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. 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.
