Week 9 Games to Watch
By Chris Jackson
Photo by Cliff Jackson
#5 Pittsburg vs. #4 Deer Valley
BVAL title implications are on the line, along with a possible 2 seed in the NCS
playoffs. Both teams come into this highly touted matchup undefeated in league
play, and this appears to be one of the top games this season in Northern
California. Pittsburg’s Harris Ross leads the way on its offense, rushing for
286 yards and 3 touchdowns last week, and recently committed to Oregon State.
Deer Valley features one of the Bay Area’s top defenses, led by linebacker Malik
Hutchings, who recorded 12 tackles and one interception last week. Dual-threat
quarterback Nsimba Webster will also be key for Deer Valley, along with twin
brother Nzuzi Webster at receiver/cornerback. Robert Taylor will also look to
have a monstrous game on offense for the visiting
Wolverines.
BVAL title implications are on the line, along with a possible 2 seed in the NCS
playoffs. Both teams come into this highly touted matchup undefeated in league
play, and this appears to be one of the top games this season in Northern
California. Pittsburg’s Harris Ross leads the way on its offense, rushing for
286 yards and 3 touchdowns last week, and recently committed to Oregon State.
Deer Valley features one of the Bay Area’s top defenses, led by linebacker Malik
Hutchings, who recorded 12 tackles and one interception last week. Dual-threat
quarterback Nsimba Webster will also be key for Deer Valley, along with twin
brother Nzuzi Webster at receiver/cornerback. Robert Taylor will also look to
have a monstrous game on offense for the visiting
Wolverines.
Photo by Cliff Jackson
#9 San Ramon Valley vs. #7 Foothill
Both San Ramon Valley and Foothill are vying for second place in EBAL. If Cal loses,
the winner of this will end up in a tie with the Grizzlies for first place, but
if Cal beats Livermore, either Foothill or San Ramon Valley will be in second
place after this week. Quarterback Matt Winaker has burst onto the scene this
year for SRV, along with junior receivers Christian Fuca and JJ Koski. Running
back Marcus De La Pena will also look to continue his dominance in the
backfield. Foothill is riding high after a 31-21 victory over Granada. The
Falcons bring in senior Ryan Anderson at receiver, coming off a monstrous 134
yards performance, along with junior Isaiah Langley, who had 82 yards receiving
and 73 rushing yards, along with a touchdown last week. Kyle Kearns also looks
to explode again, after throwing for 280 yards in the win over Granada. Jamirr Holland also hopes to rebound from last week, after
suffering an apparent injury last week, and fullback Matt Luey is on the brink of a breakout performance. San Ramon Valley is looking
for the huge victory after losing to Cal 35-21 last week, and will face another tough league test in Foothill.
Both San Ramon Valley and Foothill are vying for second place in EBAL. If Cal loses,
the winner of this will end up in a tie with the Grizzlies for first place, but
if Cal beats Livermore, either Foothill or San Ramon Valley will be in second
place after this week. Quarterback Matt Winaker has burst onto the scene this
year for SRV, along with junior receivers Christian Fuca and JJ Koski. Running
back Marcus De La Pena will also look to continue his dominance in the
backfield. Foothill is riding high after a 31-21 victory over Granada. The
Falcons bring in senior Ryan Anderson at receiver, coming off a monstrous 134
yards performance, along with junior Isaiah Langley, who had 82 yards receiving
and 73 rushing yards, along with a touchdown last week. Kyle Kearns also looks
to explode again, after throwing for 280 yards in the win over Granada. Jamirr Holland also hopes to rebound from last week, after
suffering an apparent injury last week, and fullback Matt Luey is on the brink of a breakout performance. San Ramon Valley is looking
for the huge victory after losing to Cal 35-21 last week, and will face another tough league test in Foothill.
Photo by Cliff Jackson
#12 Clayton Valley vs. Concord
Clayton Valley is riding a 7 game win streak, and faces a tough test in Concord for the
ClayCord Cup. Concord is coming off a close loss to College Park, and will look
to junior quarterback Mitchell Daniels for another dominant performance. Malik Blackburn will also be key on
offense for if the Minutemen hope to beat rival Clayton Valley. Miles Harrison leads Clayton Valley on
offense, and has been a crucial part in its success this season. This could determine who comes out on top
of the DVAL this season, and Clayton Valley is looking to repeat by winning the title again this season, but
must first get past Concord on Friday.
Clayton Valley is riding a 7 game win streak, and faces a tough test in Concord for the
ClayCord Cup. Concord is coming off a close loss to College Park, and will look
to junior quarterback Mitchell Daniels for another dominant performance. Malik Blackburn will also be key on
offense for if the Minutemen hope to beat rival Clayton Valley. Miles Harrison leads Clayton Valley on
offense, and has been a crucial part in its success this season. This could determine who comes out on top
of the DVAL this season, and Clayton Valley is looking to repeat by winning the title again this season, but
must first get past Concord on Friday.
Photo by Cliff Jackson
#22 Granada vs. #23 Amador Valley
Granada is looking for its first playoff berth since 2010, and they must win one of
their last two games to do so. They face Amador Valley this week and Livermore
next week. Amador comes in with a dominant defensem along with a quick run game,
led by senior Michael White, who is having a breakout season. The Matadors
defense will look to stop him, and they will also look to senior Casey Soltis on
both offense and defense. Soltis returned a kickoff back for a touchdown last
week, along with blocking a field goal. Seniors Riley Draa, Jon Poppe, and Javonn Williams
will be key on the Granada defense if they hope to secure a playoff spot Friday.
Granada is looking for its first playoff berth since 2010, and they must win one of
their last two games to do so. They face Amador Valley this week and Livermore
next week. Amador comes in with a dominant defensem along with a quick run game,
led by senior Michael White, who is having a breakout season. The Matadors
defense will look to stop him, and they will also look to senior Casey Soltis on
both offense and defense. Soltis returned a kickoff back for a touchdown last
week, along with blocking a field goal. Seniors Riley Draa, Jon Poppe, and Javonn Williams
will be key on the Granada defense if they hope to secure a playoff spot Friday.
#18 St. Francis vs. #2 Serra
Serra is in the midst of another great season. With the success of their defense, they
will look to man handle the St. Francis offense. But they can’t get ahead of
themselves, as St. Francis features a good run game, led by senior Alex
Andrighetto and junior Devin Hurtado. If Serra wins, they will appear to be
tabbed as the top seed in the CCS playoffs, which start in just under a month.
Serra is in the midst of another great season. With the success of their defense, they
will look to man handle the St. Francis offense. But they can’t get ahead of
themselves, as St. Francis features a good run game, led by senior Alex
Andrighetto and junior Devin Hurtado. If Serra wins, they will appear to be
tabbed as the top seed in the CCS playoffs, which start in just under a month.