 42-30 in a barnburner at Freitas Field. This year’s rematch was more a war of attrition, Serra head coach Patrick Walsh said.

“Perseverance,” Walsh said. “That’s a great team.

They have 35 guys suited up, we have close to 90.

This is a game that’s a battle of attrition, and we expect to be in tough games. We don’t expect to just come in here and beat great football teams, storied programs, kids who care — walk in here and just kill people — that’s just not what we expect. But we do expect to play 48 minutes, and that’s what you saw tonight.”

The last 24 of those 48 minutes featured two of the best catches you’re ever going to see in a high school football game.

Serra quarterback Maealiuaki Smith was 17-of-28 passing for 192 yards and two touchdowns, and both impressive throws.

It was his second TD strike, though, a 36-yard shot into the end zone for senior receiver Braden Agosta, that topped Smith’s personal highlight reel — with Agosta in tight traffic in a 1-on-1 matchup and coming down cradling a one-handed catch in the breadbasket.


Read More Here:

#1 Serra beat #8 Central Catholic 38-7: Another week and another impressive performance for the Padres, which have given up 21 total points in three games against Top 10 teams. 2024 tight end Cole Harrison added two touchdown catches as Serra scored a season high 38 points.

#4 De La Salle beat #7 St. Francis-Mountain View 35-17: De La Salle 2025 running back Dominic Kelley ran for more than 100 yards and a touchdown as the Spartans scored the final 14 points after the Lancers narrowed the game to 21-17 with eight minutes left. St. Francis 2024 running back Kingston Keanaaina has more than 100 total yards.

Windsor and Campolindo tied at 14: Windsor missed a 34 yard field goal in the final minute and Campolindo opted to end the game in a tie as is the option in a NCS non-league game. The Cougars are at a 0 score differential through three games. Windsor, which trailed 7-0 at the half, scored on its first two second half possessions.

#10 Grant beat #18 Los Gatos 22-21: Los Gatos led 14-0 after the first quarter, but Grant scored 22 of the last 29 points to pick up the road win in a game that was put together earlier this week. Grant’s Leon Martin filled in for an injured Wayshawn Parker and ran for 190 yards.

Monte Vista beat Bellarmine 40-30: 2025 quarterback Brayden Turner threw for more than 300 yards and five touchdowns as the Mustangs got out to an early lead and outlasted the Bells. Bellarmine 2024 athlete Parker Threatt had almost 300 total yards (passing and rushing) with two rushing touchdowns as a passing touchdown.

More Friday Scores

#3 Folsom beat Turlock 49-7
#6 Pittsburg beat Monterey Trail 10-7
#9 San Ramon Valley beat Elk Grove 45-7
Yuma Catholic beat #14 Palma 14-0
#15 Granite Bay beat Antelope 51-14
#16 Del Oro beat Lincoln-Stockton 39-7
California beat #17 Escalon 42-21

Saturday Games to Watch

#11 Clayton Valley Charter at #5 Oak Ridge
#20 Marin Catholic at San Joaquin Memorial
#12 Manteca vs. #13 Rocklin at Oak Ridge HS
St. Bonaventure at #19 Riordan
Patterson at Menlo-Atherton
Jesuit vs. Christian Brothers at Sacramento City College

This got brought up by Mark Tennis on twitter.

Lost a lot of high end offensive players, but still hard to defend on that side of the ball and some of their top defenders are now juniors.

Interesting thing to think about and not something I would of thought going into the season

Game of the Week Poll

If you have a game you want to see on the pick'em slate this week, post them here!

Cool feature from Fox 40 talking with Kris Richardson, his coaching career and outlook at Sacramento State

Sac-Joaquin Section

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

Thought Bubble: Rocklin and Escalon went from unranked to the Top 10 following strong 3-0 starts. Rocklin has wins over Buchanan and Turlock while Escalon has beaten Buchanan and Windsor. Woodcreek also joins the ranks and looks to be a co-favorite with Inderkum in the Capital Valley Conference.

North Coast Section

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

Thought Bubble: The shakeup this week is headlined by Cardinal Newman moving into the Top 10 after its 27-7 win over Vacaville and Amador Valley entering at No. 10 after beating Campolindo 6-0. Acalanes takes on Amador Valley this week in looking to avoid a 0-3 start.

Central Coast Section

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

Thought Bubble: Six of the top eight teams come from the West Catholic Athletic League with those teams going a combined 10-2 with seven of those wins coming against teams in the section rankings.

Northern Section

1. Pleasant Valley (2-0)
2. Foothill-Palo Cedro (0-2)
3. Enterprise (2-0)
4. Chico (2-0)
5. Orland (1-1)

Thought Bubble: Pleasant Valley strengthened its case for No. 1 with a 35-0 win over Yuba City. Foothill has played the toughest schedule in the section thus far with losses against Edison-Stockton and San Marin.

Oakland

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

Thought Bubble: McClymonds was impressive in its 40-0 win over Bellarmine. They showed off a strong running game and a physical defense that bottled up the Bells’ offense. Oakland Tech and Castlemont lost to NCS small school stalwarts St. Vincent and St. Patrick-St. Vincent.

San Francisco

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

Thought Bubble: Overall, the AAA is 1-5 overall, but Lincoln is still the top team with losses to undefeated Analy and Terra Nova. Washington posted a 20-0 shutout of Monta Vista.

Chris Houle resigns after six years as Serra baseball coach​

• Terry Bernal Daily Journal staff

After six years in the Serra dugout, Chris Houle has stepped down as head coach of the Padres varsity baseball program.

Houle announced his resignation in early July, after Serra finished the season with a 16-12 overall record, including a 6-8 mark in West Catholic Athletic League play. It was the second straight year the Padres finished below .500 in league, the first back-to-back such seasons since 1973 and ’74. He was 97-55 overall in six seasons, including a 37-27 WCAL record, and one co-league championship in 2018.

“Being the head coach, it’s just a big job, it’s a big commitment,” Houle said. “It’s a lot of time, it’s a lot of energy, it’s a lot of effort that goes into it. ... As much as I love it — I love baseball, I love Serra — but for me personally, it’s been getting kind of harder ... to make that commitment and sustain the effort for everything you need to do.”

Serra athletic director Justin Ferdinand said there has been a fairly good response from applicants submitting to become the varsity baseball program’s 12th all-time head coach. The application deadline is Aug. 1. Ferdinand said there is no immediate hiring deadline.
“Obviously, being competitive in one of the strongest leagues in the state of California for baseball is always a priority,” Ferdinand said. “But, more so, just finding someone who can continue to build on the success of the program, and continue to teach those life lessons that will help these kids become great men.”
Houle, now 49, took over the Serra varsity program in 2018, one year after the departure of eight-year coach Craig Gianinno, who stepped down midway through the 2017 season. Dan Nolan, who served as interim head coach at the end of the 2017 season, stayed on as part of Houle’s coaching staff.
Houle previously served as the junior-varsity head coach from 1998-2009 when Pete Jensen headed the program. A 1992 graduate of Serra, Houle previous played for Jensen.

Read More Here https://www.smdailyjournal.com/spor...cle_4692b424-2534-11ee-bd01-f79b5f786cd6.html

Will Archbishop Riordan girls teams be admitted in the WCAL for the 2023-24 season?

Oak Ridge Leads Madison (sdg) 16-7 in honor ball. (Almost half) OR is playing without 2 all sfl players (molloy and Hoffman). Molloy hurt knee against Grant and Hoffman serving suspension for fight. These 2 will play in college so for OR to be up is a good sign.