The week that was in Napa Valley high school football.
Vintage and Calistoga each received their first win of the season, 26-21 over Lincoln
(Stockton) and 46-6 Woodside Priory (San Mateo) respectively. St. Helena was dealt its
first loss, 49-21 to Winters. American Canyon and Napa are still seeking their first victory
under their first-year head coaches, John Montante (American Canyon) and Tom Pettithome
(Napa). The former lost 42-13 to Amador Valley (Pleasanton) while the latter fell to Nevada
Union (Grass Valley) 59-34. Justin-Siena improved to 2-1 by blasting Armijo (Fairfield)
40-14.
(Stockton) and 46-6 Woodside Priory (San Mateo) respectively. St. Helena was dealt its
first loss, 49-21 to Winters. American Canyon and Napa are still seeking their first victory
under their first-year head coaches, John Montante (American Canyon) and Tom Pettithome
(Napa). The former lost 42-13 to Amador Valley (Pleasanton) while the latter fell to Nevada
Union (Grass Valley) 59-34. Justin-Siena improved to 2-1 by blasting Armijo (Fairfield)
40-14.
Here’s a closer look in alphabetical order:
AMERICAN CANYON
Terrible starts continue to plague the Wolves, who have been outscored 55-0 in the first three
games. Amador Valley (Pleasanton) later saw its lead dwindle to 14-7 and 21-13 but got no
closer. Eddie Byrdsong led the Wolves offense with 17 carries for 135 yards. Turnovers,
however, continue to plague American Canyon. On Friday, the Wolves gave it away five
times to derail any chance of victory.
games. Amador Valley (Pleasanton) later saw its lead dwindle to 14-7 and 21-13 but got no
closer. Eddie Byrdsong led the Wolves offense with 17 carries for 135 yards. Turnovers,
however, continue to plague American Canyon. On Friday, the Wolves gave it away five
times to derail any chance of victory.
American Canyon travels to Vacaville to face a familiar foe, Will C. Wood. The two programs
have met five times since 2013 with the Wolves having the edge 3-2. Last season’s game
featured American Canyon winless entering the contest but a 44-29 win kickstarted a seven
game winning streak. Another subplot is Kirk Anderson, who was a Wolves assistant in 2017
under former head coach Larry Singer, is a member of Wood’s staff. Anderson is a Vacaville
resident. The Wildcats are 2-1, beating Deer Valley (Antioch) 20-8. The same Deer Valley
club that beat the Wolves 36-21. Wood, which is 2-1, beat Vintage 35-7 in the season opener.
Vintage was viewed by some as the favorite to win the newly formed Vine Valley Athletic
League.
have met five times since 2013 with the Wolves having the edge 3-2. Last season’s game
featured American Canyon winless entering the contest but a 44-29 win kickstarted a seven
game winning streak. Another subplot is Kirk Anderson, who was a Wolves assistant in 2017
under former head coach Larry Singer, is a member of Wood’s staff. Anderson is a Vacaville
resident. The Wildcats are 2-1, beating Deer Valley (Antioch) 20-8. The same Deer Valley
club that beat the Wolves 36-21. Wood, which is 2-1, beat Vintage 35-7 in the season opener.
Vintage was viewed by some as the favorite to win the newly formed Vine Valley Athletic
League.
CALISTOGA
The Wildcats rode the crest of their second half performance of their opening week 28-20
loss to South Fork (Miranda) into Friday’s victory over Woodside. In the aforementioned
defeat, Calistoga scored 20 second half points before its comeback effort fell short. The
combination of freshman quarterback Christian Caldera and running back Jesus Rojas
gashed the Panthers. The former had 55 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns rushing
and another one passing, a 39-yarder to Rojas. Speaking of Rojas, he added 109 yards on
17 carries with three touchdowns. The Calistoga defense produced a gem against a Woodside
team that never scored fewer than 58 points last season. Considering eight-man football often
features teams scoring 40 plus points, limiting a team to six is an eye-opener. Calistoga
produced three turnovers on defense.
loss to South Fork (Miranda) into Friday’s victory over Woodside. In the aforementioned
defeat, Calistoga scored 20 second half points before its comeback effort fell short. The
combination of freshman quarterback Christian Caldera and running back Jesus Rojas
gashed the Panthers. The former had 55 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns rushing
and another one passing, a 39-yarder to Rojas. Speaking of Rojas, he added 109 yards on
17 carries with three touchdowns. The Calistoga defense produced a gem against a Woodside
team that never scored fewer than 58 points last season. Considering eight-man football often
features teams scoring 40 plus points, limiting a team to six is an eye-opener. Calistoga
produced three turnovers on defense.
Calistoga travels to Upper Lake on Friday night. This trip to Northern Lake County will be
different that previous years because Upper Lake now has lights for its football field, which
means Friday night games. Yours truly covered a few games on Saturday afternoon at that
venue in oppressive heat.
different that previous years because Upper Lake now has lights for its football field, which
means Friday night games. Yours truly covered a few games on Saturday afternoon at that
venue in oppressive heat.
JUSTIN-SIENA
Though Armijo is a perennial subpar-to-bad program, the win is significant to Justin for
two reasons. Five Justin players and its head coach (Brandon Larocco) are Fairfield natives.
Also, since Justin is a CIF North Coast Section Div. IV team, a win over a Sac Joaquin
Section Div. I will count for a lot even if it is bad. Armijo entered the game in an already
compromised situation after having its previous game against Bethel (Vallejo) postponed
because of violence near the school. The Braves defense produced the first score on Marcus
Nunes’ 15-yard fumble return. The Braves’ offense also diced up Armijo led by quarterback
Barrett Donohoe going 9 of 15 for 196 yards and playing a role in four touchdowns.
two reasons. Five Justin players and its head coach (Brandon Larocco) are Fairfield natives.
Also, since Justin is a CIF North Coast Section Div. IV team, a win over a Sac Joaquin
Section Div. I will count for a lot even if it is bad. Armijo entered the game in an already
compromised situation after having its previous game against Bethel (Vallejo) postponed
because of violence near the school. The Braves defense produced the first score on Marcus
Nunes’ 15-yard fumble return. The Braves’ offense also diced up Armijo led by quarterback
Barrett Donohoe going 9 of 15 for 196 yards and playing a role in four touchdowns.
Justin will host last season’s NCS Div. IV runner up. The two teams met last year with the
Titans winning 14-7. Hercules lost its first two games 28-0 against Northgate (Walnut Creek)
and Middletown before blasting Mt. Diablo (Concord) 32-0.
Titans winning 14-7. Hercules lost its first two games 28-0 against Northgate (Walnut Creek)
and Middletown before blasting Mt. Diablo (Concord) 32-0.
NAPA
The good news is that Napa’s newly implemented spread offense appeared to find its stride
on some level after scoring only 19 points in its first two games. However, even a 34 point
effort is not going to top the opponent scoring 59. Napa has surrendered 169 points in its
first three contests. The Miners gobbled up over 500 yards of real estate on the ground.
The halftime score was 46-27 Nevada Union. The Miners entered the game 0-2 and having
lost to Yuba City and Spanish Springs (Sparks, NV) by a combined score of 86-13. Napa
quarterback Gunner Schoeps passed for 280 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.
on some level after scoring only 19 points in its first two games. However, even a 34 point
effort is not going to top the opponent scoring 59. Napa has surrendered 169 points in its
first three contests. The Miners gobbled up over 500 yards of real estate on the ground.
The halftime score was 46-27 Nevada Union. The Miners entered the game 0-2 and having
lost to Yuba City and Spanish Springs (Sparks, NV) by a combined score of 86-13. Napa
quarterback Gunner Schoeps passed for 280 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Grizzlies host Riordan (San Francisco) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The two
teams met last year with Napa winning 28-13. Riordan is 0-1 with a 49-48 loss to Salesian
(Richmond).
teams met last year with Napa winning 28-13. Riordan is 0-1 with a 49-48 loss to Salesian
(Richmond).
ST. HELENA
The Saints converted an early takeaway that gave them possession at the Winters’ 36 into a
Daniel Martinez touchdown. The Warriors, however, countered with 35 unanswered points
and were never threatened thereafter. Too much Daniel Carrion, who ran for 220 yards and
threw 137 more. Carrion ran for four touchdowns and threw for another. The Saints offense
meanwhile struggled to get out of first gear, generating 221 yards on 60 plays.
Daniel Martinez touchdown. The Warriors, however, countered with 35 unanswered points
and were never threatened thereafter. Too much Daniel Carrion, who ran for 220 yards and
threw 137 more. Carrion ran for four touchdowns and threw for another. The Saints offense
meanwhile struggled to get out of first gear, generating 221 yards on 60 plays.
St. Helena opens the NCL I portion of its schedule on Sept. 14 against Kelseyville. Both
teams will have a bye next week. The Knights, who had about a decade of mediocre to
below average seasons, have experienced a rebirth in going 17-7 the last two campaigns.
Like St. Helena, Kelseyville is 2-1 with a loss to Stellar Prep (Oakland), 40-32 and wins
over Berean Christian (Walnut Creek) and Biggs, 22-12 and 54-22 respectively.
teams will have a bye next week. The Knights, who had about a decade of mediocre to
below average seasons, have experienced a rebirth in going 17-7 the last two campaigns.
Like St. Helena, Kelseyville is 2-1 with a loss to Stellar Prep (Oakland), 40-32 and wins
over Berean Christian (Walnut Creek) and Biggs, 22-12 and 54-22 respectively.
VINTAGE
The Crushers recorded their first win of the season by firing out to a 26-0 lead to hold on
for dear life, escaping Stockton with a 26-21 win. Vintage’s Bryce Eade broke up a Grant
Stevenson pass deep in Crusher territory on fourth down to seal the win. Eade also saved
Vintage’s bacon with a sack on the final drive and a fumble recovery at the Vintage 2-yard
line to prevent a potential winning score for Lincoln. Vintage’s defense used a bend but
don’t break approach against a Lincoln team that attempted 50 passes. Though the Tigers
generated 342 yards of offense, they only had 21 points to show for it. The Crushers raced
to their aforementioned lead with two Jacob Aaron touchdown passes with Cutler Low and
Josh Robert on the receiving end, Michael Webber and Viliami Schaumkel also ran for
touchdowns.
for dear life, escaping Stockton with a 26-21 win. Vintage’s Bryce Eade broke up a Grant
Stevenson pass deep in Crusher territory on fourth down to seal the win. Eade also saved
Vintage’s bacon with a sack on the final drive and a fumble recovery at the Vintage 2-yard
line to prevent a potential winning score for Lincoln. Vintage’s defense used a bend but
don’t break approach against a Lincoln team that attempted 50 passes. Though the Tigers
generated 342 yards of offense, they only had 21 points to show for it. The Crushers raced
to their aforementioned lead with two Jacob Aaron touchdown passes with Cutler Low and
Josh Robert on the receiving end, Michael Webber and Viliami Schaumkel also ran for
touchdowns.
The Crushers wrap up the nonleague portion of its schedule by hosting Bellarmine Prep
(San Jose) on Friday. The longtime West Coast Catholic powerhouse is coming off two
subpar seasons by their standards, 7-5 in 2016 and 4-7 in 2017. Bellarmine is 1-1 entering
Memorial Stadium with a 28-0 loss to Menlo (Atherton) and a 13-12 win over Clovis West.
(San Jose) on Friday. The longtime West Coast Catholic powerhouse is coming off two
subpar seasons by their standards, 7-5 in 2016 and 4-7 in 2017. Bellarmine is 1-1 entering
Memorial Stadium with a 28-0 loss to Menlo (Atherton) and a 13-12 win over Clovis West.
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