Football
Bellarmine-San Jose (4-1, 2-0 WCAL) at Serra-San Mateo (3-2, 1-1), Friday, 7 p.m. – This game was circled on our preseason calendar, but that was before St. Francis-Mountain View proved to be the favorite in the West Catholic Athletic League by beating Serra last week. So maybe this matchup has lost a little bit of luster, but each of these teams could still walk away with the Central Coast Section Large School title, or the WCAL title for that matter. Bellarmine has found its stride lately behind running back Kristoff Olugbode. Serra running back Adonis Smith is dangerous, though De La Salle and St. Francis kept him largely in check.
Monte Vista-Danville (4-1, 1-1 EBAL) at Amador Valley-Pleasanton (4-1, 1-1), Friday, 7 p.m. – Each team’s only loss came to De La Salle in the past two weeks. Still, Monte Vista has a bad taste in its mouth after losing a nailbiter last week. Amador Valley, though, is looking like a team that can compete with anyone after taking a lead into the fourth quarter against De La Salle two weeks ago and knocking off Granada last week.
Fernadale (6-0) at Vacaville Christian (4-1), Friday, 7 p.m. – This is the only chance for Bay Area fans to see Division IV power Ferndale unless the Wildcats make the NCS title game. Ferndale has one of the lowest enrollments in the state, but regularly dominating much larger schools. There’s nothing too flashy about the team from up north. They beat opponents with an overpowering running game and a relentless defense. Vaca Christian is a solid program, but will have its hands full Friday night.
Pittsburg (2-3) at Heritage-Brentwood (4-1), Friday, 7 p.m. – The Pirates continue their in-season turnaround effort with the Bay Valley Athletic League opener. However, Pittsburg’s star running back and safety Erick Dargan will be out for the rest of the regular season with a torn meniscus, according to a report from the Contra Costa Times. Still, Pittsburg has plenty of athletes left, and could overwhelm a Heritage team that has an impressive record, but a soft schedule, so far. Pitt began the season 1-3 in a tough nonlegue slate.
Mountain View (3-2, 0-2 DAAL) at Milpitas (5-0, 1-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m. – Coaches Aid’s new top team in the CCS, Milpitas, gets to defend the precarious crown for the first time. Milpitas is finding big success with dual quarterbacks Junior London and Cameron Hernandez. Mountain View is searching for its first De Anza Athletic League win.
Oakland Tech (4-1), at Oakland (2-2-1), Friday, 3:30 p.m. – Clearly the two best teams in the Oakland Section square off in the Oakland Athletic League opener. What’s at stake? Just the comfort for the winner of beating its top league opponent on opening day. Don’t let Oakland’s average record foot you. The Wildcats forfeited their first game against Burton-San Francisco – almost certainly a win – for not having enough eligible players.
St. Francis-Mountain View (4-1, 2-0 WCAL) at Valley Christian-San Jose (3-2, 0-2), Friday, 7:30 p.m. – The Lancers get to continue their quest for the WCAL title. After last week’s win over Serra, its tough to see who will stop them. And though Valley Christian has stumbled in the WCAL’s first two weeks, they are still a formidable and upset-minded foe.
Novato (4-2, 3-0 MCAL) at Marin Catholic-Kentfield (4-1, 2-0), Saturday, 2 p.m. – The Marin County Athletic League championship game comes early this year. Ok, not quite. But the winner of this showdown will be a near lock for the MCAL title. After a slippery 1-2 start, Novato has easily dispensed three straight league opponents. But they haven’t seen Marin Catholic yet, whose impressive season to date includes wins over Archbishop Riorden-San Francisco and Las Lomas-Walnut Creek, and a one point loss to St. Ignatius-San Francisco. Marin Catholic is ranked No. 10 in the North Coast Section.
Volleyball
Analy (13-6, 5-1 MCAL) at Petaluma (15-1, 6-0), Thursday, 6:30 p.m. – The two top teams in the MCAL go at it once again. Petaluma scored a 3-1 win the first time the teams met. And they’ll likely be looking to keep their league record perfect. Kaitlyn Dunaway has been big up front for Petaluma this season, and Kallee Cool has done the same for Analy.
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