Yes, No. 1 De La Salle didn’t get it done deep in the heart of Texas, but until someone in these parts gets it done against them, Sparta still reigns supreme. We should get a better idea of what the local terrain is like when DLS invades San Mateo this Friday night to face No. 5 Serra.
Note: For this week’s Gold Club post highlighting the State Top 25 overall rankings, CLICK HERE.
In a game many thought might be closer and with No. 2 Bellarmine still waiting to play its first game, No. 3 Pittsburg thoroughly dominated previous No. 13 California of San Ramon in a 28-0 victory in which head coach Vic Galli unveiled a no-huddle offense to go with a defense that surprisingly pitched a shutout. The Pirates head to Danville this week to face No. 14 San Ramon Valley in an attempt to take home more bounty.
Luis Ramos should be a primary ball carrier this season in Clayton Valley’s high-powered rushing offense. Photo: Jason Rogers/Clayton Valley.
No. 4 Clayton Valley got about as close as it could get to pulling off an upset of state No. 5 and host Folsom, but the Ugly Eagles fell 27-26 in a heartbreaker that was more than just a loss. The Ugly Eagles also lost preseason All East Bay First Team junior tackle Jalen McKenzie on the second play of the game to a torn ACL that ends his season. The 6-foot-6, 285-pound McKenzie, the younger brother of Kahlil McKenzie (now at Tennessee) and son of Raider GM Reggie McKenzie, was going to be the anchor of a line that Clayton Valley head coach Tim Murphy felt could would be key to another CIF Bowl Game run.
“I finally had a great lineman and he goes down on the second play of the season,” Murphy remarked. “It’s absolutely horrible for him but all we can do is get him healthy and be thankful he has another season.”
On a positive note, Clayton Valley running back Ray Jackson III still had 242 yards rushing and two TDs and quarterback Luis Ramos ran for two scores.
No. 8 Foothill had a solid season-opening 38-15 win over visiting San Leandro. This week, the Falcons have an interesting matchup with No. 13 Freedom of Oakley.
Two interesting games to watch this week that could have implications on the small school Open Division state playoffs are Palma hosting Sutter and St. Mary’s of Stockton visiting Cardinal Newman. Two other games of note pit defending CIF Division III Bowl champion Campolindo against visiting St. Ignatius, and Antioch, with junior superstar running back Najee Harris, hosting Milpitas.
This week’s lone newcomer is No. 17 Monte Vista with its rising young junior quarterback Jake Haener. The preseason All East Bay First Team selection was 17-for-22 for 320 yards and four TDs in just a half of action in last week’s 42-14 victory over Castro Valley.
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
(Through games of Saturday, Aug. 29)
(Includes all Central Coast Section schools but no North Coast Section schools north of the Santa Rosa Metro area)
1. (1) De La Salle (Concord) 0-1
2. (2) Bellarmine (San Jose) 0-0
3. (3) Pittsburg 1-0
4. (4) Clayton Valley (Concord) 0-1
5. (5) Serra (San Mateo) 0-0
6. (6) Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) 0-0
7. (7) Valley Christian (San Jose) 0-0
8. (8) Foothill (Pleasanton) 1-0
9. (9) Palma (Salinas) 0-0
10. (11) Campolindo (Moraga) 1-0
11. (12) St. Francis (Mountain View) 0-0
12. (14) Antioch 1-0
13. (16) Freedom (Oakley) 1-0
14. (17) San Ramon Valley (Danville) 1-0
15. (15) Milpitas 0-0
16. (18) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 1-0
17. (NR) Monte Vista (Danville) 1-0
18. (10) Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 0-1
19. (13) California (San Ramon) 0-1
20. (19) Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park) 0-0
21. (20) Los Gatos 0-0
22. (21) Windsor 1-0
23. (22) James Logan (Union City) 1-0
24. (23) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 0-0
25. (24) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 1-0
On the Bubble
(Alphabetical order)
Analy (Sebastopol) 1-0, Burlingame 0-0, Concord 1-0, El Cerrito 0-1, Fremont (Oakland) 1-0, Liberty (Brentwood) 1-0, Maria Carrillo (Santa Rosa) 1-0, McClymonds (Oakland) 0-0, Miramonte (Orinda) 1-0, Monterey 0-0, Moreau Catholic (Hayward) 1-0, Oak Grove (San Jose) 0-0, Piedmont 1-0, Pioneer (San Jose) 0-0, St. Ignatius (San Francisco) 0-0, Salesian (Richmond) 1-0, Salinas 0-0, San Benito (Hollister) 0-0, San Marin (Novato) 1-0, Terra Nova (Pacifica) 0-0, Wilcox (Santa Clara) 0-0.
Harold Abend is the associate editor of CalHiSports.com and the vice president of the California Prep Sportswriters Association. He can be reached at marketingharoldabend@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow him on Twitter: @HaroldAbend
