The final week of the regular season of Napa Valley high school football involved four
winners and four of the six teams punching their tickets to the CIF North Coast Section
playoffs.
winners and four of the six teams punching their tickets to the CIF North Coast Section
playoffs.
The Vintage Crushers blasted the Napa Grizzlies 69-14 in Big Game 47. The American
Canyon Wolves prevailed over the Justin-Siena Braves 27-14. The St. Helena Saints
knocked off the Lower Lake Trojans 40-30. The Calistoga Wildcats whitewashed the
Roseland Prep Grizzlies 56-0.
Canyon Wolves prevailed over the Justin-Siena Braves 27-14. The St. Helena Saints
knocked off the Lower Lake Trojans 40-30. The Calistoga Wildcats whitewashed the
Roseland Prep Grizzlies 56-0.
As for the playoffs, Vintage garnered the No. 8 seed in Div. I and will host the No. 9
James Logan (Union City) Colts on Friday at 7 p.m. The winner takes on top-seeded
Antioch. American Canyon is the No. 8 seed but will visit the No. 9 seeded Montgomery
Vikings (Santa Rosa). That game will take place on Saturday at 7 p.m. The winner will
face the victor of Rancho Cotate and Casa Grande. The former is the No. 1 seed. In Div.
IV, Justin is the No. 10 seed and will visit No. 7 Piedmont. The winner visits No. 2 Del
Norte. In Div. V, St. Helena will host No. 10 Hoopa Valley on Saturday at 7 p.m. The
winner visits No. 2 Salesian.
James Logan (Union City) Colts on Friday at 7 p.m. The winner takes on top-seeded
Antioch. American Canyon is the No. 8 seed but will visit the No. 9 seeded Montgomery
Vikings (Santa Rosa). That game will take place on Saturday at 7 p.m. The winner will
face the victor of Rancho Cotate and Casa Grande. The former is the No. 1 seed. In Div.
IV, Justin is the No. 10 seed and will visit No. 7 Piedmont. The winner visits No. 2 Del
Norte. In Div. V, St. Helena will host No. 10 Hoopa Valley on Saturday at 7 p.m. The
winner visits No. 2 Salesian.
Here’s a closer look:
NAPA-VINTAGE
Looking back: Nothing surprising happened here. Napa’s offense had its moments in the
early going before the Vintage defense shut the door. The Crushers established their
superiority to win sole possession of the newly formed Vine Valley Athletic League.
Vintage’s Viliami Schaumkel scored four touchdowns to lead the Crushers as his team
scored on all ten of their possessions. Schaumkel gained 163 yards on 13 carries. Chase
LaRue scored both of Napa’s touchdowns.
early going before the Vintage defense shut the door. The Crushers established their
superiority to win sole possession of the newly formed Vine Valley Athletic League.
Vintage’s Viliami Schaumkel scored four touchdowns to lead the Crushers as his team
scored on all ten of their possessions. Schaumkel gained 163 yards on 13 carries. Chase
LaRue scored both of Napa’s touchdowns.
Looking ahead: Now that the Crushers won their first league title since 2005, the next
streak to break is achieving the program’s first postseason victory since 1986, when the
Crushers won the Sac Joaquin Section Div. I title. James Logan went 7-3 overall and 5-1
against Mission Valley opponents with the lone defeat being a 42-14 against league
champion Moreau Catholic (Hayward). Both teams come into the contest having run
roughshod over opponents. Since the aforementioned loss to Moreau Catholic, the Colts
have outscored their last four opponents 249-40. Vintage has outscored its last three foes
173-26. For what it’s worth, calpreps.com has the VVAL as the stronger league than the
MVL and gives Vintage the edge on strength of schedule.
streak to break is achieving the program’s first postseason victory since 1986, when the
Crushers won the Sac Joaquin Section Div. I title. James Logan went 7-3 overall and 5-1
against Mission Valley opponents with the lone defeat being a 42-14 against league
champion Moreau Catholic (Hayward). Both teams come into the contest having run
roughshod over opponents. Since the aforementioned loss to Moreau Catholic, the Colts
have outscored their last four opponents 249-40. Vintage has outscored its last three foes
173-26. For what it’s worth, calpreps.com has the VVAL as the stronger league than the
MVL and gives Vintage the edge on strength of schedule.
As for Napa, where do they go from here after finishing 0-10 for the first winless season
since 1955? The program has had three head coaches in as many seasons (Troy Mott,
Jesus Martinez and Tom Petithomme). Petithomme was hired as the athletic director in
June and replaced Martinez shortly thereafter as the interim coach. The question becomes
does Petithomme go back to his AD role which he shares with Darci Ward and the school
pursues a football coach or is the interim tag removed? We shall see.
since 1955? The program has had three head coaches in as many seasons (Troy Mott,
Jesus Martinez and Tom Petithomme). Petithomme was hired as the athletic director in
June and replaced Martinez shortly thereafter as the interim coach. The question becomes
does Petithomme go back to his AD role which he shares with Darci Ward and the school
pursues a football coach or is the interim tag removed? We shall see.
AMERICAN CANYON-JUSTIN
Looking back: American Canyon appeared headed for an easy victory when taking a 20-0
lead entering the fourth quarter before Braves quarterback Barrett Donohoe connected with
Solomone Anitoni for a 48-yard touchdown and Miles Williams scored on a 9-yard fumble
return. After the Braves turned it over on downs on their final possession, American Canyon
cemented the win with quarterback Vance Eschenberg connecting with Brandon Seay for a
28-yard touchdown. Eschenberg added three rushing touchdowns. Backfield mate Eddie
Byrdsong had 112 yards on 26 yards. The Wolves defense sacked Donohoe four times.
lead entering the fourth quarter before Braves quarterback Barrett Donohoe connected with
Solomone Anitoni for a 48-yard touchdown and Miles Williams scored on a 9-yard fumble
return. After the Braves turned it over on downs on their final possession, American Canyon
cemented the win with quarterback Vance Eschenberg connecting with Brandon Seay for a
28-yard touchdown. Eschenberg added three rushing touchdowns. Backfield mate Eddie
Byrdsong had 112 yards on 26 yards. The Wolves defense sacked Donohoe four times.
Looking ahead: The Wolves and Montgomery have two common opponents (Petaluma
and Casa Grande). American Canyon beat Petaluma 43-16 with a special teams and
defensive touchdown skewing the victory margin. Montgomery lost to Petaluma 21-7 in the
season opener. The Wolves beat Casa Grande 34-14 while one week after falling to Petaluma,
the Vikings beat Casa Grande 35-7. Though Montgomery is the lower seed, it is hosting based
on winning the North Bay League (Redwood) title. American Canyon received the higher
seed based on a more stringent strength of schedule. Calpreps.com rates the VVAL higher
than the NBL (Redwood).
and Casa Grande). American Canyon beat Petaluma 43-16 with a special teams and
defensive touchdown skewing the victory margin. Montgomery lost to Petaluma 21-7 in the
season opener. The Wolves beat Casa Grande 34-14 while one week after falling to Petaluma,
the Vikings beat Casa Grande 35-7. Though Montgomery is the lower seed, it is hosting based
on winning the North Bay League (Redwood) title. American Canyon received the higher
seed based on a more stringent strength of schedule. Calpreps.com rates the VVAL higher
than the NBL (Redwood).
For Justin, its matchup at Piedmont represents a rematch from the season-opener, which the
Highlanders won 28-7. The two programs have plenty of recent history. Justin won the 2013
(48-7) contest. The two teams split in 2015, Piemont won the season opener (24-14) and
Justin won the NCS Div. IV playoff game (14-3) along with a 2015 game (35-21). Piedmont
has won the last three in decisive fashion, including 48-14 in 2016 and 41-17 in 2017.
Highlanders won 28-7. The two programs have plenty of recent history. Justin won the 2013
(48-7) contest. The two teams split in 2015, Piemont won the season opener (24-14) and
Justin won the NCS Div. IV playoff game (14-3) along with a 2015 game (35-21). Piedmont
has won the last three in decisive fashion, including 48-14 in 2016 and 41-17 in 2017.
ST. HELENA
Looking back: The Saints ground attack amassed 384 yards led by the tandem of Ivan
Robledo and Cody DiTomaso. Robledo, who is a freshman called up from JV two weeks ago,
had 183 yards on 25 carries and four touchdowns. DiTomaso added 89 more on 19 carries on
two touchdowns. The game appeared headed for a blowout with the Saints leading 14-0
before Lower Lake’s Elias Hernandez threw a pass that appeared ticketed for an inception
but landed into Aries Brooke’s arms for a 78-yard touchdown. The Trojans later tied the
game at 14-all before the Saints took control in the second half.
Robledo and Cody DiTomaso. Robledo, who is a freshman called up from JV two weeks ago,
had 183 yards on 25 carries and four touchdowns. DiTomaso added 89 more on 19 carries on
two touchdowns. The game appeared headed for a blowout with the Saints leading 14-0
before Lower Lake’s Elias Hernandez threw a pass that appeared ticketed for an inception
but landed into Aries Brooke’s arms for a 78-yard touchdown. The Trojans later tied the
game at 14-all before the Saints took control in the second half.
Looking ahead: One week after recording his 100th career win as a head coach, Brandon
Farrell received victory No. 101. Even better news, St. Helena does not have to travel on
Highway 101 for its playoff game. The Saints are making a return trip to the playoffs after
missing out with a 3-5 record last season. St. Helena, however, has not hosted a postseason
contest since 2014. That season, the Saints went 12-2, reaching the NCS Div. V title game
before losing 14-7 to Salesian. St. Helena and Hoopa Valley are each 6-4 with one common
opponent, Arcata. The Saints opened the season with a 26-20 win over Arcata. Hoopa Valley
lost twice to the Tigers (24-16 and 22-14). The Warriors compete in the Humboldt Del Norte
Little 4 League.
Farrell received victory No. 101. Even better news, St. Helena does not have to travel on
Highway 101 for its playoff game. The Saints are making a return trip to the playoffs after
missing out with a 3-5 record last season. St. Helena, however, has not hosted a postseason
contest since 2014. That season, the Saints went 12-2, reaching the NCS Div. V title game
before losing 14-7 to Salesian. St. Helena and Hoopa Valley are each 6-4 with one common
opponent, Arcata. The Saints opened the season with a 26-20 win over Arcata. Hoopa Valley
lost twice to the Tigers (24-16 and 22-14). The Warriors compete in the Humboldt Del Norte
Little 4 League.
CALISTOGA
Looking back: The Wildcats recovered from a difficult two weeks by running roughshod
against an overmatched opponent that was winless and scored just 12 points in eight games.
Calistoga suited up just nine players one week after having to forfeit its game against Stuart
Hall (San Francisco) because of not having enough available players. Roseland Prep
recovered an onside kick to begin the game but it was all downhill from there. Jasiel Flores
scored on a 35-yard touchdown run followed by a Christian Caldera two-point conversion to
begin the onslaught. The Wildcats defense limited the Grizzlies to just 50 yards of total offense.
against an overmatched opponent that was winless and scored just 12 points in eight games.
Calistoga suited up just nine players one week after having to forfeit its game against Stuart
Hall (San Francisco) because of not having enough available players. Roseland Prep
recovered an onside kick to begin the game but it was all downhill from there. Jasiel Flores
scored on a 35-yard touchdown run followed by a Christian Caldera two-point conversion to
begin the onslaught. The Wildcats defense limited the Grizzlies to just 50 yards of total offense.
Looking ahead: This marks the first year that the NCS has incorporated 8-man playoffs but
Calistoga did not make the selection. The Wildcats finished head coach Jim Klaczak’s season
5-4. The year started in promising fashion in going 4-1 but a three-game losing streak before
the aforementioned win over Roseland Prep derailed the Wildcats’ postseason chances.
Calistoga did not make the selection. The Wildcats finished head coach Jim Klaczak’s season
5-4. The year started in promising fashion in going 4-1 but a three-game losing streak before
the aforementioned win over Roseland Prep derailed the Wildcats’ postseason chances.
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