Here are rankings done by longtime Bay Area analyst Harold Abend and done for use on Antioch High football game broadcasts. We’ll run these lists with a short intro on our blog. Anyone wishing to see writeups and breakdowns of the top teams in the state, sign up for our Gold Club membership. For details, CLICK HERE.
The Antioch show is on the road this week in Rohnert Park where Najee Harris will make his first-ever appearance in the Redwood Empire when he takes the field on Friday night against Rancho Cotate. Despite seeing limited action in two of the first three games, Harris has 681 yards on 64 carries with eight touchdowns, two more TDs and 120 yards receiving, six 2-point conversions and an interception on defense.
Rancho Cotate junior quarterback Jake Simmons has thrown for 906 yards and 12 TDs in his first two varsity games so if the host Cougars can score some points, Harris may have to play longer, although with De La Salle on tap the coaches likely would prefer to rest him.
Last year, in a 54-14 Antioch win, Harris played maybe an actual quarter of time in the first half that saw the Panthers with a 46-0 lead, and then he was done and finished with 224 yards on 17 carries with the two TDs and three 2-point conversions.
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
(After games of Saturday, Sept. 10)
Head coach Eric Billeci from No. 11 California of San Ramon will direct team this week in game vs. Amador Valley.
1. (1) De La Salle (Concord) 3-0
Squeaker versus Servite and now a real big test against Utah’s Salt Lake City East.
2. (2) St. Francis (Mountain View) 2-0
Bye week with Atascadero on tap before opening WCAL play in two weeks with Riordan.
3. (3) Monte Vista (Danville) 2-0
Blowout of Deer Valley followed up by solid win over Foothill to open EBAL play.
4. (4) Pittsburg 3-0
The Pirates are for real and big time after Serra win.
5. (6) Clayton Valley (Concord) 2-1
Eagles soared and scored and had no problems with Vegas boys in impressive win.
6. (5) Bellarmine (San Jose) 2-1
State ranked No. 23 Bells fall to No. 10 Del Oro in a close game so drop is miniscule.
7. (7) Valley Christian (San Jose) 3-0
It was a close win on the road at CIF Northern Section top-ranked Pleasant Valley of Chico.
8. (8) Serra (San Mateo) 0-3
No drop in this group until WCAL play starts and a win over Pittsburg would have meant a bump up past Valley Christian.
9. (9) Milpitas 3-0
No problems with North Salinas but not ready to jump them over Serra yet.
10. (10) Antioch 2-1
Najee Harris had 255 yards in the first half against San Leandro.
11. (11) California (San Ramon) 3-0
12. (14) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 2-1
13. (12) Freedom (Oakley) 3-0
14. (15) Analy (Sebastopol) 2-1
15. (18) San Benito (Hollister) 3-0
16. (16) Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) 2-0
17. (20) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 2-1
18. (17) McClymonds (Oakland) 2-1
19. (21) Campolindo (Moraga) 2-1
20. (22) Granada (Livermore) 2-0
21. (24) Miramonte (Orinda) 3-0
22. (NR) Liberty (Brentwood) 2-1
23. (25) Aptos 2-1
24. (19) Oak Grove (San Jose) 0-2
25. (23) Los Gatos 1-2
Dropped Out:
Previous No. 13 Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 1-2
On the Bubble
(In alphabetical order)
Acalanes (Lafayette) 2-1, Aragon (San Mateo) 3-0, Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco) 2-1, Aptos 2-1, Burlingame 2-1, Carmel 3-0, Concord 2-1, Foothill (Pleasanton) 0-3, Half Moon Bay 3-0, Heritage (Brentwood) 3-0, Justin-Siena (Napa) 1-2, Kennedy (Fremont) 3-0, Leigh (San Jose) 2-0, Live Oak (Morgan Hill) 2-0, Marin Catholic (Kentfield) 1-2, Menlo-Atherton (Atherton) 1-2, Monte Vista Christian (Watsonville) 3-0, Moreau Catholic (Hayward) 2-1, Palma (Salinas) 1-2, Palo Alto 1-2, Piedmont 2-1, Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park) 1-1, Redwood (Larkspur) 3-0, Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco) 1-2, Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) 0-3, Seaside 3-0, Salinas 2-1, San Leandro 1-2, San Ramon Valley (Danville) 2-0, St. Ignatius (San Francisco) 2-1, Wilcox (Santa Clara) 1-2, Woodside 3-0.
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
