The power for regional football rests in four playoff divisions with SJS Division I, SJS Division II, NCS Open/Division I and CCS Open/Division I.
In total, 19 of the Top 20 teams competed in those three divisions with only No. 20 Wilcox being out as the top seed in CCS Division II.
The first takeaway from last week were impressive wins by St. Ignatius (over Salinas) and Riordan (over Soquel) in WCAL-PCAL Gabilan matchups. St. Ignatius, which was thought by some to be a vulnerable No. 1 seed, was anything but that as the defense forced three first half turnovers in a 45-7 win. The defense took two of those three turnovers for touchdowns. Jarious Hogan added two touchdown runs. The Wildcats get a second matchup with St. Francis, which beat Valley Christian 24-14, for the CCS Open Division title.
On Saturday, Riordan also got off to a fast start in a 41-7 win over Soquel. Michael Mitchell Jr. and Chris Lawson connected for four touchdowns as the Crusaders have gelled, gotten healthy and won five in a row heading into this week’s matchup against Los Gatos. The Wildcats won a CCS Open/D1 game for the second straight year in beating Serra 14-7.
Moving to the NCS, Cardinal Newman finally got past Marin Catholic in the playoffs with a 20-7 win in Kentfield. The Cardinals had just one win over the Wildcats in the past decade despite numerous playoff matchups. They ran for 220 yards in the win. Next up is San Ramon Valley, which got a second win over California with a 35-7 win on Friday.
Looking ahead, many eyes around the state will be watching the De La Salle-Pittsburg matchup for the NCS Open Division title. The Spartans are No. 1 and undefeated with one of their best teams of the past decade. Pittsburg, with just a loss to St. John Bosco, is ranked No. 3 with an explosive offense and a defense with multiple Division I prospects.
The intrigue in the SJS picks up this week with the following questions being answered. Can Inderkum challenge Folsom again in the playoffs? Is this the year Turlock finally beats Oak Ridge? Who is the most physical team between Rocklin and Manteca? Does Grant or St. Mary’s-Stockton have a better group of skill players? And a final question, will we get three Sierra Foothill League teams in the section finals?
1. De La Salle (11-0)
2. Folsom (10-1)
3. Pittsburg (10-1)
4. San Ramon Valley (10-1)
5. St. Mary’s-Stockton (9-2)
6. St. Francis-Mountain View (9-2)
7. St. Ignatius (9-2)
8. Grant (8-3)
9. Oak Ridge (7-4)
10. Rocklin (9-2)
11. Riordan (7-4)
12. Los Gatos (8-2)
13. Cardinal Newman (10-1)
14. Marin Catholic (8-3)
15. Manteca (10-1)
16. Soquel (8-3)
17. Serra (5-6)
18. Turlock (9-3)
19. Salinas (8-3)
20. Wilcox (9-2)
In total, 19 of the Top 20 teams competed in those three divisions with only No. 20 Wilcox being out as the top seed in CCS Division II.
The first takeaway from last week were impressive wins by St. Ignatius (over Salinas) and Riordan (over Soquel) in WCAL-PCAL Gabilan matchups. St. Ignatius, which was thought by some to be a vulnerable No. 1 seed, was anything but that as the defense forced three first half turnovers in a 45-7 win. The defense took two of those three turnovers for touchdowns. Jarious Hogan added two touchdown runs. The Wildcats get a second matchup with St. Francis, which beat Valley Christian 24-14, for the CCS Open Division title.
On Saturday, Riordan also got off to a fast start in a 41-7 win over Soquel. Michael Mitchell Jr. and Chris Lawson connected for four touchdowns as the Crusaders have gelled, gotten healthy and won five in a row heading into this week’s matchup against Los Gatos. The Wildcats won a CCS Open/D1 game for the second straight year in beating Serra 14-7.
Moving to the NCS, Cardinal Newman finally got past Marin Catholic in the playoffs with a 20-7 win in Kentfield. The Cardinals had just one win over the Wildcats in the past decade despite numerous playoff matchups. They ran for 220 yards in the win. Next up is San Ramon Valley, which got a second win over California with a 35-7 win on Friday.
Looking ahead, many eyes around the state will be watching the De La Salle-Pittsburg matchup for the NCS Open Division title. The Spartans are No. 1 and undefeated with one of their best teams of the past decade. Pittsburg, with just a loss to St. John Bosco, is ranked No. 3 with an explosive offense and a defense with multiple Division I prospects.
The intrigue in the SJS picks up this week with the following questions being answered. Can Inderkum challenge Folsom again in the playoffs? Is this the year Turlock finally beats Oak Ridge? Who is the most physical team between Rocklin and Manteca? Does Grant or St. Mary’s-Stockton have a better group of skill players? And a final question, will we get three Sierra Foothill League teams in the section finals?
1. De La Salle (11-0)
2. Folsom (10-1)
3. Pittsburg (10-1)
4. San Ramon Valley (10-1)
5. St. Mary’s-Stockton (9-2)
6. St. Francis-Mountain View (9-2)
7. St. Ignatius (9-2)
8. Grant (8-3)
9. Oak Ridge (7-4)
10. Rocklin (9-2)
11. Riordan (7-4)
12. Los Gatos (8-2)
13. Cardinal Newman (10-1)
14. Marin Catholic (8-3)
15. Manteca (10-1)
16. Soquel (8-3)
17. Serra (5-6)
18. Turlock (9-3)
19. Salinas (8-3)
20. Wilcox (9-2)
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